Poll results and weekend in Vegas

Many of you have already heard the results of the ultrasound, but in case you haven't....
It's a girl!! My thoughts? Well, I always suspected it was a girl. However, if it had been a boy I would not have been shocked. In fact, the ultrasound tech said she was only 90% sure so my doctor will have to take a peek at my next appointment to confirm it. All my kids wanted it to be a girl, even Charlie! Jon was certain it was a boy so it took him a good 24 hours to adjust and get excited about it. Now he's thinking we should try once more for a boy. Ummm, not a good time to discuss that idea!
A lot of people have said how Charlie needs a brother. I used to agree until this little conversation I had with him a couple weeks ago.
C: "I'm a girl."
Me: "No, you're a boy."
C: (more insistent) "I'm a GIRL!"
Me: "Well then who will be my little boy?"
C: (pensive) " That baby will." (pointing to my belly)
So, hopefully now he will feel the responsibility to take on the role of the son! Love him!

After the ultrasound, Jon and I headed out to St. George. We stayed there for one night and the next day drove into Vegas. I was really looking forward to a little getaway in the sun to relax and have fun! That night we went to a Killers concert at the Joint at the Hard Rock. It was a brand new place..The Killers were the first show! We had great seats. I've never had GA tickets before at a crowded, semi-rowdy concert like this. I was a little nervous about my safety and was prepared to brace myself against my brother-in-law Chad who was in front of me. Although it was super crowded and tight, and hard for the vertically challenged to breathe, it wasn't too bad. I did, however, get a cup of beer spilled down my head. And strangely, this is not the first time this has happened to me. (Graduation cruise with girlfriends, chronically drunk man we nicknamed Struggles.) Maybe it was the adrenaline, my vacation personality, or the effects of the "botanical" fumes in the air but for whatever reason, the spill didn't bother me. Here are some pictures and video footage.
Such a good lookin fellow.
I swear at some point we made eye contact.
Playing the piano.
So theatrical, fun to watch!
Chad's friend, Wade, (who vowed not to let anything happen to me if things got crazy and thus became my bodyguard) caught the drumstick they threw out after the encore.
He even let me pose for a picture with it. Keep in mind this is me 5 months pregnant, with beer in my hair, after having rocked out in a sauna for 4 hours.
This is not zoomed in, so you can see we had maybe 8-10 people in front of us.



The next day we had a delicious breakfast with our friends the Paxtons and then spent the day basking in the sun at the pool. I never really enjoyed laying out until after I had kids and could really appreciate the luxury of laying there without interruptions or pressing responsibilities.
Whitney is pregnant with her 4th child too and we are due 3 days apart! We love these guys!
That night after dinner we got the endorphins flowing with a great dose of laughter at the Ray Romano and Kevin James show.
It was so funny! I'm a huge fan of them both and they did not disappoint. Sometimes it just feels so good to laugh and laugh and LAUGH!!

The next morning we headed home. It was a fantastic and much needed break. My sister Annie was kind enough to take care of the kids while we were away. They had a blast with her! She does a great job and we are infinitely appreciative.

Now, it's back to life, chores, responsibilities. I love Vegas because it's a true escape from life. MY life anyway. Las Vegas is a great representation of the opposite of my life. It's nice to have the contrast once in a while. I really do appreciate what I have even more. The place where I live, the people I live near, my kids, my family and home life.

Time to plan the next getaway...

Spring Break

It's funny how the term "Spring Break" means something completely different now than when I was in college! Last time I remember having a Spring Break I went to Vegas with Jon and met his family for the first time. We'll be doing that again at the end of the week, but without the family this time!
Currently, this is the meaning of Spring Break:
DAY 1: Crappy weather, flu, stayed in all day.
DAY 2: Took the kids to see the chicks, ducklings, and bunnies at IFA.
The kids all thoroughly enjoyed it and Paige left determined to have a white bunny. Haily then decided she must have a black one.
Saw the new Hannah Montana movie.
I enjoyed it right along with the kids. I thought it was a great movie about family, hometown, going back to our roots to discover who we really are...a little bit moving. I admit I had some watery eyes, which may have been somewhat hormone induced.
It made me long for the South, particularly Tennessee. Doesn't matter that I've never been. Michelle promised to take me there next Spring, right Michelle? I'm holding you to it.
It was only when we exited the theater that we learned Mylie and Billy Ray Cyrus were there, at the 3:30 showing! We missed them by one hour.
Took Haily to get her ears pierced.
Her birthday is in 6 weeks so we thought it would be perfect timing, she'll be able to take out these (Emerald birthstone) studs on her birthday. She was a little nervous but not really scared. They had two ladies so they could do both at the same time. It turned out to backfire on us because one of them missed the mark the first time and we had to pull it out and do it again! Haily cried just for a few seconds then held really still for the 2nd time. She loves it!
DAY 3 Dyed eggs:
Why is dying eggs so stressful?!?! "Don't spill the colors!" "Keep your hands out!" "Don't drop your eggs!" AHHH!
Went to the Jazz game!
Our super thoughtful neighbors invited us to go with them using their company tickets! Prime rib dinner before, 8th row behind the Warriors bench, free snacks at halftime! Although the Jazz did not play well, and they lost, it was a fun night! Thanks Cory and Amy!
DAY 4 Dressed up the kids.
Paige was sick and stayed home from church. Hopefully they will all we healthy and well, even after all the treats the Easter Bunny dropped off, so they can go back to school tomorrow!

Spring?

This is April:
Yuck! It's cold, blustery, frozen, windy...WINTERY!
The week before, it was so lovely we got our garden ready to plant and spent the whole day outside. The girls even held their first lemonade stand of the season. And I had to slather them with sunscreen! I myself got a little burn on my arms.
I guess Mother Nature is a bit irritable with some dynamic MOOD SWINGS! But I can't blame her, she is about to give birth to a whole new earth, after all. All the colorful buds and greenery are weeks away from bursting out! I can't wait!
I've never longed for Spring as much as I do now. I want to plant my vegetable seeds and flowers. I want to feel the warmth of the sun on my face. I want to go on a walk outside and let my kids ride their bikes and scooters for hours on end. I want to go to the park for a picnic. I am so tired of being cooped up! OH I love Spring! Especially after a long, cold, isolating winter.