Davis Robert Gotch

 He's here! He's here!

Got a text from Bobby this morning while I was at work letting us know that Kristin was starting to have contractions.  Knowing how quick my labor was for both girls, I picked up the phone and called them to tell them that if she is starting labor she shouldn't wait it out at home.  She should make her way to the hospital.  He couldn't talk much because Kristin was in some pretty serious pain the background and he was going to get her packed up to go.

OMG!  We might have a baby today!  We actually successfully evicted the baby!

Got the news in the late afternoon that baby and mama were doing well and we could come visit anytime.  The girls had a dentist appointment but as soon as we were done with that we made the trip to Woodbury to welcome Davis to the family.



It's safe to say the girls are obsessed.

We called Kari and family and were able to show them the newest member of the family. 

Gotta love modern technology!

Pics From Home

Happy Easter!

Hannah helped Grandma Chris contruct her fruit bunny while Hailey serenaded us on the piano.

I spent the day sending random 'pics from home' to Kari and family through Facebook Messenger.

Yummy fruit bunny!

Bob supervised from afar.  Not really sure why he isn't in his 'spot'.  I love this picture.

 

My beautiful girls- love these two so much.

And of course the scrap bucket.  Grandpa used to burn all of the garbage so any food left on plates or leftovers that weren't eaten needed to be scooped into this bucket to eventually make it's way to the garbage outside.  They no longer burn their garbage but I guess it's true- old habits are hard to break.

Kristin is due within the next few weeks- we were all talking to that baby telling him it is time to get out!  We are all waiting to meet him and he should hurry it up!

The afternoon was spent at Grandpa and Grammy Parmley's.  When we walked in we were greeted by the newest member, Carter.  He is just a few weeks old and is so adorable!

After losing my cousin this week, this picture starts to hold a new meaning. 

 

It was worse than we thought

Steve, Nick, Uncle Dave & Scott

Today we were at the Holiday Inn celebrating Maddie's birthday when I got the call from my aunt Vicki.  Nick passed away today.  38 years old.  Another life taken too soon.  I learned today that the family knew this was coming.  They knew that he didn't have long to live.  They knew that the damage was beyond repair.

When things like this happen it's like a punch to the gut.  It forces you to stop and think about your own life, your own habits and how your decisions affect you and those around you.

It's real life with real consequences.  No do overs.  No fresh start tomorrow.

This one hurts a lot.  He is too young. 

It also reminds me of just how unfortunate it is that we aren't closer with our extended family.

RIP Nick

Loose

Hailey's top teeth are starting to become loose.  They have gotten to the point where they are so loose it's harder for her to eat and she is now obsessed with wiggling them.

Tonight she decided she was going to try and pull it out.  She climbed up on the counter and worked on it for a good 5 minutes with no luck.  Guess it's just not ready yet.

Time to go!

Hailey's hair grows so fast!  She loves it long and it looks so pretty but there comes a time when it gets too long.  She can no longer reach to brush it out, it gets snarly and harder to take care of.

She decided she wanted to get it trimmed and this time wanted to try some layers.

Whoa!

Came into work today to find my desk all decked out for my birthday!

40 cans of Diet Coke- spelling out my name and more hidden within drawers and files!

Not a bad way to return to work on my first day as a 40 year old. 

Bday celebrate

I have been trying to ignore the fact that I turn 40 this year. In reality I know it's not old.  It's older but not old.  When I look around at my friends, my husband, our life- there is nothing old about any of it.
Leah insisted that we go out and celebrate.  A good old fashioned Girls Night Out!  You can imagine she didn't have to twist my arm.  I'm going to be 40 whether I like it our night so I might as well take it like a champ!  We started the night at Pscyho Suzies and then headed over to Betty Dangers.
After that we went back to the PC for a dance party.

My sisters ended up coming out and while we were on our way to Betty Dangers, Jennie told me that Tom was across the street at Jaro's.  He ran over to do a birthday shot with me.

Game of Telephone

Today while we were on our way home from the Dells Brian sent me a email of a voicemail that we had gotten at home.  It was my aunt Vicki.  She was calling to let me know that my cousin Nick was in the hospital.  He was recently diagnosed with Cirrhosis (liver disease caused by alcoholism).  He got to a point that he could hardly walk and ended up getting admitted.  My dad is in Ecuador and Diane didn't want to make any calls so Vicki called a few people and asked them to spread the word.  It's hard to know exactly what is going on and how bad things are.  At this point all we can do is pray and be thankful that he is in a hospital trying to get help.

My Little Froggies

We had a little fun with the underwater camera today.

It's hard to bring the camera and take pictures because you don't want to carry a bunch of things around and half the time you are in the pool. I brought the underwater camera so it could come in the pool with us but it's also a little annoying to be carrying something around.

Tonight we hit up the arcade and Hannah was in heaven as soon as she found a crane machine.

Another Surprise

A few weeks ago Brian and I decided to take the girls to Wisconsin Dells for Spring Break.

We finally told them last night at dinner.

Mom: "Girls, after dinner you need to run upstairs and try on your new swimsuits that I got you for our trip to Wisconsin Dells tomorrow"

Hailey:  "OK"

Hannah:  "OK....wait what?!"

Hailey: "Yeah, what?!  Wisconsin Dells!!"

Hannah:  "Mom.  Are you serious?  (insert mom nodding head yes then scream from two very excited girls)  Now I wasn't lying!"

Mom:  "What?  Lying about what?"
Hannah:  "Some of my friends were going on vacation for Spring Break so I said I was going to Wisconsin Dells."

Me:  "  "  (shaking my head)

The next surprise for them was when we told them that Grandma and Grandpa Denny were coming with us!  Now they were even MORE excited!

We rented a cabin at The Wilderness Resort.

This place was awesome!

Two stories, full kitchen, two bathrooms, living room, bedrooms, small patio, and even our own little yard.  The shuttle comes to pick you up right at your door and even drops you back off at your door.

I will definitely be staying in these condos again.

We were able to bring some food along so that we could make breakfast and a few meals/snacks.

 

We enjoyed lunch at Moosejaw and then the girls NEEDED to swim.  Judy and I were able to find beach style chairs that we could put at the edge of the water in a perfect spot to sit, talk and watch the girls.  They are getting so much better at swimming and although they aren't swim team material, I know they can float and go under water.

 

What a lovely surprise

Today I received a small package in the mail.

When I opened it I found this box full of little beauty samples.

Some makeup, hair products, lotions, perfume, etc.

There was a package insert inside informing me that this was sent to me as a gift from Loriann.

An early birthday present :-)

What a great idea!  I love this idea!  I love getting mail and what a nice way to spread out your birthday then with a surprise each month!

Another Exciting Day in March!

What an exciting day!

Today we said goodbye to our bed.  The bed we have had for MANY years.  The bed that FILLED our old room in our old house and looked tiny in our new bedroom.

The bed that would toss us in the air when the other would toss and turn.

We finally upgraded to a King size.  Thankfully Brian's mom had made us a quilt for Christmas so we at least had some bedding to sleep with.

When we lay in this bed it feels so huge!  We both can lay flat on our backs and we are not overlapping or touching.  I hate to admit it but this is amazing.

We also ran into a Blankie Monster today!

While I was freshening up for our ladies night out tonight I had two little visitors in the bathroom with me (like always).  The girls kept giggling and when I looked over I saw what they were laughing about.  The Blankie Monster!

With so many March Birthdays, not only do we have a full neighborhood party, we ALSO have a ladies night out at Benihana!  We are so spoiled :-)

Our chef was awesome tonight!  Super engaged with our group and super funny!

As always the food was fantastic.