Expanding Family

I know this is totally out of order, but I figured I should let you all in on our family secret before I continue with what else we've been up to...

Yes, that's right! Stacer Baby #3 is due in March.  We couldn't be happier to welcome another baby (although I have to admit, we do freak out at times and think what are we doing...).  I'm not sure Evan/Caitlin quite grasp the idea yet, but I'm sure as I get larger, they will understand.  When we told them, I think they were confused because Baba is also pregnant (due late Dec) and kept thinking we were talking about Baba's baby.  Still, Evan said he wanted a boy and Caitlin a girl so at least one of them will be happy.

So far, things are going well. I'll be 13 weeks on Thursday. I've had some nausea and a lot of tiredness.  This pregnancy seems a lot harder than my first two... not sure if that is due to the fact it's my 3rd or I have 2 small kids to take care of!  I feel like I am already showing quite a bit so it's probably no surprise to some people that I'm pregnant (I am choosing to believe those people who say you show earlier with every pregnancy and not my daily 3pm cake/cookie break at work!).  

We will continue to pray that everything goes well.  This is always a very anxious time for me so until I can feel that baby moving around, I know I won't be at ease.  But, we wanted to share our joy with our family and friends.  We can't wait for this new adventure as a party of 5!

-Bryce, Kathryn, Evan, Caitlin, and Baby

Michigan 2012 - LAST POST!

I know, finally we are to the end of our trip.  It was so much fun and the kids really enjoyed it. Even the driving was not bad if you ask me. I know I'm lucky that my kids do so well in the car. They have their moments for sure, but I really can't complain considering we push them to do 19 hours in one day! They are such troopers.  I think I see a lot of summers in Michigan in our future.

Our last post will just be the kind of last days we spent together which included the 4th of July. Normally, there are a ton of people up at the lake with lots of fireworks on the 4th. However, since it was in the middle of the week, it wasn't as crowded or as many fireworks. That actually turned out well because Caitlin is deathly afraid of fireworks. She screams and covers her ears. There were still enough fireworks that in the evenings, she'd have a tough time if she wasn't already asleep.

I bought this super cute dress at a consignment sale and although she probably won't wear it more than once, it was totally worth it. I made her do a little photo shoot for me in front of Mema's hydrangeas.  Love some of these pictures!

And then I tried to get a few of her with us although she wasn't that interested anymore. 

We gave Caitlin this headband for the loud booms to cover her ears

We spent our last time on the lake at pontoon alley where we got Evan one of those water squirters which he loved.

Getting Daddy's back (because we don't shoot people's faces)

Shooting up into the air is also acceptable

Anytime there is a loud noise, Caitlin wanted her ears covered

And finally, the neighbors next to Papa have some grandkids a little older than Evan (Nate and Ryan). He LOVES to play with them and he was old enough this year to jump of their dock with them. They seriously did this for hours. I loved watching them having so much fun together. 

Evan doing the "butt sitter" which he kept calling the baby sitter. (The older kids name all their jumps.)

Caitlin wanted in on the fun too

And finally our last photo - the kids and Mema/Papa. 

What a wonderful trip! Thanks everyone for letting me drag this out so I could include all the pictures. Can't wait for more family trips back to the Midwest.

Michigan 2012 - Part 8

Part8, really?  I swear, just one more post I think after this one. There are just too many cute pictures to leave any out! As I mentioned before, what we love to do the most when we are at Mema and Papa's is go on the boat!  The kids loves it and when it's hot, it's a great way to cool off.

So, this post if all about boating!

The kids always enjoy driving the boat with Papa. Evan's up first! He actually steers all by himself (for the most part).

Caitlin's old enough for a turn!

Cute picture of Evan and Mema

Cute pic of Caitlin and Oma

Daddy and Evan enjoying the ride

The two kids looking out the front of the boat.

 As I also mentioned, Evan's new favorite activity is tubing. We had the chance to visit with lots of friends while in Michigan. One day, we drove down to the Detroit area to see some of them.  Our first stop was to see Bryce's friend Joel and his wonderful family.  They live on a lake as well so after a yummy lunch, we loaded up in the boat and hit the lake.

Bryce, Graham, and Evan took a turn on the tube

We stopped for a swim break so the guys hopped in the water with the kids.

Caitlin and Graham after swimming

A different day, Bryce's friend Justin and his family came up to visit.  We enjoyed another fun day on the water.

Mackenzie, Bryce, and Evan are ready for tubing!

Caitlin, Beth, and Ethan

Justin and the kids took a turn

And then we let Evan and Mackenzie go by themselves in the smaller tube.

We enjoyed seeing all of our friends (including some more buddies of Bryce's that I just forgot to take pictures).  It was nice we could coordinate seeing them while we were visiting Michigan since we just don't get to see them enough.

And finally a few more boating pics (so I can wrap up the trip with one last post).

Evan and I on the boat - my sweet boy!

Giving Papa kisses (who's driving this thing?)

Caitlin enjoying the breeze

Mema and Caitlin having fun

And last me and my precious baby girl!

Michigan 2012 - Part 7

We finally arrived at Mema and Papa's house. My mom joined us for a few days as well.  After settling in, we had some great weatther to enjoy the outdoors and the lake!

One evening, we found an old T-ball set in the garage and set it up to play. It actually was a lot of fun! The kids didn't quite get the whole base running thing, but the adults had fun trying to get each other out :)

Evan hitting

Caitlin and Oma on base

Caitlin is safe!

Papa also got a new lawn mower so he took the kids on a drive.

Evan actually drove it all by himself and did a really good job!

And of course we had to go out on the boat!

Caitlin, Oma, and Evan ready to go

Evan, Daddy, and Mommy tubing - Bryce's parents had this huge tube that we rode. Evan LOVED it! I actually thought it was pretty fun too. Caitlin wasn't a huge fan but she enjoyed watching from the boat.

They also had a smaller tube which we let Evan ride by himself.

He's telling us to go faster!

After some tubing, we stopped at pontoon alley for some lunch and fun.

Evan is relaxed and enjoying his lunch

Papa and Evan eating in their floats

My "beer commercial" photo!

Evan did some more tubing on the way back to the house

Okay, just a few more posts and we will be done with our trip. 

Michigan 2012 - Part 6

After Mackinac Island, we were driving down to Mema and Papa's house near Midland. We happened to go right through Grayling, Michigan.  For those who don't know, my family spent many summers here as my dad was in the National Guard. He had to come every summer for 2 weeks so our family would usually come up for one week.  I have so many wonderful memories of things we would do throughout Grayling and Michigan.

One of those things is going to Hartwick Pines State Park. We have such great pictures of us kids there in these giant wagon wheels.  I was thrilled when Bryce agreed that we could stop there briefly on our way to take pictures of our kids in those same wheels. So, here they are! Makes my heart so happy to see them.

These wheels are part of a whole logging trail (as this area was a big logging area). So, we ended up doing the entire walk. Below is from a small church there. I just thought it was so pretty with the light.

On our walk

I think she's having fun!

And he is too!

I'd say it was a good stop and so glad to share this memory with my own kids.