Moab

We spent the last weekend of Spring Break in Moab, Utah. Brian ran the Moab Half Marathon with our friends Krista and Stephen and I ran the 5-mile race earlier that morning. The weather was perfect for running and the scenery was breathtaking. The course ran along the Colorado River and ended in town. We enjoyed a hike down Millcreek Canyon and the kids loved playing in the pool at my brother's house. Spring hadn't arrived in Moab and the trees were still in their winter phase, but it is always refreshing being down in the desert, whatever the season.

The kids love desert hiking, Maggie was up ahead and missed out on the photo op.

Hiking in Millcreek Canyon with my brother and Dad

Nicholas enjoyed the Baby Bjorn and the hike

Beavers are a big problem at the river, they dam the river with logs and make a mess of the trees

Spring Break in Review

Because the kids have two weeks of Spring Break in early March we decided to take our family vacation early this year and enjoy being home this summer when the weather is pleasant and warm.

We took the kids to Oahu for a week and explored a few unique places. We took the kids to Pearl Harbor and out to see the USS Arizona Memorial. My grandfather Fitzgerald lost his cousin K.B. Fitzgerald on the Arizona on December 7, 1941...the memorial has always been a solemn place for me and there is a special spirit there. Before we left, the kids were able to learn about Pearl Harbor and the attack and what this meant for our country. Oil still leaks from the Arizona and is called the "Black Tears" of the soldiers. I think the kids felt the uniqueness of this place.

The kids enjoyed snorkeling, playing on the beach, and exploring the little lagoon. They loved snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, eating at Roy's and visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center. The performance, The Breath of Life at the PCC was one of the highlights of their trip...Sam and Maggie loved the fire dancers especially.

Sam found this sea slug on the rocks, he eventually let him go.

Maggie is such a fun, big sister.

Baptism and Birthday

Not very many people can say that they were baptized on their birthday, but Samuel can. Sam enjoyed a perfect baptism day and birthday. I have no greater joy then to see that my children walk in light and truth. I have always liked that scripture and it definitely rings true when I see my children grow and learn and progress in the gospel.

Before Sam's Baptism

After the Baptism

#8 Cookies

Sam's Baptism

Plans for the week: Sam's birthday party on Friday and baptism on Saturday! We are gearing up for a busy and special weekend.

I am coming back...

I'm coming back...give me a few days...
For now, here's a sixth month photo (one month ago) of Nicholas and a 3 year old photo of Sadie. Right now, Sadie is sitting on my lap as I type. Cool, Spring rain falls outside from gray clouds. Upstairs, Nicholas cries in his crib to tell me he's awake. My stomach is growling, my hair isn't done, my laundry sits in piles.

Baby Nicholas

Welcome to the world little guy.

Introducing Baby Nicholas Brian
Born: the end of August
7 lbs. 4 oz. 20 inches long

We sure love this little guy.

The To-Do List

I love making lists and then crossing the items off when I accomplish the particular 'TO-DO'. Lately, I've been making a lot of lists as that nesting instinct is in full force. I wake up at 3 a.m. and can't go back to sleep as I can't shut off my brain and all the random thoughts and to-dos that still linger. The last few weeks have seemed long in uncomfortableness for me, but productive in what we've accomplished as we await the arrival of Baby BOY #5.

An example of the TO-DOs include, a haircut for Maggie and a first haircut for Sadie, which she thoroughly enjoyed, ordering school shoes and uniforms, finishing the garage and then organizing the garage after the paint job and epoxy floor, trips to the library, outings to the pool, cleaning out drawers and cupboards, scrap booking the kids last school year, washing all the baby clothes and getting the room ready, getting Sadie out of the crib (still working on that one), hanging pictures, cleaning, dusting, vacuuming, and then doing it all again as nothing ever stays clean for very long...and the lists go on.

You can just see her excitement...

After her hair got washed, they put on the monster cape, Sadie wasn't thrilled about the monsters

 So, now that my TO-DO lists are about done, I am more then ready to have this baby. This week would be ideal, a 39-week baby, I am trying to be hopeful, but am not getting my hopes up as most of my babies come a few days before my due date...so little baby boy, you can come anytime, we're ready for you! I hope somebody up there reads this blog.:)

Pioneer Day in Utah

We celebrated the 24th of July, the day that the first Mormon Pioneers came into the valley, at This Is The Place State Park...It was a great day celebrating our Pioneer Heritage. My Great, Great, Great Grandfather Perry Fitzgerald came in the first Pioneer Company with Brigham Young. He was a scout and was one of the first men who came into the valley. For his profession, he was a blacksmith and owned horses. The men who were in the first company, often referred to as the the Vanguard company, were mainly chosen because of their skills. They paved the way for those who followed. How grateful I am for my heritage and the legacy that those ancestors of mine left for me and my family.

We started the day at the Social Hall watching Native American dancers and then we headed up the street to the pioneer school. My mom and dad, both got in trouble with the teacher for talking during 'class' ...my Dad got the paddle board and my Mom had to stand in timeout up against the wall with her nose pushed up against the wall and her arms behind her back...it was comical to say the least, especially because my Mom is a school teacher.

After class ended, we headed to the ponies. Sadie enjoyed riding them so much, we couldn't wipe the smile off her face. The kids enjoyed the blacksmith shop and Samuel enjoyed his first real shave. We ate lunch under a covered patio as an afternoon thunderstorm poured down, then we watched the pioneer parade, the candy cannon and hopped on the train to head up to pan for gold in the stream at the top of the park, definitely Maggie's favorite thing. The kids rode another smaller train, explored a teepee and a Navajo roundhouse and sweat lodge and then we hopped back on the train for a ride back down to Main Street to seek some relief in the shade, change a diaper, and watch the train get robbed.

Baby #5

Tomorrow I will be 35 weeks...the last half of this pregnancy has flown by until now...the heat is finally getting to me and we've resorted to constant A/C and days at the pool. I feel good during the day, but nights are a different story as I toss and turn all night...I can't sleep on my right side because of heart-burn and acid reflex and I can't stay on my left because I wake up with sore kidneys from the baby boy kicking them all night, I can't sleep on my back because I can't breath...it gets complicated finding a sleep position, but I guess this just goes to say that the final days of this pregnancy are winding down. I am trying hard not to wish away the summer as I enjoy the kids being home and the freedom that gives us, but I also want the end of August to come...definitely a catch-22. I feel ready in a few ways and very unprepared in most others.

at 31 weeks:a profile of his face and his hand near his mouth

Who will this little one be? How will he fit into our family? How will it be juggling 4? We are all at different stages in preparing for this baby, I have to keep reminding Brian that I am pregnant:), Samuel is radiating with excitement to finally have a brother (on earth) and Maggie is looking forward to holding him. Sadie kisses my belly frequently and tells us that he is her baby, "my baby" and I am her mama "my mama"...she's a little possessive right now...adding an addition will be interesting for her, but I think she will love him to bits once she realizes he is here to stay.

The 4th of July

It was so nice coming home to the kids. We missed them and they missed us...it was a long time to be away and all three of them looked older and grew up a little more while we were gone.

We've been enjoying our summer and keeping things mellow and low-key. We spend our days swimming, playing, reading, doing homework, evening walks, and movies. We enjoyed a fun 4th of July with family and friends. The kids participated in the annual 4th of July morning parade and neighborhood breakfast and then we hosted a family/friends barbecue. We had backyard games and lots of food and everyone made really fun festive treats and desserts. The city had a fireworks ban because of all the fires and so we celebrated the 4th with the barbecue, games, and an outdoor movie in the backyard.

Walking to the parade...Sam wasn't feel well so he rode in the wagon with Sadie rather than on his bicycle

Maggie with her friends

Happy 4th of July Morning

The gumballs were a favorite for the kids

These red, white, and blue brownie skewers were also a favorite...I think I'll make these a tradition
Brownies, marshmallows, strawberries and blueberries on a kabob stick

Brian's sister-in-law, Liliaan, made this amazing cake...it was not only patriotic, but delicious!

Sam with his friend Hawken and Cousin Robert

The Red and Blue Sodas were a hit as well. There wasn't one left after the party!

Roma

All's well that ends in Rome. Brian and I spent our last 1 1/2 days in Rome. We had been before, so we were able to relax and rest. After all that biking, I was in need of some R&R. We walked a lot and saw a lot of our favorite sites. The Soccer Euro Cup was going on, so we also watched a few of the matches while in Rome as we ate Italian pizza and Italian desserts.

The Pantheon, probably my favorite building in Rome.

Piazza Navona, the 4 Rivers Fountain by Bernini

The bridge (Ponte Vecchio) Michelangelo frequently crossed with his marbles as he worked at the Vatican...and the fortress in the background is Castel Sant'Angelo/Hadrian's Tomb

The famous Mouth of Truth, legend has it that if you're a liar and you place your hand in the mouth, it won't come out looking the same. The face, is actually believed to have been a sewer cover in Roman times...ugh.

The Colosseum. Rome was busier and hotter then I remember it being.

The Spanish Stairs and our last night in Rome.