Chloe is 17~

Chloe had a fun 17th birthday yesterday. Her friends went crazy and put up posters all over the school, gave her balloons and gifts and were really sweet to her!

Gene and I took her to dinner, and the three of us had a fun evening chatting away.

Then we came home to a lovely cake Haley had made and sang Happy Birthday to the b-day girl.

She had an awesome day!

My 4 girls and my belly.
Birthday breakfast! Cereal! Yum!

Opening a few gifts...

Birthday cake. This is actually her second cake. I made her an angel food cake that she wanted all to herself, this was the cake she decided to share with her family.

(Can I just say how happy I am Haley is getting over being Swiney!? I've missed her help in the kitchen and in the grocery store and such... she is on day #2 of no fever, a very good sign that she is getting better. phew... I am very dependent on this girl!)

I love her face here... she is seriously contemplating her wish....

Blowing out 17 candles.

Her big birthday gift is her trip to Washington D.C. with her school in Nov. It's quite costly, so it's her b-day, Christmas and graduation gift!

Happy 17th to my oldest daughter! It's been a great 17 years!

love you!

Almost 23 weeks:

Another lovely self-portrait/bathroom shot.

Just excited that those jeans that Jenny gave me still fit (with rubberband) and my regular t-shirt fits over my belly. All non-maternity and very comfy, I might add.

:)

Life goes on...

We spent the week in CA with family and friends as we said goodbye to Grandma. The memorial was wonderful and although it was terribly sad, it is good to know that she is no longer in pain and that she is reunited with her family.

So, life goes on.

Halloween is next Saturday and I needed to finish Lindsay's skunk costume. She has been in this skunk phase for a year now and decided she wanted to be a skunk last Halloween, so I made this for her. Yes, the ears are a tad big, looking a bit like Mickey Mouse, and the tail is a slightly overstuffed.... but other than that- I think it's adorable!

She asked me what we are going to do for the "stink" and then came up with some really good ideas.

I think we'll not add the stink, and she'll be a sweet-smelling little skunk.

She loves it!! And I love that it's DONE!

Auburn, CA:

We had a lot of great family time last week. On Friday we went to a fun park for a picnic and just enjoyed some happy time together as a family.

I wish Chloe was in the picture, she took this of us.

Later this night we ended up at the Del Oro football game for a crazy exciting game!

Del Oro beat Granite Bay! woo hoo!

Things are hectic-busy around here... Chloe has been applying to colleges, making up TONS of school work (missing last week for the memorial AND the week before for tennis regionals), working, AND she's heading back to CA to go to Del Oro Homecoming with her good friend Garrett. She is one busy gal. The rest of us are, too! Our nephew is entering the MTC tomorrow, there are meetings, Mother-Daughter parties and Halloween parties! Then we'll be heading back to CA for our nephew's wedding. *whew* oh, and I'm doing all this with a super basketball in my belly... a very strong and active one!

:)

We love you, Grandma Lawson

Donner State Park

July, 2009

Grandma is very close to passing away and I just wanted her to know how much we all love her and want to thank her for being the best grandma ever.

This is Gene's beloved mother, and he is by her side at this very moment.

We will miss you, Grandma Lawson.

*Grandma passed away this evening, 10-7-09. It was very peaceful and calm. We are grateful that she is no longer in pain, however, we miss her so much.*

Almost 20 week: Halfway there...

I forgot Gene took a picture of me this morning!

Here I am at almost 20 weeks.

I've gained about 13 pounds so far, pretty good for halfway, says my midwife.

All is well... all is well!

correction on spelling of name!

Gene found out from his brother that their parents spelled their son's name with a 'c'...... so....

Our baby boy's name will be:

Marc Aaron Lawson


(that's how my great-uncle spelled it!)


There ya go!

:) (we are sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited over here!!!!)

It's a...............

BOY

His name will be: Mark Aaron Lawson

Mark, after Gene's brother who died at birth, and Aaron after my brother... but wait, it gets even neater.... I also have an Uncle Mark and a great-Uncle Marc and Gene has a nephew named Aaron.... so this baby boy is named after our brothers, uncles and a nephew!

The ultrasound was awesome! I don't have a photo scanner, or else I would share the photos with you. He is measuring about a week ahead, so it's looking like I'll be having a BIG boy! Fingers, toes, cute little face- everything looked perfect! The girls enjoyed seeing their brother on the big screen and were thrilled when the tech confirmed it was indeed a boy. So, our 80% just turned into 100% and we couldn't be happier!!!

ULTRASOUND TODAY AT 10:30 AM!!!!

I will post results when we get home! Wish us luck.....