Summertime fun with family and friends

Some of these pictures are "old" at this point but I figured what the heck! I have had nothing but good intentions to get them loaded on here but needless to say I have lacked in the spare time and energy department! ;) I cannot believe that it is already the end of July and Fall is just right around the corner. I had to go into Ben Franklin a few weeks ago and was shocked to see all of the fall/Halloween decorations out already. Not to mention the fantastic summer clearance sales on clothes and bathing suits everywhere you go!

We have been enjoying ourselves, taking it easy enjoying the "dog days" but finding time to catch up with close friends and family as well. Here are some pictures from "recent" (AKA June-now) get-togethers for your viewing pleasure!Blowing bubbles with Grandpa- AKA- "pa-pa" :)Celebrating Justin's 7th (right? can you believe that!!!) Birthday! It was his momma who put the candle on backwards, no I do NOT have dyslexia.... ;)playing with Ellie during a cookout at Brian and Johanna's. Lucas LOVED her slide/fort!Riding in the Jeep (courtesy of the broom handle, Todd, and Kevin) with Kaden. They loved this thing! It wore the daddy's out I think ;)Chowing down on some YUMMY chocolate peanut butter pie with best bud, Preston while Aubrey played with the blocks and hammed it up for the camera ;)Posing on Uncle John's motorcycle. Lucas is OBSESSED with motor vehicles, cars, TRUCKS, bikes, buses, planes, helicopters, motorcycles, boats....You name it, he LOVES it and wants to talk about them ALL OF THE TIME!!! So this was perfect for him to check out on a trip to Grandpa's house. Typical little boy I guess...Playing tee-ball with Uncle Gary and Daddy, Justin and mommy were playing the outfield :)

Trying to steal Uncle John's Pepsi

Gotta love those faces! ;) Having some cuddle time with Aunt Jean.

And Uncle Gary....;)

Visiting with Kristi, Barrett, Kellen, and Grandma Schleigh for a rainy cookout. Look how big Kellen is getting!

Playing with Madison and Kendal in the big bathtub during their overnight visit....

Watching Horton Hears a Who before bedtime... Too bad they are "cousins", aren't they super cute together?

So that in a nutshell is what we have been up to these last few months, lots of fun, family and friends!

Announcing.....

our family will be expanding at the end of the year! Lucas is proud to announce that he has not one but TWO little siblings on the way!!! OK....I will let you all digest that info. for a moment......

So apparently God has some really BIG plans for our little family. We found out at the end of May that we were expecting and were thrilled, things were so different this time around for us. It all happened very fast and we were still in shock I think. Well, things were great and we were keeping our little secret just that- a secret for a few more weeks until we could see that sweet bean and hear that little heart beat at the ultrasound appointment. So we continued with life for a few weeks- enjoying time with friends and family, and a fantastic vacation to Aruba :) But it did seem a little different to me, I was REALLY nauseous and felt very bloated so quickly BUT I know that all pregnancies are different and especially after your first... So June 22nd arrived and we happily set off to the Dr. for the first visit and ultrasound. They proceeded with measuring "the bean". The tech told us to give her a sec to get some measurements and then she would show us everything. OK, totally normal routine. What felt like forever went by and she announced with a turn of the monitor.

ultrasound tech (sweet Holly :): "OK things look great! Here is baby A.....and here is baby B....." SEROIUSLY, those were her exact words...

in my head, and Todd's of course: "HOLD ON HERE... WHAT!!!!!!" we both laughed out loud and I think she got the shock and awe looks we had plastered to out faces at that moment. "Twins, really?" "How?"

Holly: "Yep, and they both look perfect, measuring just as they should with perfect little heartbeats" Probably thinking we are crazy and ready to run out of the room at this point....

us: "But twins don't run in our families...." totally dumbfounded......OH MY GOD!!!!

(and yes this happened completely naturally, they even mentioned that they thought they were identical . That happens in about 1 out of every 285 births! Identicals do not run in families, those are fraternal twins, and are due to "chance, coincidence, or plain good luck" )

After a moment to digest, I flipped out a little, OK a lot.... but Todd was the best husband ever, as always, and calmed me down right away. I blame it on the hormones :) Really there were so many things running through my head- how are we gonna do this?, 3 under 2.5!, high risk pregnancy AGAIN, please God no more small babies- especially two!, pre-term birth, etc.

But we talked and we prayed and really this is such a blessing! God knows what he is doing and I have complete faith in that. He has grown our family how he sees fit and we will enjoy this beautiful-crazy at times I'm sure- ride. Yes, our lives will be different-very much so- but SO worth it and I can't wait. I am doing my part for the time being- taking the best care I can of me and the beans. Eating lots, drinking lots, no exercise(brief walks only), no stress, resting lots, and loving my little man and Todd of course lots too! ;) I know I am in great hands at VA Women's Center- back with Dr. Love and crew AGAIN :) Todd has been phenomenal as a husband and daddy through this all. So after this has all set in for us all....

I can't even think what it would feel like if it was just one :)

Without further ado...we are SO excited to share with you, our newest additions!

This was the day we found out:

And one month later:

Estimated to arrive around the first of the year :) (That is the 36 week mark)