Don't Smile!

I find it exasperating to get our three kids looking the right direction and smiling at the same time. During our visit to the Mormon Battalion monument this week I learned just how easy it is to get all your kids to frown at the same time. Those early photographers didn't know how easy they had it.

Ice bucket

Rex got a sword from Ben and Kimi when we were inUtah. This he completed his fighting gear with the lid from our ice bucket. I wonder if we could find a fencing class that caters to two year olds?

Delight

Motherhood is full of stress.  My kids whine a lot.  (Don't yours?) They squabble.  And they hate going to bed.  But my life is also full of lots of happy moments.  There's not much for me that trumps watching my kids eyes light up and seeing the grin spread across their face when they are feeling happy, proud, or being silly.   Here's a few I got lucky enough to catch on camera:

Not Pinkalicious

Wanna know why Rex is crying?

Because we rode in a pink teacup when he wanted blue.  Even the magic of a spinning teacup can't trump this kid's stubborn spunk.  But hey, I feel for him.  It would be tough to be the pioneer boy following after two skirt wearing, pink loving, princess fanatic sisters.  You'll make it Rex. 

Lucky

The week before St. Patrick's Day I felt really lucky.

We built a trap to catch a Lucky the Leprechaun (if he dared visit our home on St. Patty's Eve.)

This picture was scavenged off of our video, b/c apparently I never took a picture of our genius trap. Note that Lucky's apron got snagged when she escaped. All these years we thought Lucky was a boy.

We crafted these three cuties into leprechaun rock stars.

And best of all,  I found out that I was carrying a brand new little "leprechaun" to be formally introduced on Nov. 4th.

It was like my three (kid) leaf clover turned into four.

Perhaps it won't surprise you that we call our baby "Lucky".   

FAQ
Are you going to find out the sex?
No, we love a good surprise.  It's one of the reasons having a pre-birth nickname runs so strong in our family? 
How have you been feeling?
Great.  This pregnancy has been my easiest.  I take a lot more naps, but other than that life has carried on as usual.  I really can't blame my lack of blogging on morning sickness.
Are you hoping for a boy or a girl?
I'd love for Rex to have a brother.  My intuition has been dead wrong on ALL THREE of my kids, so I am not even trying to predict this time around.
Four kids, are you crazy?
Just kidding. No one has asked that yet.  Although I wouldn't be surprised if I start getting some of those looks and comments when my condition is more obvious and my children are running through the grocery store like banshees. BTW, What's up with getting rid of your kid's carts VONS????