Kenzie a year ago...

Gary and I downloaded (ok Gary did but I was in the office chatting with him as he was working on it!) our video camera from the last year this AM...There are 276 videos! We have only looked at a few but I had to post this one...Maki is so WONDERFUL! :) I hope you enjoy watching it! I can't believe how much she has changed in a year...wow! It just made me realize how fast the gift of life goes!

We are off to Hawaii in the morning! Our last vacation/babymoon before our little treasure arrives in November! I will try to post some pics while we are there! :)

Our New York trip!

So here are the highlights from NY! It was so HARD to pick the photos to put in! We took so many! OK...I took so many! Sorry family I know I drive you nuts! I don't know where to begin, we had such a wonderful time! We are very fortunate that we all get along so well! Not many families can last 2 weeks together! Makenzie had a blast! She played non-stop with her cousins! Cade (10) and Camryn(8) are such great examples and such a HUGE help! I am so proud of them! And the little ones...they all played so nice together! There were no real meltdowns! Isaiah (2) and Hopey (1) are just adorable and were VERY gracious with all their toys when we stayed with my bro Dave and his wife Michele! And Ana (2) and Monica (1) are such great little girls! Maki really misses them! She keeps saying "Ana banana!" and "baby mony!". So cute!

My God-daughter Monica's 1st birthday party! She is such an amazing little girl...she has the most wonderful disposition...and lungs! YEAH! :)

Maki hugging Monica!
Swimming at Uncle D's and Aunt Michele's!

The view of the River!

From my parent's yard on the 4th! So AMAZING!

There are a ton of pics of Maki and her cousin Ana...they played non-stop!

Tita helping Kenzie wash her hands.

Our niece Hope!

My sister-in-law Carrie and I learning to make Baklava! Lumya (our relative from NY...she owns an amazing restaurant) makes the BEST baklava EVER! :)

Our day at Darien Lake!

Jaja with Cade and Camryn floating down the River!

Lunch overlooking the Falls!

Ahhh...

Isaiah (our nephew) getting a head rub from Mak!

Tita and Jaja!

I just loved this pic of the girls making sure that door stayed closed!

Ana Banana!

San Diego!

We had a great time in San Diego! Gary's Mom is doing so much better! Thanks for all the prayers and concern! I told her about how many emails I had received and she was very grateful! Maki had a great time playing with Grandma and making her laugh! She was so cute when we would talk with people at the airport or out to eat she would say "Noknee Pat sick" (Noknee is how she says grandma)...so adorable! :)
So prego! :)

swinging with Daddy at Mission Bay!

This is the oldest merry-go-round still running in the USA...built in 1895. It is currently at Seaport Village. NOTHING brightens my day like those 2 beautiful smiles!

I love you Maki!

I love this pic!

Lunch overlooking La Jolla cove...so beautiful!

overflowing!

Have you ever just been overflowing with joy?!?! I am so grateful for so many things in my life that I am overflowing with joy! Not that every thing always goes the way I want it...anyone who is a part of our life knows that! I just feel so fortunate to have the things I do! Even little things like peach Snapple! I know it has caffeine in it but it is my pregnancy addiction! Gary came from the store the other day and surprised me with 4 and I cried! Yes, I am dealing with pregnancy hormones (but I am also married to the most thoughtful man ever)! But I am most grateful for the BIG things...that no matter what is going on in our lives we have Christ here with us! I can't imagine how people go through the same things we go through or even much, much worse and they are dealing with them alone...no Christ...I just can't imagine.

*We are off to San Diego today on a last minute trip...Gary's Mom is not feeling well and we are going down until Monday to spend time with her and help out! Please pray for healing for her and wisdom for the Doctors...they are not sure what exactly is going on. THANKS!
I had to post a pic of our amazing little girl! She is a HUGE reason I am overflowing! I LOVE being your Mommy Makeznie!

My parent's ceremony! 40 years!

The primary reason we all went back to NY was for my parent's 40th wedding anniversary! They renewed their vows at the church my Dad grew up in! It was a beautiful ceremony and the reception was a hit! 100 of my parents family and closest friends were all there to celebrate with us! I am so proud of my parents! They are a great example for us all! We are so fortunate to be blessed by having them in our lives! We love you Mom & Dad! Thank you for all the love and support you both have been to all of us!
The special musical guest was our very own Makenzie! No not really, she just played after the ceremony! She is so cute!

The hymnal at my seat was 1 that my grandmother had donated to the Church in honor of my late grandfather almost 15 years ago! In all the years my parents had been going back to visit they have never seen 1! So crazy! I love God moments!

All 7 grandchildren!

The extended family in NY!

US!

My parents exchanging new rings!

The ceremony!

We are having a BOY!

We actually found out the day before we left for out trip so we have known for 2 weeks! Sorry I didn't post a blog when we were gone!

We are so excited and can't wait to meet our son! I am feeling great! I am loving the 2nd trimester! It was actually not rough on the trip being pregnant either...Gary is such a HUGE help and support! THANKS GARY! xoxox ;)

We do have the name picked out but are keeping it secret until our son arrives! Makenzie doesn't even know it! She is so cute! She knows she is going to be a big sister but when we ask her what we are having she says "just baby!". Babies are just babies! Please keep our little boy in your prayers! THANKS!

We are home!

Home sweet home! We had a blast in NY! 2 weeks of non-stop fun! We are exhausted! I have a ton of pics that I will sort through today and will post today or tomorrow! Makenzie had a blast playing will 6 cousins the whole time! We miss everyone already!