Eric's Trip to Europe

Last Friday morning, Eric left on his big trip to Europe. I dropped him off at the airport early Friday morning (the 9th) and he will get home well past the kids bedtime on Saturday the 24th. He will be visiting 5 countries while he is gone. He will be visiting different businesses and site seeing through those 5 countries. Thankfully, we are able to Skype with him in the afternoons before he heads off to bed. There is an 8 hours difference between us right now. We are missing him like crazy, but are glad he is getting to have such an awesome experience. 

(Adam and Tessa showing where Daddy is today)

 I made a map for the kids to keep track of what country he was in on what day. Eric's group will be traveling quickly through these countries, so we wrote out where he would be on what days so we could keep track of him. I think I know his itinerary better than he does. 

More About Gwen

Gwen has the best bed head ever!! I took these one afternoon after a rare nap. Her hair cracks people up. 

 Gwen had a sick day a couple of weeks ago and was distraught when I washed her "blankie". She freaked when she saw me putting it in the dryer and stood there waiting for it to be done. She got so happy every time she saw it spin around. 

Cinco de Mayo!!!

If you know me well, you know I will take any chance I get to have a party. My family loves to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Not gonna lie, it's totally for the food. We had an awesome spread this year. My Mom made a few things and I made a few things and we feasted on lots of deliciousness!!

 Tessa helped me with some of the food preparations. She made our sombrero cookies there on the right and they turned out so cute! I love that she is my baking buddy!!

 Ma, Pa and some of the Aunts and Uncle's came down to play and eat with us. Adam and Tessa had a blast playing out back with everyone until late into the evening.

It was a fun and festive evening!

Tessa's Day With Ma and Pa

For her birthday last year, Ma and Pa told Tessa she would get a day out with them. So, during Spring Break, Tessa got to go to our brand new Aquarium with Ma and Pa. I will have to blog more about these pictures next time I am with Ma so I get the stories right, but I do know that Tessa had such a fun day and was so happy to come home with her very own shark tooth necklace!

Pregnancy Photos

I haven't taken many pictures of my growing belly this pregnancy. That was Eric's job with the other 3 kids, but since he isn't home much and since we are in the age of Selfie's, I have resorted to taking my own pregnancy photos. Not the most flattering way to do it, but at least I have something documented. 

 20 1/2 weeks

 This pregnancy has been my hardest yet. Everyone keeps telling me the fourth pregnancy is the worst. It has been hard physically and emotionally. Not really sure why I have been so hard on myself this time around, but that's the way things go I guess. I got over my morning sickness, only to get hit with lots of contracting and cramping, which I have had all day, everyday since about month 4. I've been told to take it easy and I do try, but some days that is easier said than done. 

I also don't remember being this exhausted with my other pregnancies. If I make it to 10:00pm and can stay awake through a 30 minute TV show, I feel like I have accomplished something.That doesn't happen very often. I think Gwen should get most of the blame for that! She keeps life hopping around here! 

Even with the hardships, there are blessings. So far, this little guy inside of me is perfectly healthy. I love feeling him kick and move around. Like his older siblings, he is most active at night, when I am trying to get rest. I usually have him kicking me from the inside and Gwen kicking me from the outside. 

I am grateful that I was blessed to have another baby and that my body has been healthy enough to survive another pregnancy. It will be over before I know it. 

 23 1/2 weeks

(A "just for fun" selfie)

Adam's Trip to California

Adam was a lucky boy and got to go to California with Ma and Pa during Spring Break. It was a super fast trip to go down and see Great Grandpa. They left Sunday afternoon and were home Tuesday night. Adam loves car rides, so he was excited for the adventure. He and Ma and Pa had fun playing different games in the car on their trip. They played the license plate game and Adam said they found like 34 different states. 

 They stopped in St. George to spend the night and went to see the Temple and Visitor Center. Adam went up to touch the door of the temple, but then was scared to walk down by himself, so Ma had to go rescue him (Adam is very afraid of heights). 

 We were all glad to see that Teddy Elephant got to go on all their adventures too. 

 They got to Great Grandpa's house by lunch time on Monday. They all went to lunch together and visited for a couple of hours before getting ready to head back home. 

Adam and his Great Grandpa Lemley

 Grandpa Lemley, Adam and Pa

 Before they left Grandpa's neck of the woods, they had to swing by Ruby's to pick up burritos for everyone back at home. Adam got a root beer freeze and took a picture to send to his mommy. I wish he could have brought one back for me!

 They stopped at the Troncale's for a quick visit and some dinner. Vincent and Adam hung out and watched the NCAA finals while the adults visited. 

 He had it rough while he was there. Kathleen and Michael made sure he had lots of comfy pillows and blankets to keep him cozy while he watched his game. 

 I think he ate everything the hotel offered for breakfast the next morning. I think his appetite shocked Ma and Pa. He is our growing boy and is always hungry!

 Their final stop for lunch in St. George before getting home Tuesday afternoon. 

He had so much fun spending time with Ma and Pa and going to California. He wanted to know when their next trip would be. A fast trip, but a memorable one!