One more week and counting...

Things are starting to slow down around here before the craziness really begins.  We took some time this last week to spend some quality time together as a family of four after Emily returned from a two day trip to Auntie Jenny's (more ot come on that later).  The weather finally perked up a bit and the pool  finally made it outside...

A good friend of mine came over for a mommy/daughter playdate.  Emily and Olivia get along so well together and had a lot of fun playing ring-around-the-rosie in the backyard...

Jack spent a lot of time snuggling with daddy on the couch after their showers.  Bryan is still working so any time Jack can be with him he is.

If you look closely you will see about four or five vehicles clenched tightly in his hands.  This is how Jack rolls ALL day long.  One of these days I will get a shot of him falling asleep, trucks and all...

This past weekend we decided to take one last big outing as a family and headed to Fall City to celebrate summer with Auntie Jenny and Uncle Zach.  My dad and Patti were already planning on taking their motorhome or "house on wheels" as Emily would say, so we called them up and hitched a ride. 

Jack literally ran to the motorhome as soon as we pulled up, climbed up the stairs with his "man purse" in tote and headed for Grandpa Jim's seat...

Emily found a snuggly spot on the seat and settled in for the ride...

The idea of being "free" while driving was fascinating for Jack but a lot more work for Bryan and I.  He didn't seem to understand that even though there were no seat belts or car seats you can't run around while we were moving...

When we finally arrived at Auntie Jenny's and Uncle Zach's we were in awe of the transformation of their backyard.  We had heard about it but you really can't appreciate how beautiful it actually is until you see it for yourself.

My personal favorite was the new chicken coupe for "Jen's Hens."  It was decorated so nicely and the chickies seemed pretty content inside...

The guys found it particularly impressive that the chicken coupe came well equiped with an outdoor bathroom/urinal for the men...

In the opposite back corner they upgraded their fish pond and added new super comfy outdoor furniture and a bar...

and some more comfy furniture on the deck...

Zach even had his outdoor cooler personalized...

Once some guests arrived Emily decided that she needed to show off "her" chickens...

Then it was off to the yard for some serious fun with Auntie Jenny and Grandpa Jim...

It didn't take long for the tree house to get filled with some of Jenny and Zach's friends.  With a bucket full of beer on a rope there was no need for them to come down until the wee hours of the morning and I think that is exactly what they did...

We had a fabulous last weekend out and enjoyed every minute together as a family.  With just a week left I am feeling more and more anxious and have definitely started my "nesting" mode.  All the lists are complete, the house is all organized and I am craving neatness and order with everything.  We have lots of help heading our way over the next few weeks and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of this precious little baby growing in my tummy.  It has definitely been a long road and we are feeling so incredibly grateful knowing that in just a short time this little guy will be with us.

I hope we know what we are in for...3 kids in 4 years...I hope we are ready to transition from man-to-man to zone...