San Antonio, TX

Ryan and I are having a few days to ourselves at a NECC conference in San Antonio, TX. The dr said that I was safe to go if we would stop every 1 1/2 hours on the drive to walk around for a bit. No problem. The drive was only about 14 1/2 hours. Not bad at all. We are staying at the Grand Hyatt which is right on the River Walk. We are on the 19 th floor, and we have a beautiful view. I am enjoying my time with Ryan, as this is the first time we've went away without the girls. However, I feel like I left 3/4 of myself at home. Ryan can't understand this. We have enjoyed walking around the River Walk. We went on a long walk last night, and then we took a boat tour today along the River Walk. We saw the hospital that Ryan's dad was born in. It is right along the River Walk. Also, good to know that there is a hospital nearby in case the need should arise. Tonight we went to dinner with another couple from Benton. It was a dinner that lasted 3 1/2 hours. However, the food was excellent. Ryan said the best part was the chocolate mousse.

Ryan on the River Boat tour

The River Center Mall

Scenery on the River Walk boat tour

Dr Appointment - long day

On Monday, I had my appointment with the OB dr. Tayloran decided that she would go with me while the other 3 went to Christy's house. Our appointment wasn't until 10, and we weren't out of there until about 11:30. It was a long wait for Tayloran - and me, too. We leave the dr, get a drink at McDonalds, and are heading back to Benton to meet the kids and Christy at McDonalds. All of a sudden - as we pull up to a stoplight - we get slammed in the rear. Great. I called the dr to see what I should do. He wanted me to go get checked out at the ER. They took us up to the OB floor and we spent the next three hours being monitored, having bloodwork done, etc. Poor Tayloran. It was such a long day for her. Poor Christy - it was a long day for her, too. She might not offer to watch the girls while I go to the dr anymore. The nurses said that the baby looked strong and that my bloodwork was fine. That was a relief. The van didn't fare so well. It will hopefully be done by the time we get back from TX. I had no after effects from the van incident. However, I fell down the stairs the next morning. My back and arm hurt for the next couple of days, but baby seems fine!!! Ryan thinks I have it out for his son.

Baby Sprinkle

My cousins Pam and Ang threw the baby and I a "sprinkle" to welcome him into the family. They invited all of my aunts and cousins. I think that it ended up being a cousins only shower. That was really neat. The baby - who has no name - got a ton of nice things. Ryan was very excited about the Illini things and the Cubs outfit. I loved everything. Everyone was so generous. Knowing that we have several kids in the family, Pam and Ang had several games planned out for the kids to get into. The played pass the dirty diaper, Avery and Tayloran had a race to see who could finish the bottle faster, a kiddie song contest, and then they played pin the baby on my belly. The winner was the one who taped their baby closest to my belly button. The girls had a good time seeing all of their cousins on my side of the family. We don't see everyone very often - especially the Taylor side. Thanks everyone for a great time.

Oh my - we are going to be the parents of 5!!

Playing pass the dirty diaper.

Tayloran - who didn't want me to take the picture of her drinking out of the bottle.

Aunt Betty and Susan got this adorable Illini outfit.

This is a neat picture for me. These are the kids from both sides of my family.

My 1st cousin Lesley, her daughter Hillary, myself

Hillary's kids Gage, MaKayla, & MaKenzie ( the baby is Loran - belonging to my cousin Pam - other side of the fam.)

The babies were starved after the shower. Their mommy cooked them a hotdog. The had never had such "great food" before. They LOVED it. They couldn't get enough!!!!

My mom and I!!!

Benton High School Cheer Camp

Addisyn was so psyched for this camp. She couldn't wait to go to cheer camp! The head cheer coach was smiling from ear to ear when I paraded the girls into camp. She was getting a kick out of them being there due to their Daddy telling her that he was not going to be raising any cheerleaders. In Benton, you cannot cheer and play a sport. So.,,, you get the picture. Anyway, Ryan was supportive of them attending this camp. 1. keeping them busy 2. getting them out and about to meet new people They all had a great time. i'm going to have to learn how to put up a video. They all did a little dance and learned several cute cheers. I was really impressed with how much they did in a weeks time. Braelyn will be ready to go next year. She already has everything memorized that the girls learned.

Addisyn doing her cheer!

Strawberry Shortcake - Blackberry pie

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y

(Addisyn is 2nd from the Left. The one cheering her heart out!!!)

Tayloran and Avery doing their defense cheer!

Outrigger Island - VBS 2008

Bible School is very popular at our church. There was an average of 195 kids there each night. I was extremely impressed with the decorations throughout the church. The whole church was decked out. Addisyn's room had a goldfish pond. She thought it was VERY cool. It was a little crazy because the girls were still playing ball. There were various pick ups and drop offs throughout the week. Christy and I worked together to get everyone there as much as they possibly could be. Braelyn went for the first 3 nights and then had a melt down. Maybe next year. Addisyn memorized her bible verses and got to bring home a real fish at the end of the week. On Fri. night, they had a big feast for the family before the program. Over 600 people were fed and attended the program!!!

Our Island dinner!!

A boy and girl were picked to sit up on the lifeguard stand each night at closing.

The front of the church.
The crew.
Our kiddies!!!

The train!!!!

For anyone wanting to visit!!! The Amtrak train comes into DuQuoin - about 20 min from Benton. Mom decided that she would try it out. She was supposed to leave Champaign about 11:25. She didn't end up leaving until about 1. The girls thought it was neat going to get her from the train. Tayloran actually got to ride the train back. The others girls stayed back due to Avery having a ball game and Mom having to play for 3 church services on Sunday. We had to have them back to the train early on Sat. morning. I forgot my camera and didn't get any pictures of them getting back on.

Mustang League Champions

Tayloran's team played for the Championship game back a couple of weeks ago. They won!!!! We were all so excited. Tayloran learned to bunt and to slide. She actually LOVED to slide. We were so proud of her accomplishments this spring!!!

Tayloran bunting.

Ready in the field.
Her team

Father's Day

My girls are so lucky to have this man as their father. I can't think of one bad quality that Ryan has. He is a hands on Dad - the leader of our family. He gives baths, reads bedtime stories, plays games, checks homework, ..... On Father's Day, Ryan started off his day as a guest in Addisyn's Sunday School class. We came home for some snacks and then hit the pool. The weather was wonderful. It was one of the first days we've all had just to hang out together as a family. Thanks, Ryan, for being a wonderful father to our children! We Love You!!!!!!

WHAT A STUD!!!

DADDY & HIS GIRLS

THE GIRLS TRYING TO TURN HIM OVER

SUPER DAD!!!

IS THIS A CHEERLEADER STUNT???

Ladies Night Out

My wonderful friend, Christy, decided to get a few ladies together to go out to eat last Saturday night. Christy is the oldest of 4 girls. I find it so fascinating to listen to how they all relate with one another. I also love hearing her mom talk about raising them. It's also nice to know that she survived!!!! All of these ladies have been so nice to us since moving here. We went to eat at a fabulous place called Waltz. They served everything. we had the double decker pizza. It was wonderful. Christy also had a little cake to top off the evening. Thanks, ladies, for a night out!!! Ryan wasn't even too grouchy when we got home!!!

Softball

We have been up to our eyeballs in softball the last month and a half. It seems as if we are at the ball park almost EVERY night. There have only been two games where we have had to watch 2 fields at once. I took the camera to Tayloran's game last Fri, but I forgot to get it out of the bag until the game was over. She was very excited to have won the game. Addisyn and Braelyn's main focus is what they can have from the concession stand.

Tayloran, Addisyn & Braelyn!!!

This is Avery during her game on Sat. afternoon. It was SOOOO HOT!!! This wasn't great weather for a VERy prego Momma! Avery plays 3rd base.

Avery's fan club!

On deck

Avery's two good friends - Madison & Hannah

Collin - Madison's brother had a ballgame at noon also. Collin is Addisyn's good buddy!!!! They had a sleepover the other night. He told his mom is was alright, but that he was disappointed because he didn't get to sleep with Addisyn. Gotta love when they are sweet and innocent!!!

Extreme Cheer Slam Camp

Extreme Cheer Camp. Addisyn was so psyched. The week before, the older girls participated in a softball camp. Addisyn was counting down the days until "her" camp started. She went in the mornings, and the older girls went in the afternoon. Did I mention that it was in the 90's all week?? The facility wasn't air conditioned - so, the girls were worn out. It was nice to share the running with our friend, Christy, whose daughter also attended the afternoon session. We were exhausted after running to camp, to ballgames, etc. Poor Braelyn was exhausted by the end of the week.

Addisyn cheering her little heart out.

The morning session!!!

Tayloran, Avery, & Madison's group

Sunday - 6-8-08

These were pictures that I took last Sunday. I just couldn't seem to find the time to put them up there! We have had a very busy week. In a couple of weeks things should slow down a little. I'm looking forward to having a normal routine back in place.

Addisyn - just home from church

Noel - on her chain in the backyard. She tends to slip away if we aren't watching her!!!

The kids playing in the fountain that Ryan and "cool" Don hooked up.

Braelyn - drinking my drink!!! I think she thought that if she took it in the water - I wouldn't come after it!!!

33 weeks 1 day

I can hardly believe that in about 6 weeks we will have a baby. I am 33 weeks and 1 day along!!! He is still hanging out sideways - not so good. Hopefully when I go at the end of June the baby will have turned around.

Giant City

A couple of weeks ago we took off after church to take a ride to Giant City. It was about 86 outside and sunny. Perfect weather. When we were driving thru the park, we got a wild idea to take a hike. It didn't dawn on either Ryan or I that 1. I am over 8 months preg. 2. we all had on flip flops. We took a trail that Ryan had been on numerous times while in college. However, it's funny how your perspective on things changes after you become a parent. There were a couple of places where it was a little nerve wracking walking with 4 little girls - one of which is a toddler and the other which is a clutz. Ryan and I had them by the hands to keep them in line!!! Ryan commented that he didn't remember even thinking twice about that trail. When you are young - you are invincible. Theoldest two were begging to go on more trails. We decided one was good for now!!!!