Mason's Blessing!

We flew to Utah to have Mason blessed so that we could be with all our family. My brother blessed his baby boy Henry too. Also my niece Emma was baptized! It was a great weekend as Mike's sisters were all there too! It was a crazy whirlwind of a trip and it completely wore us out but it was really worth it.

Are 'professional' portraits worth it?

If any one reads this blog, please give me your opinion. I got cheesy portraits taken of my first two kids at JcPenny, Sears, Target, etc. when they were newborn infants and I didn't really love how they turned out. We actually took much better pictures ourselves of the kids. I am torn on if I should venture that way again just for the sake of it. My sweet Mason is now 3 months and although we have many great pictures of him and we bought a brand new camera right before he was born to be able to take good pictures I am afraid that he will look back when he is older and feel less loved. My friend April said that happened to her sister (also the 3rd child) and she still feels a little bad. Do I spend the money and accept mediocre pictures or just realize that what we have and take in the furture is enough, or is it?

Life!

Isabelle at the beach just after she turned the big 3!!!

Collin had a 'Hoedown' for his kindergarten graduation. Here he is dressed as a cowboy and shaking his eggs. Last time he didn't do the actions so we were very proud!!!

Cute smiley boy!

Big Bike Boy!

Mother's Day

Collin made me this cute potted flower in school and used his own thumbprints for the petals. He was supposed to wait until Sunday to give it to me but after all week telling me he had a surprise he was making for me he made me peek the second he saw me after school on Friday because he was so excited!. The Monday after he told me he wished everyday was Mother's Day. Me too!

While taking pictures of Mason at 3 weeks Isabelle of course had to get in on the action and have 'lots of pictures taken of her too'

Cute baby!!

More cute baby!!

More Mason

Mason at 1 week. I love his eyebrows, even when they furrow.

Toes!

Big Brother!

Big Sister!

He made it!

Well, I am not pregnant anymore! Mason came on April 19th after LOTS of contractions and 1 push. He is so cute and we all just love him (sometimes Isabelle loves him a little too much).

The view from my delivery room! One of the perks of living here. It made the process a little more relaxing (only a little).

Mason!
He is so cute and such a good baby (so far). I never want to put him down and thanks to my husband, my mom, and my sister-in-law Kathleen who have all been a tremendous help these past two weeks, I haven't really had to put down.
More pictures coming soon!

'Springtime for Merci in Huntington'

Chocolate!!!I hadn't taken any 'belly shots' this pregnancy and now I know why that has not been a top priority for me! Augh! I am huge! Some teenage boy at church yesterday said that I was 'mego prego' and sadly I couldn't really be offended because it is only too true. I have smuggled my share of basketballs out of the church and other locations. I am waiting for this little guy to make his grand entrance. Well, I always prefer the last bow in the curtain call (reserved for the star) so I guess maybe he wants to wait a little longer to ensure a standing ovation. I really am excited though and will hopefully look back on this picture with fondness...someday.

Collin is in the middle of his first season of baseball (t-ball). He is having a lot of fun, and so is Dad of course. He looks so cute in his uniform. I can't believe that he is growing up so fast and I am officially a mom in organized sports!

Easter!!! I actually dressed the kids up in their Easter outfits 2 weeks ago for church and pictures just in case I wouldn't be available on Easter. As previously documented I was quite available (and large) to attend Easter Sunday so they got to have a repeast but they still look cute! It was a good day.