We went to the zoo with a couple of my college friends and our kids. . .It has been fun for me to get to know them better as moms! Ainsley absolutely adores Ella, a little girl Trey's age. . .
This only shows half the picnic table. . .6 out of the 9 kids and 2 in the bellies :) 
We have been a busy bunch since college! :) Mom friends are so very important. . .people who, after you discipline, can laugh with you that one brother retaliated by throwing sand at the other brother. Not that mine did that. . .I'm just sayin :) Oh, and how is that belly? 19 wks photos and growing. . .am loving when I feel the baby move, which is mainly when I stop and sit. . .am loving that my pregnancy can create conversations between fellow moms in the hyvee line. . .
We also spent a morning downtown with my sister, my friend Michelle and our kids. I look forward to summer when they are off from teaching. . most summer days we call each other and say, "what should we do today?" Trolley ride. . .
Malts at the diner, and a visit from daddy. . .
I am thankful for mom friends. . .new ones and old ones. . young ones and mature ones that understand without judgement, the joys and struggles of MoMmYhOoD.
It was a hot day! Cooling off with some ice cream while daddy pulls the wagon. . .
We spent the night in a hotel and GooF went to get us Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory while I put the kids to bed! The kids loved swimming at the hotel and seeing all the animals at the zoo. . .
but it got to be a long, hot day. . .Thank you God for a nap and a safe trip home. . .
Oh, and as we rode the Zoo Tram, we passed the benches that will forever remind me of nursing our babies together Bethany :) 
and discovered all sorts of wildlife. . .watched a raccoon, Porter got peed on by a toad. . .
talked about what it would be like to not have very many toys and just play in God's creation every day
It was one of those enjoyable evenings when the kids all got along well and the weather was perfect! Just so you know, the kids wanted to go back a few nights later and it didn't go quite the same. . .kids slipped in mud. . .only extra pants we had along were Trey's. . .squeezed Porter into them. . .looked more like tight capris on him :)
"This mama chased her kidlets"(we need daddy to move this. . he says he's the strongest man alive)
"Pop goes the belly" Seriously, it has begun to pop out by the minute! As you can see, Trey gave the baby his pavillion sticker :)
What a sweet "big sissy" to offer her leggings!
"Delightful". . . 
"Savory"
"Soothing"
"Yummy". . .
Am 17 wks along with baby #4 and the online pregnancy updates compare your size to food. . you went from the size of a sesame seed, blueberry, kidney bean, kumquat, fig, lime, lemon, apple, avocado. . . to now being about the length of a bell pepper (no wonder we have cravings!) :) At my last appt, Ainsley and I heard your heart beating at 148bpm, you were kicking at the machine they use to listen with, and I have started to feel you move :) Tummy growth over 4 wks. . .pic on the right is 16 wks
I had thought she may want to set it in the rocks or grass, but she chose the center of our patio table as the perfect place for her little lamb and what a fine centerpiece it is. . .
To be completely honest, I thought the plastic lamb planter was quite hidiuous in the store, but Ainsley loved it, and I love her. Plus, the lamb reminds me of something. . .leading my children as a shepherd. . .
And now, 5 yrs later, one on the bottom is hanging on by a thread!
We are so excited to see that sweet blue eyed, freckle faced grin with a missing tooth :) Soon, Ainsley girl, soon!
Until I caught that smile
Giggling so hard
As he hid from the camera, little hands beginning to get a summer tan
