So, as I mentioned in my last post, a tornado touched down just a couple of blocks away from us during lunch time on my birthday. We were expecting some strong storms to go through the area, but when it got really intense we didn't realize that it was actually because of the tornado. We found out about it after the fact. Thankfully the only damage was sustained by a Chevron station about a mile away, but that's still pretty darn close. It made for some excitement.

My mom was in town for my birthday again this year and I decided I wanted to go to the zoo. So, my mom took me and the kids to the zoo and we had a great time. I actually refused to tell the kids where we were going until we got there. Matthew was pretty frustrated when I made him bring his binoculars but wouldn't tell him where we were going. Silly boy knew where we were when he saw the sign. He can't read yet, but when did he start recognizing words???We had so much fun that Gilbert and I opted to apply the day's admission towards an annual pass. I'm pretty excited about that.





We got there right as they opened and the first thing we saw were the elephants.





Matthew and Elise were really excited but up until this point Viviana didn't know what all the fuss was about. This was her reaction once she spotted the elephant :)




Using his binoculars to check out the lions





Checking out the bongo.



Being silly with Nana





Elise and the rhinos





My mom paid for the kids to have their first 4D experience. We got to watch a short Dora and Diego movie in 4D and the two older kids loved it. Viv experienced a little bit of sensory overload. I think being sprayed by water and the shaking seats were a bit much for her.





Maybe the giraffes weren't entertaining enough?



My Frog checking out the Frog well :)



Watching the otters swim



Viv eventually passed out in the stroller for a quick nap



Matthew inside a tunnel in a fish tank



As much as Gilbert hates snakes, I couldn't resist this photo because it made me laugh... (I thought it looked like a giant pile of poop. At least my 4-year-old laughed with me.)



Going through the primate treehouse Elise spots this monkey and said, "Just like you, Mommy!" Thank you, baby. You sure know how to make Mommy feel good :-p



My monkeys :)







Then the girls passed out on the way home





And for added cuteness, a couple of pictures of my Frog being a goofball. This first picture is actually Gilbert's guitar pedal board case. She decided it would make a better bed than a case.



I constantly catch her trying to play with my computer when I leave it unattended. She got caught red handed this time and gave me her cheesiest smile.

I know, I know, it's been almost a full two months since I last posted. I kind of don't know where that time went. Christmas was great. We rang in the new year fairly quietly. My birthday was a couple of weeks ago and that was a lot of fun, too. Well, except for the tornado that touched down a few blocks away, but aside from losing power we did ok.

The biggest news around here is probably that we're having another BOY!!!

Ryan ("little king") William ("resolute protection")

Here he is at 19 weeks





Everything looked great at the ultrasound and he's growing right on target. I've been feeling pretty good. I had some hip/back/sciatic problems a couple of weeks ago, but I think I just overdid it. I've been feeling pretty good since.

Here I am at 23 weeks!

I realize it's been about 2 months since I last posted. The first trimester hit me and this baby drained me of all energy and motivation. I'm sad to say that I've hardly taken any pictures in the last couple of months. I did manage to document Halloween, though.



The best family photo we could manage







I got to spend Halloween with Perry the Platypus, Captain America (or as we called him, Esteban Rodriguez/Captain Central America), Rapunzel, and Chewbacca.











Elise and her friend Emma. We joked that they were Rapunzel before and after Eugene cut off her hair. They loved dressing alike and had a great time trick-or-treating together.



My beautiful girls



Amelia and Viv sure have grown :)





Grammy, Grandpa Mike, and Auntie Val came to see us for Thanksgiving, but I wasn't smart enough to take any pictures of them with the kids. Auntie Val did give a couple of us hair cuts and I thought Matthew's was pretty cool. Unfortunately he refuses to wear it this way now.



My mom was here for about a week and a half and gave Matthew a pair of cowboy boots as an early Christmas gift. He LOVES them.



Naked cowgirl



The cowboy injured himself, so in an effort to cheer him up he got a strawberry milkshake. I love my boy.



Well, I will be 16 weeks pregnant tomorrow and we've already scheduled our ultrasound for January 6th! This pregnancy is flying by. Given my history, I'll be about halfway done in 2 weeks. Matthew and Elise are really excited about this new baby and Matthew was actually kind of bummed that Santa won't be dropping the baby off for Christmas. Poor guy. Viviana still doesn't know any different but I think she'll adjust well.

In the spirit of Christmas, I leave you with my trio of elves :)



Merry Christmas!

Here we go one last time!

Baby #4 due June 4, 2012... expected to arrive some time in May 2012.

Bring on the chaos!!!