Clipping Chicken Wings...

We knew it was time to clip the chicken's wings when the girls' would appear in the front yard or end up at the neighbors.

Again, we watched some you tube videos, got a pair of scissors, and went to work.

The kids caught the chicken's and Justin showed us how to do it by pulling out their under layer or flying feathers.

It doesn't hurt them which is what we were all worried about.

Quick and painless and in a matter of minutes they were back roaming the yard.

Our THIRD Musketeer!!!

It's a...

BOY!!!

I am in an interesting age bracket for having a baby.  That means I get to have lots of extra tests and care.

One of the tests I got to take was a blood test called the Harmony screen.  I was 16 weeks when I got my blood draw. It tests for  Down Syndrome and other chromosome abnormalities.  A bonus of the test is that you get to find out the sex of the baby.

I got a call 10 days earlier than the doctors had thought and she told me some great news.

The baby was healthy.

Then she asked if I was ready to know what we were having.

Was I ever ready!

She said, "Three of a kind, it's a BOY!"

I was shaking and had "perma" grin.  I just wanted a healthy baby and didn't care if it was a girl or boy but I knew this little boy was supposed to be in our family at this time.


I quickly left to go get BLUE helium balloons at the party store and get things set up to tell the rest of the family.

I found a box big enough and taped it up.  We gathered at Mammy and Papa's and the boys opened the box...

 BLUE balloons flew out and everyone cheered while jumping up and down.

I can't believe I'm going to have THREE sons.

Brandon's Homecoming...

There has been a tremendous amount of excitement in our home that grew the closer our trip to Texas approached.

We have been looking forward to seeing our nephew Brandon return from his mission to Brazil for months.

I met Brandon when Justin and I were dating and he was just six years old.  I had an instant love for him and his puppy dog brown eyes.  He won me over with his shy, heart of gold, respectful personality.  I have always been grateful for the way he has treated me, Justin, and especially my boys.

I was a proud Aunt as I listened to him give his homecoming talk.  It is always so amazing to see these boys leave for their missions and come back so solid.  His testimony that he bore pierced our hearts with conviction, peace, and love.  It affected Nathan so much that he keeps telling everyone that he wants to go to Brazil on his mission, "So Bad" and I know it is because of his cousin's influence.

We filled up the days and nights with  trips to the pool, In and Out Burger, an amazing homecoming talk, scooter rides, lots of video games with Jonah, Indian food, a bit of shopping, Kendall's new found love of the dog- Pepper, the movie Home, frozen yogurt, Basketball in the front with Logan, relaxing, the taco restaurant, and the grand finale...gut busting laughter at Uncle Gared's booty shaking with his shake-a-teers!

When we got to our house everyone found a couch or bed and napped the rest of the afternoon before even touching the luggage. (The boys just continued their nap from the plane ride.)

That is how you know you had a blast!