Lucky duck

Here i am at 34 weeks along with our little Finn. I can not believe that he will be here so soon. This pregnancy has been a good one with the usual aches, pains, and discomforts, but I am still enjoying being pregnant and feeling the HUGE kicks and rolling he does in there. Jono was the sweetest husband and decided to surprise me with a getaway saturday with just the two of us. He being thoughtful of me thought I needed a break before this bundle comes shortly. He set up for my parents to come and watch our kids the whole entire day, while we ran off to have a carefree, relaxing day. The highlight of the day was getting massages at THE RITZ CARLTON in Dana Point! Oh my gosh, that was amazing! Such a nice hotel and amazing massage. we had the most amazing view of the beach from the hotel. It was so picturesque. We followed the day with shopping, lunch, shopping, a yummy treat at Sprinkles, and had a yummy italian dinner at a cute little restraunt on Balboa Island, and enjoyed walking up and down the beach. This was exactly what I needed. I had so much fun being with my love all day just the two of us. Even though it was only a day away, that was plenty for me. I kept saying how I felt like I was on a vacation.(: I am so thankful for a sweet husband and for my parents and playing with my kids all day! Im feeling like a lucky duck.

"Genny's Birthday!"

About a week before Gwen's actual birthday, Gwen had been going around saying. "Genny's Birthday!...Happy Birfday to Genny!" Anytime we were in a store and she wanted a toy, she would look up at me and say, "for Genny's Birfday?" She is obsessed with dogs, and was petting a dog while we were out on day, and said.."mom, Genny's Birfday?" I wish I could make her happy with Dog, but we've already tried having a dog.(: Gwen loved having a birthday. We had fun making this little squat pot 2 year old feel special. We love you to pieces Gwen. You are our special little girl!

Gwen all dolled up to go out to dinner with Grammy and Papa for Her and my mom's birthday.

(Gwen is the one that had the idea to wear her glasses, bracelets, and purse...such a girl!)

Birthday Girl's...Gwen and my mom share the same birthday!

Sawyer.Gwen: the morning of Gwen's birthday!

(don't mind sawyers wet slobber spot on his shirt from sucking his thumb, and the closed eyes..(: )

The big 2 year old getting all pretty for her birthday

I wasn't really feeling up to throwing a big party, so we just did a BBQ at our pool and invited our close family friends. I made a few cupcakes, and brought a few of her decorations from her room to make it look more like a party. She sure felt special and thought she had a fun "party!"

Gwen being shy and embarrased as we sang happy birthday to her..this girl has got a personality, how does she know she is on the spot and to be embarrassed.

after a fun swim in the pool, getting warm by the fire

Gwen. carter.curren.sawyer.shea.linden

Valentines Day at the Zoo

The kids got a fun Valentines from my mom and got to go to the zoo! They loved every second of it. They loved the Gorilla's the best! Thanks grammy..we had a fun day with you!

Baby Finn & We've moved!

I feel like I havent posted much on my blog about our little Finn. I usually have updated pics of my growing belly, but I guess life has been busy with 3 kiddos and moving into a new house about a month ago. We are still busy trying to get things situated in our home, but I will update with pics as soon as I feel things are little more complete. But here is a pic of my ever growing belly at almost 27 weeks. I can't believe I am near the 30 week mark. This baby boy is keeping me company with lots of kicks and rolling around. He is one active little guy. The kids have loved seeing my belly grow. They tell me "mom your belly is growing, does that mean we get to hold Finn soon?" They also love to put their little hands on my belly and feel little Finn move around. It always puts a big excited grin on their faces. Gwen says, " me hold baby?", with her arms outstretched ready to hold him. Too cute. she is so ready to have a real baby to love and to hold. Babies are one of her big obsessions right now, along with doggies. (: We are excited to have our family grow and to see what this little guy will be like.

New Years 2011

We spent New Years with my family at my parents house. My grandparents were in town which was a big event since i had not seen them for 5 years! They had never met Sawyer and Gwen! It was so good to them after so long and my kids loved their great grandparents. We had a fun New Years having a kid party with streamers, noise blowers, balloons, dancing, etc. It was a good, relaxing way to bring in the new year with family.

P.S. these were all taken with my i-phone..bad quality.

Christmas Eve 2010

This Christmas was a special one because we got to have christmas with Mema and Papa after almost 6 years. The whole Collins family was together in AZ. We had such a special christmas eve with singing christmas songs, acting out the Nativity, the older kids acting out the Nativity with Marionettes, a spiritual slide show of the birth and life of our Savior, Santa came and passed out a present, and we opened christmas Jammies! It was so fun to be together as a WHOLE family again with Mema and Papa for the holidays!

Carter.Porter.Sawyer hanging out together

opening jammies

in our jammies

Thanksgiving cont.

We had a yummy thanksgiving feast, with every food you can imagine. Our tummy's were definitely full and happy. We enjoyed our day with the turkey trot, went to the movie tangled and came home to feast! We enjoyed relaxing and having fun with the fam. over the holiday vacation.

Jeff in his Thanksgiving get up(:..Sawyer liked it.

Daddy. Gwen

Mommy.Gwen

Gwen chompin' on some snacks in between family pictures

Jono.Gwen(20months). Mommy. Sawyer(3). Carter(5)

Gwen swinging like a big girl

cute owen

cute baby Natalie