Kashton Jack has arrived!

He is finally here! Baby Kashton arrived 9 days early  at 3:19 pm on Friday, August 5, 2011. He weighed a tiny 6 lbs, 11oz and was 19 inches long. Labor was amazingly fast and easy, lasting a total of about 7 hours from start to finish. Early labor was questionable....I didn't even know for sure that I was in labor until about 9:30 that morning. I had been to the doctor on Thursday for my regular weekly appt and had my membranes stripped which apparantly got things moving along. Friday morning about 4:30 am, I began to have mild contractions about 30 mins apart but was able to sleep through/between them. By 830 am they were about 10-15 mins apart but still very mild, so I sent Nick off to work thinking we had at least until the evening before active labor started. Of course, that day, he was supposed to drive up to Manito to deliver a fitting system which was a total of about 2 hours round trip for him. In hindsight, he probably shouldn't have gone....he recieved a call from me about 9:30 that was frantic and stressed telling him I needed to go to the hospital soon. My contractions had picked up in intensity and were only 6 mins apart so I knew our little man was coming soon. Luckily he got home about 1030 and we headed into the hospital. I was dialated to a 5 when we got checked in at about noon. 3 hours later he was here and healthy and I couldn't have asked for a better delivery! I only had to push 2 or 3 times and it was  done. I of course cried the second I saw his perfect little face. I was immediately in love!

Thanks to Shelly, we got some great first moment pics



The boys are just as smitten as I am:)

He is so sweet and peaceful

One of my favorite pics....ever

I already can't imagine our family without him!

Belly Update....

It is crazy to think this pregnancy is almost over! As much as it seemed to be dragging on, the end has come out of nowhere. It has been a fairly easy pregnancy, I have LOVED being pregnant in the summertime, it has allowed me to be able to get out of the house and remain pretty active. Granted, it has been a very mild summer, only hitting 90 twice, so my feelings may have been different if we had more intense heat the last few months. But it really has been fabulous! My only complaints are crazy intense heartburn and extreme fatigue that will come and go without warning:)

I have spent the last few weeks in my 'nesting mode'. I almost have everything ready to go. Just need to finalize a few details in the nursery and pack my hospital bag. I am so ready to meet this little bundle. He is going to be so loved and adored in our family. The boys are beside themselves with excitement and anticipation. They are going to make such wonderful big brothers!

Yesterday at the doctor I found out I was dialated to a 2 and 50% effaced, so we are making progress! Makes me a little nervous since my labors have been crazy fast (5 hours with Kason, and only 4 with Kohen) and I've never dialated past a 1 prior to labor. Hopefully I make it to the hospital!!  We also found out that he weighs about 6 lb 11 oz. I had to have an ultrasound to determine weight because I was measuring small (only a 32 and 37 weeks which was a bit freaky). But he's healthy and big and we are so ready to see his cute little face!

Thanks to my amazing sister in law Shelly, we got some beautiful 'belly pics' taken last week. Here are a few of my favorites! She did such a great job and is a fabulous photographer!

4th of July Celebration

This year for the 4th of July we headed over to the Kenworthy's for a bbq and pool party during the day. We had a lot of fun getting to spend time with the extended Sanders family who we sadly dont get to see as often as we'd like. The weather actually cooperated and we got a nice clear, hot day (one of the few). Once dusk settled in, everyone ventured over to our house to take advantage of legalized fireworks in Idaho. The kids all had a great time lighting off and watching fireworks and making smore's. We learned that our house is PERFECT for watching fireworks. We got an incredible view of mutiple firework shows that seemed to be going on....not sure where they were coming from because they were pretty big and extravagent! Next year we will be saving our money and efforts and are simply going to park lawn chairs in the back and watch the amazing show take place! It was a very memorable holiday, we had a great time.

Camping 2011

Well, there is no way we can top last years camping trips, but we were committed to going at least a couple times this year. Our first trip was 3 weeks ago (late posting, I know!) and we headed to our favorite location: Porcupine Bay, Lake Roosevelt. The whole trip was far different than any other time we've been there before. For starters, the water level was pretty low which made getting to the beach quite a hike, instead of being steps away from it when water level is 'normal'. Also, the weather was not hot...we got warm and nice, but not HOT.  At least it didnt rain though! Also, being in the third trimester of pregnancy changes the camping experience a bit to say the least:) But we still had tons of fun and believe it or not, the trip was quite relaxing! I am proud of myself for simplifying the whole process this year. Our meals werent quite as fancy, but they tasted just as yummy! By 'letting some things go' I was able to still enjoy myself without exhausting myself! We also got to enjoy the company of the Rollins family one of the days which was awesome. We all had such a great time together!

Unfortunatately, this may have been our  ONLY camping trip this summer. We are running out of weekends before this little one arrives! We had originally planned on going again this weekend, but the weather has been far from cooperative, so we decided to call it off and stay home. Which is probably for the best. I have a lot of nesting to do!

Dinosaur Party

This year Kason decided he celebrate his birthday dinosaur style. All year he had planned on a Star Wars party, so I was surprised when he informed me that he instead had decided on a dino themed party. It turned out to be a lot of fun. We had friends and family over to take part in the festivities.

The highlight of the party was when Kason received his 'big present' from Aunt Shelly and uncle Rick. He was lucky enough to get a new motorcycle! He was so surprised, happy, and excited. He has since gotten pretty darn good at riding and hes only had the thing a couple weeks! He really is a natural at that kind of thing so I am so glad he is able to have one and get to do what he loves!

The kids then played games consisting of 'Pin the horn on the Stegasorus' and a 'Dinosaur Dig'.

We had a great time!

After games, we enjoyed some pizza then, of course, cupcakes and ice cream. We topped of the evening opening many fun gifts. Kason had a great party and a great birthday and I was glad to have it all be over!....even though I did have lots of fun:)

 

Blessed with the best....

....daddy in the world!

The boys and I are so very lucky to have Nick as a daddy and husband. He is everything we could ever ask for, plus some! He seems to know how to do and fix absolutely everything and does such a great job of teaching these boys all that he knows. I am confident that with Nick as a daddy, these boys (all 3 of them!) will grow up to be amazing husbands and fathers. And that makes me just love him all the more.

Thanks honey for all that you are, and all that you do

you are the best!

Happy 5th Birthday Kason!

Here's to wishing a Happy 5th Birthday to the most lovable little man in the whole world! Kason has grown up so much this past year. I am so thankful for the sweet little spirit that he brings to our home and family. He is such a well rounded little guy. He has the most tender heart and is so sweet, sensitive and loving. BUT, he is also a rowdy, wild and crazy boy who loves to get dirty and play rough. He has acquired many 'hobbies' throughout the year, always revolving around his daddys likes and interests. Most recently he has taken up golfing and is actually quite good! He loves to fiddle around with his clubs, hit golf balls in the backyard, and especially go to the driving range with dad.

He has also been riding his bike like crazy whenever the weather permits. He has always loved his bike and is such a natural. Reminder, he took his training wheels off at age 3!! He has 'graduated' from normal leisure riding, to riding up hills and jumping jumps! Makes mom a bit nervous, but he is so good I cant hold him back. This past month he has been into 'motorcyles' and watching videos of motocross. I think he may be having a bit of intuition of what is coming.....(stay tuned!)

Another thing I must mention about Kason this year is how incredibly sweet he has been during this pregnancy. He is always calling me 'pretty mommy' and telling me how pretty I look when I am feeling quite the opposite. I get an abundance of love, hugs and kisses. He has been so helpful doing extra favors for me like getting me water or helping out with things around the house. He is so excited to welcome little Kashton into the family and will be such an amazing big brother. He is such a great example to Kohen and we are so lucky to have him in our family!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KASON!

Here are some of my favorite Kason moments from this past year.....

WE LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH!!

Its difficult to believe he will be starting Kindergarten this fall! Where does the time go??