A Holiday at the Sea

On to the Ashton Family visit! We were delighted to have Zach's parents and brother out for a week. We got in a couple trips to the beach and even taught them how to play Settlers. Best of all, Zach was able to finagle his schedule so that he was home the whole week. Once again, I think the pictures will give you a better idea of the visit than my rambling could do.

Uncle Nolan carries O. to the beach on an unusually cold and rainy day.

Owen chased a seagull halfway down the beach before turning back to laugh.

Queenie and Mantis with Owen at Leo Carrillo

Exploring the caves and tidal pools

At the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

Checking out Air Force One

Just joshing

We took a day trip to Solvang

Solvang being the Danish Capital of America

A lovely meal back home

Sea Monster Mantis

Almost immediately after we got to Santa Monica, Owen got brutalized by a wave.

He was distraught.

Before departing, the Ashtons took Owen to Toys R Us for a shopping spree.

He really got into his new toys.

I'm Glowing and You're the Reason

Hey friends.
I promise I've been working on a big, picture-laden post reviewing all the family visits. And then I thought, hey Anna, you never told your blog friends the big news.

I'm pregnant! Baby #2 is due on January 13th. Zach and I are delighted. We had been hoping to have our kids about two years apart, and they'll be almost exactly two years. We're so grateful to God for another little miracle (and I don't mean that in a cheesy manner...seriously, this baby's such a gift. Feel free to ask me about it, lady friends).

It was the same old story as last time...
Me: Um, Zach? Can you pick me up a pregnancy test on the way home? I'm not pregnant or anything, it's probably just the flu, but I haven't felt good for like a week.
Zach: Sure!
Me: I mean, let's not get our hopes up or anything, but we might as well rule out pregnancy, right? Then I'll go to the doctor tomorrow.

So, I took the test - our little family (bigger than we knew at the time) checked the mailbox - we came back - and then we all gathered around the pee stick. Positive!
We're going for a midwife in a hospital this time around, and I'm a big fan of this option. At 16 weeks, everything's going well so far and I've even felt the baby move! Owen is also delighted with the news, though he has little to no idea what's going on. Despite the late start on sharing the information - we wanted to tell our families in person first - I plan to keep you updated as my belly grows and grows and grows.