Thank you for the Baby Showers!

It was so fun for me to celebrate the upcoming arrival our new baby boy with two baby showers this week! I didn't expect anyone to give me a shower for our third baby but it was so fun to get together with friends and any baby whether it's the first or seventh is a huge blessing worth celebrating! Friends that go to law school with Nick threw us a baby shower last Saturday. It is so wonderful to have a strong LDS community at Stanford. Nick has loved getting to know his classmates. On Tuesday evening, my friends in the ward gave me a special shower involving an incredible culinary experience... dinner featuring my favorite Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa) recipes! I am so lucky to be in a ward with such fun girls!

 

Fun Visitors...

We had a fun weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Buehner out to visit! Thomas and James remembered them and were very excited to see them (and their keys). We went to a darling pumpkin patch in Half Moon Bay where the boys not only picked pumpkins, but they also got to ride ponies, pet little animals, and ride the little train. Thomas and James are lucky to have young grandparents with so much energy! We went to a fun park while Gary and Nick went to Priesthood Session and Grandma was running UP the steep slides after the boys! 

Happy Birthday Nick!

Nick turned the big 27 on Saturday! He was just thankful his birthday landed on the weekend this year so he wouldn't have to spend it reading about torts, civil procedures, and endless cases. He is adjusting to his new life of reading from the time he wakes up until the time he goes to sleep and I am spending my free time in the evenings at yoga classes, swimming, playing piano and reading those addictive Twilight books. 

For Nick's birthday, the boys and I made him a special chocolate cake. They were so excited when I put the second layer on the cake. They said "Ooh, it's a sandwich cake!" We all went to breakfast at a cute German restaurant and spent the day relaxing in Los Altos Hills. 

Back to School!

August has been a wonderful month for our family. I can't believe it's almost over and it's time to get Nick and the boys ready for school. Nick is excited to begin his first year of law school and Thomas and James are excited to start preschool! 

On August 1st, Thomas and James turned three! They loved blowing out their candles and opening their presents. It was so cute. We took them to an amusement park called Gilroy Gardens and they loved all of the rides and the little water park. We even got to ride in paddle boats on a little lake. (Did anyone else do this in Salt Lake as a little kid?) 

The next week, we drove down to Newport Beach and stayed at a beach house with Nick's family for the week. We had a great time going to the beach, to Knott's Berry Farm Water Park, and Disneyland! We were surprised that Thomas and James are tall enough to ride all of the rides at Disneyland except Indiana Jones so we didn't waste time on the kiddie rides! Every day with the boys makes me feel like I am reliving my childhood. They help me remember that sense of curiosity and wonder that I had as a little child. I love them so much! 

Lastly, Thomas and James have become "serious cooks" as they are now sporting Williams Sonoma aprons (which we bought at their summer sale.) They love to help with everything and can't wait to help with the new baby. We saw the little babies through the glass windows in the N.I.C.U. at the hospital this week. Thomas and James wanted to take not one but two babies home with us so they could each have one! 

Summer Vacation!

We went on a fun trip to Hawaii last week! It was great to have time alone and Thomas and James had a wonderful week of adventures with Grandma and Grandpa Hey! Thanks Mom and Dad for watching them all week!

Nick enjoying his Matsumoto's shaved ice. He was so pleased that they put a ton of ice cream 

in the bottom. We went there almost every day!

Waikiki Beach after a delicious dinner at Duke's

Nick with Duke - the father of surfing

Laie Temple

Sunset at Sunset Beach

Baby is growing - just 3 months to go!

Grandma loves to read to the boys

Thomas and James had to have hats like Grandpas

Thomas

Thomas on Pier 39 in San Francisco

James liked his horse ride too

All of us after a big lunch at Bubba Gumps and lots of Trish's yummy donuts!

I think we are all in a state of shock right now! Nick is finally "tasting the sweet satisfaction of being admitted to Stanford Law School." (I'm quoting from his application essay.) I am elated and grateful that he was accepted! It will be wonderful to be able to stay here for the next three years. We love our ward and friends here. And more good news... Thomas and James got in off the waitlist at the Los Altos preschool and will start in September! 

June was a fun month for our family. Nick took the boys on their first Fathers and Sons camping trip with our ward. Thomas and James love the outdoors and had fun sleeping in a tent with daddy. Nick was able to go fishing in Alaska for five days with his father and brother-in-law. They had some funny experiences, great bonding time, and even spotted a whale. It was beautiful up there and we have been enjoying the king salmon Nick brought home! 

Poor little James has had a sick tummy for a few weeks. We are working on getting tests done to figure out what is wrong so we can get him feeling better.

Thomas and James already love their baby brother and love to kiss my tummy. A few days ago they were discussing how the baby has gotten too big and needs to come out! Then Thomas pointed to my belly button and said "Tiny hole! Baby won't fit. Baby need big hole!" The two of discussed this with their serious little expressions for a minute and then decided that "Baby need stay in." I think that's a good idea too! 

An Army of Boys!!

Nick, Thomas and James were all a part of my first big ultrasound this morning. They loved watching the baby on the monitor. Thomas said, "Doctor rub juice on mommy's tummy!" We found out that Thomas and James are going to have a baby brother! They are very excited about this! We are going to have an army of tough little boys!