Three Is a Magic Number!

Sunday was Ansel's birthday.

Love. Love. Love him.

He has opened each gift with this response, "I love it, I really really love it."

I think he had a good birthday.

Now We Are Six!

For those who missed my announcement on FB. . . we are expecting our fourth baby! Eighteen weeks into it and recovered from six weeks of flu (not the swine variety), I can finally say how excited I am to welcome this new little one into our home! Three cheers for number four!

This first photo was taken at 12 weeks.

Elsa, with all her love and excitement added the heart drawing.

The expected arrival is April 2nd. We will try and avoid the first and are aiming for the sixth. I've always celebrated it anyway! Going a few days over is definitely worth it to me. --I always go a few days over.

Grandma and Grandpa Visit

One of the hardest things about living far away is not seeing those we love enough. We are so grateful for the many visitors that have come. We have been so lucky.

Lucky is spending days with Grandma and Grandpa. We were spoiled with their hugs and kisses. I was spoiled by their shopping, cooking, and cleaning. Three weeks went by way too fast. We look forward to seeing you again as soon as possible!

Northern Italy

Grandma and Grandpa came for a visit and we took a trip to Northern Italy. I served my mission in Milan and have returned several times since, but this was the first time I'd seen the Duomo clean. Way to go Milan!

The kids loved walking around the outside of the Duomo and finding recognizable figures-the apostles. I think Elsa with her stoic pose is pretending to be a statue.

After Milan we stopped in "fair Verona" to visit the scene of Romeo and Juliet. It was a beautiful city that has profited from some great fiction.

Greg and I outside "the balcony."

We stayed outside of Venice at the home of our friend's father. He had a wonderful place and was so kind. He took Henry on his first motorcycle ride! Henry was nervous at first, but was beaming once he decided to go ahead and ride. We visited Venice of course. This picture was taken on top of the parking garage.

We visited new cities like Cittadella and Lake Garda that were beautiful and charming. In great Italian style we ate plenty of great pasta and ate lots of gelato!

Viva Italia!