Jonathan and I had been thinking and talking about it for a while, and decided this summer that we wanted to have another baby. In the fall we found out we were indeed expecting! Things have changed a lot even since Silas was born, and they now offer a DNA blood test around 10 weeks of pregnancy. The test screens for a number of genetic disorders, and also gender.

In early December we decided to share the exciting news, beginning with the boys. We told them a week or two prior that a little brother or sister was on it’s way, we were having a special test done, and would know soon which it would be. We got the phone call on a Monday around lunchtime. Test results were all normal, and “it” was a “she!” There was some hugging and a happy dance, followed by “we have to tell the boys today! There’s no way we can keep this a secret!” Thanks to Pinterest, I knew just how I wanted to reveal the gender to big brothers. Silas and I hopped in the car to purchase a large box and some balloons. I kept him distracted at the party store and threw him off by ordering balloons in both colors. Once we got home, Silas helped me decorate the box, and we talked about what he thought was inside. I asked whether he thought he was getting a little brother or sister, and he said “I just want a baby!” We barely finished decorating and packing the car when the bus arrived with Avery and Kieron. It was 4pm and we had roughly 25 minutes until sunset. Jonathan and I loaded the boys in the car and headed for this bridge, which we thought would make a cool backdrop for pictures. The boys could hardly wait to find out what color was inside the box – both Avery and Kieron were hoping for pink. 🙂

As the sun set somewhere over the mountains, the boys opened up the box and pink balloons slowly floated up!
  

On route to the bridge to surprise the boys

Earlier in the day Silas helped me shop for supplies at the local party store

My Uncle Brian came to visit from Newport Beach, CA last week. We checked out some of the local attractions – Snoqualmie Falls, the Railroad museum, and the Brewery. We also visited the boys at school for lunch one day. It was so fun having him and I really enjoyed watching the boys get to know him (and vice versa).

Silas took to him instantly!

Avery and Kieron were quite impressed by his flight simulator game, and enjoyed bonding over it

At Snoqualmie falls

Homemade pizza!

Visiting the boys at school for lunch

Dalton, Hayden & Avery

Uncle Brian and me

At the beginning of June, we attended Kieron’s pre-k graduation ceremony and the farm school end-of-the-year carnival. There was cotton candy, popcorn, pony rides, hay rides, a bounce house, and of course the barnyard full of animals. It’s hard to believe Kieron will be a big kindergartner next year and Silas will be in his second year of preschool.

The teachers read a few lines about each of the pre-k grads. Here is they shared about Kieron: Wishes for a sleigh. Dreams about going to Hawaii. Wonders about building. Fears spiders. Likes pepperoni. Believes in the tooth fairy. Loves his Grammy. Plans to make an igloo. Wants to be a builder.

They also gave each graduate a hand trowel engraved with their name (you can see his in the teacher’s hand). Such a sweet graduation gift!

Watching his fellow classmates graduate

The wingman. Kieron was really nervous about walking up and standing in front of all the families, so Avery was there by his side for support.

And who is this?

Cotton candy monster

Sporting a goatee

With their buddy, Bode

Happy trails!