Big Smiles

This picture was taken last winter but I wanted to share because they have such ADORABLE smiles!

MiMi and the girls

Here are some older pictures of MiMi and the kids that I love!

Last weekend Brian and I decided to let the girls sleep with me and Brian slept in Ethan's room. In the morning MiMi was having a good time cuddling with the girls. Although she is a little hyper still, MiMi is really good with the kids!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!

August 25th, 2008: Ethan, Aubrey, and Brooklyn started school today! Ethan started 3rd grade, and Aubrey and Brooklyn started kindergarten. I can't believe how quickly they are growing up! The girls are in separate classes and seemed to do just fine...(it was Brian and I that struggled with it). They want to be all grown up already and I want them to stay 5 forever! They are in separate classes and handled their first day like champs. While in Brooklyn's class I saw a little girl clinging on to her parents leg crying and screaming, "DON'T LEAVE ME". I was immediately taken back to my first day of kindergarten....YES I was THAT kind of kid! :) Sorry mom and dad! It was definitely easier leaving them knowing that they were eager and excited to start their first day of school. When they got home Brian called over to their mom's and talked to Brooklyn and asked how her first day of school was and her response was, "good...but Dada I have to go...I have homework and I need to concentrate." Hopefully her attitude towards homework stays that way! All in all it was a great day for all of them. Ethan said his teacher was very nice and he has TONS of friends in his class which was very exciting to him. Below are a few snapshots of the special day!

First day of homework....this is serious business!

Aubrey's name tag where she stands when it is time to line up. People were looking at me like I was a little crazy taking this picture but I was thinking, "I could put this on my blog"!

Brooklyn's name tag!

Aubrey sitting on her mat.

Brooklyn sitting on her mat. The boy behind her was not as excited as Brooklyn, and the boy in front of her decided to strike a pose!

Eth-man waiting eagerly to go to class. It is still cool to have your parents walk you to class...don't know how long that is gonna last but I am going to take full advantage of it!

The fam!

Brooklyn and Aubrey outside of their classrooms.

The girls think it is SO COOL to go to the SAME school as Ethan!

Spending Time at the Beach House

Aubrey and Ethan...say cheese!

Brian burying Aubrey and up to her knees and Ethan up to his neck!

Aubrey Elrod

I had to take a picture of this because while Crystal was napping at the beach a birdie decided to pooh in her ear!!! Look closely if you want to see it. Yucky!

The Elrod Fam on the 5 seater bike

Crystal, Ethan, and nana in the back riding their bikes.

Nana riding Crystal's bike.

Aubrey and Brooklyn on the front of the five person bike we rented. Shell and Dadda had to do all the work so they were DEFINITELY enjoying themselves!

Papa Bob and Ethan riding bikes at Dana Point.

Dadda, Brooklyn and Aubrey getting ready for the big bike ride!

Brian and friend Stephen; professional marshmallow roasters!

Ethan contributing to the production of the sandcastle by transporting the water.

Best Buddies - Bradley & Brooklyn

Aubrey and Brooklyn with their buddy Bradley

Brooklyn playing in the sand

Our baby boy month by month!

36 Weeks. ONLY 4 WEEKS TO GO!

The pictures below were taken at 36 weeks. I have been working on my eatting habits! My mom and I have a little to much time on our hands and enjoy a good laugh!

34 Weeks. For those of you keeping track that is 8 1/2 months. WOW! Look at that belly. It has dropped quite a bit. I don't feel him in my ribs as much but sleeping is getting more and more difficult! I finally took off my wedding ring in fear of having to cut it off! Whenever I eat anything with even a little bit of salt a swell instantly! So I have to compromise. Bean and Cheese Burrito or Comfort....mmmmm that is a tough decision to make sometimes!

28 Weeks! The third trimester is already here! This is when I heard it starts to get a little uncomfortable. Besides my ribs hurting most of the time all else seems to be going well!

Baby Elrod at 29 weeks...Up close and personal! Today I went in to have my second ultra sound. The first time I went in and found out the sex I received two pictures...one of his pee pee and a picture of a foot. Thanks to friend Lindsay who hinted at receiving better pictures this time around, I have a bunch of them, and a couple in 4D. If you look closely in the picture below you can see his face along with his arm which is lying along side his face. So precious! The doctor said he is actually bigger than normal for how far along I am. That does not necessarily mean I will have him early, but it is a good indicator that little Elrod is going to be a big baby! Maybe even a 10 pounder like his daddy. My mom who went along along also, thought he had daddies lips too! Who knows...we will find out soon enough! Below each picture it says what it is you are looking at! Only 11 weeks to go!

Girlfriends, Courtney, Claire and I. Courtney is 3 months, I am 6 and Claire is 9 and about ready to pop! Brooke (sister-in-law) is also 6 months pregnant. There is going to be babies everywhere!!!

I am 25 weeks in this picture. He is usually hiding up in my ribs (ouchie)! I can't

imagine how it is going to feel when he gets bigger!

24 Weeks. This picture does not

seem to represent how big my belly

really is so I am going to take another

one in two weeks when I am 6 1/2 months!

20 Weeks...HALF WAY THERE! I am

finally came to terms with the fact that

my old pants didn't fit and purchased

some maternity clothes! My stomach
is NOT the only thing that continues to

grow...notice the "healthy" face! It all

goes back to normal...right!!!!

16 Week

12 weeks. First trimester is over.

Brooklyn and Aubrey wanted to show off their bellies too!

Both of these pictures are at 8 weeks. Only 32 weeks to go!

6 weeks...still smiling :)