I'm Going to be a BIG SISTER!!!

YEA!!! I'M GOING TO BE A BIG SISTER!!!

We are thrilled to announce that the Swanson family is growing yet again!  Baby #2 is due December 14th!  Our little blessings will be 20 months apart!  Let the girl or boy guessing begin!  I am thinking it's a little boy, and Bob is convinced that he will be a father to all girls!  Either would be wonderful, of course most importantly, we pray for a happy healthy baby.  We have another ultrasound next Friday so we are trying to be strong and not find out the sex!  Even though we are dying to know, just like we were with Ella, there is nothing like the moment of finding out when the baby is born.  (Besides, I know it's a boy - mama's just know these things!)  Ella is excited to become a big sis.  She has been loving on the babies at daycare and she adores her baby cousin Brady.  When we ask her where the baby is, she will point to my tummy and then point to hers!  Too cute!  Ella wore this onsie to make the big announcement to family. 

Ella's 1st Piggies!!!

Where did our little baby go and who is this BIG girl?!?!?!

We can't believe how fast Ella is growing! One of these days we will accept the fact that she is a toddler, no longer a baby! Ella received her new do, compliments of her daycare. She was pretty proud of her new look when we picked her up! We are amazed at how quickly and how much she is learning, she truly is like a little sponge. She is running and climbing all over and starting to talk more and more. She is sure to say "Hi Dad" whenever Bob walks into the room. She also searches the house for him bellowing out "Da da...Daddy...Da da...Daddy". She typically saves her "Ma ma's" for when she is wanting food! Her other favorite words are "dog" and "that".

I miss my "Uncle" Jason!!!

Congratulations "Uncle" Jason!  Jason recently received a well deserved promotion to be the Director of Operations at the Colonial Life Arena in Colombia South Carolina.  We are so proud of him!  Jason is a huge part of Ella's life and of ours.  He moved only a week ago, but we miss him terribly!  He is a wonderful person that is like family and will be a life long friend.  One of his first projects at his new job was setting a picture of Ella up as his screen saver on his computer!  Jason took this picture on his last "date night" with Ella while Bob and I went out for a "date night" of our own.  The two of them had a good time playing and swimming.  We are looking forward to paying Jason a visit after the first of the year and checking out South Carolina!  We love you Jason!!! 

Too Many Margaritas!

On July 5th we went to the postponed Waukee 4th of July Parade.  Cousins Ethan and Emma were both in the parade.  Afterwards we all went out for Mexican food.  Poor Ella didn't quite make it through happy hour though.  Without a nap all day, she finally crashed in her high chair before the food even arrived!   

Ella and Brady!

We went to Williamsburg the Saturday before the 4th of July to see Aunt Megs, Uncle Ben, cousins Carson & Brady, & Papa & Nana Swanson.  We hung out at the house for a while and Carson and Ella being the "good little helpers" that they are helped give Brady a bath.  Carson, who is growing up too fast, never runs out of energy, he is so much fun to watch. 

Megan was in charge of the 4th of July events for Williamsburg this year which she put a lot of time and work into.  She did a wonderful job!  We went down to the town square where there were activities throughout the day and of course a lot of partying into the night.  One of the highlights besides the drinks and dancing was a mechanical bull on Saturday night!  All of Megan's hard work paid off and the weekend was a success!  Great job Aunt Megan, we are proud of you! 

Taking a break from the heat, Bob, held Ella and Brady.  Ella can't get enough of kissing her cousin Brady!  Brady must be going through a growth spurt, we couldn't believe how much he has changed in just a few weeks.  He is starting to get longer and leaner but still has his adorable baby chunk and kissable face!  He is the most laid back baby, always in a good mood, he is a prince! 

Emma Jo is 4!!!

Happy 4th Birthday Emma Jo! 

We went over to Uncle Matt and Aunt Jenny's to celebrate Emma's birthday a few days early on June 19th.  It was quite the party!  Uncle Matt was yet again the "Master Griller"!  Aunt Jenny decided to go from helping the kids fill water balloons with the hose to turning it on everyone!  Then Bob and Jenny's brother Nathan (who are really just big kids themselves) decided to have their own water balloon fight!  I think it's safe to say that the kids were the most mature at the party - which made it a ton of fun for the adults!  Before long, everyone was wet and it was swimsuit time!  Emma received lots of great gifts, I lost count of how many pairs of shoes she received after 6!  Ella was close by to start making her list of wanted hand-me-down items from Emma!