July 31st

If you are lucky enough to be loved by this Little Man, then you are lucky enough!


July 29th

Chris worked really hard to make sure I had a great birthday with lots of distractions.  The day started with presents and a pre-breakfast snack in bed.  We met my parents at Mullets for brunch and walked around Principal Park & the river.  Chris, Zach, & I went shopping and had a family nap, and finished the night off with dinner at Outback.  I am beyond blessed to have Chris as my life partner.  I can't wait to see what my 32nd year will have in store for us!

July 28th

Saturday was packet pickup day for the Lil Cyclone Club.  It was at Perfect Games in Ames, and Zach had a great time playing the games and seeing Cy.

July 28th

Saturday was a hard day for our family.  Chris & I spent 4 hours in the ER.  After 6 vials of blood, a pelvic exam, and an ultrasound we were told I was having a miscarriage.

We found out I was 5 weeks pregnant on July 17th.  We were thrilled and shocked.  It was our first medicated cycle with fertility drugs.  With Zach it took over 2 years and 12 medicated cycles so we assumed it would take awhile again.  We had shared our happy news with my parents and Chris' parents but were waiting to tell everyone else until after August 14th when we would first see the heartbeat.  We started dreaming about our new baby due in March and planning our life as a family of 4.

We are choosing to think of the miscarriage as a blessing.  God was protecting us from more pain later.  At least it was early in the pregnancy (I was almost 7 weeks) and my body seems to be taking care of it instead of requiring surgery.

We really debated about sharing this on the blog, but the truth is we need all of the love and support we can get.  We are heartbroken and fragile at the moment, but feel so blessed to have each other.  This pregnancy ended in a tragic way, but there will be another pregnancy with a miraculous outcome in our future.  Please send prayers and happy thoughts our way.  We love and need you all!

July 27th

How lucky am I that I get to spend my birthday weekend with this handsome devil and his gorgeous daddy!  Happy Friday!

July 21st

Saturday we celebrated Memphis' 1st birthday.  Wow how time flies!  He is such a cute happy little man!


July 19th

Who needs clothes (or a smile) when you are this cute?

July 17th

The love I have for this little guy still takes my breath away.  I can't even remember life before him.  I loved Chris before, but when Zach made us a true family life changed forever in an instant.  I love deeper, I appreciate more, and I fear less.  There is something about looking into the eyes of an innocent 3 year old to be reminded it's all going to be ok because no matter what, there will always be plenty of love.  Thank you Zach Palmer for constantly showing me how great life is when you are surrounded by love.

July 15th

We went to the Luthi Family Reunion on Sunday in Melbourne.  Zach had a great time swimming and flirting with Kate & Jenna.  The boy cannot resist a pretty girl in a bikini!

July 14th

Saturday we celebrated Noah's 7th birthday at Randy & Jenny's house.  I still can't believe he is that old!  We had a good time grilling out while the kids played in the baby pool, sprinkler, and had a water balloon fight.  Happy birthday early Noah Matthew!


July 13th

What is it with little boys that they think underwear on their head is so hilarious?

July 12th

Zach has been obsessed with swimming lately.  When we saw this Spiderman with flippers & oxygen tank on clearance at TJ Maxx it was a perfect fit!  Zach was so anxious to see him swim, we made our own swimming pool out of a bowl for Spiderman!

July 11th

Zach "accessorized" himself this morning.  He is something else! 
  • Eye-Hawk (Zach's name for the Avenger Hawkeye) arm tattoo
  • Spiderman watch
  • Superman/Clark Kent glasses from Halloween
  • Captain America Anklet

July 9th

When Craig was in Chicago the weekend before the 4th, he went to a Cubs game.  He brought back Cubbie wristbands for Zach.  He hasn't taken them off since he got them, even sleeping in them!  Thanks Papa, he LOVES those wristbands!

July 6th

Sometimes appropriate summer footwear just isn't worth fighting about.

July 5th

Today was another Daddy & Zach day.  Leaving in the morning for work while they are still snuggling in bed is HARD!  They slept in, met me for lunch, went to Target, had a nap, and then went with Grandma & Papa to see the new Spiderman movie.  Zach LOVED it and told me all about it when I got home.  At Target Chris bought Zach the Gotham City Jail, which brings our superhero house count up to 5.  We got them all out and made a city and had fun playing together.  At least he gets a lot of use out of all of these superhero toys.  I hope he never outgrows this stage of good guys vs bad guys.



July 3rd

Tonight we celebrated Craig's birthday.  Happy Birthday Papa P!  Zach really enjoyed Grandma's chocolate cake!  After dinner, the boys (plus Grandma) went swimming.  Noah showed off his awesome jumping skills.  Later we went to see the Prairie Meadows fireworks.  We sat next to a corn field and had a great time!  We noticed the moon peaking out from behind the corn and knew we had to take a picture for my dad.  He LOVES the moon and didn't come with us because he had to work on July 4th!  How un-American is that?!?


July 2nd

Karen is off all of this week on vacation, so Chris took the week off to spend with Zach.  I decided to take Monday off as well and go to Adventureland.  We had never taken Zach before, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but we all had a blast!  He rode so many rides, including the Galleon, the Log Ride, the Raging River, and the Bumper Cars.  It was a HOT day, but we got DRENCHED on the Raging River so that helped.  We lasted until 5:30, but Chris had to carry Zach out.  Having run is hard work!

July 1st

Zach and I celebrated the first day of July with another day on the boat.  This time we got out the towable, which Zach nicknamed Flash since it is red and yellow and goes fast.  We did have a minor incident.  In the middle of the lake, we hit a bump and Zach and I went flying off the tube.  I held on to him (and my sunglasses) and we floated to the surface.  Zach's first words were "Where is Kyle?  Is Kyle ok?"  I was sort of glad it happened so Zach knows that falling off can happen and that there is no reason to panic while wearing a life jacket.  He sure does love the water, and it's a great place to be when it is 90+ degrees out!