This past weekend was our annual family camping trip (minus Anna and Matt - Canada is a long drive). This year, we went to Big Spring in Van Buren, MO. We, of course, took Harvey and Evan was our first passenger in the back on the way down. 

Our campsites were right by the river, with paths behind each of our sites down to the water. It was a bit buggy and muggy, but still nice. 

We got to see our little Ember for the first time last week in an ultrasound (oh yeah, we're naming her Ember Mae - Mae was Nanny's middle name). I have never seen anything so amazing and miraculous in my life. As soon as the technician put her thingy on my belly, tears immediately started flowing down my cheeks. My mind knew there was a baby in there, but it somehow was revealed to me all over again and in a whole new way. We found out that everything was healthy, then we found out that she was a little girl. And even though it was a 50/50 chance, I was somehow shocked. But I had really tried not to think about either sex - I didn't want to picture one in my mind then find out it's the other one and have a chance for a tinge of disappointment. So I think I would've been shocked either way. And I know I would have been thrilled either way, but it all just seemed surreal. I was so happy. And shocked. And was processing everything for a good 24 hours after the fact. We told our families after we heard and even as I was saying it, it's like I couldn't believe it still. It was like telling them we're pregnant for the first time all over again somehow. And we could call her "she" instead of "he/she" or alternating between the two or just saying "baby". She was amazing. And beautiful. And perfect. I couldn't believe that she was in my belly. I couldn't believe that I was chosen to carry this sweet little girl. I felt blessed before, but it all became new again. I feel her kicking around all the time. More and more every day. She's an active one! The ultrasound tech even had a hard time getting a good picture because she kept moving so much. My heart just glows each time I feel her kick. Like everything that's happening around me doesn't matter at that moment - it's just me and her. I already feel connected to her and I am so excited to meet our little sweet precious daughter.

We took our first camping trip of the season this past weekend to Cape Fair. And more importantly, it was Harvey's first time out!

He's not completely finished yet - we still have to do the floor and make the curtains - but he was definitely ready enough to be taken out. 

Today was really our last "play day", so of course we had to go to a beach. We were craving some Anthony's coffee, so we decided to make today a Paia beach day. We grabbed coffees at Anthony's first, then headed to Baldwin Beach.