Stockton Made Fox News!

SURPRISE!

Kevin and I have recently found out that we're expecting baby #3!!! We are very excited, to say the least. :) We would like to clarify right now, however, that we are NOT "trying for a girl." I was asked that multiple times when I was pregnant with Tyler, and had to constantly answer we'd be happy either way. And I'm not just saying that!! Even if God Himself came and told me I could have ANYTHING I wanted, I still wouldn't know what to choose! I am so thankful that I am not in control of the outcome, because God knows what's best, and what I can and cannot handle. I can see ups and downs to either sex, so I am excited to see what God has chosen for us!

So, let me tell you something VERY fun... A few days after we got home from our Disneyland trip, Elijah popped out with the question: "Mom, do you have a baby in your tummy!?" The last time he asked someone that question was when he asked my friend Katie about a year ago. When he asked her, I kinda giggled wondering why he'd ask such a thing, but then was SHOCKED when she looked at me and said, "Actually I AM! I was wondering how I was gonna tell you guys, but I guess I didn't need to!" So, when Elijah asked ME, don't ask me why but I felt VERY awkward and didn't know how to answer!!! Which is weird, considering at the time there was no reason to even SUSPECT that I was pregnant. Now that I actually know that I'm pregnant the story is just so much fun!!! So, Elijah was right! Ha ha!!

Since our announcement to the kids, we've had mixed reactions... Elijah is thrilled- the 1st thing out of his mouth when we told them was, "I wanna name it!!" lol. Tyler didn't seem to really understand (rightfully so), so sometimes I just point to my belly and say "baby." And he repeats it, or will point to my stomach if I ask him where Mommy's baby is... Well today Elijah asked if when the baby comes will we be going to the police department. ;) I explained that no, we'd be going to the hospital... then in a day or so, Mommy and the baby would come home and the baby will live with us. This made Elijah SOO excited. Then I asked him where the baby would sleep.. Elijah said, "with me!" Then he said "with Tyler!" To this, Tyler yelled "NOOO!" Okay, I underestimated what this child can comprehend!! And we only went downhill from there... then I explained that maybe the baby would sleep in their room, and the big boys would get bunk beds, and the baby would sleep in Tyler's bed. Tyler didn't like that either. In fact, after a couple times of Elijah saying it, Tyler literally BURST out in tears... actual tears and was really upset! I tried explaining the baby wouldn't be IN the bed WITH him, but he didn't care. He cried really hard and wanted to hug me!! (I couldn't help but giggle at the situation!) Any mention of "baby" at all from that point on made him cry. Then he insisted that HE was the baby!!! lol! Oh boy am I in for it, ha ha! When Tyler came, Elijah's life (in his eyes) didn't change much- he didn't pay much attention to Tyler at all.. he was always so independent and in his own little world, that life just carried on. Tyler, I'm starting to think, is going to have a hard time... I will definitely be pulled in 2 directions! :) Oh boy!!!

Boys Being Boys

Ever since Disneyland, they LOVE to be pirates!!!
They helped me make dinner tonight.. homemade pizza :)

Mmmmmmmmmm.. yum!

Out on the Boat

Elijah ACTUALLY driving the boat
and Tyler got a turn too!
Elijah caught his own fish, and reeled it in all by himself!

All the kids were excited... especially cause it took forever to catch one!

Sandwich in one hand, fish in the other! ha ha

Nora was a kick, and fun for the boys to play with

Nora and Elijah (don't they make a cute couple!?) ;)

Nora and Tyler throwing rocks in the water when we stopped on the shore for a bit

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On Monday we went out with the Werdon's on Steph's parents' boat to New Melones Lake. We had a great time, and although it was a pretty cold day, we managed to stay warm and even catch one fish! ELIJAH caught it, and reeled it in all mby himself.. it was so fun to watch! :)

Silly Pictures...

Disneyland Trip Continued...

One of the days at my grandparents' house, Kevin and my dad cleared out MANY many lemons out of my grandpa's tree for him. The kids had a BLAST helping, and then squeezed a box full of lemons and we enjoyed HOMEMADE lemonade.. Mmmmm.. Making some fun memories... ;)

Getting the lemons out of the picking contraption
Opa, Linz and Brayden enjoying WATCHING :)

My dad up in the lemon tree cutting down branches

Kevin getting down the lemons

Tyler helped for such a long time, little trooper

Tyler squeezing lemons

Elijah getting his turn

Tyler, Brayden and Elijah

Muuuuuuuuuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!

DISNEYLAND!!!

Kevin Brayden and Tyler in our 2 bedroom suite

The boys enjoying their 1st bath together... and making some LASTING memories with Brayden's little "accident" ;)

Elijah had a queen size bed ALL to himself, lol
My mom & dad enjoying the carousel at California Adventures
Brayden loved the carousel
Linz and Brayden... so adorable!

So excited for Disneyland!!

Brayden sportin a Tigger hat

Captain Jordan and pirate Brayden ;)

Arrrrrrrrrrr! Isn't he an adorable pirate!?!?

Gracie, Lillie, Tyler, James, Johnathan and Elijah

Hello!???? He listened to this forever!

Pluto was one of the boys' favorites ...

...next to Mickey and Minnie of course!

My dad and cousin Taylor with Pluto

ALL the Hess cousins together

Elijah & Tyler in the "A- hole" ;) (this was taken with Kyle in mind!)

Mary Poppins and Bert!!

Brayden's such a ham!!

Our whole LOREI group in front of It's a Small World :)

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I had this big long thing typed up and it got accidentally deleted, so now I'm just gonna try and give the basics!! lol. My ENTIRE family, including my sister, brother-in-law, nephew, my mom and dad, and of course my family, ALL were able to take our FIRST family vacation together for a week. We spent 3 days in the Disneyland parks, and had an absolute blast. The rest of our vacation we were able to spend at my Oma & Opa's house (paternal grandparents), and ALL be under one roof and enjoy 4 generations together. My cousin Taylor was even able to spend a couple days in Disneyland with us. Kevin's brothers Kelly and Keith & their families were also in Disneyland a couple of the days with us, so we were able to meet up with them as well and do some rides together. The weather was great, and our time together was priceless. Both Elijah and Tyler LOVED the characters, which is always a big "if" factor, and weren't scared to approach them. They hugged, high-fived, and EVEN KISSED them!! (Tyler smooched Cinderella, it was so precious!). It was so special to see Brayden, and enjoy this fun stage, he's such a happy baby and so sweet & easy going. I am also happy to report that God answered prayer, and my mom's foot did EXCELLENT during the TWO days she spent in Disneyland. I SOOO wanted her to be able to enjoy herself with as little pain as possible, and get to come more than one day.. and she did, praise the Lord!! :)