It's Been Awhile and Some Exciting News in the Ard House!

 

 Getting ready for a little vacation to play in a pool.  Lily loved the tubes.

 Touching sting rays at Mystic Aquarium.  I think Jason was the only brave one.

 I finally decided to take my birthday into my own hands and invited some good friends to celebrate with me.  Rachel made this incredible tart (and a pumpkin roll for back up!).  It was one of the best birthdays I've had in a long time.

 Blowing out my candles but I just found out my wish didn't come true.  Jason didn't pass his latest exam:(

 Family photo with one of our girls' favorite, Rock.

 My birthday was on General Conference.  We invited our friends to stay for one of the sessions.  The kids played outside.

 And inside...they made a big train track together.

 Lily and Grace helped me plant our garden this year.  She is watering her pansy in this one.

 Grace loves to help.  She's really good at unloading the dishes.  Whenever she sees I need help she will yell out and come running, "Let me help!  Let me help!"

 We helped out some sweet "digital" sisters with Skype.  Here is Sister Watts sharing scriptures with Lily and showing her how to mark them.

 Sweet Sister Carvallo setting up an appointment to teach her brother in Brazil over Skype.  Really neat.

 I loved Lily's frame for her picture.  She always wants to put her art on our fridge or if she is at your house she will put it on your fridge.

 Lily and Grace put this track together all by themselves.  I was impressed (my usual response).

 Lily with big teeth at the coldest day ever when we decided to meet some friends at the beautiful Hamonasset Beach.

 Climbing rocks at said beach.

 Tons and tons of shells.

 It was so cold but they had so much fun.

 Grace having a meltdown on a fun trail at the beach.

 Taking a bow after I'm sure a little dance performance.

 

And...we're having another baby!  Coming December.  Around Christmas.  We are beyond excited.  Lily wants a little sister named Isabella and Grace said she wants a little brother.  Grace also said she had a mommy growing in her tummy when I told her I had a baby growing in my tummy.  Should be exciting!