3 + 1 = 4

Yes, you got it; 3 + 1 = 4. And yes, you're right if you're thinking "They're having one more!"

We are happy to announce that we're expecting another baby at the end of April. A few people have gotten the news first hand, and even fewer got the news in person. So we thought this might be a good venue to just get it out to the masses! After some hurdles and hitches, we're excitedly (and a bit anxiously...) awaiting child number two. Most days we are very excited, and some days we are a bit overwhelmed by the thought of it, but overall we are very happy!

Here's a bit of information for those of you with the standard barrage of questions:

No, we are not going to find out the gender of this baby either - until it is born, that is. Sorry, but no amount of complaining on the part of anyone else will get us to change our minds.

No, we haven't chosen any names yet. And again, sorry, but no amount of complaining on the part of anyone else will get us to tell you what name(s) we have chosen once we DO decide.

No, we haven't openly discussed this with Violet yet. She is aware that we are pregnant, but that is about as far as it goes. We'll have a more involved discussion once Vi begins asking about it.

Yes, I will be teaching at USU through the spring semester. I'm due during the week before finals, so I'm pretty sure that I can waddle my way through the semester without too much hassle, and I've lined up a couple of teaching assistants to help when needed.

Yes, we are looking forward to visitors (and visits away, within reason) over the summer. We've already had offers for family and friends to come help/visit after the baby is born, and we're looking forward to it! We may not, however, make it out to visit many people over the summer. If you want to ensure a visit with the baby, you may want to start considering your travel plans now:-)

We've got a lot of projects on our plate for the winter and spring, and are happy to say that we're already getting a few things crossed off of our list. The basement is about halfway done, the bathroom on the main floor is done, Mike has tackled a bunch of our fencing upgrades (with lots more to do), and we now are looking at painting a new baby room, finishing a guest room and bathroom in the basement, and tackling more fencing upgrades. Oh yes, and one of these days we might even get a modern television. You know, the kind without tubes!

Since it has been so painfully long since we've posted anything, here are a few pictures from the past month or two:

Violet tries out her new monkey hat. Unfortunately, Marcato chewed it up that evening.

But at least she got to try it on! And yes, we do feed our dogs OxyClean. (jk)

Kokanee, Marcato, and Violet playing in one of the first snows of the season. Marcato looks big here, but he has since put on another 15 lbs or so. He is now 100.5 lbs and 8.5 months old.

Violet got a new "big girl" bed not long ago. She loves the bed, but doesn't like it much when I have to turn on the light in the morning to encourage her to get up. This is what I saw the other morning, a few minutes after turning on the light.

Vi has a little (well, not so little - he just turned eight years old) friend named Finn. We went to his birthday party and he sent VI home with a present. He said he had "gotten too big" for this fun race car set-up.

We are currently spending a few days in the Tri-Cities, WA. We're visiting with friends and Mike is also involved in some business meetings at PNNL. This is from our first dinner in town. We went to Casa Mia and were able to get a full-strength beer (I just had a taste or two, mind you) without being in a bar...hallelujah! In UT this one beer could only be purchased in a bar, and would cost around $8. Here in WA, it can be purchased at just about any restaurant for around $4. And Violet could be there with us...oh, the heresy!