All Aboard!!!

I wrote this a while back trying to figure out if I should just wait to tell you guys in KC or not... I'm so glad we waited!! The video was SOOO fun and surprising you guys was the best!!! PS - we find out if it's a HE or a SHE on FRIDAY!!!! We're dying!!!



We are SOOO excited to be jumping on the BABY TRAIN!!! And we feel so blessed to have such amazing aunties who have been there before and are full of such awesome advice!!! We love you all so much!! <3 br="">

Here's what I wrote a really long time ago... debating on if I should just post this blog or wait to tell you in person... So here's the story (which you all know by now) :)

After "not-not" trying since July 2013, we got a little more intentional the last month.
We always believed 100% it would be on God's time, not ours.
But still.
I caved.
I bought the ovulation sticks.
After starting them in March, the first day I used it it said it was "THE" day.
Which was WAY earlier than a "normal" cycle.
I thought I read it wrong.
But we went with it.
After all, you only supposedly have a 24-36 hour window.
The next couple days it said I wasn't.
Then, for 6 days in a row it said I was.
Again, you're only supposed to have a 24-36 hour window.
I thought these sticks were totally wack.
Either that or total user-error and I was completely reading them wrong.
On our way to our tax appointment in LA, I looked it up.
Apparently the hormone that you give off when ovulating is the same as when you're pregnant.
After 9 months of "Not Pregnant" on the home pregnancy tests,  I wanted to curb my disappointment.
So, a week before my all-inclusive, all-expenses paid trip thanks to my Rodan + Fields business where I knew we'd be wined and dined everywhere I looked, I took an early PT.
"Not Pregnant"
I figured, it's not on God's time yet.
So, I went on the trip.
It was AHHHHMAZING.
So I got home that Sunday.
When Monday came and Aunt Flow was a no-show, I didn't think much of it.
Exhaustion, stress....
It didn't come Tuesday.
Or Wednesday.
And I'm super regular.
So, Wednesday meant a trip to Target.
Ben really wanted to be there for the whole thing. So, I did my thing and we waited...
I got the digital test this time just in case.
And......

 PREGNANT!!!!

It even told us how far along - 2-3 weeks!
We were in shock.
Then we cried.
And I was totally shaking.
We're having a BABY!!!
One of Ben's first questions was what this will mean to our workouts... ha.
He also continues to refer to the baby as a HIM.
We'll find out soon enough!

We had our first doctor's appointment at 8 weeks on Cinco de Mayo.
We got to hear and SEE the heartbeat!
I didn't know you could actually see it.
Talk about emotional!

12 week ultrasound

8 week Ultrasound

Due date: December 14
Talk about an incredible Christmas gift!!!!
God is so good.
And we feel so blessed!
xoxo,
Karen (aka Mommy!)

Madelyn's 1st Halloween

RAH RAH REE!!! KICK 'EM IN THE KNEE!!!

RAH RAH RASS!!! KICK 'EM IN THE OTHER KNEE!!! GOOOOOOOO TEAM!!

Happy Election Day!

I've been looking forward to this day for four years! I just got back from the polls and it felt so satisfying to place my vote. We are getting ready for a victory party tonight. It will just be myself, Brent, my Dad, Kennedy and Carter but we are going to have a blast. Have a wonderful day ladies! Go OBAMA!

NEIMAN-MARCUS COOKIES

NEIMAN-MARCUS COOKIES (Recipe may be halved)

2 cups butter

24 oz. Chocolate chips

4 cups flour

2 cups brown sugar

2 tsp. Soda

1 tsp. Salt

2 cups sugar

1 8 oz. H ershey Bar (grated)

5 cups blended oatmeal

4 eggs

2 tsp. Baking powder

2 tsp. Vanilla

3 cups chopped nuts (your choice)

Measure oatmeal, and blend in a blender to a fine powder. Cream the butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla, mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and soda . Add chocolate chips, Hershey bar, and nuts. Roll into balls, and place two inches apart on a cookie Sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes 112 cookies.

Heading to Hungary

So our life has been a complete whirlwind lately! The deal finally wen through and Greg headed to Budapest yesterday!

http://www.eurobasket.com/Hungary/basketball.asp?NewsID=140628

We have been trying to get preapproved for a townhome for months now. Since we had this year's comtract I was told it wouldn't be a problem with the companies we were working with. For some reason it was again and I was totally bummed one minute. Then the guys sends me one more email recommending me to Wells Fargo. Greg gets on the phone and calls and in 20 MINUTES>!>!>!>?!?!?!?! we were approved. Last week we went out with Greg's broker and found an awesome townhome 3 minutes from my parents house.

http://cbburnet.com/CustomModules/Property/PropertyDetail.aspx?SearchID=8156166&PropertyGUID=7F631F31-CC0D-4ABD-81BF-C7AE04A1112D&TotalRows=1&CurrentPage=1&SortValue=0&LastResultsPage=1&IsSold=False

We totally love it even though we got approved, had to give power of attorney to my parents, pack, and make an offer (while Greg is on the airplane to Munich) all within 24 hours. I guess that's its a short sale and the bank would be taking a big loss on the house considering the owners bought it for 236k 5 years ago and finished the basement and are now only selling it for 214k. So we could get a really amazing deal but the bank is really hard to work with. So we're definately crossing our fingers but I'm not super hopeful. Now that we know we can get the loan I'm already 10 times happier.

My mom will be heading to Budapest with me the first time. I was dreading hauling baby and Jaxson by myself and she really wants to go. Depending on how fast Greg finds a good pediatrician we could be leaving in 2-4 weeks. Regardless, I have to go back to Des Moines one more time and bring the Expedition to The Danielson's and if I have an extra day or so I'd really like to take a quick trip to KC if you girls are available. It all depends if my brother is coming with me to drive me back and his work schedule. Just wanted to give you a heads up!
That's the low down with us! Budapest is supposed to be awesome and you know we are ALWAYS open for visitors. Its a lot closer than Dubai! I can tell I'm going to have a big ego bust already. Someone told me that they have the prettiest girls there and its the Porn Captial of the world. Huge difference from conservative dubai with no gambling, no drinking everywhere, and women all covered. I'm sure it'll be fine, heck it'll we lived in Bulgaria with prostitutes on our driveway.

Love you girls-let's hear some more from everyone!
Tonixoxoxox

Back at it

Hey Girlies,

It's been a while! I love the pics - all the babies are so so cute. Ton, I'm so excited for you heading off to Hungry! Another chapter in your families lives. Ro, hopefully the work thing will get easier.

Well, life has been hectic over here as well. We went to NYC for Labor Day weekend with my sisters and hubbies (sans Tan & Lee). It was an absolute blast, though I'm so glad I don't live there. Life is hard!! and HOT! But, we got to check out Niki & Chuck's place in Park Slope (Brooklyn) - it's so cute and hit up the US Open. We had an awesome time of just hanging out, watching tennis and eating eating eating. Last week was spent catching up with work and then we had a chance to surf, hike, clean and hit the beach this weekend...a truly perfect San Diego weekend.

Anyway, not sure if I told you all - but Santiago survived the lay-offs and he'll stay with HP for a while, on a new team (better manager). So we'll be in SD for at least another year then. That's about it for exciting news. BUT at least I have some pics.

I got all my sistas and me - the first night we got in

Perfect NYC skyline sunset

All of us with our Uncle, Aunt and cousin Judy at Obento Delight - the BEST sushi restaurant in Manhantten and owned by them (yuuuummmmmm!!). We ate them out of house and home.

Us at the night match in Arthur Ashe stadium...it went until 2am!

Ho hum..

Don't have much time to write - but wanted to let everyone know work sucks, I hate daycare, and I wish I could be at home with Madelyn... I cry just about every night thinking about the next morning. Madelyn was baptized yesterday - so here is a couple of pics of the day. Hope all is going better in your world than mine - xo Ro

Beautiful baby Madelyn

The Townsend Family

Cute as a Button

Not at her baptism, but one of my new favorites

I told you all we grew corn this summer, right?

Here it is! And look how awesome my merigolds did!