Did you hear the big news?

Breaking News: Michael has glasses...

Oh yeah... and we're having another BABY.

We already called most of our immediate family with that second tidbit of news, so hopefully no one's hearing about it for the first time in the smart aleck way I just presented it... but it's true. Jon and I are expecting another baby this spring.

I'm not real far along yet, less than 3 months, so it hardly seems real. But the kids are SO excited, and their enthusiasm is contagious. I know they will be good helpers and that our family will be enriched by the experience. I love babies and have fingers crossed that all goes well and we have a healthy, happy baby in a few months. Still, it's a surprise for all of us, and we're still feeling dazed and amazed.

This week Michael, Emma and I participated in the Buckshot Run, a 2-mile race that raises money for Special Olympics. Michael and Emma ran alongside two of their Hurlburt aunts, Jill (married to Phil) and Kristin (Jon's oldest brother Brent's partner). Mikey was very proud to finish before Kristin, though everyone finished before me. I did manage to walk faster than a few people pushing strollers and an elderly guy, though. We were rained on the whole time, but it was still a fun, uplifting experience and I plan on RUNNING it next year.

Jon's sister Sally and youngest son Sam stopped by Eau Claire for a visit Saturday afternoon. Sally asked if she could take Mikey and Emma for an overnight stay at their house in Holcombe. We had talked about an overnight visit with them sometime this summer, but things had never materialized, so it was nice things worked out this weekend.

The kids were thrilled. Their cousin Alec Hurlburt was also invited, so the cousins got to spend time together. Sally lives in a beautiful hilly setting on a hobby farm overlooking woods and the Chippewa River. She has horses (four, now, with Shadow and Macy), chickens, and dogs. Emma loves animals and was in animal heaven during her stay. She learned how to check the chicken coop for eggs, demonstrating the skill for me the next day (note: chicken coopss are smelly). They had a campfire and roasted hotdogs and marshmallows for supper. They also had an exciting "moon walk" in the dark, carrying flashlights around the woods before bed. All the kids and Sally slept in a tent outside the house that night. The kids had a great time, though Sally admitted she had a rough night's sleep on the ground. What a trooper!



My sister Laurie has also asked to have the kids come stay with her some time this summer, but the right time never came up and we didn't make it over. Maybe Aunt Laurie and Uncle Mark will make it over to Eau Claire for a fall visit, again? In previous years we've gone to the pumpkin patch together. The kids are lucky to have such fun and involved aunts and uncles, on both sides.


Anyway, after the visit at Sally's, we picked up the kids and visited with Bud and Jane for awhile (sharing our news with them). We called other family and friends along the way to Rhinelander, staying overnight at Mom and Dad's Sunday night. It was sunny and warm (but not hot) and it was fun to see the fall color emerging around us. We had a campfire (Bill is home for a few weeks before leaving again for France, so we got to see him too) and a picnic supper. Mom and Dad were well and let us know they are happy for us. Their grandchildren will increase by 50% this year! They'll be meeting their newest grandchild, Stephen Bragg, after an airplane ride to Arkansas later this week.



They sent us away with lots of tomatoes, squash, and apples from their garden. We also enjoyed plums from "John's tree" outside the backdoor. I think of that as John's tree because I remember John did such a nice job of landscaping that part of their house, along the fence.

Take care! We'll keep you posted with any "developments".