Weekend Getaway + Guess What?!

    Natasha, her husband and son smiling at the camera with a body of water behind them

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    We spent the weekend in Cascade Idaho with my husband’s family. The weather there was perfect; low to mid 70’s and cloudy. It was such a nice break from the summer heat we’ve had in the Boise area. It was also great to spend time with family that we don’t see often (they were visiting from Cali).

    The kids loved it (3 of the boys are about the same age). Here’s a peek into our trip and make sure to get to the bottom  of the post for some very exciting news!

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    We spent the most time on the beach. it wasn’t warm enough to swim but we enjoyed the fresh air, let the kids explore and get dirty and even did some fishing (although we didn’t catch much).

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    …. 🙂

    Don’t worry, we didn’t travel this way. My son just loves holding babies. These were all of the kiddos on the trip. All boys.

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    Our vacation rental was right by the beach which was perfect. We walked there a couple times a day.

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    … 🙂

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    I was in charge of breakfast so here’s what was on the menu:

    Morning 1:

    Cantaloupe, cheese, english muffins, cucumbers, nalesniki with all the fixins (cheese crepes that I prepared before we left home), scrambled eggs, bacon, coffee and OJ.

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    Morning 2:

    Buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup, homegrown raspberries, fresh peaches, cantaloupe, sour cream & homemade jam, then hashbrowns, scrambled eggs, cheese, coffee, and orange juice. I love breakfast the most these days because I start feeling worse throughout the day (more on that below).

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    Here’s the crew at breakfast time.

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    My sis-in-law, Nadia was in charge of all the other meals and she did a fantastic job! Thank you so much Nadia for all the time, energy and love you put into our menu . Everyone helped which was so nice. I loved sharing elbow space with these gals.

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    My son insisted that one of his aunties read to him at bedtime. I loved this sweet scene 🙂

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    We also spent alot of cozy moments on the deck overlooking the lake, just chatting it up 🙂

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    Here’s our party of 12.

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    On our last day, we checked out and went to a nearby hot springs. It was nice. I sat in the large “kiddie” pool the whole time but it was so relaxing. The water was just right.

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    And this is what uncles are for:

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    So, the great, exciting and super awesome news (for us anyways)…

    There’s a bun in the oven! That’s right, I’m pregnant! We’ve been working (I won’t elaborate) on this one for a long time :-O. I honestly think stress was a big contributor in making it hard to get pregnant; going from finishing up nursing school, to the big ‘ol nursing boards, then training and starting a new career on nights on a very stressful floor no less (Telemetry)…. When I finally decreased my hours; within a month, I was preggers!

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    I’m so happy and excited to share my joy with you. I’ll be keeping you posted here on occasion and more frequently on my my Instagram, Facebook and Twitter channels (for those of you that like that sort of thing ;)). Anyway, God’s timing couldn’t be more perfect. I am 12 weeks and due March 7th. I’m also super curious to know if it will be a girl or boy.

    Our 5-yr old son is probably the most excited. He does the sweetest things for the baby already; like practicing swaddling his teddy and saving bites of food from his plate saying it’s “for the baby” as he scoots it my way. We are so blessed to be pregnant and I’m immensely thankful to God for this blessing.

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    It’s been a little bumpy so far with the food aversions. I couldn’t stand the onions and garlic being in the pantry so we moved them into the laundry room. Now I hate my laundry room. I feel great in the morning but sort of crumby in the evening.

    All of this makes it more challenging to blog, but I’m still plugging along because I don’t want any of you to be hungry in the mean time ;). Love you all and please keep our family in your prayers through this pregnancy. Thanks friends!

    -Natasha

    Leave a Comment

    Comments

    • MAY
      August 28, 2014

      CONGARATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      YOU LOOK AMAZING

      Reply

    • MamaAisyah
      August 28, 2014

      Woww! Congratulations Natasha! Hope you and your baby are doing fine. You looks so gorgeus in those picts. I bet the baby is a girl 😀 😉

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        August 28, 2014

        🙂 everyone thinks it’s a girl so far! 🙂

        Reply

    • Alla
      August 27, 2014

      Congrats Natasha and Vadim! 🙂 Very exciting 🙂

      Reply

    • Nadia
      August 27, 2014

      What wonderful news! Slava Bohu!

      Reply

    • Olga
      August 27, 2014

      Wow! What phenomenal news! Congratulations, Natasha and Vadim. I was so happy to read that you are having a baby. May God bless your pregnancy and help this baby thrive and develop into a healthy, beautiful child.
      I can totally relate on feeling sick. I has horrible morning sickness when I was pregnant. It was awful. Take care of yourself first. You are such a trooper to still keep up with the blog. You are super woman:).
      Thanks for sharing your vacation. It looks like you had an awesome time. Our family loves getaways too. I also like to bring Nalistniki with us whenever I can:). AND I also agree with you about breakfast; it’s my favorite too.

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        August 28, 2014

        Olga I always love to read your thoughtful comments 🙂 thank you for your sweet words and blessings. I try to take it easy. My hubby has been so helpful in taking on more to help out. Hey, maybe one of these days we will vacation together! 🙂 I’d love to finally meet you in person!

        Reply

    • Valya @ valyastasteofhome.com
      August 27, 2014

      What a existing news!!! Congrats!!! Can’t wait to find out what you will have. I think…. a girl! I remember i would make meal for the family and me… of to Burger King for a whopper with extra extra… pickles. 🙂 God’s blessings to you and your family!!!

      Reply

    • Dena
      August 27, 2014

      What fantastic news!!! All the best to you and your family. I absolutely love your blog and have made so many of your recipes. When I see your email I always know it’s going to be something delicious. Just bought all the ingredients to make your perfect vanilla cupcakes/icing, marinated mushrooms and loaded broccoli salad for Labor Day.
      God bless you and your family! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply

    • Marina
      August 27, 2014

      Congrats! God bless your pregnancy and I pray your baby is healthy and beautiful 🙂

      Reply

    • Maya
      August 27, 2014

      wow natasha, seems you had lot of fun.. Loving your pictures <3

      maya

      Reply

    • Lewis
      August 27, 2014

      Looks like a great place for a little get away.
      I am so happy for you and your family to get to add another member.
      Your husband looks very happy and proud to be papa again, you are a good looking family and I hope you have another son, maybe the third will be a girl!
      I wish you His peace and continued blessings.

      Reply

    • irena
      August 27, 2014

      Congratulations to you and your family, the best to you all 🙂 ….обійми, щоб ви і ваша сім’я

      Irena

      Reply

    • veronika gudimenko
      August 27, 2014

      Congratulations, Natasha!!! I’m so happy for you:) May God Bless you and your Family, and especially you, throughout your whole pregnancy.

      Reply

    • Selina
      August 27, 2014

      Congratulations!! I am so happy for you and your family!! My prayers are with you!! Any pickle cravings?

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        August 27, 2014

        Thank you Selina, no pickle cravings so far, just avoiding things like onions :).

        Reply

    • veronika
      August 27, 2014

      that”s great news, I am thrilled to see you on this journey,its very exiting news, happy for you:-)) thanks for sharing. you are such a cute prego

      Reply

    • Manya
      August 27, 2014

      March 7 is a good day to be born! It happens to be my birthday, as well as my older sister’s. Best wishes for a trouble-free, enjoyable pregnancy!

      Reply

    • olga
      August 27, 2014

      Congratulations Natasha! May God bless you and your little family!

      Reply

    • Milana
      August 27, 2014

      I knew it! I totally caught the reference when you blogged about your “first child” starting kindergarten! Happy I was right- love your blog! Congrats!

      Reply

    • Luda
      August 27, 2014

      Congrats Natasha ! Hang in there :)) I am due march 5th and still going through evening nausea but it’s getting better 🙂 I love reading your blog 🙂 thank you for sharing 🙂

      Reply

    • galya
      August 27, 2014

      Congratulations, Natasha! What great news!

      Reply

    • Lina
      August 27, 2014

      Congratulations!!! May God bless you through out your pregnancy! Hope you’ll feel better!! I love your blog and all the recipes!!

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        August 27, 2014

        Thank you so much Lina! 🙂 I’m so glad you are enjoying the blog.

        Reply

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