Happy Father's Day!

Derek, I love watching you with our son. You are an amazing man and I fall more in love with you every day. I know you sometimes doubt your abilities as a father, but you are wonderful! Ethan loves you and I'm so glad he has such a great dad to look up to and follow your example. Thank you for taking care of us so well!

I made a slide show, but it wouldn't load, so here are some of my favorite pictures of my two favorite men...





I played dress-up with Ethan one day and came up with these pictures for part of Derek's Father's Day gift...
As you can see, I don't know how to tie a tie!




To my Dad:
Thank you for always being so positive and believing in me. You have given me confidence to pursue my dreams and make life happen. You are so good with Ethan, I wish we lived closer and could see you more often. You are the best dad! I love you!


To my Father-in-law:
Mike, thank you for welcoming me into the family with open arms. You have made me feel so loved. Thank you for all you do for us...you do so much! I'm grateful that Derek has you as a role model in life. I love you!

A Blessed Weekend

Ethan was blessed in church on Sunday. Family came from all over to show their love and support.

Derek gave our son a wonderful blessing. I love my little family!


Thank you Dad & Brent for visiting us. We had a wonderful time with you... Ethan especially!


Ethan was so relaxed in his grandpa's arms.


Here is Ethan with his great-grandpa Morris.


4 generation picure... Ethan was a little out of it, it had been a long day!


Ethan loves his Nana, Aunt Megan & Cousin Hank.

Hurray for Sisters!

My sisters came to stay with me and meet their new nephew last week. It was wonderful! We had such a great time with them. Ethan loved being held around the clock and the non-stop flashes of cameras. My mom was also able to make a quick trip up here for Mother's Day weekend. Melanie and Hannah treated us to massages and day at the spa.

It's hard growing up and everyone spreading out. I love that we were able to have a week together. My sisters are my best friends... I love you guys! Thanks for visting us.

Bethany came to town also, so Ethan has now met all of his aunts. It's so great that Ethan has so many people that love him! Here are some pictures highlighting the week.

He's Still Cute... We Promise

After Derek posted that not-so-cute picture of Ethan below, I thought I needed to post some current cute pictures of him so you know he is still cute. He has grown a lot (2.5 pounds and 3 inches) since we brought him home. He is in the 72% for height and weight... yeah, I'm feeding him the good stuff! Ethan is much more interactive now. He smiles in response to our smiles and makes lots of funny faces & noises. We read in our "What to Expect the First Year" book that he should be able to "squeal with delight" soon. We haven't heard that yet, but we're anxious to.

Dumpster Diving....are you intregued?

So on Thursday, we were going to go to the first coucilor's house to give them dinner(Their baby came 3 1/2 weeks early). So I got home as Emily was going out. She was going to take the trash out and check the mail. Well, the dumpster is on the way to the garage. So I told her to not take the trash and I would take it on our way to the car. She said that she could get it. So I told her again that I would take the trash out. Again, I was denied. Fast forward about two and a half minutes when in walks Emily, looking a little embarrassed. "What's wrong?" I asked, assuming that the embarrassing event had already occured. Well, at least her part had. Luckily, her part was a private moment of introspective embarrassment. "What happened?" I asked again. Quietly, the answer came. "When I threw the trash bag into the dumpster, I also threw my keys in the dumpster, too. Can you help me get them back?" That's code for "Do you love me enough to jump into a dumpster and dig around in our neighbor's trash" Uhhhhh, for those of you who know me, you must know that Emily couldn't even keep up with me as I ran down the stairs, across the playground full of children and their parents, across the street and finally fulfilled my most secret desire; diving into a dumpster in front of a large group of people that I don't know yet, but now don't think I ever will. (Those first impressions are so hard to change. So I'm so glad that for that group of people, their first impression of me is leaping into a dumpster.)So upon arriving at the dumpster, I realized that I had forgotten my swim cap and nasal plug (a near fatal mistake). I pulled opened my hot purple phanny pack (you know, the one I wear on vacation) and filled it with sand. I took three deep breaths and entered what appeared to me to be Dantes' inferno. I looked around the cavernous belly of the great beast, I really wished I had remembered my nasal plug. Eventually, I found the treasure that I had been seeking. I took off my phanny pack, gauged the weight, and very carefully made the switch. I was so very wrong though. As I turned to go, a giant trash bag began to roll after me. I ran for all I was worth. I virtually exploded out of the dumpster. The parents ran to their children to protect them from the mass of debris that followed in my wake. I now feel very empathetic to Pigpen. Kermit can complain all he wants about how it's not easy being green...well Kermit, why don't you try smelling like sweaty garbage? Now that's not easy. It doesn't matter how cool you walk when you wreak of the "Bog of Eternal Stench" (You know what I'm talking about). When I got back, I must have stunk so much....the picture says it all.


*Some of these events may be exaggerated.

Happy Birthday Derek!!

Derek: age 25, Ethan: age 1 month



Peach & Cream Tart! Yum!


We celebrated Derek's 25th birthday yesterday. He hates birthdays and I've never understood why. I think he doesn't like the attention being on him, but we celebrated anyway. After a wonderful meal at Wingers, we came home and had a pie instead of cake (Derek's only request). Derek got some great gifts... and not to brag, but my gift got me definite brownie points.

So a few weeks back we were going through our movies and we came across a highlight DVD of Derek's punting at BYU. We put it in to watch and it was all scratched up and wouldn't read. Derek was pretty bummed so I took the DVD to get it cleaned. It still wouldn't play. So I called the BYU football office to see if there was anyway I could get another copy of his highlights. They couldn't find it, but ended up making me the entire TV copy of the 2005-2006 BYU football seasons. Derek was thrilled! I understand I may regret this gift when we are watching the '06 Utah game for the hundreth time, but I'm so glad I was able to do this for my hubby.

I love you Derek. You are a wonderful husband and father. And I'll continue celebrating your birthdays because you are worth celebrating!

I'm Gonna Miss This

Last night and today have been tough. Ethan woke up at 4 in the morning and didn't feel like going back to sleep. He wasn't fussy, just wide awake, and I was not. Later on I took Ethan to the grocery store. I've done this before and he has done fine. Not today. Half way through my shopping list he was screaming (his newborn scream) and was unconsolable. I ended up leaving my full cart, taking Ethan to the car and waiting for Derek to come save the day. As soon as he came, Ethan calmed down and we were able to finish our shopping trip.

I've had the thoughts pop in my head, "I can't wait until Ethan is older and is able to sleep through the night... is able to tell me what he needs... is able to go longer without eating." And I realized, that is all going to happen too soon anyway. Ethan is already one month old (on Monday)and that time has flown by. I know he is going to grow up too fast. He is only this age once and even though it may be tiring at times, I need to treasure the current moment. He is wonderful! I know there is going to come a time when I'm gonna miss this.