Family News

Well if you haven't noticed there is a pregnancy calendar on the blog. Yes, we are pregnant. We are due the first week in June. We are excited. We have been working with Tennis on recognizing babies and how to be around them. He is so funny. He is pretty gentle with them. He gives kisses every time I say "There's a baby". He'll be such a good big brother.

It's Christmas already!

Wow, time does seem to fly. It feels like I was just celebrating Tennis's first birthday and now we have our Christmas tree up and thanksgiving is over. I do love Christmas. It just seems like each year the holidays fly by faster and faster without it really even registering that it is coming and going. I remember as a kid how long Christmas brake seemed to feel. I also remember thanksgiving day lasting twice as long. I guess that when you are a child and you don't have any worries or responsibilities time can take as long as you want. This is my favorite time of year for many many reasons. But here are my top ten reasons.

1-Christ's birth
2-The happy spirit everyone seems to have about them.
3-All the beautiful decorations especially the nativities.
4-I love the music, specifically the church songs.
5-Giving gifts to people you love.
6-The cold weather is so nice for a change.
7-All the seasonal smells of cooking and the Christmas trees.
8-Getting together with family. Sometimes there are to many parties though. It doesn't seem like it is relaxing season sometimes because of all the places you have to be.
9-I love going shopping even if it isn't to buy anything. I just love stores this time of the year because of all the fun displays and things that they don't normally have.
10-All the fun stories that revolve around the holidays from the bible stories to the fun children's books.
*The time with my husband I get when he has work off is right under #1 though. I guess I can't limit the things I am grateful for to just 10 things.

I recommend everyone think of their top 10 reasons why they love this season and if anything seems overwhelming, which it sometimes does during the season, remember them or at least one of them.

Tennis First Year

November 2006 - 1 hour old

December 2006 - 6 weeks old
January 2007 - 7 weeks old

March 2007 - 4 months old

April 2007 - 5 months old

May 2007 - 6 months old

June 2007 - 7 months old

October 2007 - 11 months old

So today is Tennis's first birthday. I have to admit I am a little sad because he isn't my little tiny baby anymore but at the same time I am excited because our little man is officially a year. I thought that I would share some memories of our life with him over the past year.

First off I thought I would share the fun story of our final hospital visit when he came out to meet us. Of course it wasn't all the fun. We had gone in on Friday the 10th of November because of contractions, which wasn't an uncommon thing for us, they gave me a shot of morphine after monitoring me and then sent me home at 5am Saturday morning. Chad was exhausted, I was exhausted and both were hunger and a little crabby. Then at 3 that same day we went back in and to our elation I had dilated further so they checked us in for the duration. Let's just say thank heavens for Epidurals. Tennis was born at 3:56am on Sunday November 12th, my dad's birthday. Weighing in at 5lb 13ozs and not having pushed for very long he was a handsome tiny little man. He didn't really cry at all. They cleaned him a little and laid him on me. He just laid there and looked at me. He was so calm. The nurses nicknamed him Peanut because they all said he was as little as one.

My heart strings start to tug at me when I think of our first Christmas with him. He didn't get much because let's face it he didn't need anything. But it was so much fun sitting there as a little family opening gifts with him. He loved the Christmas tree because of the lights and decorations. He was so alert all the time and seemed to take everything in. We also got to see Millie and Brian's family grow with the birth of their first boy, beautiful and happy Colin, that Christmas day. New Years the poor little kid mommy made him stay up and wear a dopey new years eve hat. But it did make for some memorable pictures.

It seemed like he started to grow tall so fast especially because he was such a little guy when he first came out. It seems like February was about the time that he started to climb the chart in height. He started getting so long. He started to hold his head up well and even sit a little. It was so fun when he started in with all the little coos. He was such a good sleeper too. Until he started in with his ear infections. Which also started in February. But we remedied those quickly. He also broke his first two teeth this month. Wow was that not fun for him. But once they came in all the way it was so cute to see him with two little teeth when he smiled.

April was so much fun with Sadie's puppies, the warm weather and Tennis sitting up on his own and becoming more and more aware of his surroundings. He really really started to enjoy his bathes at about this age. He loved them before but being able to sit up mostly on his own made it even better. He thought that the running water was the neatest thing. He would just stare at it and talk to it. He also started eating baby food. He didn't really like fruits that much but any veggie I would throw his way he LOVED and still does.

June is when he started crawling. Wow this month was full of new things. We went on his first trip up the canyon and all the way to St. George. He loves the outdoors. He wanted to eat everything when we went up T Ned Canyon. He got so mad when I tried to sit him down and keep him on the blanket. He kept grabbing for the dirt or anything foreign he could reach. He also got to go in a pool for the first time in St George. Boy did he love it. We had him in a little swimming inter tube and once he figured out he could me he would kick his feet, lean forward and try to drink the water, splash and whatever else he dared try. We felt bad pulling him out of the water but all good things have to come to an end so they say.

July we went to Portland, Oregon and Tennis got to ride on a plane for the first time. He slept through most of it. He didn't have any problems with his ears popping because of his tubes which made it nice. It was probably more comfy for him than it was for me or Chad. We went down town and walked their HUGE two city block mall in Portland and got Tennis some little animals and celebrated my birthday. We were there for a convention and the people that were there for it were mostly older couples and man was he a big hit. He got more attention than any of the actual events did and we ended up with more honorary grandparents than he will ever know. He really enjoyed it. He loves people so much and he really liked staying in a hotel room because he was with Mommy and daddy 24/7. We also got to go to Idaho for my family reunion. He loved the lake the most. He loved being in the water so much.

August we took him up to Moon Lake for the Poulson reunion and he like that just as much as he likes anything. He did pretty good sleeping in the tent and was happy the whole time. We did have a few nights when he didn't want to sleep and there was even a bear one night that walked through our camp. Well at least we think there was because of the noises. He loved watching the fire and playing in the sand. Unfortunately the water was to cold for him to enjoy so we just stayed dry and at camp.

October he started walking. Which of course makes him a "toddler" now. He takes his time with each step. Being a cautious and pretty focused baby it seems like he thinks about each step. Most kids get going and momentum carries them until they fall for the first few weeks. But Tennis takes his time and goes slowly. He also started to really improve on his over hand throw. Man look out if he has a ball, car or anything he can fit into one hand. Because he can aim and throw it pretty well now.

Well that about covers his first year. We are so blessed every single day for the precious gift Heavenly Father has entrusted in us. He has brought us so much joy and happiness. It is funny because you hear this said but it is true, having a child makes you love your spouse so much more and on a different level. I didn't think I could love Chad more but I do love him more today than I did when we got married. We are so lucky to have each other and our perfect, in our eyes, little boy. He teaches us so much every day. My heart is very full today thinking about the past year with him and Chad. Thank you all for your love and support through everything.

So Halloween was so much fun. Thanks to all the family that we visited. Here is a little idea of the costumes everyone had on. More photos are to come. Tennis is Tigger on the left with Caleb as a monkey next in line, Cambree the Duck and then Collin as Curious George. Aren't they so cute.

Tennis's 1st Pumpkin

We carved pumpkins last week with our neighbors. It was really fun. We tried something new with Tennis's pumpkin by not carving all the way through the pumpkin. It turned out pretty cool. Tennis didn't really know what to think when I first started pulling out all the pumpkin guts. I thought he might enjoy being able to get dirty and grabbing slimy things with mebut I think it was a little to sticky and foriegn for him. He did enjoy the part where we dipped his hand and foot in paint and put them on the pumpkin. But his favorite part was when it was done and he could take off the top of the pumpkin to look at the candle.

Our Fun Zone

Okay so this week has been so busy. Well busy in the fact that I feel like there is always more dishes to clean, laundry to do, food to prepare, toys to pick up etc... I love my role in life and in my family. But sometimes I wish I could just get out the shop vac and suck everything up and dump it in the trash. Of course I am the one that makes mostly all of the messes. What can I say I have been cooking tons and love to cook. I just make a HUGE mess when I do. And trust me I try not to but I think it is just how I cook. As Carl's Jr. so eliquently puts it, "If it doesn't get

all over the place it doesn't belong in your face." I would post a picture of how messy my house looks right now but I would probably embarrass myself and Chad.

This season is my favorite for so many reasons and the main reason is because of all the seasonal cooking and mess making I can do. But man not only do the pounds start packing on but the mess doesn't just clean itself up. I wish I could draft Tennis for some chores but his idea of helping is following me around, pulling on my pants, throwing the soccer ball at me and dumping out more toys. Man do I love him.

Change is Good

So things are so routine for us sometimes I have to do something to change it up even if it is something as small as me cutting my own hair with a pair of scissors from all a dollar. I have to admit though I really really do love it. I cut off about 6 inches +/-. It isn't that short but compared to how long it had gotten it is quite different. For example I got in the shower the day after I cut it and didn't think as I squirted about 3 times to much shampoo in my hand, which would be just enough before I had cut it. It is so much easier to do now though. Plus Tennis can't get half the grip his used to when he would grab my hair. Chad seems to like it too. Which is always a plus.

Baby Love

Tennis loves playing with his daddy. I don't think that it gets much better than this.

Happy Days Are Here To Stay

Tennis's first birthday party. Cambree turned one year old Septemeber 25th and Tennis was elated to get invited as you can see. He loves seeing his cousins. I like this picture because I don't have very many of me and him and I can actually see a little bit of me in him here. Other words he is his father's son. He is such a softy hearted little guy. He is always concerned when anyone is sad. He is precise too. It is funny to see someone so little so precise with things. For example the other day I gave him green beans with dinner, real green beans. He picked each one up and turned it over in his little hand examining it until he found one that suited him then he ate it. He did that for a half an hour. Then came the raisins. He did the same thing. But with raisins he pushes them to the front of his mouth where his little teeth are and he chewed it until it broke open. He took it out of his mouth and looked at the inside of it then put it back in his mouth and some how got all the gooie insides out and then took the skin out of his mouth and set it down. Kids are funny little eaters.

Our Little Man

Tennis is almost a year and he is getting cuter and cuter every day. This is a picture of him on a morning walk with mommy. All bundled up to keep warm in the chilly air. He is getting closer and closer to walking. He takes a few steps but then plops down. I think he thinks crawling is faster. Little does he know that when he starts to walk running will soon follow. He is measuring in at 32 inches and weighs in at 20lbs as of last Monday. We are so blessed ever day to have him.

The real reason dogs are mans best friend

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, your explination comes in the form of a picture.

tada!

These pictures were taken a few months ago but I decided I probably should put them up sooner rather than later. Tennis had just been woken up from a nap in the shot by the stream and he was still a little bit asleep I think. He couldn't do anything but stare at the water. It took quite a bit of funny faces and weird noices from grandpa but we finally got him to look up and give us a little bit of a smile.

Whenever we go outside it is funny to watch Tennis. He loves it so much he goes totally sober and just takes everything in. It is hard to get his attention at all if there are big trees, water or anything for that matter. I think he was made for the outdoors just like his daddy.

If you haven't noticed the trees are starting to turn. This is my favorite time of year. All the smells of home, the cool nights and windy chilly days. Plus all the beautiful colors Heavenly Father throws our ways. Don't forget conference. I suggest EVERYONE takes a drive up the canyon next weekend before conference and take in all the beauty and wonder of god's work.

Inspiration

Liz Lemon Swindle is the artist that I have found depicts Christ in my favorite way. And this picture is one that always strikes me of how human, loving and gentle He is. I would imagine that he would always have children near him. I love the way she portrays his eyes.

Tennis is growing like a weed

Tennis had his 9 month check up and not to our surprise he is still in the 90th percentile for height where he measured out at 30 3/8 inches. His weight has gone down where he weighed in at 19lb 7oz. Which doesn't surprise me because of all the crawling that he does. His head is in the 90th percentile as well. It looks like our once 5lb 13oz teeny tiny little boy is going to be a tall skinny boy with a big head. :)

He is as happy as ever with his new found mobility. He has been crawling for a little over a month now and climbing up everything and anything he can reach. He likes to walk along furniture and walls. I am keeping my fingers crossed that he doesn't walk to soon.

Some of his new noices include: Daddy, Nis (as in Ten-nis), Bye, Was da(as in what's that) which he rarely says and when he does he seems to whisper it, ba ba and a lot more less decipherable noises that I am sure mean something. I don't really think he knows what many of those words mean but hey he is making some noises that we recognize.

"A Hunting We Will Go"

Well the Hunts are here. Opening day of the Bow/deer hunt was last Saturday. Chad, Seth, Alan and Trent all headed up the canyon to do a little hunting. They saw a few deer and a lot of elk. We are all hoping that they won't all get pushed around to much. It is pretty likely though because of the number of hunters in the area. It isn't just about the kill though. The hunt in itself is the most fun part. Opening day for the Bow/Elk hunt is today. With any luck they will run into some. And maybe even get a shot off or two. So for the next little bit Chad's weekends are full and entertaining.

President James E. Faust

President Faust passed away this morning surrounded by his friends and family. I thought this needed to be added to my blog just because I've always looked up to him more than I have with any other apostle. He's manner always struck home with me. He'll be missed by many. My prayers of comfort go out to his family and friends. If ya'll get a chance, check out and read up a bit on his accomplishments... He truely was a great man. We love you Presidnet Faust!


"In the pain, the agony, and the heroic endeavors of life, we pass through a refiner's fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong. In this way the divine image can be mirrored from the soul. It is part of the purging toll exacted of some to become acquainted with God. In the agonies of life, we seem to listen better to the faint, godly whisperings of the Divine Shepherd."

- James E. Faust (1920 - 2007)

Source: Ensign, May 1979, p. 53., © by Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

Family Reunion - Moon Lake

Our Moon Lake adventure has come to an end. When camping in such a beautiful location as this, it never seems to be long enough. This was Tennis' first visit to the lake, and he loved it. We've never seen him so talkative as he was after those two nights sitting around the campfire. The weather was great, it rained a few times each day just enough to keep us cool and comfortable. We had a lot of fun fishing and playing on the beach, and it was good to reunite with family and be able to share in the experiance with them.

Here are some Video Highlights:

Family Reunion - Idaho

We'll our first family reunion of the year has now come and gone... We had a wonderful time and are sad that it's already over. This was my first time visiting the lake and I gotta say it's a great vacation spot. The water was perfect and made for some great swims. Thanks to everyone for your great smiles and fun times, and expecially grandma and grandpa for your hospitality.

Anyone say Portland?

July has been crazy so far and it ain't over yet. We just recently returned home from Portland where we spent our time selling jewelry made in the philippies. We met a lot of great fun people, and did earn a good bit of money which will be used to aid children in the philippines get the schooling they need. We were able to take friday afternoon off and stroll around the great city of protland. It really is a beautiful place. They have some pretty neat buildings and wonderful green lush landscapes. I think I would have enjoyed it more myself if I wasnt driving though... that place is the hardest place I've ever had to navigate. Friday was Bambi's birthday so it was nice to be able to break away and just spend some time with her and Tennis. Tennis thought we were in heaven, but we kept reminding him it was just Portland. And, although vacations are fun, we're very glad to be home again.

Center of Excellence Groundbreaking

Today was the groundbreaking of the USSA Center of Excellence, and as someone who put a lot of time into the project, it was great stepping stone. The Following clip shows this groundbreaking and a great description of the Project. I want you to pay paticular attention to the few seconds showing the rendering of the building. I guess you could say i'm a little proud of my work on that rendering and even though the work I put into it goes unnoticed by most people, i'm just happy I had the oppertunity to push it along as I did. I'm thankful for WPA for their support and trust they put in me, and the time they allowed me to spend on this project.
Note: You'll also see to the right a full version of the rendered building.

St. George is HOT!

Well really the heading sums up our trip this past weekend... Very Very Hot! Friday we made it to St. George with just enough time to settle into our hotel room and take a swim in the pool. The water felt great but being the white skinned people we are we stayed in the indoor pool for fear we'd be well cooked within 10 min. Plus the indoor pool was empty so we were able to spend more time with tennis in the water. He loved the water so much. Saturday we made our way to Las Vegas... a place I really don't care to visit ever, but it was for a good cause and we were getting paid to do it so that made the trip manageable. We ate at a philippino shop, and I was amazed at how similar it was to one you would see in the philippines. We also walked through the market they had there, they even had fresh fish just laying open on ice and fruits you usually dont see here. It Brought back great memories. We ended the trip sunday with a drive and hike up Kolob Canyon. A beautiful scenic canyon, and although the heat was crazy we still had a really fun time.

Tennis Goes up T-Ned Canyon!

What better place to spend the forth of july than in the great grand and wonderful mountains. We took a stroll up the canyon towards our hunting grounds with hopes of seeing some of gods better creations and introduce Tennis to them. But, to our dismay we were outwitted by those sneeky little bambies. It wasnt all too bad though, we still had a great time and went on a fun hike up T-Ned Canyon.

Sadies Flock!

I couldn't resist adding in a little note about Sadie and her little babies! It was a good couple months we had, these little ones will be missed. The top pic is sue! ...mom, stop crying! :*(

Frist Canyon Trip of the Year

The great mighty hunters of the family just couldnt hold out much longer and needed to take a drive up the canyon. It was great! The weather was cool and what a nice change it was from the heat we've been having at home. We saw a bunch of great wildlife... Deer Elk and even a Moose or two. The picture featured above is near a little pond we happened upon while attempting to find our way to "Broken Leg Point". That is one great sunset.