1...2...3?

Ok, so we know this is old news for some...but also recognize that by neglecting our blog we have also left some of you in the dark (not because we don't love you, we just don't see you as often). Yes, we are having another baby! And yes...we are having another BOY!

Where to Begin?

So it looks like we are going to venture back into the world of blogging...but where do you begin when you haven't blogged in a whole year?

First, a recap. Our last blog was a picture of our house, so let's start there. About a year ago, we moved from the Bay Area (Sunnyvale) to Modesto and bought a house (we'll do a blog about this). Around that same time, Bryan decided to leave Deloitte and do real estate full time (this could be a whole blog if its own...but probably not something everyone wants to sit and read). It was really hard to leave all our friends and our first "real job," but it was time for a change of pace and the opportunity presented itself...so we jumped.

In the past year, we have been extremely busy (hence the lack of blogging), but also extrememly blessed. Bryan got his real estate brokers license and is splitting time between running his own "traditional" real estate company and running a real estate investing business. A few weeks after moving here, Bryan was called into the Elders Quorum Presidency...which he was just released from a couple of weeks ago...to be called a week later as Scoutmaster and deacons quorum adviser. Melissa is teaching piano lessons 2 afternoons a week (Bryan has the flexibility to watch the kids while she teaches) and watches our nephew Tyler on weekday mornings. Melissa is also the ward choir pianist, wolf cub scout leader, and was just called as the primary chorister...all the while keeping up with 2 extremely active and growing boys. Our boys are growing fast and are tons of fun. They keep us busy, laughing, and humble on a daily basis.

That's the very condensed version of what we've been up to. I'm not sure things have turned out 100% like we envisioned a year ago, but they never do (which is part of the fun, right?). The biggest deciding factor in us moving was that we needed more time to spend with each other and with our extended family...we have definately had that and it has been a blast. We have made lots of great friends and have had many opportunities to serve others. Like we said, we have been very blessed.

Now to some pictures:

First, here are the boys last time we blogged:
Family Pictures at Thanksgiving:
Now:

Back to Blogging?

So it has officially been almost a year since we last blogged...should we start up again?

House...

Yes, we have been noticably absent from the blogging world over the past month or more. No, we did not disappear or abandon our blog...we have just had A LOT going on. We'll try to get caught up soon. One thing that has been keeping us busy is moving (we miss our friends!!) and working on our new house. This has been in the works for a little while now, but we have never posted any pictures. Here is a picture of the outside (sorry for the poor quality).

We'll post more pictures in a week or so when we finish up with the inside.

Children & Infant's Tylenol & Motrin Recall

Just in case you haven't heard they are recalling a whole bunch of children's over-the-counter medications including tylenol and motrin. Not everything is affected but they are recommending not giving it to your kids until you know if your lot of medicine was affected. You can see the article at:

http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/01/news/companies/childrenstyleonol_recall/index.htm?postversion=2010050114

There is a link on the website that takes you to the manufacturer's websites where you can enter your lot numbers and see if your bottles are affected. Never hurts to check and make sure especially when it comes to your little kids.

What a good daddy!

Even while working 70+ hours a week, daddy still manages to find time for his boys...

horse rides

reading books

working together

using tools and building things

These boys just love their dad! Aiden wants to be right next to dad when he is home... "YAY Daddy's home!!" "I want daddy to rockabye," "I want to ride with daddy in his truck." "Daddy I need a seat belt too." (that's what he calls his belt) "Daddy can I use some tools too dad? I need a hammer too dad." "I need a hammer dad," oh I can have a screwdriver? okay dad I'll use the screwdriver and you use the hammer."

A Fun Weekend

Going to church...

Walking, running, laughing, and falling in the super tall grass/weeds with cousin Jack.

Playing with Trucks and Tractors in the dirt with cousin Tyler.

Reading stories and making brownies with Nana.

Helping Papa make pancakes.

Just some recent projects

Bubble Magnets-simple and so cute!6 Month Daily Calendar containing quotes from General Conference - took a long time to put together, but well worth it! It has magnets on the back so it can be put on the fridge and read every day. Book Clock - love this project! I got the idea from rufflesandstuff.com. Her book clock turned out amazing! It's the black one.

Framed letters - I made this for a friend who just had a baby. I love the way the letters in her daughters name turned out! So fun!

My Dad

It has been several weeks now since my dad passed away, and I don't want to make anyone worry or feel bad for me, I just want to share what an amazing man he was.













Humble, honorable, true, faithful, reverent, strong, teacher, smart, hard worker, leader, virtuous, honest, kind, never complained, never said a bad word about anyone, courageous, sacrificed for his family, served the Lord, Spiritual Giant, gentle, patient, full of love, charitable, quiet example, respectable, never boasting, deep thinker, great writer, obedient, respectable, dependable, great sense of humor, fun, full of knowledge, reader, studier, learner, meditator, very supportive, trusting, wise, intelligent, clean, pure, good, benevolent, large hearted, strong priesthood holder in the home, genuine, sincere, strong testimony,













the best dad ever - always attended my choir concerts, volleyball, basketball, and softball games, paid for my expensive piano lessons even when he was out of work for 2 years, gave me father's blessings frequently, stayed up into the wee hours of the night correcting English papers and going over math problems, taught me how to work and serve others, helped me to gain a strong testimony of the gospel, gave me roses on Valentine's day(that means a lot to a teenage girl!), listened to my problems, gave much needed advice when I needed it, helped me to have more faith and trust in the Lord, helped me with my paper route, came to my high school and college graduations, was there when my boys were blessed, played with and read books to my sons, supported and trusted me, encouraged me to be good and do what's right, loved me no matter what, believed in me even when I made lots and lots of mistakes, was always there for me.








I miss you dad, but I will cherish and celebrate the perfect life you lead and will always be grateful for your perfect example to me. How blessed I am to have to gospel and to know that I will be with my dad again. It makes this challenging time okay.

Our Little Austin

Austin is now 3 1/2 months! Here are some pictures from his first three months of life. He is a happy active little guy. He started rolling over from his tummy to his back at 2 months and has just started rolling from his back to his stomach. Lately he has been pushing off with his legs to scoot forward. Austin is also very social and loves it when someone talks to him. We love his many facial expressions and his cute little coos. He has a tickle spot on his neck and frequently laughs when I change his shirt. It's hilarious! I love his laugh! He cheers us all up!