Goodbye Old, Hello New!

Goodbye beautiful, lazy summer: hello school work!

We had a wonderful summer, complete with a new baby, trips to Vegas and Washington, swimming, hikes and lots of needed rest! We have been looking forward to the school year where we can show our baby off and work hard while we get closer and closer to graduation. I have mostly been spending the weekends studying, but I don't really mind.

BYU football got going well with an exciting win against Oklahoma (ranked 3) and then we stomped Tulane a week later. Go Cougars!

Here is his much needed rest.
Gorgeous sunsets!

Goodbye taco-bed: hello new foam mattress!

About a month ago, I started waking up with pretty bad backaches due to our old mattress, so we decided that it was about time to invest in a new bed. Several trips to IKEA later, we were able to come home with the bed that we wanted.

This particular bed (our old one) was used by Steve when he was living with his sister Laura, and then when I was living with his sister Shauna, I slept on it. We were then able to share it as a couple. However, since it is a full size, we decided to upgrade as well.

Labor Day was the day that we were able to put together our new bed. Steve did the majority of the work while I fed him instructions and entertained Joshua.

It is so nice to get a good-night's rest without waking up in pain! Yay Queen-sized beds!

Also on Labor Day, we were able to go on a double date with Camille and Jason Millar. We met up at the Scera theatre for a live concert by Take Six. I had not previously heard of this group of 6 black men (SUCH good singers!) but I am determined to start getting their CDs! What a great show!

Camille entertained Joshua for part of the concert:

I wish I had thought of this! They looked super-comfortable!

Our family! Joshua didn't really appreciate the noise, but he did sleep through some of it!

Goodbye 2-month old baby, hello 3-month old baby!

Wow! Time sure does fly! This sweet little boy has been in our home for three months now! It is amazing how much we feel like he is a part of our family, and not just an infant! We love it! He is full of smiles, is already great at sleep-training, and just makes us happy!

I was entertained when Steve came out of our room dressed this way. I had gotten Joshua ready for the day without Steve seeing what he was wearing and he came out in the same outfit. They matched completely. My boys are so adorable!

We love being parents!

Maybe this is a little premature for Halloween, but when Joshua was born, he would curl up on our laps and he looked like a little frog. When we saw this outfit at Wal-Mart, we couldn't help but get it. He's our little frog-baby. He doesn't know whether or not he likes the hood, but we sure like dressing him up!

Hikes, Headaches, and Happily-Ever-Afters

On Aug 18th, 2009 one of my very best friends, Elise Rasmussen, was married in the new Draper Temple. As her matron of honor, I was responsible to seeing to her every need. My favorite task to carry out was when Steve and I sang "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam" while we bounced around behind the photographer to keep the kids happy. It was entertaining. Elise was a beautiful bride and I am so happy that she picked Mike--he is such a great guy and absolutely perfect for her.

Because Elise and Mike are such terrific dancers, they had a big dance floor and for the last hour or so of the reception, they played ballroom music. Steve and I were able to do a lot of dancing and we had a great time.

The temple was just gorgeous when as the clouds changed colors. This was taken right about as they were leaving their reception.

After the reception ended, we booked it up to Pocatello, Idaho. Uncle Mark took us white water rafting the next day while Aunt Carolyn took care of Joshua at home. The trip was fun: we had Mom, Dad, Eric, Mindy, Janece and Anna along with a few Bakers and a few from Lee's family. It was a great trip!

Steve and I got our Back-to-School shopping done. We each got a few new outfits and our hair cut. It was fun to get ready for the new semester!

I LOVE Joshua's smile. It just lights up his whole face and he smiles with his eyes as well!

When Joshua was born, a researcher from the University of Utah asked if we would cooperate in her using our baby as control group for a project since he was born on his due date. We agreed--she took swabs of Josh and I had to provide a certain amount of spit and she set us a $50 check in the mail! Wahoo! I'll spit all you want if you give me money! :D

To spend that money, we decided to take a hike up to the Timpanogos Caves and go out to dinner. Since we were a little nervous about Joshua being in the sun, Steve carried him in a pack and had an umbrella over him the whole way up. I ended up being the packhorse with all of our jackets, a blanket, water and food for Josh. It was quite a hike!

Inside the caves:

Just outside the caves:

The guide asked if anyone was 5 1/2 feet tall, and since I am just an inch over that, she had everyone compare the largest stalagtite to me. Apparently I am the same height as this:

Josh was a great sport and slept the entire way down the mountain.

The only thing I would change about the hike was that I not get a migraine and throw up Outback Steakhouse. I was so sick that night, but in comparison, I felt on top of the world the next day! It was so nice to know that Josh was in good hands with Steve while I was sick. He really is a wonderful dad!

We hope everyone is enjoying their new school year!