The Great Debate

What a debate it's been!

It's one of those issues there's simply no compromising,

One caves or the other.

There's no meeting half way.

There's no common ground.

It's been hard when we both feel strongly about our points.

Mine is right, of course,

but somehow he feels his is right,

or at least safe if nothing else.

One of us gave in.

He/She didn't necessarily give the thumbs up

but passively let things happen.

And eventually...

nature takes its course.

So,

without further adieu,

we are thrilled

and anxious

to welcome baby #4.

We're Here

We're here and have been for almost a month. Safe and sound and quite settled. We're enjoying our 'new' home and are trying to get into a routine. The blondies both like their new rooms and LOVE the upstairs loft which is nothing but their play room. Their back yard rocks! Lots of greenery, an apple and apricot tree, a rope swing, swing set, and the trampoline and teeter totter we brought. It's so green, like a jungle, we're loving all the color. It even has a rose bush with PINK roses, so fitting. Our house has an older charm to it, I'm quite enjoying the accents only an older home would have. We're learning about basements and no air conditioning. We're absolutely loving the weather, it's amazing it's the middle of July and we've hardly broken a sweat! And the mountains!! SO majestic and so close!

We were lucky enough to have family here for the first 2 and a half weeks! It was fun, more like a vacation than Utahr life. We also had our first guests, the Halterman's, their visit was much too short and we had a great time. We also enjoyed see our good friends the Skidmores, Woods, and Rohners.

We've explored our new neighborhood, hiked a couple different mountains including the Y which, by the way, just about killed me!, visited our friends in Ogden and with them experienced Lagoon (a theme park), enjoyed the beauty of 2 waterfalls both from the bottom, sun bathed at a water park, shivered on cold nights, and have hardly broken a sweat. We've eaten at new yummy restaurants but have yet to discover an ice cream place quite as delicious as Nielsen's Frozen Custard.

We're missing our friends, house, family, and ward. Our ward is quite different. It's small and quiet as opposed to huge and busy. Tatum only has 5 kids in her class instead of 20. There was extra space in the primary room and the entire primary could fit in the same room. We've missed the crowded halls and craziness between classes. We miss the familiar faces and definitely the bread! Oh the bread! I'm sure we'll enjoy our ward, it just takes time.

I have loads of pictures but my computer has a virus so I'll have to post them later. Over all we're doing well and are excited to finally be here together!

It's Not Good Bye

It's not, it's not good bye, but more like see you later. It would hurt too much to say good bye to a home, friends, neighbors, and ward who have treated us with so much love and tenderness. They are more than friends, neighbors. More like family. We've been through a lot together. We simply can not replace our friendships. We'll make new friends but we won't be replacing. Impossible.

We hate to leave but are excited for our new adventure. It'll be amazing...at least we're hoping. And if it's not we'll be back in 2 short years. We're glad it's Utah because being the Mormons many of us we are it seems many have connections to Utah meaning we'll hopefully get phone calls to plan visits and spend the nights. And for those of you who aren't and don't have connections, we're your new connection and will be hoping and crossing our fingers for a visit.

In keeping our farewell brief because there's just too much to say...I'll leave it at see you later.

Tatum's Dance Recital

The Little Miss had her dance recital and was SO excited and was SO cute!

Tatum with her friends. Tatum and Lauren. Lilly, Grave, Lauren, Tatum, and Kate. Cutest little dancers I've ever seen!

Pre-show photo shoot!

My nerds waiting for the show to begin!

Outfits one and two.

On stage.

He's All Graduated!

Tuck graduated from preschool and what a happy boy he is! The morning started off rocky with him declaring he wasn't going to his graduation. He HAD to be there, he had a very important role of leading the class in counting by 5's and 10's. When I told him he couldn't go to Kindergarten if he didn't graduate preschool and that he'd have to do preschool again next year he changed his mind.

Aren't these graduates absolutely darling! They started with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Tucker leading them in their counting. The video is at the bottom.

Next they sang 3 songs with much gusto.

All the graduates listening to Ms. Angie just before watching their video.
Here's the big graduate receiving his diploma, a hug, and his memory box from Ms. Teresa.

Couldn't pass up a picture with my handsome boy! And Grandma even came for the celebration!

Here's Tucker with some of his favorites: Lilee, Brock, and Austin.
His two favorite teachers: Ms. Angie and Ms. Teresa. He's such a handsome boy and loved being in the spotlight!

Tucker leading the class in counting by 5's and 10's.

Disneyland Take 3

Yes, we went again to Disneyland this time with my parents and sister Natalie in tow. We had a grand 'ol time!

Natalie and I shared a seat on the Matterhorn and laughed and laughed at how cozy the seat was.

The end of the first day was a hard one for Tuck. He was winding down from a melt down and this is how he rode the tram. He didn't want anybody looking at him.

There's somethin about a dude that Tuck gets along with. He wanted only to be with Pops, no one else!

The blondies enjoyed watching Nonnie and Natalie ride Screamin' California. Man that's a fast ride!

On the last day the blondies got to pick a prize from Nonnie and Pops. Tatum chose this hat and felt like quite the princess.


Tuck chose an underwater Spiderman.

I would not want to be on the recieving end of Tuck's stink eye!

Happy Anniversary!!!

Today Heidi and I have been married for 8 years. I just want to let everyone know that Heidi is the best wife, friend, mother and anything else you can imagine. I love her so very much and am lucky to have her!!!

Love you Heidi!!!