The new baby has arrived...

Well Mandy started having labor pains yesterday (2/26) at around 6:00 pm. We went to the hospital just after midnight. Our new baby girl was born today (2/27) at 6:12 am. Our new little girl (as of yet unnamed) weighed in at 6 lbs 7 oz and measured 19 3/4 inches. Both mom and baby are doing fine.

The big 3!

Marley turned 3 this year. She of course wanted a dinosaur party. She is a bit obsessed with all things prehistoric. Mandy made a t-rex cake and we invited friends over for cake and ice cream. It was a lot of fun. She got lots of dinosaur themed presents from her friends. She also got some magformers and her first dinosaur discovery kit. We love this tender/violent little girl!

Mom and Miley helping Marley excavate some dino fossils!

A few weeks later Aunt Monica and Uncle James (both engineers) came to visit. We decided we better have them help but the dinosaur bones together!

A growing triceratops! We left this little blue dino in the water for several days and it grew to be much larger!

A T-Rex costumes she got as a present.

A Big Change in our Lives

Our family will be a little different for the next few years! Last week Mason was extended the call to be the second counselor in our ward's new Bishopric. We know it will bring lots of sacrifices but also lots of blessings. Mason is very level headed and dedicated, so our family is sure he will serve well. We are so proud of him for being faithful in the gospel and dedicated to the Lord. Both Mandy and Mason's parents were able to come to see him set apart. We are excited and grateful (and a little nervous!) for this chapter in our lives. The girls are especially excited that daddy is the "Bishop's helper"!

Giddy Up!

Our town hosts a wonderful cowboy poetry week every year. People come from all over the world. Even if you aren't cowboyish, it is great entertainment and something to look forward to. One of the best parts is that they make it a community event, including taking it to the schools. This year Miley's preschool did two big activities to celebrate our western spirit. Miley got to ride horses and have a Buckaroo Breakfast. I was unable to go with her to ride horses, but she had a wonderful time. She loves horses and was so excited that she got to ride a big black horse. Then her class put on a breakfast for the parents. Miley's job was to cut the cantaloupe for the fruit salad. She also drew of picture of mom on the tablecloth so I would know exactly where to sit! Mom left Marley at a babysitter and her and Miley enjoyed a wonderful breakfast together. Miley's class also made great cowboy bandannas to wear. We are so grateful for a preschool program that gives the kids these awesome experiences and allows families to participate.

Th picture of mom that Miley drew, along with a picture of the yummy pancakes, sausage, and fruit we enjoyed!

You can't really see the white bandanna she is wearing around her neck, but she used stamps and paint to decorate it.