Oh, what do you do in the Summertime, when all of South Texas is green?

Do you go to a small place...

...to watch chihuahuas race?

And cool off in a fountain nearby?

Is that what you do? So do I!!

Oh, what do you do in the summertime, when the temperature's over one hundred?

Do you play in the water?
Have fun with your father?

And soak up the sun in the sky?

Is that what you do? So do I!

Oh what do you do in the summertime, when it's too hot to play outside?

Do you stay in and color

with your sister or brother,

drawing pictures to hang up high?

Is that what you do? So do I!

First Day at Church

Having a girl is just too much fun!!!

Lauren did great at church today. She was just tired enough from being woken up from her nap that she sat quietly through Sacrament Meeting! Then Brad took her in to try out the nursery, staying with her since she still has a couple weeks until she's 18 months. I thought she might be a little shy, but she just jumped right in with the other kids and had a great time!

She is such a joy! Each day she shows us something new about her little personality, and each day we fall more in love with her. Her giggles, her little songs, her constant gabbing, her sense of humor...I could go on forever!

I'm so proud of Tyler. He is such a good big brother, playing with Lauren, and helping her, and laughing at her. He has little moments where he shows a bit of regression (wanting to do things that she does, demanding a little bit more attention), but overall I think he's handling it really well. It's got to be a little bit hard after 4 1/2 years of having Mom and Dad to yourself to all of a sudden welcome a little toddler into your family circle, but he's been very gracious and I think he's really excited to finally be a big brother like all his friends.

Who could ask for anything more?

My Mom:

Always good for a laugh and a hug.

A beach lover--as long as she doesn't have to cook in the sand!

Taught me to read, and taught me through her example to LOVE reading.

A nurse at heart.

A good sport.

Whopper Lover!

Can put up a tent with the best of 'em.

Always a good crowd.

My nurturing, unconditional, always-there-for-me friend.

Happy Birthday Mom. I love you!

Our New Joy

Lauren Ashley

17 months, 1 day

What a crazy week! On Wednesday, May 20th we got an email letting us know that a birth family of a cute 16 month old would like meet with us. On Sunday, May 24th we went up to Austin to meet sweet Lauren and her family. On June 1st, we brought her home with us!

What a blessing she is to us already. We can never thank her birth family enough, and hope they know of our love and gratitude.

After the placement, we went to eat at a Bar-B-Q, and she scarfed down sweet potatoes, brisket, rolls, mashed potatoes, and macaroni! Good eater!

Proud big brother.



Setting up the stroller.

Eating lunch.