Mushiness up ahead, you have been warned

"Adapt to the changes in our lives, that we may realize what is most important, that we may express our gratitude always and thus find joy in the journey.” -Thomas S. Monson

I borrowed this quote from a friend's blog because it describes in a nutshell my greatest hope and struggle. As Nate and I approach our seven year anniversary I am astounded as I look back on the amount of adventures we've had in this journey that is marriage. I must admit it hasn't always been easy, but it is those moments of complete and utter bliss that make it worth it. Sometimes it's the simple moments that make the most difference. Just the other night as I rolled over, cold and with a stuffy nose, I wrapped myself around my warm and cozy hubby and thought, "yeah, life is good."

Photography by Arika Reed

Thank you Arika for bringing out in beautiful colors the love we feel for each other and the fun that it is to be part of our family. If you are local to the San Diego area, we highly recommend Arika. Here's her link www.arikareed.com

Quality Time

This past month we've enjoyed a lot of quality time with family and friends.

Anabelle is having a great time showing Livy how all of her toys function.

Earlier in the month we were sad to say goodbye to our neighbors/friends Dennis and Josephine as the returned to Tanzania.

However, a few days later we were happy to see Gene visit with her girls (they moved while we were in Israel).

Maria went home for a few days so that her family could meet Livy, so Anabelle and I had a blast playing together while Livy and Maria were out of town. During that time we had fun watching movies every night like Heidi and dinosaur movies, going to the natural history museum, playing with Play-Doh to make letters, fish and spiders.

However, I have to say, my favorite moment was when I came home from work the other day and Anabelle excitedly said, "Daddy! Daddy! Can we use the telescope thing tonight to look at little body pieces?!" She was referring to a microscope I borrowed form the medical school a few months back for a histology class I was taking. So being the geeky father that I am, I said "Of course!" so we spent a good half hour looking at tissue samples and talking about all of the internal organs... poor girl...

Christmas sledding in St. George

In cahoots

Gifts from Up Above

Our girls

Mommy! Can I hold Livy?

Anabelle loves being a new big sister. On a daily basis we hear her say "Can I look at Livy?!", "I want to kiss Livy!", etc., etc. It takes all the effort we can give to save Livy from Anabelle's smothering love. Livy is also growing up to be one majorly sleep-deprived baby thanks to Anabelle's love. Anyway, we regularly hear Anabelle say. "Can I hold Livy?!" So here's a bunch of those occasions from the past 6 weeks.

Maria's mom had bought her tickets a couple hours before Maria's water broke, so fortunately the airline let her change her ticket. She came out the day after Livy was born, and this photo was from a couple days later:

Anabelle admiring her baby sister:

Big hug:



"It was worth having to take a bath just to hold my baby sister!"

Sharing the baby with their cousin
It's so much easier having two... I mean Anabelle changes diapers, prepares bottles, and even bathes her little sister:

"Mommy, her breath stinks!"


Livy's not always as happy to see her big sister...

"Livy, I love you!"

Anabelle's sinister side... she enjoys seeing Livy scared...

Not quite as mature as Anabelle, but I wanted a turn too..