Jacob Kissing!

Oh, How We Love This Baby Boy!!

Steve's Camera Skills

The Bread Making Machine - STEVE

This is a picture of his work the first week.  We are now on week #4.  He has gone from making three loaves of yummy wheat bread to making six loaves to making three wheat and two buttermilk.  We are one lucky family.  There is nothing like homemade bread.  And homemade bread made by someone else.  We Love You Dad!!!!

Boy Scout Camp Chawanakee

Matthew says:  Camp Chawanakee was way better than Camp Kern from what I heard.  They had mountain boarding which was one of my favorites.  Also horseback riding which was THE favorite.  I had my first Chaco Taco and I loved it.  I got 9 merit badges.  Three which were required.  I got First Aid, Citizenship in the World, Horsemanship, Astronomy, Environmental Science,  Art, Leatherwork, Wood Carving and Indian Lure.  I beat Ethan, who got 8 his first year.  This year I was able to go with Uncle Stuart's troop.  My dad was a good help with all my merit badges and brought me lots of stuff to help.  He also was willing to take me were ever I needed to go.  And he got me a souvenier, Camp Chawanakee Lanyard.  I want to go again next year. 

 

Steve says:  Due to a scheduling conflict, we couldn't make it to camp Kern with our own troop, but based on the last 2 summers, that was OK with me.  Fortunately, my brother Stuart's troop was headed to Chawanakee at a good time and they hosted Matt and I for the week. Matt did great and earned 9 merit badges;  I tried mountain boarding for the first time and didn't kill myself;  and we had  a great time with Stuart and his troop.

 

 

 

Uncle Stuart, Dad & Matthew

 

sign of a great week at scout camp

Father's Day 2012 & Ethan off to EFY

This years father's day started out at church and then off to LAX to drop Ethan off so he can head to EFY and BYU Basketball Camp ALONE!!!  I guess this father is growing up. 

Since we were over the mountain already, we were able to spend the rest of Father's Day with Steve's Father.  We brought dinner, Lasagna (frozen) and Grandma made dessert. AND we got to see Aunt Sarah too.  So glad we live close to some family. 

"Just Outstanding" Trail

This is a 16 mile bike ride from Alta Sierra ski resort down to Woffard Heights.  It is a famous trail that starts up through the trees and there is a famous tunnel of Manzanita trees.  This picture is actually on the climb up and you can see Lake Isabella just before the final desent. Ethan killed it going up and down. Great father and son bonding time.

My Sunday Chefs

What can I say....these two know how to cook. Steve with his Heavenly Hash, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Cilantro Chicken and anything on the Grill. Ethan with his Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, Blueberry Muffins and Breakfast Burritos. I am so lucky!!!

SLeEpY BABY

Love Sleeping Children!

OXY Baby Shower

So I got an invitation to my baby shower hosted by Steve's department at OXY. They had arranged a lovely luncheon, ALONG with some real baby shower games. The food was delicious. We had chicken enchiladas, spanish rice, salad, guacamole and chips and for dessert.....Steve's favorite, Red Velvet cake from Sweet Surrenders. It is really good. We played smell the dirty diapers and then everyone had to make a baby out of play dough and Steve and I had to be the judge of the best looking baby. Well, whose do you choose when your boss is there and your bosses bosses wife is there and so on? Steve works with some wonderful people. And they were so gracious with some much needed gifts. We received a car seat, a high chair, bouncy seat, 2 noise machines, a cute lion outfit, some organic bath soaps and lotions and some gift cards. WOW! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!

Happy 40th Steve!

Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to you...




Steve's 40th birthday came at a crazy time in our lives, but at a good time of our lives. Steve just got a new job and we were getting ready to move to California and trying to enjoy the Christmas Season.

SURPRISE! SURPRISE! I was able to keep it a SURPRISE! We have some wonderful friends that hosted the party for us (Curtis & Cathy, Thank You) , some that brought some food (Thank you Emily & Cathy), some that brought the best balloons (Thank You Jennifer & Brian), some that helped decorate (Thank You Emily for putting the banner together and the picture board) and some that actually showed up on an evening where the roads were extra icy (Thank you everyone for coming!).

Steve was back in town just for the weekend, about a week and a half before his birthday. He started working in California the beginning of November. So on Friday, December 4th, we "planned" an evening out with a few couples as a farewell dinner. The Jones' were going to pick us up and then we were all going to head to the Turner's to pick them up and go out to eat. Well, the Jones' were running "late". So Steve and I just met them AND everyone else at the Turner's. Even after everyone yelled SURPRISE!, I still don't think Steve really knew what was going on.

But it was a great evening spent with friends celebrating Steve's BIG 40.
Happy Birthday Sweetie. I hope it was good one. And I hope you know how much I love you no matter how old you are. Thanks for being so wonderful.

Chris & Heather Duke (Long time friends from Texas A&M)

Elaine Metcalf & Larry (friends from work)

Chris, Steve & Chris (Elder's Quorum Presidency at one time)Scott & Lori Adelman (Westlake & the BEST basketball coach)

Rob & Suzanne Orton (Wesltake & BYU Married Ward, )
Jennifer & Brian Tuckett (The Best neighbors EVER!!!)

Sarah & Darrell deGraaf (Katy 2nd & Best YW leader)
Randy & Gwen Anderson (Westlake & our Former Bishop)Mike & Amber Brunson (Cousins, Neighbors & Katy 2nd)

Jackie & Chris Hatfield (Katy 2nd & such a fun couple)Richard & Susan Combs (Katy 2nd & what would we do without them)

Chris & Kathy Holt (Katy 2nd & Chainsaw Master)

While Steve was socializing so was I. Here are some pictures of me and some of my good friends that I was sad to leave.

Emily, Cathy & Me

Me, Lori & Suzanne

Me & Jennifer
Amber & Me