Soundly sleeping

This sums up October. Robert basically snored right through it.

He stayed asleep even through all our trick or treat visitors.

Little loungin'

Milk drunk

He sleeps all sprawled out.

We have a baby boy!

Yes, that's right. If you haven't heard, Dustin and I were chosen by a birthmom in Ohio to adopt her little boy. We have named him Robert David.

He was a few days old when we got the call that our profile was being considered. A week later we got the call that we were chosen. And a week after that we were in Ohio.

First day together

We went straight from the rental car place to the children's hospital. We didn't know if we'd be able to see him, but our social worker said it was worth a try. Even though we really weren't suppose to, the charge nurse mercifully let us in to hold him.

The next day, the father signed his final paperwork, we signed our placement paperwork, Robert was discharged, and almost unbelievably he was ours to take home.

Robert was born September 16th at 5 pounds, 7 ounces, and 17 inches. He was a preemie at 35 weeks and was in the NICU until we picked him up on October 4th. (He had some breathing and feeding problems, but was doing great by discharge.)

Leaving the Hospital





He was ready to get out of there by the end of it.

When we were down the road heading to our hotel, we couldn't believe that it was us in the car with our new baby. Then, we had to stay in Ohio for almost two weeks waiting for ICPC paperwork to go through.

It's been a few weeks now, and we are getting quite settled in. It feels more real now that we are home.

We are absolutely thrilled. There were moments (and sleepless nights) where it felt like everything was about to unravel, but it all ended up falling beautifully in to place.

I appologize for not posting photos sooner. I've been on a bit of a delay.
More to come soon...

Dustin's Birthday with Strawberry Pie

Dustin doesn't really like cake. So for his birthday in August, he requested I make a strawberry pie instead.


The recipe for this strawberry pie is the best! It's actually from Sarah, and I don't know where she got it. This pie is good cut into six large slices. E-mail me if you'd like a copy.


For dinner Emma made delicious gorditas, not like the kind from Taco Bell. They were so good that we had scarfed down several before realizing how many we were eating. The main "bread" is made with cornmeal (masa)added to the tortilla ingrediants, then cooked on a griddle, and then flash fried. Put on top or inside was beans, meat, rice, lettuce and cheese. Unfortunely, I don't have this recipe. I look forward to making them with Emma next time so that she can teach me.

We didn't want to frustrate Dustin by displaying his years burning down.
So it was just "Happy Birthday."




I actually made two pies for this occassion, and we had just enough for just the adults (we hoped that the kids wouldn't really enjoy it as much, so we had a different dessert for them).

A couple of weeks later I made FIVE of these pies for a larger family get-together. We had plenty that night, and I was able to send some home with people too.

Pull...

Saturday, we went up to Wes's family ranch. Dustin went up earlier and the guys rode four-wheelers and a sandrail. Wes has the same model that Chris and Dustin want to get, so the trail riding was technically research.

I got to sleep in and then went up with Sarah and the little boys. We had a cookout and then headed to the shotgun "range."

Wes, Dustin, Casey

We got in two boxes of clay pigeons before it started to rain. I don't even try to shoot next to Dustin. He is too dang fast. Every time I think I was close, I'm am corrected (by everyone) that, no, Dustin hit it.

Dustin also has an automatic, while I'm with a pump. So not only is he first, but also last and most of the shots in the middle too. It's not unusual for him to hit every clay pigeon that is thrown. If I ask he will let me get in at least one try. But he hates to see a throw go to waste, which with me can be pretty often.

I haven't shot shotguns since last winter, and I'm more than a little out of practice. I usually resurrect my dignity with a little handgun practice. Despite Dustin's extra years of practice, I'm better at point shooting.

It was a really fun day. Thanks to Wes and his family for inviting us.

Nutria Canyon

Another annual tradition. This year it happened to be on the same weekend as the Wild Thing.

Each year we hike this beautiful canyon.

We usually try to do this as the first hike of summer, but this year the timing didn't work out.

Christopher, nephew 

Matthew, nephew

Ed, Chris

Peggy Sue after a swim

Casey, Matthew, Dustin, Carli

Christopher, Peggy Sue, Chris

Lunch Break

Samantha, Dustin, Carli, Ed

The Guys

Ed, Dustin, Chris, Jim, Casey

Wild Thing

Every year we attend the Wild Thing Bull Riding Competition. It is all bull riding, no other rodeo events. It's like watching a demolition derby with bulls and crazy cowboys. You cheer for the bulls, and although you hope no one gets seriously injured, you're watching for that next good crash.

At intermission there is a Navajo comedian (yes, there is such a thing), woolly riding, the best (and loudest) fireworks show I have ever seen (it's in a red rock amphitheater), and bull poker (four guys in the middle of the arena with a Mexican fighting bull on the loose, last one sitting wins).

It is such a fun night. Out of town friends make a point of joining us for this annual tradition.

Dustin and Jim

Dustin, Jim and Chris

Mulin' in the Mountains

On Independence Monday, with not much work to do, we headed to the mountains. Chris and Dustin had rented some mules for a job. The rental place was closed in observance of Independence Day, so we got a fun freebie.

We drove all day on four-wheeling trails through the pine trees. We passed some beautiful overlooks in between some fun rock-crawling and old logging relics.

Both mules had truck beds, so we had plenty to eat from the coolers. For lunch we carved our own roasting sticks for hotdogs, brats and s'mores.

Chris, Sarah and the boys had a two-row mule. Henry did surprisingly well in the front pack and also belted in with the car seat. At lunch he took a nap in the Pack n' Play.

As opposed to four-wheelers, we liked being able to talk sitting next to each other. It was a wonderfully enjoyable day.

Havasupai Falls Backpacking Trip

At the beginning of June, Dustin backpacked to Havasupai Falls with some of the teenage guys and leaders from church.

Hiking through a tunel to get to one of the waterfalls.

Jumping off Cliffs...

...Dustin only jumped off the small ones.

Dustin's brother, Chris, and cousin, Casey also went.

The trip was a huge success!

The group:

 

They left at 4 a.m. and drove to the trail head.

It's just over 10 miles down the canyon to the campsite.

View on the hike down:

During the days they hiked to various waterfalls and swimming holes.

Those who jumped off the high falls:

They stayed Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and hiked out Friday.

(The paid mules to pack out their gear.)

No injuries aside from sunburns, bruises and minor sprains.

I wish I had more photos, but Dustin was behind the camera for most of them.

I will get more from the others who went.

Dustin said it was one of the best things he's ever done.

The photos just don't do it justice.

Dustin wants to go back.

I have wanted to do this hike for years.

I was sad I couldn't go on this trip, but it was guys only.

We hope we can go together soon.