Grandma and Grandpa come for a visit

 This is what Carston gets when we don't take his whale tub with us; can you tell who thought of this idea?

 Grandpa and Braxton playing

Hanging out on the couch

 Meeting Grandma

 They all fell asleep watching Cars

 Patrick and I got to celebrate (a little late) with a night away for our 5 year anniversay.  Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for watching Braxton!  We had a blast and Carston was dream baby the whole time.  It was a nice break and celebration.

 Riding the car ride at Strawberry Days

 Can you tell which ride was Braxton's favorite?  I think he went on this one about 4 times.

 More rides....

 Hanging with Grandpa

 At the Steenblik cabin with Grandma

I don't know how this post escaped me.  We had a wonderful time visiting with Grandma and Grandpa.  I especially enjoyed feeling like I didn't have a 2 year old for a week.  Braxton (and all of us) loved having them here to play, help, relax, and have fun making memories together :)

Happy 4th of July

 We went to the parade on University Avenue and had a super fun time

 Front row spot; next year...chairs and some hats

 Daddy lovin'

 Playing at the park

Wanting to learn how to do the monkey bars


We had a fun day together as a family going to the parade. The excitement for Braxton was seeing the fire trucks.  I couldn't believe that Carston slept through them!! It was nice weather and there were some very fun floats.  We had hamburgers and hotdogs for dinner and went the the park.  It was a fun day as a family! :)

Blessing Day

 Grandma Jane, Braxton, and Carston

 Grandma Jules and Carston

 Papa Jay and Carston

 Mommy, Braxton, and Carston

Papa Byron, Grandma Jane, Mommy, Braxton, and Carston


Carston was a good little boy during his blessing (no crying!). It was a beautiful day for our family to watch this little one be blessed by Daddy as well as have other people stand in the circle with Daddy. I am so grateful for the blessings of the priesthood in my life.  We missed all of our other extended family and friends who couldn't be here and we are grateful for all the love sent our way!

A day in the life...

 After eating

 I love his silly expressions

 Braxton LOVES his digger truck

 Playing by Grandma's house

 Carston finally enjoys bathtime

 Making silly faces at Mommy

 Made some blue jello playdough

 Digging at Grandma's house with cousins

 Visiting the Provo temple

Carston is still trying to get used to his binki


This past month has been a blur to us.  Patrick went to China for 2 weeks while Mommy tried to get used to having 2 children.  We are still adjusting but doing much better now that Patrick is home and Mommy doesn't have vertigo.  Thanks for the help Becky for coming and helping us out when Grandma was not available!  We couldn't have gotten through the last month without good neighbors, friends, and family; thanks to all!!!

Family Photos

Oh baby!

 Mom after a long night of work (my water broke at 2:30am and he was born at 1:55pm)

 After his first bath. He weighed in at 9lb 8oz and was 21 inches long.

 Meeting Grandma Jules

 Braxton meeting his new brother Carston James

 Do I look a little tired...I was :) 

 This about says it all right here; I still feel this way

 Mom and Carston

 Mom and Dad

 Sleeping

We had to get Braxton a gift from baby brother to keep him occupied

Braxton LOVES his diggers!

Sleeping in the swing...it doesn't happen that often but it does happen.

Flowers from Daddy

Self explanitory

Braxton loves giving Carston toys

Braxton checking out Carston


We are still adjusting to life with two boys and have survived so far. We are super super tired (did I mention super tired?) but hanging in there.  Braxton is feeling the brunt of being a big brother; throwing tantrums and crying when baby cries. The first morning after we came home Braxton came out to the baby swing and I hear him say..."Uh oh...baby brother gone!"  I thought it was pretty cute.  Grandma also told him that the baby was crying because he was hungry so Braxton went to the fridge and got him a string cheese.  Gotta love these little moments! Don't have time to write about the birth story if you wanted to hear it but you can call me and I might be able to answer :)  Thanks to everyone who has helped with meals and babysitting!