Well, we haven't posted for awhile, and... I am on bedrest for the next few weeks. So I feel inspired to blog! Top 10 exciting events since we last posted:

10. Massive head injuries. Nathan likes to run around with his blanket over his head. Unfortunately, when he does, he thinks that all the furniture disappears. I was afraid his forehead would fill with blood and explode but the phone-in nurse assured me he was probably okay.

9. Talbot Family Reunion: Sea World! These are all my siblings, plus 3 spouses. Grandpa and Grandma took care of all the grandkids so we could all get thoroughly soaked. They tried to stop the whole ride and make me get off for being pregnant. I thought that was ridiculous since my body goes through more trauma in one hour of running after Nathan than anything that happened on this ride.




8. A chance to see the Arizona Diamondbacks up close! Mark's boss gave us front row tickets to a Diamondbacks baseball game. We have been wanting to go to a game since we moved here, and it was so fun to sit right above the dugout. The great thing is, they actually won the game, which apparently doesn't happen often. Nathan loved it too- definitely an event for serious reflection...




7. Hiking in Phoenix. We acquired a baby backpack! We woke up and went hiking by 6:00 AM, our goal being to avoid the heat. Unfortunately the sun was already bright and it was over 90 degrees. So it was a short hike, but good. We are finally fitting in with the rest of the Phoenicians. All we need now are road bikes with a baby trailer. Then we would REALLY fit in.




6. Oceanside beach!!! Mark was so excited to take Nathan in the waves. It is a treat as a parent to introduce your kids to new things. Maybe one day we'll let him get in above his ankles...




5. My brother Scott came home from his mission! He served in the Tennessee Nashville Mission. Nathan and I flew out to San Diego just to be there at the airport when he returned. The flight there was hectic: There were no extra seats so Nathan sat on his mother's already pregnant lap. Nathan started throwing tantrums as soon as we started taxiing, and eventually spilled water all over the person next to us. Nathan's pregnancy-hormone laden mother then cried for a good ten minutes for all in the plane to see. Luckily seeing his mom cry made Nathan mellow out for the rest of the flight. But it was all worth it to see my little brother- we are so proud of his service and feel like he has grown into a mature and confident man.




4. For one member in our family, playing in cement pipes is one of the most exciting things we ever do...




Let's see, running out of exciting things...
3. Oh yes! We are expecting on September 21, and it's a GIRL!




2. Proud fathering moment. Look at that balance!




1. And number one: Family pictures. Our son is so even tempered, it makes us proud parents. :)

only performed under adequate dad supervision

Moments like this are what makes it all worth it...

space

space

just in case you're wondering if he's okay...

Little crazy man video

One Year in Phoenix

This week is the official "Celebration of One Year in Phoenix Week." We arrived last September with no clue how many adventures we would go through under the heat of the Phoenix Sun.

Some memories:

We both graduated in August 2007. And then we packed up our meager belongings and left for Ahwatukee, a small suburb of Phoenix.

Mark started working at Ernst and Young a week after we arrived. And every morning before work, and every evening after work, and every Saturday he would sit at his desk and study for the CPA exam (to be a certified public accountant). Even I learned all about GAAP and FASB. All his hard work paid off! He eventually passed all 4 in six months, taking the last test 2 weeks after Nathan was born. Yikes!
We definitely had to adjust to the heat. I remember one night in September when we had just arrived, we were headed out on a date and stopped to get gas. Of course Mark had to turn off the car. And I only lasted about 30 seconds before it got too hot to sit in the car and wait for all that gas to pump. I retreated to the air conditioned convenience store. And it was 7:00 at night- not even mid day. ~ But this is a picture of the beautiful weather in November.

During the first few months, my great Aunt Beth and Uncle Marv were so nice to let us stay in their home. We loved having a nice big house for awhile, and it was so helpful to have time to look for a good apartment. Here we are in November, just moved into our new apartment, and still no kitchen table.

Christmas time! We went to visit the Phoenix temple grounds on a rainy night. It was beautiful! Our special camera technique didn't quite work, but what a handsome guy!!

Fourth of July: Family Pictures!!!

This past fourth of July we traveled up to Springville and Provo to celebrate the Fourth with family. And we got our first family photos! My good friend from music graduate school days, Brooke Corbridge, offered to take them for us. She took our engagment photos two years ago- and we loved every single picture!!! Brooke is an amazing composer, and very talented photographer as well- we were so excited to take pictures with her again. Here are a few of our favorites:

Travels with Mark

Ever since Nathan was born, we've been showing him the world: Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, Flagstaff, Washington, New Mexico. Through it all we have become experts on Residence Inns (thanks to Mark's work), living more out of suitcases and hotels than in our apartment, and getting quickly through security with a baby. When Nathan was 4 months old, Mark and I were standing in the security line with Nathan when the man in front of us remarked, "this must be his first flight." I said, uh, no actually, it's his 10th. To think I never got on a plane until I was 13 years old.

Here are some of the highlights from the past 8 months:

First trip on the plane with a 4 week old- Vegas!

Well, Nathan and I went to see Grandma and Grandpa Tew while Mark worked at the Venetian.

Yes, that is Nathan in front of an actual Monet Water Lilies (Getty Museum, Los Angeles). He'll thank me later, I'm sure.

Mark and Nathan after a hard day's work in Thousand Oaks, CA

Oh, actually, they are ready to party!

Nathan meeting the goat at Bates Nut Farm, Escondido, CA

With Grandpa Talbot at home in Escondido

A beautiful morning in Flagstaff, AZ ~ Much better here than in the heat of Phoenix

Our quick trip to Provo for my best friend Tatia's wedding. Nathan wanted to eat her flowers.

Costa Vida, Provo ~ this is where we went out to eat on our first date.

Memorial Day Weekend in Memorial Park (still in Provo- see the Y?)

The Tew family reunion in Yosemite National Park- Nathan meets his Aunt Adrienne and two cousins.

Studying hard with Grandpa Tew

Waterfalls in Yosemite ~ what a stylish hat

Talbot family reunion on the Washington coast- On the left, my oldest brother, on the right, my youngest brother.

The four crazy cousins!!!

Nathan in his element.

We went to visit our good friends, Russ and Heather, in Dallas. They showed us around Fort Worth- yeehaw!

Do you know what important historical event took place here?

On the road to New Mexico. If you look closely you can see Nathan in the mirror. After trying out little $1.99 mirrors that didn't work, I finally invested in a huge rear mirror so we can see cute little Nathan in the rear view mirrow.

The Animas River, right outside our hotel, Farmington, NM

Nathan and I catching our Zzzzs in a hotel.

The lovely deserts of Arizona!