Oregon

We were able to go to Oregon this past week to visit family. While we were there, they threw us the nicest shower! It was themed after the nursery colors and decorations. We felt very blessed by everyone's care and support. Here's a picture of our family members who organized the lovely event- Karen (Andy's mom), Kathy (Andy's aunt), Andy and Arianna, Steve and Kathy (Arianna's uncle and aunt), Tamaryn (Arianna's sister), and Vern and Sheri (Arianna's mom and dad). It was quite the celebration!

Here are the good lookin' great grandma's- Great Grandma Bennett from Arianna's side on the left and Great Grandma Brown from Andy's on the right.

Andy got to stay and help open gifts. It was fun for him to be able to be part of the opening process, instead of just getting to move and store all the goods.

Andy's little brother, Sean, worked so hard during the shower! You can barely catch him in a picture because he is running so fast. He handed off the gifts, passed them out to the guests for viewing, threw away the wrapping, and then stored the gifts out of the way! That's some multi-tasking for a ten year old!

We decided to visit Punchbowl Falls at Eagle Creek, which is where we got engaged. Let's just say that it was a learning experience for what a pregnant Arianna can do. For example, Arianna will not climb up and down over four miles to see a waterfall that will, Lord willing, still be there after she is no longer pregnant.

Can't wrap up our Oregon trip without a picture of our cute nephew, Sawyer. He and Andy spent hours playing together while Arianna's parents were babysitting.

Spokane Group Goodbye Party

This Monday, a group of the old Spokane crew were able to get together to say goodbye to some dear friends. Sad for us, but exciting for them, both the Sanchez's and White's are moving back to Washington. We had an enjoyable time fellowshipping and praying together. We'll miss you White and Sanchez families!

7/7/7 Lucky Day?

Believe it or not, I stumbled across something this morning that is about 3,000 years old. It looked like this.



Wow! Could this be my lucky day? After deciphering its contents, a single lucky day wasn’t so impressive: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:6 ESV).
How's this for good fortune? “For redeemed sinners, every good thing—indeed every bad thing that God turns for good—was obtained for us by the cross of Christ.” in John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life, (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2003), 51.

Monterey/Carmel Trip

Here's some of our favorite pictures from our 4th anniversary trip.

This is a picture of our covert mission to go whale watching on a boat. We were told at one boating company that pregnant women can't go on the trips because too many get sea sick and demand to return to shore. So, I put on a big fleece, figuring that the next company probably wouldn't dare to ask if I was pregnant unless it was obvious (you know, people being scared of calling a woman fat by accident :). Off we went on our boating trip! It was a lot of fun, other than it was really rather choppy, and yes, I did get nauseated. But hey, no puking here-even when a non-pregnant lady threw up right next to us on her seat.

There was a whole pier with sea lions all the way up and down relaxing in the sun.

A Humpback Whale Diving


We went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium where our favorite exhibit was the jellyfish.

Hanging out on Carmel Beach, barefoot and pregnant.

The Carmel Coast

We Need to Have This Baby

Here's a picture of our pretty cat, Owen. Our parents bought us a joint birthday gift of a wonderful digital camera. As we look back over the pictures we've taken, they are mostly of Owen. It makes us realize that we need a more important subject to photograph. Good thing it's only three months till baby Toby is out and about!

Baby Shower!

I was given such an encouraging baby shower today! It was so enjoyable to have most of my best friends in California be able to come together and celebrate with us. We had great food, games, times of sharing and prayer, and gifts!

Group Photo

A More Accurate Tummy Picture

Jessica

Lanae

Sarah

Tammy

Kailyn

Julie

Growing Baby and Tummy

Well, we're about 6 months pregnant! This picture was taken about a month ago so the tummy is definitely bigger. The baby is a good kicker- I was on the computer and the laptop was partially resting on my belly. He kicked and the whole computer moved!

Study Time

Andy has a few more weeks left of school until summer break. Owen also is trying to keep up on his Greek by studying.

Baby Tobin

Here's baby boy Tobin! He's almost 1 lb and we have pictures proving that he is actually a "he."

Joshua Tree National Park

We took a trip to Palm Springs over Easter to visit with Arianna's parents and grandparents. We made a day excursion to Joshua Tree National Park where Andy climbed on all sorts of rock formations. Arianna watched.

Seminary Banquet

This is the seminary banquet at the Ronald Reagan Library. We had a great time with the Sanchez's and the Hoch's. It looks nice and warm, but really, not quite so much.