Exciting times in Denver

We can't believe we're almost done living here in Denver. It's been a lot of fun and a good educaitonal experience for Devin. Lucy and Dallin are growing so much! They both have loved going to the pool on hot days. We've had a good time exploring around Denver and spending time with nearby family.

Some pictures as promised

Lucy driving a boat at Elitch's!

On the Train

Dallin, Strapped in for his favorite ride

Lucy's B-day

Lucy had a birthday (shout hooray) we can finally post some pictures. She had some cousins over for the festivities including cake, swimming, presents, streemers, balloons and a big nap for Dad afterward

In other news, Dallin has two teeth!! It's tough to take a picture of them though

We were also fortunate enough to score some free passes to Elitch Gardens!! (thanks N from HVC) it was great though only some rides were available to kids under 30 inches. We had a terrific time!! Maybe more pictures soon but for now I'm tired.

Denver!

We're alive and well in Denver now though internet access is limited. I'm starting to finally enjoy my rotation here. Happy birthday to LUCY!! we'll try to get some pictures up soon. Dallin is a big boy now sitting up and biting with two teeth now! We like it here and had a good time visiting family before settling in. Hopefully, more to come soon.

Special Day!!

Friday April 20 marked the last day of my classroom education!! This last year is clinical experience at different practices but no more lecture-style classes. YIPPEE!!! Today is also a big day for little Dallin, He's six months old!! Can he sit up? You bet! Does he smile all day? Pretty much! Is he chunky and happy? yep! Solid food? Doesn't go for it, though he liked the pickle we let him try. We love him and really enjoy playing with him. After I got outa class, we spent the afternoon at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival for a good time. Enjoy the pics:

Happy Easter!

Lucy really enjoyed Easter this year. She loves candy but no egg salad sandwiches. She had a good time looking for plastic eggs filled with candy this morning with her friend. She was pretty well behaved at church too. Dallin was pretty sleepy today. I suspect a growth spurt. He doesn't eat candy but was full of sweet smiles all around. We sure enjoyed a day to celebrate the resurrection of the Savior. Happy Easter everyone!!

Back from Belize

I spent my spring break in some villages in Belize doing eye exams with a humanitarian organization. It was a lot of fun and we were able to help some people that don't have great access to eye care. Fortunately, we had some time for fun too including kayaking around an island, snorkeling over coral and sting rays, swimming in a cave with life vest and head lamp, and seeing Mayan ruins. We came across lots of bugs, some snakes and a huge tarantula. pretty cool.

ring around the rosey

Our little family is growing up so fast. We're doing well and enjoying life!

Progress ...

We've been enjoying the new year in spite of the typical colds and sniffles. I'm really glad to be in my last semester of class work but it's harder and harder to find motivation with the light at the end of the tunnel in sight.

Lucy is better and better at letting us know what she wants. She has no problem asking for cookies and candy but she's not as good at dealing with the disapointment when we say "not this time". (Who knows where she learned to throw a fit so well?) The tantrums are getting fewer and further between and her vocabulary is expanding. Her aim at throwing things at her brother (in love) is pretty good.

Dallin loves to smile and laugh most of the day and is so busy growing that he has no time for pesky naps or going to sleep at night. He will do it, but not without getting his two cents broadcasted throughout the neighborhood. He's so big! We really like his company and he really likes to "play" with his big sister. The other night, we played hide and seek with Lucy seeking and Dallin and I hiding. Dallin hid underneath a blanket and kicked and giggled and I (Dad) hid behind Lucy's inflatable sled. Lucy ran in and checked the closet (her preferred hiding place) and almost stepped on the wiggly blanket. After lots of clues, Mom helped Lucy find Dallin from under the blanket (but, by that time he'd escaped most of the way out) and she found me easily, talk about fun.

quick note

We're doing pretty well. Susan is fighting off a cold and Lucy has a bit of a runny nose, but we're pretty happy. Dallin is really growing fast and is smiling at us and laughing sometimes. Finals week is next week and yesterday was my last day in clinic for the semester. I need to get on the ball for studying or Santa won't be stopping by our apartment for me. Maybe I can mooch off the kids' presents. Thanksgiving was a lot of fun. We missed seeing family, but we didn't miss the traveling. We got a few inches of snow the other day and enjoyed it for a little while before it melted, kinda made us home sick.

Almost a month with two

I can't believe we've had two kids now for almost a month. We've been very grateful that Dallin has been such an easy baby and Lucy is fitting in well to her new role as big sister. Even Susan is fealing better. We're especially thankful that grandparents were able to come help out for a few weeks. We really appreciated the help and support. Dallin has been to the doc a few times and has been growing just like he should. He is already well over 9 lbs! We're not used to having such a big (normal-sized) baby. He only cries when he's hungry and usually sleeps really well. I think he's the "strong, silent type". Susan is recovering mostly without problems just a few little things cropping up now and then and we've had some tough nights but we've managed to get by and it's a real blessing to see our family grow. School is going well, I'm counting down to my second to last finals week ever!

Dallin's here!!

Dallin Glen was born on the 20th at 4:34am he weighed 7lbs 5oz and was 20 inches long. He and his mom are doing just fine. We're all home now and doing fine, with help from Grandma, neighors and church. enjoy the pictures and you can watch the videos by pushing the play button.

Getting by

Nice stitches

We've been doing well in our neck of the woods. Susan has progressed well and Lucy is doing great. A few weeks ago she banged her head and Susan thought she'd take her to the doctor to see if the cut she got would need stitches. Her doctor put two in to keep it from scarring too much. She was very brave. She's getting good at mimicking mom and dad and is getting more consistent at saying some words, especially "more" "bye-bye" and "mom" and "dad". She's really good at blowing kisses too. Susan's tummy is almost big enough. We're starting to count the weeks down. I've really enjoyed clinic this semester and class is just fine. The good news is that I passed part one of boards! That's a real relief.

a hug for the new baby

Turns out people look at this

update: After taking part one of national boards in optometry (two days 450 questions, results pending) We took a trip to Montana for some well needed vacation time.

We first arrived in Alder near the Ruby reservoir and spent a week with Susan's dad. We spent our time looking for deer and mountain sheep, hiking, riding in grandpa's boat, and exploring Virginia City. We had a great time and with great company. We also visited some of Susan's friends and took Lucy to the Madison County fair so she could work on learning her animal noises.


After that, we went to Idaho Falls to see Jacob's wedding and spend some time with Susan's uncle and cousins. They went through with it and we had a great time. Lucy got to see her great-grandpa (and snap his suspenders) and some other family and we got some good rest with Susan's family. We gave a ride to Charlotte's kids who had been visiting too. On our way, we saw a street called Vision Drive, but there was no house with a 2020 address.


Then it was on to Bozeman for a week. We were able to play with my folks and had a great time hiking, playing dominoes, and spending time with grandpa, grandma and aunt Wendy.

We spent the rest of our time in Dillon with Susan's mom. Lucy loved Grandma's wading pool and scooter. We had a picnic and played games and got some rest before starting the long trip back.


Lucy did pretty well in the car. With a few toys, stops, and naps.

The First Birthday!

We managed to keep her alive for a whole year so we had a party.

Lucy's first birthday was Wednesday May 31st! To celebrate, she opened some presents that morning before I went to clinic. she got a swimming pool, and some bubbles!

Then on Friday we had a party for her with some of her friends. Mom made a goose cake (delicious, tasted nothing like goose)

We all enjoyed the cake, but especially Lucy

Some of her friends got Lucy some cool gifts

And Grandma got her a popper (she loves it!)

I scream...

On Friday, Lucy tried her first icecream cone. It was cotton candy flavored and she loved it! I guess all this time she's be screaming for icecream.


In other news: Susan is doing well, I'm managing to keep my head above water in school and we're both looking forward to having Mom and Dad visit over spring break.

How to get your next clue

February 22 started out as a normal day. Lucy helped me finish my orange juice at breakfast then I went to work at the clinic where I translate for the interns doing exams. When I got home Lucy had news. Call Susan for your next clue.