Grandchild #9 arrives today (Feb. 23, 4:00p.m)!

Just a real quick post (it's been a busy day!) so all the family can get a quick peek at this cutie (I think he looks a lot like Lauren when she was born). After having three girls, Lauren and Dan are sooo excited to finally have a boy who probably will be named Evan Daniel (they are 99.9 % sure at this point, but things could change). He weighed in at 8lbs.9oz, being induced a week early so he wouldn't end up an 11 pounder like sister Avery.

Sweet Valentine's Day in San Antonio

Grandpa and I had a super Valentine's Day with our not -so -little, sweet 11 week old Colby, and his sweet Mom and Dad. He's grown so much since we'd last seen him at Christmas, and is very strong-- tries to do sit-ups. He's also very smart and doesn't miss a thing. I'm sure we're not prejudiced and his other grandparents (who'll see him again next week) will agree 100%!

Do you see the resemblance here? He's definitely a mama's boy, but he enjoys hanging out with his Daddy too.

"My Mother made me go to this." (Carl)

Carl (pictured here with his friend Adam) is "enjoying" the big banquet, held last Fri. evening at Moody Gardens Conference Center, honoring recent Eagle Scouts.

The featured speaker was Texas Governor Rick Perry. He gave a great speech on the values promoted by Scouting, and how we can't remain silent in the battle between good and evil in our society. Hope Carl was listening when he mentioned how "Eagle Scout" really stands out on a resume. I got to shake Gov. Perry's hand-- his handshake is very firm.

Happy Birthday to Jessica

Born on Feb. 4, 1984, Jessica was the baby sister 6 year old Lauren prayed for every night!

As a little girl, Jessica enjoyed playing with dolls, reading,writing in her journal every day, friends like Ashley (whom she's known since kindergarten), fun times with family and cousins like Kristyn (who's the same age). She endured much teasing from older brother Andy.

Teenage years brought her more reading ("Sweet Valley High" books in junior high), continued journal writing, a new hobby - scrapbooking, too much flirting with boys, fun times in cross country and track, and her future husband,(pictured above at senior prom). After high school, she was able to fulfill many dreams -- running a few marathons, graduating from BYU, marrying her high school sweetheart, and getting a job that she had always wanted since she was little, a teacher. She's enjoying teaching pre-K at a charter school in Houston. She's also helping her husband fulfill his life-long dream of becoming a doctor.
Happy Birthday, Jess! We love you. May all your birthday wishes

come true.
(P.S. -- the reason you are now hearing the song"Fur Elise", instead of the usual birthday song, is because that is Jessica's song, and where she gets her middle name "Elise". While I was pregnant with her, I played that song everyday on the piano. (My piano teacher wanted me to memorize it.)