Cheers to Hilary

Hilary Rocks. What a year...actually what a crazy last few months. She helped birth 3 babies all one month apart. She traveled across the country by herself, she is living too far from her man but her lifestyle now is to be admired. Freestyle. I don't know what we would do without her, a best friend anyone could want and ask for. We love you so much.

Grace and her beauty Mom Therese

Therese, Hilary and Grace came to meet Ian.... Grace got stung by a bee in the backyard....Mom to the rescue, baking soda paste with some yellow food coloring for fun (andys idea). Therese made some great tortilla soup, we went to the park and picked tomatoes in the yard. To Therese, your my sister...we have known each other for along time and been through many memories...more to come I'm sure!!

Uncle Travis Aunt Michele and Cousin Julia

Travis, Michele and Julia came for a visit when Ian was a few days old. They were so great to come and stay for a great evening. Julia is such a doll. I have to give major credit to Travis and Michele, I honestly do not know a better behaved more darling child than Julia. She is such a sweetheart. They have done very well. Julia started kindergarten this week I hope she is doing well. We love you guys.

Aunt Joni and Uncle Don

Aunt Joni and Uncle Don came for a visit this weekend. We love them and are so happy that they came to visit us. Right now they are at Bear Lake relaxing, they deserve this. We love spending time with them and plan on many years of great visits. Don told me a little secret and hopefully we get to go to a great party soon!!!

Love to Nanny and Poppa

Nanny and Poppa, the best grandparents ever. I couldn't imagine having Ian without my parents around. My mom took care of all of us during the birth and stayed until we were home safe. She came back a few days later (after cleaning my house) and spend many hours cleaning up our yard. It looks better than it has all summer. Both mom and dad have visited several times. Dad mowed our lawn, mom did more and more yard work and cooked wonderful dinners. A few times I had to tell her to stop, her duty was to hold her new grandson. We are so lucky to have such great support and the best Nanny and Poppa that walked the earth. We love you!

Recent Visitors

Just a few of our recent visitors..

Cutest Boy Ever!!!

I might be bias but this is one cute child!!!

First Bath

We gave Ian his first fully immersed bath a few nights ago. Finally his cord fell off and he is waterproof. He loved it and we hope he continues to feel this way about things.....

Ian comes home- July 27th

Taking Ian home was exciting and nerve racking at the same time. We were excited to leave the hospital but they were so helpful and teaching me how to nurse and helping me recover. Luckily my mom was coming home with us to help get situated. We took these pics to mail to friends and family, the first eye open shots.

July 25th-----Ian's Born

Ian was born via c-section at Logan Regional Hospital on the 25th of July. He was born at 11:45 and had to be a c-section due to mom having too small of a pelvis. I went to the hospital at 8:30am to get my IV and blood work started. As usual it was very difficult to get. I was unable to have any liquid so I was dehydrated and hard to stick. Then after checking in and being hydrated I was taken with Andy to the operating room. I was given a spinal epidural after a pain staking 40 minutes of the anesthesiologist missing...He had to call in another doctor to help. Finally they got it and Ian was born very quickly. Andy got to go with Ian to the nursery while I was getting sewed up. I had one hour of recovery before I went to the postpartum unit in the hospital where Andy, Mom and Hilary were waiting. Ian was brought to us and we spend 3 nights in the hospital. Ians birth was a very good experience.

Selling our Van....SAD DAY

We came to the decision to sell our beloved VW van. The PurpleGrape, the dog cage, the travel mobile, our lovely van. It has gone to a great new home. A lesbian couple who plans on totally restoring her and taking her to Bluegrass shows. I guess the Karma will live on. WE MISS YOU VANNY!

Our first booth

Exicting stuff. Andy and I created a booth for the company and the Effective Practices Conference on USU campus. I manned the booth. It was fun actually. I got to see many collegues and talk about Als programs, which I really love. So I needed to capture the moment and I took this photo. It keeps me busy and then I don't think too much about birthing our first child and things like that...

School is OVER!

It's officially summer. The weather wouldn't tell you as much though. It has been raining for the last two days, which is wonderful. Andy took a few days off so we could try to get the baby room ready. We went to IKEA and bought some new dressers for our room, the baby gets the old ones. I'm not sure he will notice. I'm trying to not spend to much money. When I have all this free time I could easily get carried away. "What should I do? Oh I'll go buy things....." Not the best plan.

Memorial Weekend at Bear Lake

Andy and I spent the weekend at the lake. It was very relaxing but productive. We did some yard work and cleaned up a bit.

We visited the Bear Lake Bird Refuge. You need to go there early in the spring. Every time we have gone we have seen these incredible birds.....snowy egret and sandhill crane. That is just the beginning of the birding there.

Andy's Birthday Present

Andy had his birthday off for the first time in 10 years. Every year that he has worked at the University he has had to work for his bday and the weekend that follows. It is the same week school is over so there is much to do.
However, this time, with his new job things have changed. We went to Snowbird and spend a night. I was in a conference and he came along. Then on Friday (his actual day) we bought a new fancy car. Isn't it cute? We may have to part ways with our beautiful VW van. It is a sore spot for both of us. We will see what happens...

School is almost over!

I am too excited for school to end. I am ready and so are the students. Spring is most definitely in the air.

I am officially in my 3rd trimester. Today I have my 28 week doctor appointment. I get to go drink a sugar drink to make sure I don't have gestational diabetes. Then I get to have my blood drawn. Lots of fun here. I do enjoy the heartbeats. That is the best part of all.

April 2007 (Easter, Muir Wedding, New Porter Baby)

The weather has been great so far this month. A little rain, a little warmth, just perfect. I really could live best in a place that had constant spring like temps.

We visited SLC for Easter. Cousin Kim was in town. I miss her. I hardly ever get to see her. It is no ones fault just distance. It was great to see her even for a short time. Cousin Rob announced his engagement to Valerie. They will be getting married this fall. I am very happy for them both. Valerie is just awesome and they seem like a great couple. We all had breakfast at the Alta Club and then walked around the temple grounds to see all the flowers. That is one thing the Mormons have right, gardening.

The weekend following Easter we again made the journey to SLC. My cousin Alex was getting married at the SLC Temple and we were invited to the reception and a brunch. It was funny, Andy and I sat with my brother and the only other 7 non-mormons in the place. Well that is not entirely true but very close. My cousin Mason and his wife Mckell sat with us. they now live in Vegas and I think we would have a very good time visiting them. Mason told stories, a day in the life of a Vegas Police Officer during brunch. All the while Mckell was telling him the stories were not appropriate for the lunch table. Didn't phase him. The reception was at Red Butte Gardens. Very pretty place. I loved to see my cousins and their offspring. Masons son Payton is probably the cutest boy child I have ever seen. What a doll. It was nice to spend time with all of them. Of course Julia got the SLC curse and wasn't able to make it down. Travis was a trooper and made the drive to SLC all by himself.

We had a new baby join the world. A Porter baby! My cousin Stephen and his wife Jennifer welcomed Julian on April 19th (I think). They live in San Fransico. We wish them all the best.

Channing Karaghouli-Future Volleyball Olympiad

March 2007 (Bill Becks 60th, My 32nd Bday)

Sping is coming, we can feel it. We have made it through the first trimester of pregnancy and then some. I never even felt very sick...certainly tired but not too bad. The golden time is setting in, feeling good. Starting to realize this might actually be happening. uh-oh

We spent a weekend in SLC to surprise Bill Beck for his 60th birthday. It was quite the affair. Kaye put alot of time into making him surprised. We ate at Log Haven and at Mom and Dads house. Many people traveled far to surprise him. It went off very well. Happy Bday Bill.

I celebrated my 32nd birthday at Calloways restaurant. Kris and Teresa joined us for the evening. We laughed pretty hard and I nearly choked to death on balsamic vinegar air. That's right I didn't even have anything to eat, I just inhaled some vinegar and nearly stopped breathing. I think I gave everyone a scare, including myself. Pretty embarrassing.

February 2007 (Yurt Fantasy)

Andy and the boys went for the Yurt Fantasy this month. This is the 2nd annual for Andy. They go to the bunchgrass yurt in Logan canyon. The men he goes with have gone to this yurt for 10 years, every year.
Andy was ready to go, had practiced his turns ready to compete with the seasoned. Apparently they made it in just great but this year snow fall was way less to be desired. In fact the trail head was dirt. Pretty disappointing comparing from last year. Last year was incredible snow...digging out the yurt-8feet or so. Anyway they made it, spent the night and geared up for the next three days of skiing. However, on Andy's first trip down, first turn in fact he twisted up crazy and sprained his ankle. Total bummer. He spend the rest of the trip in and close by the yurt. I think he was in pain but I'm not sure if he knew it. They took care of pain through self medication or something like that. He luckily made it out of there, he left to ski down by himself 3 hours before the rest of the boys and they all made it to the car at the same time. He spent some time at home layed up. He did finally get an xray, nothing broken. Next year has got to be better!

January 2007 (Mudder turns 90, New Years)

New Years at home. We had Jane, Kris, Teresa and Tom over for the festivities. We ate great food and played Trivial Pursuit the DVD edition. It was actually a great night. Believe it or not we all made it to midnight.

Mudder turns 90 this month. I had to include some photos of her. I have such love for her. She at times makes it difficult but she has influences me in so many ways. Mostly her wit and wisdom. She has not skipped a mental beat ever. She is as sharp as a tack. I love our conversations. "Stacie get on the web and tell me the NY Times best seller book list" "Okay" I answer. As I read the list to her she tells me that she has read nearly all of them. She then wonders what my problem is because I barely even know what she is talking about. Its good to know the genes I have, I hope to last as long as she has. I'm not sure she thinks the same way. I bet whether she likes it or not she will live to be 100. She truly is one of my most favorite people on the planet. I love you Mudder!