June Update 2

This month we had Christine and JP's Wedding in the Oklahoma City Temple. Here is our little family right outside the temple.

Eli was a bit grumpy... he definitely needed a nap.

This is just classic, Eli fell asleep with rice all over himself. This was the first time he fell asleep in his high chair. He was laughing his "I'm tired and loopy" laugh at everything Merrilee said or did, and then all of a sudden he lay his head back, and he was gone!

Eli getting his groove on. Merrilee is hoping for a little Asian/Latin dancer. Hmmm... Actually we were surprised while going through our pictures to see how this picture turned out. He probably was just trying to get away from Dad.

Just the other night we pulled the camera out and Eli started acting like a little ham. He made the funniest faces. Oh, by the way, can you see his goofy teeth?

June Update

We have been so busy this month. We have also had a load of fun. We took Eli swimming for the first time on Memorial Day. He was not as enthusiastic as we thought he would be. He loves bath time, but his first time in the pool was scary for him (perhaps he takes after Merrilee and hates the cold). He has been to the pool several times since and is getting more comfortable. The funniest thing is when he accidentally sticks his face in the water and then splutters and makes faces and then looks accusingly at the person holding him.

Ben's Graduation Post Two (by Merrilee)

Ok, I just had to add this little post, since Ben is too modest to inform everyone of his academic prowess. Ben worked incredibly hard and graduated with a GPA of 3.95 in chemical engineering- no small feat! This means he graduated with special distinction. I am so proud of Ben and his many accomplishments. And, I love him very much. :)

Graduation

I GRADUATED!

What a relief. I am so glad to be done with school. It was a special day to celebrate this achievement. Mom, Dad and Ian came down and along with Merrilee and Eli, we went to a 2 hour long commencement. To be honest I was very anxious to be done with school and commencement. Then we went out to eat at Sweet Basil. We enjoyed some great Thai food and Eli covered himself with rice.

April Pictures

Eli's "Asian Eyes"

Eli just started making the cutest face. When we take a picture of this particular face it just looks like he is in pain or grumpy. This video shows how happy he actually is. Ben commented that this is the only time he actually looks Asian. So we started calling this face "Asian Eyes".

Quick Update

*We just got back from a Spring Break trip to Utah. Not a recommended drive with a 6-month-old. But we had a blast seeing Ben's family, even though it was not enough time. It was our first time meeting Elias' two new cousins, Kai (3 months) and Gabe (6 months- only 2 days older than Eli!), who are adorable. We were lucky to stay with Ben's brother and his wife (along with their three kids), and it was terrific seeing his parents and two of his sisters and their families. Ben and I got to go to the Mount Timpanogas temple while we were there, which is beautiful. On the way to and from Utah, it was fun staying in Colorado with my aunt and uncle and seeing my cousins.
*I played guitar at two Eagle Courts of Honor- one for a young man in my ward, and one for my *little* (over 6-foot-tall) brother. I am so proud of them for their many accomplishments! And I love playing la guitarra!

*Elias got his first tooth! Also, he is crazy busy. He decided that four days in the car is way too much and has been making up for it by wriggling all over. He can't quite crawl yet, so he rolls all over. It takes him just a few minutes to span our living room, so we decided it's definitely time to baby-proof the house. I think he will keep me on my toes once he can crawl.

*Ben just got called to Webelo's in our ward. Lucky guy. There are nine boys and they seem very, um, energetic!

*I was released today from the Young Women's presidency. The first counselor in the bishopric told me he lost because he drew the short straw, so he had to come tell me (I guess they figured out I would not be pleased to be released, but at least I didn't shoot the messenger). I am so sad to leave my girls, but I am still going to see as much of them as I can. I was so blessed to work with an amazing president and other members of the presidency, as well as terrific advisers.

*As a conciliatory calling, they asked me to be the ward chorister. This is my first time in this calling, so I rather wonder how many people will laugh at me as I stand up there waving my hands around? Guess we'll see. I am, however, excited to do it.