Fourth Folder Fourth Picture

Since Patrick has already done this tag I had to tweak the rule to post. So I used the fourth folder and the fourth picture down instead of across. This picture is of a Canadian goose taken at the Hoogle Zoo in June of 2007. My Parents, my sister and her two kids went with us. Zoos are great places to visit, especially with kids.

I tag Lorri Hansen and David Badger. You are to post the fourth picture from your fourth folder and write an explanation of it.

Like Mother Like Son!

People often ask me whether Andrew looks more like me or Julie. I think he looks more like Julie; she respectfully disagrees and says that he takes after me. I present the following pictures to bolster my case:

On the left is Julie, on the right Andrew. They could be twins!

I took this picture this morning. Look at their mouths; spitting images!

I rest my case. Let me know what you think.

Christmas Adventures

For Christmas this year, Julie and I decided to drive down to my brother's place in Alexandria, Virginia and watch their pets for a week. Andy is still a little small for a cross country trip, but a five hour drive was perfect. He actually travels quite well; he spends the entire time either asleep or quietly feeding. Anyway, I digress. In order to show his appreciation for our pet-sitting services, Phil arranged for us to take a tour of the West Wing of the White House. It was quite the experience! We saw the cafeteria (run by the Navy), the door to the Situation Room, the Roosevelt Room (which is the Theodore Roosevelt Room when a Republican is president and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Room when a Democrat is president), and, of course, the Oval Office. We couldn't take pictures inside the White House, but we did get a couple on the outside and one in the Press Room.

Andy slept through the entire tour, but we now have photographic proof that he visited his future home as an infant!

Christmas itself was alot of fun; we spent the day opening presents and generally being rather lazy. Andy was as cute as ever, and is already growing so fast. Here are some more pictures of the little primate. Enjoy!

Andy with his stocking stuffers. He enjoyed them all very much, especially the bottle brush; he just can't wait to wash his own bottles!

Here the little guy is opening one of his presents. Just look at the sheer excitement on his face!

Julie made Andy and me matching pajama bottoms. It's all the rage. Admit it, you wish you were as cool as Andy and I are!

After opening the presents, we were all pretty exhausted. Andy promptly took a nap. Isn't he just the cutest?

Well, that's it for now. Stay tuned for more pics from New Year's!

Tag, You're It!

My friend Crystal tagged me, so I thought that I would go ahead and play the game! The rules are to post the fourth picture from the fourth folder of pictures. Enjoy!

This picture was taken right before I graduated from BYU. Ahhhh, good 'ole Provo!

I tag my ma-in-law, Debbie, and David Badger.

A Day in the Life of Andrew

Hello. My name is Andy and I am Pat and Julie's new, highly trainable young primate. My dad told me that this post would be the 100th on the family blog, so I decided to celebrate the occasion with a detailed description of what it truly means to be two weeks old. Enjoy!

This is my bed. It's really nice and comfortable. My parents worked hard to make it that way. I don't like it, though. I refuse to sleep here.

This is Mom and Dad's bed. It's just the right size for me. This is where I sleep. I can't wait until I can kick Dad out and finally have some peace and quiet!

I usually wake up hungry or in desperate need of a diaper change. I'm still training my folks in their parental duties, so I kindly let them know of my needs by wailing at the top of my lungs. I want to make sure they hear me. I know that I'm sleeping right next to them, but they are rather advanced in years and it's better to be safe than sorry.

Thankfully, my parents are quick learners. They usually get me my food in a timely manner. After eating I'm so stuffed that I just can't stay awake. I pass out and take a well deserved nap.

Sometimes my parents give me a bath. I must say that I'm not a big fan. If they keep this up I just might have to pee on them.

When I'm angry (right after a bath), I like to be held and catered to for a while. My grandma is a pro in this department. Mom and Dad still have a lot to learn!

Mom and Dad also like to dress me up and take pictures of me with visitors. Unfortunately, I'm easily startled, especially by camera flashes. It can take awhile to get a good shot of my handsome mug.

By the end of the day, I'm so tired from feedings every two hours, constant love and attention, and the stress of teaching my parents what it means to be a parent, that I just have to crash for a couple of hours. Dad is usually home from studying by this time, so he gives Mom a break and we settle down for a nap. It's a rough life, but I'm holding up well. My parents seem to be pretty happy, which is good; they'll need these fond memories when I'm a little older and tearing up the house!

Well, that's it. The story of my life. I hope you enjoyed it and remember to come and visit. I love being held!

One Week!

Well, it's been one week since Andy joined us, and it's all we were promised and more! Sleepless nights, dirty diapers, and frequent crying have made us stagger around the apartment like undead zombies and made us wonder if it will ever get better. Then there are the times when he's just fed and cuddles against your chest or when he's awake and looks at you like he's just found his new best friend. That's when Julie and I look at each other through our bleary eyes, smile, and realize that it's all worth it. So, in celebration of Andy's first week of life, here are some more pictures. Enjoy!

More Andy!

Due to popular demand, here are more pictures of our new, highly trainable young primate. Enjoy!