Families are forever

Yay for temples! My brother and his wife and son got sealed together on Friday. It was wonderful to be able to attend such a happy event. Baby Ayden cried during the whole sealing, which I thought was adorable. Though, I'm sure my sister-in-law didn't find it so cute. And my favorite sister in the whole wide world was there. I hadn't seen in since Christmas. Maybe someday I'll live closer.

Aaron, Melissa and Ayden

Almost the perfect family shot.

My handsome men

With Jaclyn

Jaclyn and Steve

With Benjamin

I'm actually the tallest girl. Jaclyn just has the tallest heels.

Jacob

My Grandpa Pingel

Home on the Range

Home, Home on the range where the deer and the antelope play - or in this case the bison and the antelope. On Friday, Matthew went on his first ever hike at Antelope Island. I never appreciated how big the Great Salt Lake is until I went to Antelope Island, since the Island blocks most of the view of the far side of the lake from the populated areas along I-15. Matthew loved being carried in the front carrier. I actually didn't try it on, so I'm not sure how good it was, but my parents didn't complain. Maybe Mark and I should get one. Does any one have any suggestions?

Hiking with Grandma and Grandpa Pingel

Looking cool

He must taste the rattle before he can shake it.

Smiling for Makenna

Exhausted from the hike.

3 months

Matthew is 3 months old today, and I must admit, he is a rather large baby. But adorable at the same time. We don't go to the pediatrician until next month, but by my measurements Matthew weighs 14 pounds and is 24 inches long. I've actually started to build some muscle in my arms from carrying him around. My other exciting news is that my family is in town. Benjamin is back from his mission to Singapore. It's so nice to see him again, though, honestly, I think he looks just the same as he did when he left. And my dad got to see Matthew for the first time. So life is good.

Grandpa and Grandma Pingel

The dimples get the ladies every time.

Playing with Grandma

Benjamin and Ayden

Thuy's Wedding

Tonight, we attended a wedding reception for my old roommate, Thuy. Oddly enough, the last time I saw Thuy was on Mother's Day, right before I went into labor. She and Abby, another roommate, came to visit Mark and I. Thuy looked lovely in her dress. And it was fun to dress up - mostly because I just bought a cute shirt today, so I was glad to have a chance to wear it. Unfortunately, I wasn't so photogenic for our family photo. Maybe someday I'll get a cute shot of the three of us.

My old roommates, Thuy and Abby

My boys

We weren't quite ready for the camera.

Not my best shot, but Mark looks handsome.

Busting at the seams

Giganto-Baby

First off, a happy birthday to my mom and my sister. Yesterday, Matthew and I went over to my brother's house to visit. It was the first time I got to see Matthew and Ayden side by side, and it really struck home how big Matthew is. It was fun to hold Ayden and cuddle with him - Matthew doesn't cuddle as much as he used to. But, I admit I don't miss the newborn stage. I'm enjoying watching Matthew with a little more awareness. I also love getting a full night's sleep again.

Matthew (12 weeks) and Ayden (1 week)

Best friends already

I think he looks like Aaron.

Melissa looks good with a baby.

Playing with Uncle Aaron

Computer games with Daddy

How to Amuse a Baby

Matthew has started to chuckle when he finds something amusing. Which begs the question: What does a baby find amusing? The answer: Apparently, you just have to throw something on top of him.

My how quickly babies grow

I'm an aunt! Well, I was already an aunt because Mark has 2 nieces and 2 nephews, but I now have a nephew of my own. Aaron and Melissa had a darling baby boy, Ayden Matthias, on Saturday, July 23rd. He weighed 5 pounds 15 ounces, and was 18.5 inches long. I honestly can't believe how small he is. He's as light as a feather. Now, I look at Matthew and realize how big he's gotten. My little boy isn't quite so little anymore - though he was never that little to start with.

Though on the plus side, there are some distinct advantages to his getting bigger. Matthew slept all night last night. That's right, 8 full hours of sleep. Wild applause in the background. The funny thing was, I was feeding him this morning expecting him to be starving, but eating was not his top priority. Mark was getting ready for work at the time, and everytime Mark came into view, Matthew would track him with his eyes. Whenever Mark looked at him, he broke into a gigantic smile and a couple of little chuckles. If Mark was nearby, he would not eat; he just wanted to play with Daddy. 

Baby Ayden

My not so little boy

Sleeping through the night

Showing off his OSU gear for Uncle Jacob