Tour of Utah

On Saturday, Mark's parents came over. It was the first time Diane got to see Matthew. Now, Matthew has met all his grandparents. Just by chance, the Tour of Utah bicycle race was going on at the same time, and the route went right outside our house. I just love living downtown. The cyclists completed a 7.4 mile circuit eleven times, with the finish line being just a little further uphill from our house. We would walk out and watch the cyclist go by and then come back in and track their progress on tv. We also walked down to South Temple to see the how fast the cyclist were going on the straightaway, and boy were they flying. It was surprisingly entertaining.

Diane, a.k.a Grandma Robison

Elwin, a.k.a Grandpa Robison

Later that night, Mark and I hosted a murder mystery dinner which was loads of fun. I had my siblings over and we had a blast. My siblings went all out with costumes from DI. The star performers would have to be my brother Jacob, with his German accent, and my brother-in-law Steve, with his Italian accent. "As they say in the old country ..."  It was fun to try to figure out whodunit.

From left to right: Mark, the FBI agent; Me, the golddigger; Steve, the old Italian guy; Jaclyn, the movie star; Andrea, the competitor; Jacob, the German wine merchant; Benjamin, the ex-con.

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.