Our visit with Tuli Louise Smith (born on June 22nd)

Today Sam and I were able to visit with our friends Kylie, Danika and Tuli. Kylie and I have been friends ever since college. I wish that we lived closer by eachother, it is so nice to be able to spend time with her and her girls!!! Tuli just turned one month old today. After holding Sam she seems so little!!!! She is such a sweet girl and is being very good for her moma! yeah!!!!

This is Kylie's eldest, Danika. Ms. Danika has been enjoying the warm weather by splashing in her pool and playing in the sprinklers! Danika is a great BIG sister and was great playing with Sam!

July 21, 2008

Our steadfast friend 'Jack.' He is known for his very large vocabulary; ball, park, leash, "sissor-bee", walk, Yuma, GrandPa Clarence, SCUBA, treat, up-up, close, sit, stay, beg, Kater, Tucker, play dead, "Who's there?", Sam, "GO AWAY!", Jack-off, go lie down, "Mama's Home" and my favorite "Get your wiggles out!" He turned 4 years old this past June. He never says never and doesm't know how to say no to a ball. Sam likes to watch Jack run back and forth playing fetch in the backyard. And Jack likes to lick Sam's fingers...already the bonding has started.

Our little (but bigger than last year) 'English Garden.' We planted 50 yards worth of wild flower seed in a 20x10 foot space! To say the least, the results speak for its self. We also planted giant Morning Glories. Each morning we have on average 30-50 new blooms! We come out each morning to inspect what beauty lies in our little backyard. We were also hoping to attract Humming Birds but, I think that by the time the plants were blooming they had already made their way to the mountains. Maybe we will catch them on the way back!

And of-course Little Sam. Today we took him into the doctor so that we could have the little bump on his head looked at. Kristen and Dad were the first ones to notice it this past weekend (at his left temple/brow line). I spent some time looking trough past photos and it looks like it has been creeping up since 2 months ago. But it has gotten bigger in the last 2 weeks. They think that it is an 'Orbital Dermoid Cyst.' Which means that fluid or fat has collected there for an unknown reason. Apparently it is a pretty harmless thing but, there are risks that it could become a problem in the future. They are not too sure that it is a cyst so we are in the process of scheduling an appointment with an Opthamologist to have it further evaluated. If they agree that it is indeed a cyst then at some point, probably months & months later down the road, we will have to have it removed. We will keep you posted on what we find out.

The GREAT NEWS!!!

Sam weighed in at 15lbs 12.2 ounces today! He is in the 68 percentile for height and weight! What a big boy! (I always forget what that percent means. So for those of you out there that are like me, it means that almost 2/3 of the kids out there at his exact age are smaller than he is!)

Not too big of a surprise if you have seen him recently...what a strong kid!

Other BIG NEWS!!!

TWO TEETH!!!! Sam has officially gotten his first two teeth! They are both on the bottom! So now one of his favorite things to do is suck on his tongue! It is actually very cute. He smacks his lips a lot and drools a ton! He got his first tooth one week before he turned 4 months old! So the doctor told us that we can start him on rice cereal...there will deffinately be more pictures to come of that experience!

Sam is also learning to roll-over!!

He still needs a little help but can almost do it all on his own! If he is on the bed he has rolled by himself 3 times!!
Sam's red hair is thinning out...I am so sad! So here is to hoping that it will come back in even thicker and just as red and bright as it is now!!

Pre-Wedding BBQ (July 12, 2008)

This is Sam's cousins Heidi and Micah. Heidi (AKA Princess of Windsor) has gotten to be so pretty. She is an expert in looking for rabbits in the Van Essen's back yard! She was really looking forward to Katie's wedding the next day so that she could get out on the dance floor. She must get those skills from her mom. Sorry Travis but you probably dance like Ryan...need I say more. :)
Micah is now an avid reader and very knowledgable and interested in science and space. He also likes to try and get out of the way before I can take his picture. Lucky for me my camera is pretty quick! Micah also went to wrestling camp this year and did very well at pinning kids to the mat. This was a proud achievement for Ryan!

Jen is one of Sam's favorite people. To date, she is the only one to have really been able to get a giggle out of Sam. He has been holding back from the rest of us. As you can see Sam is enjoying his FAVORITE past time...watching the leaves on the trees. He is facinated by this...maybe a future green thumb.

Travis also has a nack for getting Sam to smile! And in this picture, if you weren't convinced before you should be now, at just how pale our little Sam is!! I mean, he makes Travis look so tan! :)

Evan & Roo (July 11-13, 2008)

Great GrandMa Nolene and GrandPa Clarence came to Katie & Andy's wedding. They kept Sam amused and he kept the smiles coming! Ryan makes for a pretty good seat. Can you see where Sam is balding in one spot and rubbed his head bald in the lower spot?!?!
Evan and Roo! They were the cool kids...making funny jokes while we were waiting for the cerimony to begin.

Evan and Roo came into town for Ms. Katie Van Essen's wedding! So they stayed with us and played. Evan and Sam have a lot of fun together...as you can see Mr. Octopus is keeping an eye on the two of them. My what big eyes you have...the better to see you with! :) Evan even put Sam down for his nap, successfully! They are buddies.

Roo and GrandMa lovin on Sam. It was so nice to have Roo in town. Last time she was here Sam was less than a month old! He has gotten so big. Roo is working for Spirit (manufactures airplane engines) in Whitchita, KS. So it is great to see her whenever possible. Sam had just gotten his first tooth while Evan & Roo were in town. Say good bye to that toothless grin!

Hangin' with Bearz!

Bearz thinks this is the funniest shirt...I have to agree! Sam was so happy to be hangin with Bearz!



Bath time is always fun. Bearz helped me take this picture...so cute!

Family Picinic 6.20.08

Auntie Kristen loves to play with Sam. She is expecting a little suprise in December. And we are hoping that she will have a playmate for Sam.

This is our friend Joshua Mallard Aaron. He is our human jungle gym! Katy tried to karate chop his shoulder, Megan tackles him and Amy likes to snuggle him! Yeah Joshua "Hot" Ballard!

We are trying to suck our thumbs like Amy!

A Day in the Life of Sam 7.1.2008

Today is my laundry day. Every day that we do laundry Sam is my helper! He lays on the changing table and I fold. He helps by holding as much laundry as possible without it falling!

Cam and Dean gave us the dish towel with cows (in the back ground), so cute!

What a good little helper!!


Sam is now 3 1/2 months old! It seems as if he changes on a daily basis. He is able to stand if you hold on to his hands and he is talking up a storm.

One of Sam's favorite activities is to play in the crib and watch the mobile. His favorite animal is the donkey...I think because it always looks like it is staring at him!

Last Saturday was Katie Van Essen's bridal shower and Sam came along to keep us entertained. while we were there Aunt Jen was able to get Sam to giggle! He has not done that again for us...what a lucky girl!

Fun with cousins! June 27 - 2008

Bearz is home from California!! This has been the highlight of the beginning of our summer. Heather will be here for two weeks to play with all of the kids. We are all fighting to see her the most!! Soon she is going to have to go back to finish her schooling at Brooks, so that one day we can see the films she's directing on the big screen!!! We are all so proud of her!


Sam loves to spend time with Bearz! She has become his personal hair stylist!

Megan is 5 now and does a great job holding Sam. She says that she loves his little nose and hands the best! By the looks of things, it won't be long before he is just as big as she is!

Katy is 3 and very adventurous. She is very good at finding perfect little apples that have fallen off of Bugz apple tree. She does a very nice job at taking care of Sam and keeping him happy!

Little Miss Amy turned 1 just after Sam was born, March 19th. She has just finished eating a delicious fusgesicle! Amy is walking all over now. She is very independent but still loves to suck her thumb and cuddle. What a cutie!!

After having the cousins over for fun time in the back yard, it was definately time for a nap!

Kristen and Jon are expecting their 4th little one in December...any guesses as to whether it will be a boy or girl? The Goeglein guess is BOY...Sam needs a palymate. Maybe all of these kids will bring Bearz home again!!!