Beckett Loves Mornings

Beckett is always super happy first thing in the morning. Nate took these pictures the other day.

Nate usually gets up with Beckett in the mornings. The two of them hang out together until Nate goes to work and by that time Beckett is ready for a nap. This arrangement gives me another couple hours of blessed sleep.

We hung some family pictures. Zephyr is always ready for a project. She sat on the frames. She played with the nails and hooks. And then she tried to scale the wall.

Labor Day

In a pleasant role reversal, my uncle's family came down from MN to visit us (as opposed to us visiting him) for Labor Day. It was wonderful to entertain visitors. My only complaint is that it went by way too fast. They saw the four major church sites in our area: Adam Ondi Ahman, Far West, Liberty Jail, and Independence. We joined them for the last two. Then we went out for pizza at Wheat State where we watched the BYU vs OK football game (which was AWESOME!!!). Then we enjoyed a nice night at our home, while Charlotte writhed in agony from the wheat in the pizza crust. The next day was church in our brand new stake center, and the following day everyone went back home. Like I said, it went by way too fast.

Jim holding Beckett.

Sarah and Beckett.

What are these things? They look like green brains in the shape (and color) of a softball, and they grow from the trees every fall. Feel free to comment if you know what they are.

Checking out the Kansas crops.

And Zephyr found a new best friend.

Beckett has recently discovered the joys of sucking his fist. Here he is contemplating the intricacies of the activity.

Beckett in Colorado

Beckett and I had a great trip to Colorado. We got to hang out with family. Beckett got to meet a lot of people, and I had lots of help with him.

Beckett loves his grandmother. She can get him to smile faster than anyone. He likes his grandpa a lot too because Grandpa can always find the perfect position for relaxation.


Beckett watched his first ball games with his grandfather. Lucky for him the Rockies and the Broncos played while were in town.

One night Beckett even donned his baseball outfit for the big game.

Beckett also got to hang out with his Uncle Taggart and Taggart's girlfriend, Danielle.

And he met his Aunt Paige, Uncle Peter and his cousin, Andrew.

Beckett wasn't too into Andrew, but Andrew sure loves him. We were getting some family pictures taken and Beckett kept crying so Andrew reached over to pat his back and arm.


Beckett also got to spend some quality time with Joni Mitchell. Apparently every baby loves Joni Mitchell. We know this because for the last 30 years every baby who comes to my parent's house gets to look at Joni.

Beckett was a happy boy in Colorado.

Dad turns 60

My dad's birthday is at the end of August, and my sister thought it would be really snazzy if we all surprised him for his 60th birthday by making a trip out to Colorado. We thought that this would be the best birthday my dad could hope to have because he really hates birthdays but he likes his kids. Unfortunately the surprise wasn't quite so surprising because Brandon accidentally told him that Paige and Peter were coming. However, we still were able to keep some secrets.

Surprise #1: He didn't know that I was coming. Beckett and I arrived the Sunday before his birthday. I had a couple days with my parents before the party really started. (Stayed tuned for pictures.)

Surprise #2: My Gramma, Uncle Todd, and Aunt Patti (my dad's mom and siblings) showed up on our doorstep on his birthday.

But first we had to wait for them to arrive.



When the threesome got to the house they called our home phone to wish my dad happy birthday. While they were on the phone they rang the doorbell. Here my dad's saying, "It's Todd."

Surprise #3: We all pitched in and got my dad a Wii for his birthday.

We all played.

Even my Gramma.
My aunt and uncle kept making comments about how the Mii's aren't very good at the various sports because they don't have any arms.

Apparently my parents are getting good use of the Wii because while I was in Colorado my dad stayed up until 3 am playing golf (after I left he stayed up all night one night golfing) and yesterday my mom emailed me this picture.

We also had lots of great food at the party.

And Beckett got to spend some time with his Gramma Great.

The other great thing about my dad's birthday is that the party continued all weekend. The next day Megan and Sue came over, and we had a DDR party (Megan is naturally gifted at DDR) before dinner. And on Sunday Brandon, Sue, and Danielle came over for games.

Beckett By Jackie

My friend Jackie came over to take some photographs of Beckett and our family. Here are a few of my favorite shots.

Zephyr had to get in on the action too.

These pictures were taken when Beckett was 2 months old. At his 2 month appointment:
weight: 12 lbs (75%)
height: 23 in (75%)
head circumference: 50%

The doctor mentioned that we might have a tall kid on our hands. I told her my brother is 6'7".