Labor Day Hike and Picnic

Monday morning we went up to Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon and had a nice little walk with Grandma and Grandpa Sandberg and our niece Candice. I love this trail because it's leisurely, pretty, easy for kids to do, stroller friendly, follows the river up to the falls, and it brings me back to when we were engaged and we took our pictures up here.


Amelia and Natalie loved wading in the water...even chilly as it was.


We had to get creative with our warmth techniques, due to a lack of preparation on my part.


Natalie in disguise.


Matt wanting to hike up the falls to the top.


Three of my favorite people.


Mom and Dad Sandberg.


Shades.






Our little ghost. After our walk, we had a picnic in the SUN to warm up at Nunns Park. Have I mentioned lately that I love the mountains? I do.

Preschool Days

Natalie recently started preschool with "Provo Smart Cookies Preschool." It's a group of moms that are mostly wives of MBA students. It's been great for her to have some structured learning time, an opportunity to make friends, and good for me to make friends with women in the same situation...grad school with kids. Everyone is so nice and Natalie loves it. We do a field trip once a week and two days of classroom learning. I will start to help and teach in November once Sam is a little older.


Natalie was very excited about her new backpack. I was excited to find one that DIDN'T have princesses or something Disney on it.


Man, I love this little girl.


While Natalie is at school, we often go up to my parents house. Amelia has some grandpa time, or goes for walks with me and my mom. It's great.

Introducing Number Three

Samuel Matthew, born Aug 22 at 9:56am at a healthy and incredible 10 lbs 12 oz!!
We are loving him. All is well.


We are now a family of FIVE! It's hard to believe. When I saw this picture of us, it looked like a lot of people to me.


So happy to have him out and with us!


Matt got to hold him first...happy to have a son.


The big sister. Natalie has been the best helper!


Amelia LOVES to kiss Sam. Here she is giving her first one.


Amelia is loving her little bro.


Among the hospital visitors...Grandma and Grandpa Sandberg! (They watched Natalie and Amelia for us while we were at the hospital.)


My sister Tanya and niece Nicole. Also my brothers- Mike and Rob their wives Jen and Stephanie, and Grandma Walsman, Jenny, and Michael and April came to visit. THANK YOU!! Why I didn't take more pictures, I dunno. I guess I was in bed being lazy. :)


Sam's first outfit.


All ready to go home. Matt was in class, so Grandpa Sandberg came to get us and take us home.


This picture cracks me up. It was Sam's first night home. Why is Amelia tired? I guess a new baby takes it's toll on the whole family. Lately, Amelia sneaks out of bed, sits by the night light and reads books until crazy hours. It's kinda cute really.


So for being a big boy, I think he has pretty skinny legs. Check them out! Maybe I am just used to my girls rolls as babies...I suppose he still has time to chunk up. I like to call him "Sunshine Sam" when he wears yellow. (Matt doesn't like him in yellow, says he looks like a girl.) He does look a lot like our girl babies at times in truth. Sometimes I call him the wrong name when nursing. Oops. Better keep him in blue.


Sam sleeping away...as usual. I love the sleeping phase of newborns. Take them anywhere, snuggle up, just lay there and look cute making funny faces in their slumber, so peaceful...ahh.


Natalie is actually the gentle big sister...Amelia we are still teaching. I told Natty to "support his head" and this is what she did. Amelia likes to jump on Sam, squeeze him tightly, poke his eyes, and so on. All out of love and curiosity, of coarse.


I call him my little blueberry when he wears this outfit.



King of the bed.




The best thing about big babies...THEIR SQUISHY FACES!

Squish one.


Squish two.


Squish three.


Open eyes! Thanks for the outfit Rob and Steph.


Yummy hands.


One of the several spots we rotate through each day...the floor with toys to stare at and swing at, the bassinet next to the computer, the crib.... zzzzz...., the king bed, tummy time, the swing, someone's arms, and again. We love you Sam-I-Am.


Sam starting to wake up more and look around.


What a handsome little man he is.

A Family Reunited

After a speedy drive across the country (47 hours from NY to Utah...good job Matt and Dan...) we were reunited at my parent's house. Rebecca was looking ready to have a baby, and Matt ready to have a shave. :)


The tough Man.


So happy to have Daddy home.


Matt surprised the girls with new NY pajamas...among some other souvenirs for all of us. Yay, for presents and surprises and memories of New York.


The townhouse we are loving.


Girls in kitchen/dining area (still messy at the time from moving in), wearing our shoes.


We are experimenting with curlers lately...my mom used to curl me and my sister's hair every Saturday night when I was a kid.


Natalie on porch with flowers from my parents and in a new dress from Grandma.


Amelia too sporting Grandma's purple dress find.


Proud sisters of a new baby brother.


Sunday walk around Provo Temple with Grandma and Grandpa.