Jaxon's 5th Birthday!

Jaxon turned 5 on July 25th and we had a family party that night. On the 28th, we had friends over for a Pirate Party.
We decorated cupcakes, had a splashy obstacle course, ate pizza, opened presents, put tattoos on our arms, and had a fun picture treasure hunt!
Jaxon had a great time, I think he enjoyed it despite the fact that he wanted a Thomas the Train party :(
Now Jaxon starts Kindergarten on Wednesday and will be taking the bus. We are so excited for this new adventure.
Here is the web photo album if you'd like to see more pictures.

I love my family

Not that this is a newsflash, but I really, really love my family. Mark is a helpful, wonderful guy and an adoring, playful father. And while Jaxon gives me a run for my money sometimes, he has a sweetness and charm that I cherish. Asher just hit the most adorable baby stage, 18 mths, where he playfully totters everywhere jabbering in delight at the tiniest things. Taken separately, each member of my family is great, but when we are together, we're awesome. There is something about family time, playing, wrestling, singing, playing games, or reading books that seems surreal. I often just sit back in awe of the love and happiness that we feel together. Of course someone will get a rug burn or we'll have cranial collisions occasionally, but the sadness and pain are tempered by the love of parents, and brother. (Asher gives really sweet kisses)
Yesterday I found out that our next son (Due Nov 5) will not have hemophilia like his brothers. Instantly, emotions of gratitude, relief, and astonishment rolled over me, bringing me to tears. While hemophilia rarely affects my boys lives, aside from occasional inconvenience, it is largely an unknown to me still. I have only 5 years experience treating Jaxon, and he has another 70 years to go. Thus, it's not for me that I celebrate the results of this amnio, it is for this child. But, I also celebrate the lives of my two boys, who wear the medic alert ankle bracelets. Perhaps hemophilia is one of the reasons I love them so much. Of course it is, it's part of who they are, and I love who they are.
In the end I see the grace of God giving me this awesome feeling of love for our family. For me, it's unexpectedly real and powerful. I look forward to watching our family grow.

CRAZY MAY!

This month has been such a whirlwind for us. After finishing finals at the end of April, Mark left May 5th for Budapest, Hungary (first picture) as part of his Int'l MBA program. He spent a week in meetings and touring (while trying in vain to adjust to the 9 hour time difference) then took a train to Ljubliana, Slovenia (sed. He attended an LDS branch there on Sunday where he listened to an English translation of Sacrament Meeting via headphones. After another week of meetings and touring, and much picture taking, Mark returned home on the 18th. In the meantime, the boys did our best to survive without him.





Shortly after Mark's return, our family packed up and headed to Williams, AZ to see Thomas the train. Unfortunately, the tickets were sold out (Jessica was shocked) so we didn't actually ride the train, much to Jaxon's disappointment. We did get pictures of it and a chance to play games and get some new cars for Jaxon's train. Not a total loss. After about an hour, we took the beautiful drive through breathtaking forest canyons and red rocks down to Sedona were we spent the better part of 4 days. Although the hiking, jeep tours, and natural rock waterslide was out because of our kids, we still enjoyed the beautiful landscape and walking around old town Sedona. The resort had a mini golf course, which was fun until Jaxon hit the water trap. We had to fish his ball out of the water half a dozen times, not counting all the times Asher decided to throw it in for fun. The picture of Asher and me is in front of a little fountain at the resort.
Back for 2 days and Mark is heading to Secret Pass with the Young Men for the High Adventure. He'll be gone Friday through Tuesday, and then will return to a new calling! Knowing this is the last campout for a while makes having Mark leave again a little easier. The campsite is actually on private land, deep in a rocky canyon near Bullhead City, AZ/ Laughlin, NV. I called him the night they left (they were supposed to leave at 2 PM) at 10:15 PM and they were still a good way from the campsite, which requires 4 X 4 vehicles and ATVs to get there. I'm interested to hear the story of that camping trip . . .
Mark begins an internship with BDO Seidman, and accounting firm here in Scottsdale on June 18th. That lasts until the end of August and Mark hopes to travel to UT to see a Cougar football season opener. We can all dream, can't we? I'm hoping to go to France with my cousin in July and see my sister-in-law and her kids.

So, there's our crazy month and here's hoping we can survive the blistering summer in the scorching desert. Everybody, get in the pool, now!

Hey it's almost Christmas and we took the kids to see Santa in the mall.
We're headed to Michigan for the holidays .

Blessing Adlen, Katie and Justin's baby in California.  

Visiting Grandpa Barney with Michele and Larry
(but really these are just pictures of our cute little Asher)

On Friday we drove to San Diego and spent the day with Mark's grandpa Barney, and Mark's parent's Michele, and Larry. The next day we drove to Temecula and visited his sister, Katie, and her husband, Justin for the blessing of their 4 mth old baby, Adlen (Nelda spelled backward)
It was nice to visit with everyone and we really loved the neighborhood in Temecula where Justin's mom lives (where Katie and Justin are currently living). I told Mark I'd move there in a heartbeat (and $600,000).
The trip was terrific with the exception that we didnt' get to visit the beach, I was the only one who wanted to go, so maybe next time!

At Katie and Justin's for Adlen's blessing 

 

This is our first blogging attempt.
Here's a family update.
Mark: Sick with fever/flu symptoms. He went to his accounting review class before he starts his full time MBA program on teh 28th.
Jess: Still on the board of the Hemophilia Association and HOA. I'm going to my cousin's wedding in Utah this week and leaving Jaxon here to fend for himself (kind of) but taking Asher with me.
Jaxon: Had his 4 yr old check up at the doctor's today where he confirmed Mark's fear that one leg is longer than the other. We're following up with a pediatric surgeon, but, what the random? In addition, Jaxon will post some of his birthday party pictures for everyone's enjoyment.
Asher:Spitting up more than ususal, but happy and loves to play.