On March 4th, Mark turned 30. His coworkers teased that he was over the hill, to which Mark responded, "That's an awfully small hill, isn't it?" (they're all in their 40s and 50s). In the morning, we brought him a muffin with a candle, and instead of waking him up by singing "Happy Birthday" as is our tradition, we surprised him getting out of the shower, which is why there aren't pictures of that special moment. :)
For lunch, the kids and I drove out to Phoenix and had a picnic at the lake behind Mark's building. His window over looks this area, and he spends all of his time watching the ducks (so tame, they almost ate out of our hands!) swimming around.
We had cake and presents that night. I was especially proud of the book I made for Mark. It's called "Thirty Years of Laughter, a Tribute to Mark Steed." I compiled memories (from many of you, thanks!) and photos of people who have known Mark over the years. If you didn't get a chance to add one, but would like to, feel free to add any memories as comments to this post.
He also scored a watch, cologne, a shirt and pants, a briefcase, and sunglasses (all for under $100). I totally spoiled him, but in a very thrifty way!
We had a great day and later in the week his mom came out to visit, so we had a family party then.
All in all, it was a pretty fun day. Not a bad way to turn 30. (if you ask me, but I guess I'm not 30 yet . . .)

Check out my post on Exponent II, called "How God Gets Through to Me: Lessons from my Children"

I Catch Spit-up for a Living
This is what I live with.
Spit-up. It's everywhere. All the time. It's pretty yucky, but I don't notice the warm wetness dripping down my arm until I hear the "splat" on the tile near my foot. My mom burped him over a cup and collected (not kidding) 2.5 ounces of spit-up. I have no idea how much milk I produce, and I know the spit-up has saliva mixed in, but gee, doesn't he need that stuff? I'm going to be rich and famous for inventing a shoulder protector that is much, much better than the standard burp cloth. It will have a fancy ridge for the spit-up can cascade down and pockets where and pockets to serve as a resevoir.

Ah, the day-dreams of motherhood.

Of course I have more pictures of my kids.
I love pictures.
I love my kids.
That's pretty much it.
:)

Here are a few pictures I really like.

1. Me holding baby Fin's feet, when he was a few weeks old, early November.
2. One of my newborn shots of baby Fin, I used a black and white
effect with a focus point of color
3. Fin at 2 months in black and white. (they grow so fast!)
4. Here's Jaxon, age 5. He never sits still long enough for a good
picture. I was actually trying to get a shot of a big gash on the side
of his head, but he looked right at me with this crazy grin.
5 Is a picture I took of my husband and two older sons, looking out
over Lake Havasu during Thanksgiving. I made it black and white with a
color focus on the right side.
6 and 7 are of my 2 yo, Asher, at his birthday party. We gave him a
bubble machine and he loved chasing the bubbles.
8. Is a multiple exposure of 6 and 7. (I didn't know if the image
comes across very well, so I included the others separately)

Our journey to the North Pole on the Polar Express was exciting and filled with snow and hot chocolate. Even Mark admitted that it was worth the drive in the snow to have a chance to see Santa, read the story, and get a magic bell.
With the crazy holidays finally behind us, we anticipate great things for the new year. Wishing you the best in 2008!
 
 

 
 
 
 

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Welcoming Finley Cannon Steed!

Finley came into this world in quite an adventure. On the way to the hospital, Mark's Camry began making popcorn sounds, and suddenly died as we turned into a parking stall. It was leaking fluid and showed no sign of revival. (I commented how odd that the car's water had broken, but not mine!) The serendipity of the moment was not lost on us, and we both laughed that at least we weren't going anywhere in the next few days. A few days and a grand later, the car is all better. :)
In the hospital, they put me on oxytocin at 11 PM and my contractions, which were 7 minutes apart when I arrived, became closer together and stronger. By 2 AM I had an epidural for pain, so I was able to rest better. Near 6 the doctor broke my water, I was fully dilated, but waiting for the baby to descend the birth canal. At 7, the nurse had me push a few times, then brought the doctor in. I pushed twice for him and then the baby was born! My mom said he came out riding a wave like a surfer (Mark caught it on video, so I'll verify). They put him on a blanket on my chest right away and I fell in love instantly. It was amazing to see him for the first time. He was smaller than I expected, but exactly what Mark predicted, 8 lb 2 oz. and 21 inches long. Because he wasn't in the birth canal for very long, his nose remained unflattened, and quite noticeable.
It took us a few days to settle on a name, but it helped that Jaxon came to visit at the hospital yesterday morning and announced, "I named the baby Finley." (Although he can't remember it now, he calls the baby "our newborn baby" I like Finley better than "baby what's his name" which I'd been using lately.
I stayed in the hospital till today (Halloween), and we came home at 11:30 to balloons, banners, and brothers who were so excited to see our new family member.
Here's our webalbum

Jaxon Kindergarten Pics

Baby by Monday! (or your money back)

I'm scheduled to be induced on Sunday night, so I'll hopefully have a new baby by Monday morning. Lately I've been so big and uncomfortable, so I'm ready to be done being pregnant. Yes, the picture is to reinforce that image, I probably should have been grimacing instead of smiling. I really think this is the biggest I've ever been.
So, we've narrowed the list of names to about 12. You're welcome to leave your input, or suggest a new name, but of course don't be offended if we don't pick the one you liked the best.

Finley
Charlie
Calvin
Callen
Tallon/Tallyn/Tallen
Avery
Danner
Milo
Maximo
Oakley
Brahm
Cannon

Touch Me Not!

Jaxon and his uncle David (age 13) continually torment and pester each other. Tonight David was slapping Jaxon with a measuring tape or pencil while my dad was hanging a picture. After asking David repeatedly to stop, Jaxon stands and proclaims, "Touch me not, or God will smite you!" Whether he got this from Abinadi or Nephi, I'm not sure, but I am sure it's from the Living Scripture Videos.
This story could end with a sweet discussion of scriptures, prophets, and respecting others' bodies, but it did not.
After quoting the Book of Mormon prophet, Jaxon promptly kicked Uncle David in the crotch.
Nice one, Jaxon.

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