Happy 12th Birthday Jacob!!!

Happy 12th Birthday Jacob!

Jake has grown up all too fast, but some things about growing up are great for both Jake and his mom and dad. For instance, most kids request mac 'n cheese for their birthday meal, and Jacob wanted ribs (and egg nog...of course). Here he is chowing on his slab of ribs on his birthday. We love you Jacob!!! We are so proud of you for your desire to live the gospel and receive the priesthood. Here are some pictures of his birthday party and some other photos of the past year.

Love,

Mom and Dad

Bryan's real “Elk”

Here are some long overdue pictures of the bull shot 2 weeks ago. Can’t believe it’s been 2 weeks already (Kinda feels wrong to be so excited about an elk when I have a beautiful new baby to show off, but how often do you shoot such a tremendous elk? Babies…well they seem to come along every other year….).

Here is my perspective of the elk from where I shot. 8 cows came out of the aspen on the far left (most of leaves appear to be off) and walked left to right to the crown of the hill and then stopped. The bull followed them out about 15 seconds later. (elk is down b/w the aspen and the crown of the hill).

Thinking of putting this one in my office lobby.... "the doctor will see you now."

The dangers of a 60 second shower

When one has a new baby, they usually are wise to reconsider their priorities.  

Adoring  my New Baby, 

Cuddling my Older Kiddos, &

Loving my Perfect Husband topped my list.  

I didn't think a 60 second shower was an unreasonable second priority.  

Apparently I was wrong.....

I thought I'd taken the proper precautions: house doors locked, bedroom/bathroom door locked with new baby securely buckled in her bouncy chair on the floor, and toddler preoccupied with books and toys on the bedroom floor.  My shower was short. Really it was.

But alas, here is the scene I found:

Though Eve can't speak, 

I think she was trying to give me a clue as to what happened 

with her eyes.

The bright side?  

With all that lotion she will now have 

BABY-SOFT skin!

Tomorrows blog:  How to take a 30 second shower.

A few more angles.....

For our family out of state (which is nearly all our family) 

requesting more, more, MORE!!!

Here are a few snapshot of the first week of her life!

She sure is fun!

Welcome to our family, Eve!!!

The kids could hardly contain their excitement in the final days 

as we anticipated our baby's birth!   

And the actual event was just as thrilling as they'd imagined 

(well... Amelia doesn't look too thrilled, but I can assure you she was!)  

This was their first peek at their forever sister!

While most babies are welcomed into the world with softly sung lullaby's,  

Eve was welcomed with a heart felt, albeit off-key, rendition of Happy Birth-day!  

They even brought an Oreo birthday cake!  

(The chocolate cake crumbs in the hospital bed that night reminded me that 

I am blessed 

and 

motherhood is never boring!)

..... but motherhood certainly is rewarding!!!

Proud Daddy is in love...

... and for good reasons.

Jacob meets Eve.  

(Our oldest and youngest.)

Aubree gives Eskimo Kisses.

Hayden is so tender with his Sister....

... and Seth is a gentle giant.

And Amelia is just happy, happy, happy!!!

Let's take her HOME!  

Eve Isabelle Wilcox!

Today I met my baby girl.  

It is a reality that doesn't fully hit you until they place her in your arms.  

The weekly doctor's visits, growing belly, and uncomfortable contractions 

all provide a foreshadowing; 

but you never fully comprehend how much and how quickly 

you will fall in love and have your life forever changed 

until she is there-- in your arms; 

until you feel her soft skin, smell her sweet breath, and touch her tiny hands and feet.  

And in that moment you forget that there ever was a time when you didn't know her; 

a time when your life didn't revolve around her; 

a time when you were not complete. 

Being reintroduced to my children after a few earthly years 

or a few eternal moments apart 

is one of my favorite experiences upon this earth.  

The veil between heaven and earth is so thin 

as these sweet spirits enter their mortal life.  

What a time of joy!  

What a privilege to be part of that process.

Eve was born at 4:10pm on September 17th, 2009.  

She weighed 7 pounds 5 ounces & is 20 inches long.  

She is perfect.

Welcome to our hearts Eve!

"Elk"

Here is "Elk," my deer. Got it last week. Seth said we should call it "Elk," and after going to Rocky Mtn. NP on Memorial Day weekend and seeing thousands of real elk, that's what Mia calls anything in the deer family. So this is Elk. I guess it's a fitting name since it was supposed to be an elk. The mount turned out nice. Elk is a good looking buck - good coloration. He is likely the last deer I'll ever shoot since we don't really care for deer meat.

So there you go. Maybe I'll actually get an elk this year and we can call him Buck or something.

Bryan