Kate's First Photo Shoot

My friend Jordan took these pictures of Kate and was very patient while we had to change her diaper, feed her, and Kate even decided to pee on Jordan's blanket in between pictures.  It was worth it, the pictures turned out so cute.  Kate loves her tongue.  Jordan kept trying to get her to put it in but Kate prefers it out.

Introducing....

Kathryne Jayde Townsend was born October 29th at 4:24am in American Fork, Utah.  She weighed 6lbs 8oz and was 19 inches long.  She is absolutely perfect.  Kate is a miracle to our family and our little angel.  We love her so much and love watching her change everyday.  It was a journey getting to this point but worth every minute.   Thank you so much for all the phone calls, emails, texts, and prayers.  We could feel everyones love and support during this process. 

News Flash......It's a GIRL!!!

After 6 long months of waiting to post it on our blog and try and keep a secret. I finally feel like it is close enough to let everyone know. We are so excited that we have been chosen by an amazing birth mom to adopt a little GIRL. Cort and I could not be more excited! She is due on October 30th.......3 weeks. I cannot believe it is finally here. Jessica (birth mom) is someone I have become close with over the past several months and have grown to love. We have had the opportunity to meet with her a few times. She is an amazing person and has so many great qualities and she never fails to amaze me. She is beautiful, smart and so fun to talk to. Cort and I feel blessed that she chose us to adopt her sweet little girl. We are getting so so EXCITED. We will keep you posted as it gets closer.

Capo Beach 2008

We took a family vacation to San Juan Capistrano in September. We found the beach house online and we were all hoping it would be as nice as the pictures online. We pull up to the beach house and it is bright Pepto Bismol PINK with baby blue trim. It was very shocking and we were frightened what we would find inside. The saying, never judge a book by its cover, was definitely right when it comes to the pink beach house. The inside was so nice and plenty big for all 12 of us. Here are a few picture from our fun family vacation. I did not take many pictures. I guess I was having too much fun hanging out with everyone! I do not have any picture of my mom, dad, or brother.....

Nicole braiding our hair

Kelly and baby Brooke

Ellie posing for the camera

Cole and Cort enjoying the fire

Maddie learning to surf.

Cort getting a little barrell.

Party wave for Jason and Cort

Maddie and Cole after wrestling in the sand

Ellie loved the water. She was not scared of the big waves.

Disneyland with the family

My mom and I took Maddie to the princess lunch at Ariel's Grotto. It was so much fun to see Maddie's face light up when the different princesses came to the table to talk to her. I am so excited to be able to take our little girl when she is old enough.

We finally have a family picture with everyone together. It has been a few years since we have been all together. It was very tricky trying to get 4 kids under the age of 5 to cooperate for the picture. I had so much fun spending time with my family. I love them so much and miss them. Thank you so much for a wonderful vacation.

Hawaii

Oahu 2008

My buddy in Hawaii. She is so CUTE!

Elise did not grow up in the 80's.
This is her chance.....

Thanks Steve & Jenny for a GREAT trip.

An attempt at being artistic....what do you think?
*Can you find Andrew

Pearl Harbor

View from the Andersons' Beach House

Cort is really excited for us to have kids so I do not make him do stuff like this any more.

Dole Plantation

The moment of truth: who is stronger?

Hawaii Surfing Crew

A few of our favorite places to eat while in Hawaii........

Yummy Macademia Nut Fish

Thanks to Peter's dad, we were introduced to malasadas.
A must if you are in Hawaii.

Shave Ice

We tried a few different places but they all taste the same to me....delicious!

Beach Day

How we spent the ride home from the beach......

I couldn't even make it to my bed

Townsend Family. Thank you for a wonderful trip!

I LOVE Lake Powell!!

Cort and I took a trip to Lake Powell with Ashley's family over the 4th of July. They were so nice to let us crash their family vacation. Cort and I love Lake Powell! It had been years since we had been there. It's as beautiful and as fun as we remember. We definitely want to make Lake Powell a family tradition.

Ashley and Brik.

Cort and I Brik (I hope they do not look at the blog b/c I know they will not be happy with me posting this picture) I think they look good!!

Ashley and I on the back of the boat.

We loved taking the wave runners out of for long drives. Cort and Brik preferred driving because Ashley and I were definitely more cautious. I wish I had a picture of Ashley pulling Cort and Brik on the tube. We were so worried about the guys pulling us on the tube but the first round Ashley pulled them, Cort went flying off the tube. It was hilarious. I am not sure how it happened but good work Ashley!!!

Have you ever tried jumping on a water trampoline?? It was my first time and it is nothing like a regular tramp. We were thinking we were going to be able to jump really high and do lots of tricks. You definitely cannot do tricks, the only trick is trying to balance and not fall off. Hannah, Cami and I spent hours trying to balance and then trying to push each other into the water. We tried to wake Ashley up but she was taking a nap. It turned out to be really entertaining and I loved hanging out with Hannah and Cami but we missed Ashley.

Here is the crew on the boat ride to Rainbow Bridge. Ashley's family is so great and spoiled us with great food and a wonderful weekend! They have the sweetest family I have ever met. Thanks again!!

Thanks Nielsen/Jackson family for a WONDERFUL vacation!!!