Grandparents X2

We are a little slow. Michael is 3 weeks old tomorrow. We are so proud of our new addition to our family. We can't wait to go up and see him again this coming weekend. We will get to see both grand kids again. It is twice as fun having two grand kids. They change so much in between the times we get to see them. We are excited for all of you to see Michael and to see how beautiful our little Siennah is. What a joy to witness your children as they take on the responsibility of being parents. This makes it all worth while to know that we had a part in their lives and that they will do their best to be great parents for these (the choistest of spirits) that have been saved for the very last. I can only imagine what must have happened as Michael and Jack prepared to come to earth. They were side by side saying "you go first, no, you go first". "I hope to see you soon", they said as they parted. What a fun time to become a Grandpa and an Uncle within a 24 hour period.

Our little trekker has returned from another hand cart trek. She was invited by her friend Pam to go with her Ward. Once again she has returned with wonderful stories and with more mosquito bites than you can count. She said she was happy that she went. We love you all and look forward to seeing you soon.

Strawberry Fever

Our strawberry patch is producing like crazy right now and we're loving it. We're having all sorts of fresh berry delights. For example, yesterday I made five pints of jam, a gallon of strawberry lemonade, a cottage cheese salad with strawberries and a Strawberry Pina Colada drink for Josh and his friends. All that came from one hour of picking. It doesn't produce like this all summer, but while it does we enjoy. Here's the recipe we devised for a Strawberry Pina Colada for your enjoyment.

Strawberry Pina Colada
1/2 of a 12 oz can of frozen pineapple juice concentrate
1 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 tray ice cubes (about 14)
1 tsp coconut extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup strawberries
Whir everything together in a blender. Serve immediately.

In other news, the kids had a piano recital last Saturday. Josh's last one. All three of them did a good job, but it was kind of a sad occasion for us and for Josh. For his teacher, too. She paid a nice tribute to Josh and gave him a gift.
That same evening, Josh's friend, Sam, brought his bags over and settled into our guest room in the basement. He'll be staying with us for the summer. His family just moved to the town of Hinckley, a suburb of Delta.
Josh is still on a quest for a full-time job. He hasn't had any bites from all the applications he's put out there. I don't know if our week in Hawaii put him behind in the game. He has some odd jobs coming up. We'll see if any of them turn into something more substantial.

Juggling Act

Jack is a week old. It makes me laugh to think of myself as a new mom with one child. One seems so easy now. When I had Kennedy I stressed over everything. I called the nurse advice line at least once a week for several months. I remember calling one time about her sucking her thumb and she had a sore on her thumb from the sucking. Who calls about things like that? A crazy, stressed-out first time mom, that's who.
Two was ok to manage and it got pretty easy as Tristan got older. It was nice for them to start playing together. It would have been easier these past few months had I not been pregnant. How funny I must have looked at 8 months pregnant running down the street after my toddler who could outrun me by a mile.
So far having three is like a juggling act. One is always up in the air. . .at all times at least one of my kids needs something right now.

So far though, Jack has been a heavy sleeper. I have to force him awake sometimes just to eat. He was gaining weight really well at first but the past few days he has slept almost the whole day. And, in spite of a rough first night home from the hospital, he has done really well at night. I feed him before I go to bed and he wakes up half-way through the night and then again in the morning when it's time to get up. I take him for a weight check tomorrow to find out how he's growing.

Michael Brendon Lowe

Introducing Michael Brendon Lowe! Arriving Monday, June 9th, 2008. He is a healthy 8 lbs. 14 oz. and 21 inches long. Taylor had a c-section and is doing well. Her and Brendon are so happy to have him home. He is so cute! He looks a lot like Brendon. I'm so excited to have a nephew! Here are some pic's of the little cutie!

Jack

It's kind of a strange experience having a c-section. We checked in at 8:30 and several things had to happen before Jack was actually delivered. Labs were drawn, consent forms signed, monitors placed, etc. We waited around for several hours then all of a sudden I was wheeled down the hall, prepped and draped and they started cutting away. Even though I was numb I could feel them cutting at my innards. It was so strange to feel that but not feel the pain. All at once here came Jack up over the curtain so we could be (almost) the first ones to know his gender.

I think we were a highlight of the morning for the staff. They were all so excited when I told them we didn't know the baby's gender. Bets were placed left and right.

Jack is a beautiful baby. He surprised us with his blonde hair. He looks more like the Lowe side of the family right now. We'll have to see if he keeps the blonde hair. I think he will. He's been sleeping almost constantly since he was born 24 hours ago. I'm sure that will change soon.

Welcome to the world, little Jack.

Grandma's Here!

My kids are so excited to have Grandma here. Kennedy was so excited last night she couldn't go to sleep and she was up this morning waiting for Grandma to have her bath. Tristan fell in love with her instantly. We have had a busy day running last-minute errands but both kids have had plenty of time to wear out Grandma. I'm glad she's here too!

Here are some cute pictures she took today.

Aloha!

We're back. Here are a few pictures from our fun-filled week in Hawai'i.



This is the view from the Pali lookout. These are composite pictures to give you the panorama effect. That's why they're so small. The view was actually quite big. And windy, too.

Here we are at Masumoto's in Haleiwa, eating Shave Ice. The unique thing about Hawaiian Shave Ice (and that's the way they say it) is that you can get ice cream on the bottom. Yum!

A family photo in front of the temple in La'ie.

This is the Halona blow hole, doing its thing. The picture below was taken from a viewpoint on a cliff above the blow hole. The picture to the side is right up next to it. We caught it at high tide so it was going off in a very impressive way.

Happy 18th Birthday little sis!

Happy Birthday Alyssa! I can't believe you are 18 years old already! It seems like yesterday we were waiting anxiously in the waiting room to meet our baby sister. Ten years I had to wait for you! But it was all worth the wait. You are the best sister I could've asked for! It has been so much fun watching you grow up and now you are the most beautiful young woman. I am so glad we are so close. You mean so much to me! I know Siennah just adores you and will look up to you like I look up to Christi. I love you so much my little sister and best friend. Have an amazing birthday!
Love,
Tyff

Come Ooooooooooon!

Where is everyone?! For the first time in a while I check the family blog everyday to find no new posts! I mean I know there's 2 babies on their way and all... But I'd still like an update ;) Just kidding. If there's somethin cool happenin in your neighborhood let us know! And good luck to Christi and Tay with their beautiful babies coming! Yay!!

P.s. Look how cute me and Siennah are in yellow! Just giggling away. Gosh I miss her