My friend said to me after Max was born, "Atleast one of us has a hispanic baby!" She is by parentage hispanic, but her husband is "fish-belly white." Her babies are fare skinned, light eyes... Mine has a mustache at two!

YOUNG WOMENS NEW BEGINNINGS

Each of the colors is represented in my outfit. Not seen are the purple scrunchy and the gold ribbon in my hair. This spectacle had a purpose in my talk. Faith (white tights): strong like the muscles of the legs to carry us forward in this great work and teaches humility to drop to our knees in prayer. Divine Nature (blue sweater): Know that each of us is son or daughter of God. Wrap this around you like a warm sweater and take comfort in you divine heritage. Individual Worth (red belt): Look at this belt. Your individual worth has nothing to do with what size you are, what you look like or what your body type may be. It has everything to do with you being of great worth to our Heavenly Father. Knowledge (green dress): Cover your life with knowledge and learning. You can never get too much. Choice & Accountablity (orange shirt): make choices consistent with what you know in your heart to be true, what you've been taught by goodly parents and the Holy Ghost. The accounting will be with peace and confidence. Good Works (yellow shoes): May each step you take carry you toward service for your fellowmen and God. Integrity (purple scruncy): Be like this scruncy- it does what it says its going to do. Virtue (gold ribbon around head): Wrap your thoughts and desires in virtue without ceasing.

New Beginnings for our Young Womens program was beautiful. All of our young women and their parents came. The Spirit was strong and we felt nourished by the testimonies shared.

Good times for 3-4 year olds or 34, whichever.

Adam and Betsy in Cancun

October 2009- the best trip ever!

Nice swimsuit, eh? I thought this was practical- and maybe it was important I be seen by the lifeguard on the beach if I were in trouble in the water! Adam positively glows with his radiant white flesh!

Brooklin's eye with the lens.

Fastforward to 2009 Halloween. She is really good with her camera!

Brooklin's evolution the last three years.

Perfect Model for an artistic cousin!

August 2007

She learned to bottle pears, but this is only a side job. Here are some of her photos she has taken over the last few years.

Lets review the past three years...

Our anniversary was nice. Max gets to spend some quality time Aunt Lee and cousin Brooklin. Lets see the damage.

Destination Weddings are worth it!

Left- Kate and I celebrating our luck to get Charlie married to a wonderful woman.

Sawtooth trail hike before the wedding. This is one my favorite trails. I could catch this behind my friend's house and run to Tahoe City or wherever! Most of my long runs were from this trail. Good times...good times...

Taking a little road trip back in time...Lets start with 2009 big events. Most notably, Charlie and Pat were married in Squaw Valley near Lake Tahoe.

Lets Reminisce

Graduation Dinner May 2007 and Shawn with Adam.

Max's first smile (look closer)!

At right, after placement. Let the bliss (some of it is sleep deprivation induced) begin!

June 8, 2007 we met our amazing birthmother and her family!

Max's birth father and grandfather holding him at four months old.

Uncle Lawrence's baptism and Max's baby shower in July 2007

(Below) At placement. The drive home from St. George after placement June 29, 2007.

Max is two hours old. He'd been asleep, but when Adam held him the first time, he opened his eyes and they just looked at each other for about 15 minutes.

May 2007, Adam's pharmacy graduation from ISU. This day was a long time coming!

The Big Slide

No fear- except that Mommy will go down with him and crash!