He's a BOY!!!

We are so incredibly excited to announce we are having a BOY!!! Things will not be the same around here at the Barnes house; however, we are up for the challenge of raising two rambunctious little boys. I can't wait to teach them to be good men, I mean, GREAT men. I hope they will be best friends for life.

4 months (17 1/2 weeks)

just wondering...

Why every time Edward gets sick, I have to get it too....

200th post?!

Wow... this is officially post 200!! What a great one to date!

We celebrated Memorial Day in beautiful Phoenix Arizona. I had planned for months to throw Stephen a huge surprise party to celebrate his 30Th Birthday. I worked with his Mom, my Mom, and Blair to put together an amazing party.

At first I thought only a handful of people would show up. Much to my surprise, when we walked in the door at Craig and Blair's house there were more than 50 people in the room. I know Stephen felt extra special.








I also searched for months for the perfect 30Th birthday gift; a brand new laptop. He hasn't put it down since he got it. I know he loves and I hope it will last for the next 10 years.
We arrived in Phoenix on Saturday night then went straight to bed. Sunday I arranged for us to have a few family pictures taken. As you saw from my previous post, Edward did not cooperate. We did get a few shots and I officially have a family picture hanging on my wall. Sunday night we drove over for the surprise party to meet up with many friends. It was hard to visit with everyone because there were so many people there.

Monday was a beautiful Memorial day and we celebrated by eating some yummy hamburgers on the grill. Each night we were there we spent with our BFF's, Craig and Blair. I even won one game... however, I must admit I have played bunco a little more than anyone else at the table. Tuesday I tried to meet up with my college friends and only ended up seeing one. Of course I forgot to take a picture. Edward also took his first dip in a swimming pool!! I did not forget my camara for that. We flew home Wednesday night and I have been recovering ever since.



I am so grateful we have family and friends that live sort of close so we can visit often. I am sure the next time we will be in Phoenix will be after our cute little baby is born. Stay tuned to find out the gender June 15Th.
Happy Saturday, bloggers!

A few family pictures

We had some more family pictures taken while we were in Phoenix (since our session with an expensive photographer didn't turn out). Edward was less than agreeable. I scanned in the images so they are not as clear and pristine as they are in person.

We had them taken by a family friend, Robert Tolar. Visit his website at http://www.robertjamesphotos.com/

Monday...

2005

2006

2007
Just sitting here wondering what to do with this beautiful Monday and can't think of much. Edward, somehow, slept in until 8:00 AM! What? I thought he was going to have a rough night because he wasn't feeling well yesterday so I went to bed at 8:30 PM. Yes, that is right readers, Eight Thirty! So I awoke well before 7:00 AM and have been wondering around the house waiting for him to wake up. It is incredibly windy today and slightly cold so going outside has not become an option for me. I am READY for it to be summer. Is it summer yet? How about now? I heard it snowed in Utah... weird.
I was thinking, the other day, about marriage. Stephen believes every relationship has a "crack". Some are small and some multiply with time. I thought about the "crack" in our relationship. Sometimes it seems like the size of the Grand Canyon. Other times it barely exists. We try to avoid the topic as much as possible; however, as every married couple, or couple for that matter, knows... that is impossible. The cracks show every once in a while. I would LOVE to pretend our relationship is PERFECT, but that is a lie. Stephen believes we are incredibly lucky because we just have the one small crack. I am just wondering... does everyone believe this? OR are we all hiding under the mask of our front door? (Meaning... do we pretend things are perfect when they are not?)
I can't decide if it is better to proclaim your cracks or just let them lie and let people believe the facade. I will say this... I have NEVER been happier in my entire life, well the life I can remember. I am sure I had amazing experiences as a child and I know I was happy; however, I feel TRULY happy and blessed and lucky and, OK, just overall HAPPY. So I think our little crack is OK as long as it never grows.
Just some food for thought on this beautiful Monday.
2008
Also, if you read this far... Stephen and I will be in Phoenix next weekend. Craig and Blair are hosting a little party for us (and mostly Stephen). If you would like to come, leave me a comment and I will send you the information. We would love to be able to see everyone and that includes you!

2009

2010

15 Months and a Hike!

Edward is officially 15 months old!! He is a happy bouncing baby (oh wait, not a baby anymore) Boy! We have been trying to go on an adventure every day because being trapped in the house is terrible for a 1 year old boy. Today we went on a hike with my friend Andrea and her three adventures kids. After climbing off the trail and made our own path we ventured back to the car. Once Edward was strapped in his car seat, he fell right to sleep. I guess that 20 minute drive home will count as his nap. Enjoy the updated pictures!