Introducing...

Daniel James Whitaker

Born Saturday, 9 October at 8:56 am.

7 lbs, 8 oz, 20 1/2 inches

Kiss from big brother

Visit from Uncle Jared...

and Aunt Becky

Sweet little boy

Sun Valley

Oh, how I love Sun Valley! This was our second time going for an estate planning conference for Bill. The weather was cool, but pleasant and we had a great time. It wasn't as relaxing as last year because Sam was running all over the place. He's getting faster and faster and I'm getting slower and slower. He thinks it's hilarious to run away from me and squeals louder and runs faster the more I shout his name and run after him. He's going to wear me out!

Feeding the ducks

Taking a break and watching "Cars"

Running from Daddy

Taking a dip in the heated pool...Heaven!

More time with the ducks

Summer dinner

My sister's and I were finally able to find an evening to get our families together for an end of summer dinner. We all met at Ann's house and played in their beautiful back yard, ate delicious food and chatted until the sun went down. It was great!

Sam on the horsie swing with Seth & Luke

Yummy dinner

Seth & Sam cornering Licky. Poor cat.

Playing croquet

Summer Daze

This summer has flown by but it's been a fun one! We had several days of over 100 degrees, but tried to get out as much as possible. Sam loves to be outside doing anything!

Sam discovers static with his balloons

Enjoying the soft grass and a cool evening

Sam discovered the wooden shoes I brought home from my mission. He insisted on wearing them the rest of the day and loved the clicking sound and echo they make on the tile in the kitchen.

Feeding the goats at the Boise Zoo. He couldn't get enough!

Helping daddy wash the car

Thirty-WHAT?!?!?

It's true. I am thirty-five. Why does that number sound so much older than I feel (and look, I hope)?!

I had a great day! Bill came home from work early and had arranged for my sister to watch Sam that evening so we could go have a nice, quiet dinner. We went to Bardenay and sat on their beautiful patio along the river. Then he surprised me with a wonderful gift certificate for a 1 1/2 hour massage. He also promised me a "free day" on Saturday where he took Sam the whole day and I got to work on a few unfinished projects. In between, I went to my massage and was in pure heaven!

Just when I thought the celebrating was over, Bill baked two cakes after church on Sunday and had me convinced that they were for someone's birthday at work. Then after dinner, both my sister's and their families showed up for a little party. What a guy!

Sam enjoyed his own piece of cake and chasing all of his cousins around the house. Thank you for a wonderful birthday weekend!

Visit to Utah

Whitaker Reunion at Disneyland

I can't believe this trip has already come and gone! It seems like we had been looking forward to it forever and now it's just a memory. We had a blast with Bill's parents, brother, four of six sisters and their families.

We left for the airport early Sunday morning. After a 2 hour flight, a 30 minute wait for our shuttle and another 45 minute drive, we made it to our hotel.

Sam did great. He was wide-eyed the entire time and loved all the rides (except the Haunted Mansion--what were we thinking??). I would take him back to the hotel for a wonderful 3 hour nap in the afternoons and then we'd hit the parks again. I loved all the walking, since I haven't been doing much at home, but I was sad to miss all of my favorite rides. "It's a Small World" just doesn't give me the same rush as "Tower of Terror"!

The weather was perfect! It was nice and cool in the mornings and just right in the afternoons. We had three full days in both parks and even spent Thursday morning hitting some last rides before heading for the airport. We miss everyone already!