A couple of weeks ago I was able to go to Mesa State College in Grand
Junction, Colorado to present some research that I co-authored.
Awesome opportunity and a fun trip. With me in the picture is Chad
Albrecht, Gordon Hoffman and Chris Ainge.

Dustin's status...

So as many of you know, Dustin enlisted in the US Army and left for Basic Training a month ago. What you may not know is that once he got there, he realized the Army isn't for him and was able to find a way out of his contract. After weeks of paperwork and out-processing, he's almost home. We're hoping he'll be home within a week, and then we can start up on our life's next adventure!! I've been working on enrolling him in Fall classes at USU, and even though he'll probably miss the first week of class, we think it'll be a great next step for our family! So keep us in your thoughts and pray that he'll come home REALLY soon! Thanks to everybody for your help and support through all of this. Afton and I are looking forward to having Dustin home!! We miss you, Dustin!!

Keith's Wedding and Stina's visit!!!

Keith and Sarah got married last week, which was exciting and awesome! Congrats you two! This happy occasion brought Christina and Lily to Utah. It was so fun to spend time with them, and see Afton and Lily playing together. Lily is Afton's only cousin, and this was the first time they met, so it was a lot of fun! Lily is less than 3 months older than Afton, so they got along great!! They always seemed to find little corners to congregate and play! So cute!!

My sister, Stina, made this for Afton's birthday. So talented...cute huh?!
Here are the girls in one of the many car rides we took!!! Afton's jamming, and Lily's sound asleep!

My brother, Dan, had the fun task of babysitting two one-year-olds during Keith's wedding in the Salt Lake Temple. My cousins twins also got to help out! So here Dan is with his 4 girls...everybody thought they were two sets of twins and HIS children! Wow!!! What fun!! Dan is such a trooper and great with the kids! Thanks!

The Big #1!!!!!

Afton turned a whole year old yesterday!!!! We can't believe how fast the time has gone by and how big our little baby is!!!

Oh yeah...she got into tearing the paper off! But then she wanted to play with the paper!!
She was dancing around Dustin like this the entire time he was helping her open presents!! Look at her cute curls!!!
She definitely knew something special was going on for her. When we sang to her she got all happy when we said her name! How do ya like the ladybug cake?!
She wasn't into the cake as much as I thought, but she sure loved the ice cream!! Just like her daddy...

Army

Dear Friends and Family,

   This is Dustin...I know you don't hear from me too often on this thing...well, either of us for that matter, ha!  I will cut to the chase so as to make this short and sweet... I have enlisted into the United States Army.  Signed the contract and sworn in.  I will be shipping out 28 July 2009 to Ft. Benning GA for my Basic Training.  I guess that's about it....wish us luck!

        Dustin 

Misc....

CENSORED!!!!
Little mess maker!!!
She got stuck under her exersaucer while she was exploring!!!
Crawling behind the couch!!
She got a hold of a pen and had some fun!!!
Going on a summer walk!  Isn't she stylin?!?!

PEEK-A-BOO!!!!
Her first walking injury!!!  She was walking up to the computer chair Dustin was sitting in and face-planted!  She was ok, no worries!!!
So much for having a baby gate....this is her today climbing up anyway...we've caught her standing up on the little ledge holding onto the gate and crying because she can't get down.  Sigh...

Sitting, standing, climbing, walking....

This is her favorite spot to play!!!

Standing infront of the TV stand....

Our little stinker climbs up the stairs, so we had to get ourselves a much-needed baby gate!!
This is the first time she stood up on her own!  So cute!!!
Look at her just chillin by the couch!!!
Standing on her own...
And now walking...the little terror!!!!