Halloween Party – 1

Grandma Kristi held her annual Halloween Party last Friday.

The kids loved it. There was pizza, cookies, games, gifts and LOTS of fun.

This year there was even a sleepover for the bigger kids.

“Super Mario” Will & “Ladybug” Tessa

Tessa & Andrew

Stephanie & Dana were able to come down from Cedar City as well. I didn’t get any pictures of the festivities, but we did try to make a picture of all the grand kids (minus Caleb). I think TRY is the best description.

 

First Brush with Winter

It’s a little hard to see, but the first snow of the season is here…

Anniversary Fun

Every anniversary we try to do something fun. Which is one of the reasons that we celebrate both anniversaries!!

This last Friday, the 15th, we went up to Snowbird, the place where Trevor proposed 5 years ago (actually a day after what would become our 2nd wedding day).

We also drove up to Alta and then to Albion Basin, and did a short hike to Secret Lake.

It was so pretty.

Will loves to climb on all the big rocks. And Tessa was just as content as always.

Pretty sunset on the drive out of the canyon.

Tessa – 9 Months

Earlier this month Tessa turned 9 months. We went in for her check-up with the Pediatrician today.

We were just a little worried that she wasn’t growing as much as she should, since she seems so small. But she is growing just fine! Tessa gained 3 pounds and grew 2 inches over the last 3 months. (I think all that happened in the last 2 weeks.) Her stats are at the bottom of this post.

She is hitting a lot of her developmental milestones on the early side, so the Dr. was very happy with her.

In other Tessa-News, I think it is time to lower her mattress:

 

Tessa’s Stats:

		Weight			Length			Head Circumference
		Pounds	Grams	%	Inches	Cm	%	Inches	%
At birth		6 lbs 13 oz	3100		19	48		13.5
2-weeks	0 m 13 d	7 lbs 5 oz	3310	20.66	20	50	40.72	14.2	55.36
2-months	2 m 1 d	10 lbs 7 oz	4758	40.62	22	56	35.33	15.2	53.79
4-months	4 m 3 d	13 lbs 3 oz	5980	38.08	25	63.5	76.45	16.5	74.94
6-months	6 m 13 d	13 lbs 15 oz	6320	8.72	25.5	64.5	31.84	17	65.33
9-months	9 m 11 d	16 lbs 15 oz	7680	14.27	27.5	70	42.05	17.6	67.99

Walking to cure Diabetes!

The last weekend in September we helped to raise money to find a cure for Diabetes.

Most of you know that Trevor has had Type 1 Diabetes (also known as Juvenile Diabetes) since he was 13 years old. He has a pretty good grip on it and can live an almost normal life. But there is no cure and all of us hope for one. Sooner rather than later.

Every year several fundraiser walks are organized all over the country to raise money. This year was the first time that we participated. We’re planning to walk again next year.

Our team raised $500. A big thanks to those of you who donated. The Utah County walk raised about $200,000 total. (Just so you know, we’re hoping to raise double our team’s donation!!)

Thanks to Kris, Josh, aunt Denise and uncle Kent for walking with us!

2nd 4th

It has been 4 years since that beautiful Sunday when we renewed our vows in front of our families and friends.

Time flies when you’re having fun!

I remember the day before our wedding it rained and rained in Moab. The bride that Saturday was not enjoying the weather. Luckily for us on Sunday the skies were clear, the sun had come out and Canyonlands was as pretty as always.

For my Dutch family October 15th is our official wedding day, since some of them were able to be there.

I’d love to go back to that day and relive it. As well as the trip we took the following week.

Happy 2nd 4th Anniversary Trevor! On to the 1st 5th.

Thank you

Just a quick word of thanks to all of you who sent us your thoughts and kind words this week.

Love,

Trevor, Mayke, Will & Tessa

Giddy Up Horsey

While on our hike last Saturday we encountered a group of people on horses.

They were kind enough to let the kids ride.

It made their day!

2

Today is Malena’s birthday.

She would have turned 2.

I wish we had a better picture of her. Without the tube and tape.

We have some, but those we taken at the viewing. And that wasn’t our little girl anymore.

The past year has been harder for me than the first year was. I think having Tessa has put the loss of Malena in perspective. Now I know what we’re missing out on.

My feelings are so mixed. I know that it is better this way. It was good to have her with us for 2 days. And she fought so hard. But her life would have been too restricted had she survived. Letting her go and having her live through her last moments in our arms was one of the hardest but also most beautiful times of my life. I am sure Trevor feels the same.

There still are days that I think “I should have..” or “If I only…”. I am trying to let go of that. Because it might not have made a difference.

Many good things have happened since Malena passed away. We’ve learned how great our extended families are. They were there for us around the clock. We learned how many friends we have. We heard from people we hardly knew who had been through something similar. There are not enough Thank You’s to show our gratitude.

Trevor and I have gotten stronger together. We learned so much about each other.

And Tessa would probably not have been in our lives had Malena lived. Tessa is such a gift to all three of us.

This morning Will picked up Malena’s urn from the mantelpiece. He kissed it and gave it to Tessa. She of course tried to put it in her mouth. Will told her not to do that “Your sister is in there!”.

He is such a great brother. He still talks about Malena. How he misses her and how he wishes she would still be here.

And on her first birthday he asked for cupcakes. Because we should celebrate Malena.

So we will make cupcakes again today. To wish Malena a Happy Birthday!

Sweet dreams little girl, we miss you and love you lots!

 

 

Dianna & Lindsay (& Caleb)

It is always fun when family comes to visit.

This weekend we are lucky, because Dianna, Lindsay, Caleb (and on Sunday Stephanie) are here.

We went for a little hike up South Fork Canyon.

And after that a picnic with Grandma.

It was gorgeous. The fall colors are starting to fade just a little and the weather is cooling down.

Just love Fall in Utah!