Sunday, April 12, 2009

Hello!!

Thank you for taking the time to get to know us a little better.


We know you face some difficult challenges and want you to know of your place in our prayers each day. Just as the Spirit speaks peace to our hearts, we hope it will guide you, comfort you, and also bring peace to your heart as you make important decisions.

Our Family's Beginnings

Danielle and I have been married for almost nine years. Nell’s aunt – my next door neighbor growing up – introduced us not long after Nell received her master’s degree. Because I was going to school in Colorado and Nell was working in Salt Lake City, we didn’t see each other very often at first; however, we spent many long, late nights talking on the telephone. It was there that I really got to know Nell. It was there that I fell in love. Thankfully, I was able to return to Salt Lake City for medical school and we were engaged soon after. We are best friends and have a wonderful marriage.




Isn't she cute??

Jeff and Danielle at the San Francisco Symphony.

Jeff and Danielle after a nice dinner.

Jeff and Danielle among the redwoods at Muirwoods, just north of San Francisco.

Jeff and Danielle at Donut Falls.

Jeff and Nell at our favorite Disneyland!!

Merry Christmas!!

Happy Fourth of July!!


Why we want to adopt

After we had been married for a few years, we felt something was missing – we yearned for a child in our home. After our efforts to start a family were unsuccessful, we were excited to learn that adoption could fill the hole in our hearts.


Eighteen months ago a miracle happened in our lives: Jeff and I were chosen by a sweet birthmother to adopt her baby girl. The bonding was instantaneous, and Kaitlyn is the joy of our home. We love her so much and know that though the road we traveled was sometimes long and difficult, it was very much worth it. She blesses our lives each day with her rambunctious smile and inquisitive mind.





We are excited about the prospect of bringing another child into our home through the miracle of adoption. Danielle and I are not the only ones who are excited; whenever we ask Kaitlyn if she wants a new brother or sister, she giggles and claps her hands loudly. She will be a good big sister who is anxious to show a baby brother or sister all the ropes.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Our Little Family -- minus one!!

Daddy!! Watch our for the duck!! It QUACKS!!
Our Princess Kaitlyn

I always knew Danielle would be a wonderful mother. She was always, and still is, the favorite aunt. Our nieces and nephews can’t wait for Aunt Nell to visit and play with them. But when I saw the look in Danielle’s eyes the first time she held our little Kaitlyn, I knew I had grossly underestimated her capacity for love and affection. As I have watched her over the last eighteen months, she continues to amaze me. She is sweet, kind, and watchful. No detail escapes her notice and Kaitlyn wants for nothing. They dance, read stories, and play dolls together. Kaitlyn loves her Mommy and her Mommy adores her.

Kaitlyn is definitely a “Daddy’s Girl.” She sprints to the door each evening when Jeff gets home from work for a hug and kiss. They love to go to the park together where they chase each other all over the playground. They go on walks through our cul-de-sac; and before bedtime each evening, she sits in his lap for story time. He is kind and gentle and I couldn’t ask for a better father for my children.

Everyone at Uncle Chris and Aunt Robyn's wedding.

Grandpa O and Miss Kait on her first day of sledding.
We're not sure which she liked better -- the sledding or the hot chocolate afterwards!!

Jeff, Kaitlyn, and Grandpa and Grandma.
This might have been Kaitlyn's first pizza, but we think she'll remember the rootbeer more than the pizza -- what do you think?
Kaitlyn and her cousin Brooklyn sledding in Idaho.

Our extended families couldn’t be more thrilled or more in love with our Kaitlyn. She is blessed to have both sets of grandpas and grandmas still with us. Although they live out of town, Kaitlyn gets to see them each week via webcam and we travel to see them several times each year. Last year my whole family traveled to spend the holidays with us – those memories, and many others, are a reminder to Kaitlyn of how much she is loved and appreciated in our family. Although our parents work hard at their jobs, they are first and foremost ‘grandparents’ and can’t wait to have another grandchild to spoil.

Kaitlyn’s cousins were especially excited when she came into our home. They love to play with her and read her stories. They play dolls and dress up with her. They are thrilled that they might soon have another cousin in the family to play with and to love.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Family Fun!!

We love to spend time together as a family – whether we are making a quick trip to the grocery store or sitting down to play Chutes & Ladders or Scrabble. We love to go to football and basketball games. From San Francisco to Maui, and small mountain campgrounds to our favorite Disneyland, we enjoy traveling and seeing new things together. Kaitlyn is a joy and is always excited to go on a family outing!!

Down on the Riverwalk.


What?!? You mean there are M&Ms and jelly beans in this egg?
Can I have these scrambled for breakfast?

Sunday morning church comes a little early for Miss Kait.

Busted!! Kaitlyn caught with her hands in our friends' Easter basket.


Nell and Kait at Seaworld.


Miss Kait playing it cool and trying to avoid the paparazzi at Seaworld.


Mommy and Lady Bug Kait at Halloween.




Nell and Kait at the playhouse.


Sunning by the pool.


Kaitlyn at the pumkin patch.


We love to go the park!!


Kaitlyn and Daddy on the bus.

Jeff and Kaitlyn playing in the snow.

Jeff and Nell in Maui.

Jeff and Nell on the Riverwalk for Jeff's birthday.

Can anyone get enough of Disneyland?!?