Lotoja

Last Saturday, Brock completed his first Lotoja (the 206 mile bike race from Logan to Jackson Hole). There was a lot of time and training that went into this and we are so proud of him. It was a long hard day, but he finished! Congratulations, we love you.

Kenton, Brock & Kyler at the start

Brock & Kyler at the finish

Elsa is 2 weeks old today.  She is such a sweetheart and a very good baby, letting her mom get some sleep!  

Hooray! I'm sleeping.

Lauren and Michael surprised us by driving home early from their summer in Florida.  They drove through the night to get back and see little Elsa.  What a great aunt and uncle!

Aunt Reghan is here for the week, visiting from NYC, it has been great having her around. Kayce & Taylor are also here visiting from LA.  We had a cookout together in the mountains last week. 

The hikers

Around the campfire.

My mom threw a birthday party for the grandkids while Kayce was here.  They had a ball.

Welcome Elsa

Elsa Helen Holt was born on August 11, 2009 at 8:34 pm.  I had gone to the doctor earlier in the day and came home disappointed that I was still pregnant but a couple hours after getting home I started having contractions.  We rushed Greta up to grandma and grandpa Holt's and headed for the hospital.  We got there sometime after 6 and she was born shortly after.  My doctor made it in time, he called it a "McBirth" - just a drive through.  I was definitely surprised to deliver an 8.13 pound baby.  I really don't know how she fit in me.  She is doing great and we are so happy to have her here.  Greta is excited to have her baby sister here.  She has been giving her kisses and soft love pats.  Thanks to our friends and families for all your love and support. 

Right after she made her entrance.

Meeting Mom

and Dad

A baby sister

Elsa and grandma

Heading home from the hospital.

July

I have been waiting for Greta's hair to finally get long enough to put in pig tails because- well is there anything cuter than little girls in pig tails?  These pictures are a special request for Aunt Lauren- who we miss but don't feel too sorry for.  While in Florida for the summer she gets Uncle Julio's, Blue Bell and fun visitors (you can see her blog for more details).  

I can't stand how big Greta looks in these pictures.  She is talking so much.  Some of our favorites are "binkie where are you?" (she asks 'where are you' about pretty much everything she is looking for), hot gow-wa for hot dog, counting to 10 , singing Wheels on the Bus (where she says- 'driver say move on back!') and Monkeys Jumping on the Bed.

We had a great Fourth of July.  Brock, in preparation for the Lotoja (the bike race from Logan to Jackson Hole in September), decided to ride his bike all the way up to their cabin.  So we drove up and met him there.  We had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa, here we are on a walk.

Walking with Grandma

We went back to down for fireworks that evening,  here is Greta with cousin Chloe.

While I have been trying to clean up my classroom, Brock took Greta to the zoo with cousin Halle. 

We are on count down to the new baby! Only about 3 weeks left until my due date but I am hoping this baby will come sooner!

Oh, Mexico - I Guess I'll Have to Go

We went on an amazing trip to Mexico with Brock's family.  We spent a week at Rocky Point and had a fabulous time!  It was so nice to spend some uninterrupted time together.  Greta loved having her daddy all to herself and I loved the ocean breeze which made it nice and cool. The beach was beautiful, the pools were great and it was nice to be with family.

Greta and Grandpa, behind him the condos we stayed at.

Family walk on the beach

We went to the aquarium one day, here is Halle and Lindsey with the sea turtles.  It was pretty much what you would expect from a mexican aquarium.
Greta and Mom

Sand castles

Greta and Brock had so much fun playing in the waves.

Mmmmmmm

May

Near the end of April, we were able to welcome the newest Cypers girl into the family.  Brock's sister Amber had a beautiful little girl, Leila.

Greta with Uncle Mitch and Leila.

May was eventful.  Lauren's wedding was beautiful and it was wonderful to be with so much family, thank you for all your support.  Her reception was at Thanksgiving Point and I think we should have some really nice pictures to post when we get them.  We had a lot of fun with Kayce and her family while they were in town. 

Greta and Lulu had a ball together.
The girls at the wedding dinner.

My aunt Diane got this cute shot of Greta and Brock.  Most of the pictures I have seen I am not fond of because, well who likes pictures of themselves pregnant?  The one below doesn't bother me too much plus it has the added bonus of my mom and Joe dancing in the background. 

Greta was a maniac on the dance floor.  We had better watch out.  Plus she also experienced her first crush.  Lauren's friend, Cassidy, has a little cousin Cooper who was apparently very smitten with her.  He just stood and stared and from what I hear, still talks about her.  Here she is dancing with cousin Axel.