Are you sure???

In the beginning we looked up the Chinese Gender Calendar which is supposed to be 93% accurate and it told us GIRL. We guessed that we conceived approximately one week before I turned 32 which would give a different result. We decided to call the baby a girl and hope it all worked out.

Then, two weeks ago we purchased this test from Walgreens just to satisfy curiosity a bit. It said GIRL!

So, when we went yesterday to get an ultrasound, we were certain it would confirm our thoughts of the past couple months. Instead...

It was so funny because Mark was really having a hard time accepting the technician's words when she said over and over, that is for sure the little boy part.

This is the first picture we saw that we could actually tell. This is a view from the bottom up. The bum is on the left and you can clearly see the left leg at the bottom. The little white spot in the middle is the little boy part. Mark was still in denial. Ha ha.

Got a few 3D pictures but the stinker wouldn't keep his hands away from his face. See the umbilical cord below his face?

Can't see a whole lot. Does have two arms, two legs, and it looks like all his fingers and toes. We are scheduled to do an anatomy scan in three weeks. That ultrasound will help us to know if there are any abnormalities in his heart, etc. We can't wait to meet our little guy.

Names: A lot of people are asking what we are planning to name him. For months now we have been calling him by his girl name so it will take a while for us to get used to calling him by the new name but we still have a little more then four months to get used to it. My favorite name at this time is Collin Daniel. What do you think? My second favorite is Lance Alan.

Unplanned trip to Missouri

With word of my uncle Hubert's passing we boarded a plane and spent a few days in Kansas City, Missouri. It was a sad occasion but we enjoyed spending quality time visiting with family we rarely get to see.

Being a war vet there was a traditional military goodbye.

We even got in a few church history sites.

Liberty Jail

Adam-Ondi-Ahman

Our Trip to New England

Yep, we took another trip...and it won't be the last. Ever heard of babymooning?

Our first stop was Portland, Maine where we took a ride on a lobster boat.

Once the trap was pulled we learned how to measure the lobster to see if it was big enough to keep.

After we determined it was big enough, we then looked to see if it was carrying eggs. Yuck, you can see the black all over the belly, these are eggs. Had to mark the tail to let other fishermen know that it is a fertile lobster and then throw it back in.

We got to help re-bate the traps.
And, band the claws.

Then, we were given the chance to buy the lobsters caught for $5! Mark couldn't pass it up, so we marched to the local lobster stand and they cooked it up for $10.

Bon Appetit!

Bye, bye Portland...we headed through the White Mountains to Montreal, Canada. Had to stop at this beautiful waterfall along the way.Notice the foliage, one of the reasons we made this trip at this time of year.

In Monteal we visited the Notre-Dame Basilica.

We also visited the Montreal temple.

And, of course it wouldn't be a big city without a Chinatown.

The next day we stopped by the Ben & Jerry's factory in Waterbury, Vermont for a tour...and a sample of course!

Later that day we stopped at the Joseph Smith memorial of his birthplace.

Last stop of the day, the home of Mark Twain in Hartford, CT.

The next morning we visited the Nautilus submarine and museum in Groton, CT.

Take a look at some of the pictures we took of the changing leaves (something we don't get to experience in Phoenix).

More lobster!

Spent some time in Newport, RI where there are a ton of mansions from the gilded era (late 1800s - early 1900s) We went through five houses total, the first (below) was the Breaker home which was built by the Vanderbilt family in 1895. This is the 5th largest home in America (the White House is #9).

We spent a couple hours at the Plimouth Plantation Living Museum where we could interact with Pilgrim characters.

Had to stop and see the Plymouth rock.

The last morning before heading to the airport we stopped to see the home of presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams. We forgot to snap a photo.

It was a great trip and we feel so fortunate to be able to experience some of American history and beauty.

The Family Angel

She was awake and quiet through the entire blessing given by her grandfather (Jessica's dad). Couldn't get her to wake up the rest of church.

After church we gathered in the bishop's office to witness Cory (below-on the right) receiving the Aaronic Priesthood. Now, as a Deacon he will be privileged to help distribute the sacrament on Sundays. It was a great weekend and we were so happy to be a part of these wonderful events.

A Very Special Baptism

Two weekends ago we went to Tucson to spend a special weekend with my brother and his family. It started Saturday morning with the baptism of my brother's stepson Noah. My brother was able to perform the ordinance which was a spectacle in itself (he had been inactive for 20 years).

After the baptism, Mark confirmed Noah with the gift of the Holy Ghost.

This is my brother with his wife Jessica, her two boys from a previous marriage and their little girl born in August.

My parents with Noah.