A quick pic

Here is a picture of Garrett at the pool. He wasn't crazy about the goggles.

It's a Boy!!!!!

We are so excited to announce our new baby boy. While he won't arrive in the mail for another few months (estimated arrival: January 10th, subject to change) we are really excited for him. Tasha was really set on a baby sister so when we told her it will be a boy she was really upset. She said, "No mom, I said a baby SISTER." Its a good lesson in "we don't always get what we want." I told her we'll have to see what happens next time, and Steph said "Next time?" Its way too early to talk about next time, we haven't even had this time yet.

I'm in Washington DC this weekend at a training. Its with the American Society of Appraisers so pretty soon I can tell you all about how to value a business, if you ever need to know.

My First Day

Today is my first day at my new job in New York City. I'm writing from the train ride home. It was an exciting day full of meeting new people. I am now in the Transaction Services Practice at PwC. I will get to work on a lot of cool stuff and have time with some really smart people.

Today they took me to lunch at O'Charley's right across the street from the office. It was a good pub. I had the BBQ salmon sandwich, highly recommeded.

The office is on Park Ave and 42 street, just up the block from Grand Central Terminal. We sure have had a lot of changes lately. A couple of weeks ago I was called as the Elders Quorum President. There is a lot of work to do and I am feeling the pressure of it all. Luckily I have a good group of councilors who help me a lot.

I can blog on my Blackberry

This is so cool. I just found out that I can blog on my Blackberry. Now I can tell you what its like to ride the train or give you a running commentary on our lives. You will know that I am using the Blackberry because the spelling will be all crazy. We had fun at the New York Hall of Science yesterday. They had some really fun stuff and the kids had fun playing. They got to drive a dragster, play with light and sound, see some microbes, and they loved the Gatorade at lunch.

Summer Fun at the Zoo

Here are some pictures of the kids at the Bronx Zoo. We went with Monica, Dominick, and Kambree. Tasha and Garrett get along great with Dominick and Kambree. Monica even puts up with Steph.

Things are changing

Some new developments this week. Today Rob was set apart as the new Elders Quorum President. He has been the First Councilor in the EQ for a year and a half now, but he is still pretty nervous about the change. Seems like we are always changing around here.

Keeping with the change theme Rob starts his new position in New York City in only another two weeks! Today we realized it is time to order the train ticket for next month.

So, we will keep on changing around here. Rob got to talk with Dan on the video chat tonight and that was really fun. Dan is still talking in his sing-songy brazilian accent, but it is good to have him home. We really hope he finds himself a date soon so he can get back to normal.

This is Tasha and Garrett getting out of the tub on our trip to Washington D.C. this spring. What a couple of cheeseballs!

Some sad news

On Tuesday, July 3, Grandpa Fredericks passed away. He has been battling congestive heart failure for a long time and we are sad to see him go, but glad that he is no longer in pain.

We were very lucky to have seen him just a couple of weeks ago during our trip to Utah. We will miss his stories and humor. He always has an opinion on everything.

Our thoughts are with Grandma as she adjusts to this time alone. We will keep her in our thoughts and in our prayers. Steph left on Friday to be with her family during the funeral. We were very fortunate to have the timing work out that she could be gone for the weekend.

This makes two grandparents lost in three months. In March Grandma Anderson passed away suddenly.

We are very greatful that the Gospel provides us with answers to some of the difficult questions that arise at times like these. We are thankful for the Savior who made it possible that we can be reunited with our families. Each lost family member strengthens our resolve to keep the commandments so we can be a forever family.

We love you Grandpa and hope that you have found those who were waiting for you.