Everything overboard

Sometimes when Esther is done napping she gets mad and throws her things out of the Pack n Play. The sound of her scream changes when she finally decides to throw the pacifier out. We, as parents, realize that she won't go back to sleep and that it may be best to go get her up.

Today, Esther screamed for a bit, so I went in the get her up. Something seemed 'off'. Notice the pile on the side of her Pack n Play includes two blankets, two stuffed animals, the pacifier, and a certain whitish object covering Buster's nose. Also, notice her use of the puffed out lower lip.

Beatrice loves being with Dad

 

Esther's backyard spot

 

 

Esther likes to hang out in the corner of the backyard. From her perch she can spot birds and throw around rocks while leaning against the fence.

Beatrice and her Aunt Gina

 

Esther helping Dad plant some tomatoes

 

Dad and the girls on Father's Day

 

Esther plays with her new sprinkler

 

What a goofy kid

 

Welcome baby Beatrice

 

 

Beatrice was baptized after mass this Sunday. Her godparents are our friends Rick and Angela Hernandez.

Amy Strutzenberg

We are sad that our friend Amy has left us so soon. We shared so many fun times and we had plans for countless more. It was only a few months ago we talked about how exciting it was to look forward to many years of friendship between the Deans and the Strutzenbergs. We are blessed to have known Amy, even if only for 6 short years.

Remembering Amy

Amy the undergrad

 

Amy and Tyson came over for some Pork Loin and salad. Here, Amy the undergrad ventured out to the apartment of a bunch of dorky grad students. Little did she know that later that evening those same dorky grad students would rescue her when she ran out of gas on the way home.

First camping trip

 

We took many camping trips with the Strutzenbergs. Here they are after just a few months of dating. Amy drove and we listened to the styrofoam cooler squeak the entire way.

Esther and Amy

 

 

Here Amy and Esther are getting to know eachother at a Christmas get together. Esther took her first steps at the Strutzenberg's Super Bowl Party a few months later. When Esther was only a week old she spent her first New Years at Tyson and Amy's house. We lost power at our house and Amy and Tyson were out of town and let us use their house for a few days.

Jerel and Chana's party

 

 

Jerel and Chana hosted a Christmas party and Amy and Tyson brought supplies to make wreaths with Corn Flakes, melted marshmellows, and green food coloring.

At our wedding

 

 

 

Tyson and Amy were married a few months before us. It was fun to go through the engagement and wedding process with them. We remember the look on Amy's face as she came down the aisle to meet Tyson. It was a look of excitement about everything that was in front of her. We've never seen a happier bride.

Amy and the kids

 

 

Amy LOVED being around Esther and Beatrice. It is sad to know they will not grow up with her. As far as we can remember, Amy was the first of our friends to hold each of our kids, in both cases only a few minutes after they were born. The second picture is from Esther's baptism. Sadly, we don't have any pictures of Amy with Beatrice.

Ski trip

 

 

 

Here we are on a ski trip to Squaw Valley. Gathered in the hotel in the evening, with Jerel, Chana, and Tyson watching, Amy tried and failed to get Jed to do some affirmation.

Giants game

 

Tyson and Amy invited us to see a baseball game. The tickets were free, their realtor provided a nice spread of food, and we couldn't say no. It rained a little but we got to see the big league debut of pitcher Matt Cain, the Giants hot young prospect. Sara looks a little funny and we joke about this often. Sara was pregnant with Esther and Amy was very excited for us.

Discussions and Wikipedia

 

Late one evening Amy rode Esther's toy horse over to the computer to settle one of our many debates only Wikipedia could resolve.

Late night at the Deans

 

Tyson and Amy came to Indiana for Dave and Sarah's wedding on December 30th. After the reception ended at midnight, we headed out to rent a movie. Our adventure also took us to the grocery store were we had plenty of laughs and purchased the necessary gummies, white cheddar Cheetos, and Diet Coke. We returned to the Dean Estate and watched Talladega Nights with Mom and Dad Dean. The night ended sometime around 4am.

Amy at the Deans

 

 

 

Tyson and Amy came to the Dean house in Indiana to celebrate New Years. The kid couples took turns cooking meals. On this evening Tyson and Amy amazed the family with stuffed chicken, risotto, and cheesecake for dessert. We were excited to show off to Mom & Dad Dean what excellent cooks we had for friends.