The Rest Of July

Bruce at two weeks old.

Some pictures from this morning, July 31.

I think he likes the sling. Instantly fell asleep.

These will eventually have baskets of toys in each square. Right now, it's fun to play in.

Bruce Royal Hinkson

Ralph and I went on a date on Saturday Night. Just in time. So this is 39.5 weeks along.

Bruce was born, 7lb 12oz, 20.5 inches long, 8:30 in the morning, after 8 hours of labor. And I wasn't induced at all.

He had low blood sugar so they gave him some formula to get it up to where it should be.

All clean and resting in his new bed.

The girls came to met their baby brother, who they knew was hanging out in mommy's tummy for the last few months.

Me and my girls. They are so cute!

Grandpa Bruce and little Bruce.

Bruce brought the girls new scooters! They loved them. Raced around the hospital room like pros.

Yes, I always smile when I sleep. He he.

My father in law came right when I was finishing my shower. Looking alright for being in the hospital.

Some candid shots.

The girls came again to check out Bruce. Hannah says, he's all right.

Ready to head home.

Ralph picked this lion as the animal marker. Here's Bruce at three days old. Stay tuned to watch him grow.

Things back to normal. Amber being a mommy, Hannah playing on the iTouch.

8th Anniversary

I have to put some Anniversary pictures on. It was just what I needed to relax, reevaluate, and revitalize for the last few weeks of pregnancy and first few weeks of having three kids.

Our super cheap, super good dinner! If you are ever in Park City and want some quick good food, look up Teriyaki Grill! We had stake, salmon, and a California roll for $20!

We went to the Park City Museum and Territorial Jail. I would only suggest going if you have lots of kids under six, they get in for free. (37 1/2 weeks pregnant.)

Ralph blowing up something in the local mines.

As per our tradition, Ralph with some interesting looking sea food hanging out of his mouth.

Our nice dinner out with "our countries flag" waving in the breeze outside. Our girls yell that out whenever they see a flag.

Time to catch up... before it's too late!

Ralph and the girls enjoying a cookie during movie night. I decided to wait to put clothes on them. There was too much chocolate involved.

Mother's Day. Flowers and treats.

Mother's Day morning. Breakfast in bed and things to pamper me. What a great family I have!

Creative Amber. Look, no hands!

Finishing up the basement. This was a great day. All of the plastic came off the floors and all of the tape came down. Last step - base boards. (Which are all done now, two months later.)

The color of Ralph's office, and Amber in a little bit of a jam. The funny thing is she held still for this!

The great torch has been passed on. Amber's favorite Cherry dress, which she wore at least once a week for two years, is now Hannah's. And they both are ok with it. Nice.

Visiting Grandma and Grandpa Merrill while they were on duty at the Conference Center. The girls had a great time in the great open space. It's a big building.

These two have had a love hate relationship for the first two years of their lives. Mostly it has been Eli trying to hug or play with Hannah, Hannah getting smashed or trampled, or Hannah just crying when Eli walks by. All he wants to do is play. So they can now play together nicely... most of the time.

Cousins and lolly pops, at Gardner Village.

Silly Daddy likes to put the girls on top of the car when he helps them out of their seats. Strangely, they don't seem to mind it.

Ralph's dream coming true... a room of his own, with lots of bookshelves and lots of books to fill them (which have been in boxes for a good number of years now.)

This is Hannah, hiding from the vacuum noise. She was fully awake, head smashed into a pillow, bum up in the air, and stayed that way until the vacuum stopped. She is terrified of loud noises. If they start in the same room as her, she is paralyzed with fear. Any suggestions to help her get over it?

Thanksgiving Point. We watch for horses when we go places around Draper. Today they got to ride on horses. They loved it.

And feed corn to animals. Look at how both of their mouths are open, prompting the animals to open theirs and eat.

The girls caught the tail end of classes at the Little Gym in June. Here is Amber in her tap performance.

And Hannah the dare devil. They love classes and have started new ones for the summer. Hannah asks me every day, Hannah's turn? Class? And when we take Amber, she fusses the whole time saying, No, my turn! Trying to get into the gym.

So little boy is due in two weeks, which means some time after that he will make his appearance. We are just relaxing, trying to have fun each day, trying to keep cool until the baby is born. Ralph and I went away for our 8th Anniversary which was on June 28th. He surprised me with a trip to Park City. We had a wonderful time, relaxing, eating, relaxing, eating, and shopping. That about sums that up. I feel refreshed and ready for the next few weeks before D-day.