She's Here!

We were blessed on Friday, March 18 to welcome a new little girl into our arms and hearts!

Kaelisse Eleanor Duke

was born at 3:14 pm. She was 20.5 inches and weighed 9 pounds.

So far she eats great, sleeps great, and makes us all smile. Tylie was unsure about her at first, but now she wants to hold her ALL the time! She's going to be a wonderful big sister.

First time the sisters met.

First family picture.

I'm so excited to watch them get to know each other!

Overdue Update 1 - Thanksgiving

We traveled to Louisiana this year for Thanksgiving to hang out with Brent's sister Angie and her hubby. Brent's dad also made the trip, and it was so fun to see everyone, and especially for Tylie to see everyone. Here are some of our favorite moments/pics from the weekend.
Snuggling with Angie and (Tylie's favorite) the dog

Helping Grandpa cook

Reading a book with uncle Brennon

Trying to fill Grandpa's cowboy boots--I think she did a pretty good job

Showing off her collection of Mardi Gras beads....um, kid, aren't you a little young for that?!?

Burning off some energy outside

Hanging out with dad

Playing a little King's Corner

Learning how to play baseball and making daddy oh-so-proud

Brent's catch...he had a great time fishing with Brennon, but had no luck until this last night trip

One last picture with dad and grandpa

Family Night :)

We're gearing up for the BCS Championship game....and it's going to be great! Brent is a lifetime Oregon fan, and Tylie and I have been adopted into the fanclub. We have our house cleaned up, our "Super Bowl" food ready, and our gear on.

GO DUCKS!!

Major Update Coming...

I have a million pictures and so much to write about that I get overwhelmed when I think about it all. I guess I could have worked on it during my two-week vacation, but I spent every waking minute enjoying my time with Tylie and Brent....time very well spent! Updates are coming, accompanied with lots of pictures, as soon as I can make time!

Happy New Year!

Big Events of 2010:
Feb
-My sister left on her mission to Croatia
April
-Gained another nephew
May
-My brother came home from his mission in Switzerland/France
-My wonderful Grandma Laws passed away
July
-Gained another niece
-Learned that #2 was on the way
August
-Tylie turned one year old
-I began my fourth year teaching
-Brent started his senior year as a USC Gamecock
November
-Brent and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary
December
-Brent's brother got engaged
(I hope I didn't forget anything....)

So much to look forward to in 2011:
-New baby expected in March
-Brent graduates in May!!!
-Family wedding in June
-Brent goes to grad school in August which means: new job, new state, new house, new ward, new adventure!! (details to come)
-My sister comes home from her mission in September

Halloween 2010

I absolutely love Halloween. This year, we had a lot of fun. First, Brent and I went to an adults-only costume party at our friend's house. We dressed up as the princess and the frog.

And when a princess and frog get together, they have a little bug.

With our friends, the Fackrell's--LOVE their costume of a paddle ball!

On Saturday, our ward had the annual Halloween party. There was a chili cook-off, a pinata and costume contest for the kiddos, and then a ton of candy passed out during the trunk-or-treat. Tylie dressed up like a mad scientist. She looked adorable!


And her buddy Benjamin dressed up as Frankenstein. They were such a cute pair!

We tried to get her crazy laugh together, but she wouldn't give in. I think her facial expressions are perfect, though. :)

This is my absolute favorite! We couldn't get her to keep her glasses on for longer than a second, but they completed the look so well. This picture makes me laugh out loud.

The family together. It was so nice to have some fam. time.

All the kids lining up for the costume contest. And the winner is....??

Tylie and Benjamin, of course! They won the "most creative" category and got to split a chocolate bar.

Hanging out with dad.
Tylie didn't feel very good all night, plus she was overwhelmed by everything that was going on. We weren't sure if she was going to make it to the end, but going outside for some fresh air and trunk-or-treating livened her up a bit.











Tylie got a kick out of all the people handing her stuff. She kept stopping in the middle of the parking lot and sitting on the floor so she could check out her stash. It was really funny. She would take the candy out of the bucket, put it back in, and then walk around a bit more. So much fun for her, and for us to watch her!
We had a really good time. When we got done, we wanted to go trick-or-treating at a couple houses....just for Tylie to have the experience of knocking on doors and such. But, welcome to South Carolina, everyone will be celebrating on Sunday--the true Halloween (It's been all over the news. They wanted to make sure everyone was on the same page). It's times like these, I miss living in Utah! So, trick-or-treating will have to wait until next year...glad we had such a fun ward party in its place!

Food Fetish

I am ADDICTED to zucchini and summer squash sauteed in fresh garlic!!!