Hey Baby Lets go to Vegas!

Rylee was a celebrity pulling this bag that's as big as she is.

She even had strangers snapping photos ... who could resist, she is so darn cute! Family photo, Vegas style. James has his birthday hat on.

Krissa, me, Ry, and James eating dinner.

The pool was neat-o. That slide is going through the tank filled with sharks and fishys.

Danny and James checking out the sea life. The pool bums.
The bath bums.

We had a lot of fun in Vegas with our good friends Matt and Krissa and their two ridiculously cute kiddies. James was so lucky to have some buddies to celebrate his 1st birthday with.

H-U-G-E

This place I call home ...

The Stork Has Returned x2

Welcome Elijah Charles

(I like the sound of that name)

to the world! We are happy you're here and we hope we get to see you soon.

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Lots of love,

Uncle Danny, Aunt Lauren, and cousin James

AND...

Welcome Baby Eli! We are sad we missed your arrival in UT last week.

But we are so thrilled you are finally here!

Congrats to Kara, Scott, and big brother Will.

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Lots more love,

Cousins Lauren, Danny, and James

Yeah for our Eli's!

My Baby is ONE (in 2 days)

Happy Birthday to our Buba, Sniklefrist, J Bird, Buster...

JAMSEY- POO!

We could not love you more.

Thanks for filling our days with so many smiles and giggles.

Now lets go party it up in VeGaS!

My how you have grown!

AND ...

Happy Birthday to Tyson too! It has been such a joy to watch you twinners grow!

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3 months7 months

11 months

Some Simple Math

What does this pretty face +this handsome fellow = ?

It = 's ...ONE REALLY CUTE LITTLE DUDE!

Congrats Clarissa and Brandon... I can hardly wait to meet my new nephew!

Monday's Hero's

My marathon running friends. 

Meet the Ellis family.  All 3 of them ran the St. George Marathon this past weekend.  Seriously?  A whole family?  That's A LOT of miles.  And on a side note: mom and dad can't be too young if they have a 26 year old daughter.  I mean this in a good way. =)  I am just so proud and jealous. =) 

And no that is not Bruce Willis.

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And Joanie!  She also ran the St. George Marathon.  Get this - she was down there to support a friend running it and decided last minute to run it too!  Seriously?  Who does that?  J-O-A-N-I-E does! 

And what! Again proud and Jealous.  Did I mention she had a baby a year ago?

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I have some inspiring friends.  Off to the gym I go...

Where in the World are We Going Next....

Think....

Capitol by the sea...

...more specific: Pacific Ocean......one very big canal.......of course, there are the hats......how well do you know your flags?

It's...



PaNaMa!




I am thrilled! Of course I am going to have to get use to HOT and HUMID all over again but I am feeling pretty good about our new home.
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Some things to look forward to:
the beach
they use the U.S. dollar
those hats are stylin'
pais tropical
real rainforests (no more rainforest cafe)
we are that much closer to Brasil!
the beautiful people
the beautiful culture
The Galke Family, duh!

I LOVE Mail...

...Like, REAL mail...
You know, the kind with a stamp on it?!
(Take a hint friends)

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What a lucky boy James is!
His Grandpa sent him his first,

very own,

postcard complete with stamp

(a papaya if you need to know) .
So special!

Thanks Grandpa!

Deep in the Heart of TeXaS!

Texas seems so long ago now! We had a great time seeing our family and most importantly our new niece/cousin Eliana or baby Ellie! She is so scumptious. I wanted to eat her and steal her but I decided that eating a baby and kidnapping were both not good ideas.

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Ok, there are a million pics. I am not even going to explain them or put them in any kinda logical order. These are for my mom mostly. She is obsessing to see them.

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The sisters with Ellie. Girl Power - that's right!

The whole family!

Good-looking mom and dad! Oh yeah... and Ellie too!

Silly kids.

Princess Ellie - SoOoOoo CUTE!
Future farmer!?

Luke + James = BFF, haha!

James trying on his new cousins headbands. Daddy's not gonna like this one bit! But James is secure with his manhood.

Dallin was my hero. He is SO good with James. I think James had the most fun with him... sorry Auntie Allie. =)

James checking out Ellie - poo!

Allie took this and said "oh motherhood."

Yes, that was what I was thinking with Mr. Crabby-pants in my arms!

James LOVED the beach! He has NO fear in the waves.

Bye-bye Texas!

Elizabeth Smart

I just read an article online about the account Elizabeth Smart gave before a courtroom today in SLC.

Kind of wish I hadn't.

Horrifying.

The last paragraph of the article read as follows:

Smart's parents, Ed and Lois Smart, were on hand to hear the painful testimony. They have said they never pressed her for details about her ordeal. Smart leaves on a mission to France next month for the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Her testimony will be used during Mitchell's federal competency hearing on Nov. 30. (people.com)

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I kind of want to change it to:

Smart leaves on a mission to France next month for the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Her testimony will... bring peace to so many.

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That's the testimony I was thinking of.

You too, huh!? =)
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She is one amazing girl.

And I might add such a prett girl.

Gaining Independence on Independence Day

James is taking more and more steps these days. Yesterday, on Mexico's Independence Day, James seemed to be taking off!!!

Please ignore my voice. I am a proud (nerdy) mom and my voice seems to reach new pitch levels in this video. Also, ignore the bad video. I was trying to bribe the walker and video tape at the same time. Maybe tonight Dad can tape for us.

Mi Amigas!

My Mexican girlfriends are so cute. and wonderful. and talented. and generous. and fun. I mean, look at em'!