Welcome Joshua Steven Monson!

Welcome to the newest member of the Monson family- my brother Steve and his wife Natalie's new little baby boy Joshua! Congratulations on their first child! He was born on Wednesday, June 17th. I can't wait to meet him!

It's a boy!

Today was my official ultrasound! Besides everything looking really good, we confirmed that the baby is a boy! Jon popped over from the hospital to be there for the ultrasound- and we had fun seeing our VERY active and squirmy baby boy. The technician even commented on how much the baby liked to move around. Are we in for another active child? Us? Never! Someday I would love to get one of those 4-D ultrasounds- but for now this is great. It never ceases to amaze me how perfect the little babies are- God's creations truly are amazing. Profile: Facing us: This one is for my Dad- some great pictures of his feet! And last but not least- he IS most definitely a boy! And as a little treat- here is something I can blackmail this little guy with someday. My first ever view of him peeing. Is this a view of things to come or what! I hope this doesn't embarras anyone too much . . .

Elder Brian Joseph Monson

I am so proud of my younger brother, who just entered the Mission Training Center (MTC) THIS WEEK!!! He has been called the the Tulsa Oklahoma mission. I can hardly believe it - - my little brother who started Kindergarten the same year I went to college is on a mission - - boy do I feel old.
We had the wonderful opportunity of being at the temple in Spokane (May 15th) when he went for the first time, and then we met as an entire family in Utah the day before he left this last week. My parents, ALL of my siblings (Brian is the youngest) and their spouses were went to the Provo Temple on Tuesday. What an amazing experience. It has been my mom's dream since we were little to have us ALL in the temple together when it was Brian's turn. Well, Mom, you did a great job raising us, for your dream came true! I really do have the best family in the world, I love them all so much!

The original Monson family!


The original family in order: Dad and Mom, Me- the oldest sibling, Shauna, Laura, Steve and Brian.


Everyone - - including spouses!
From left: Chris and Laura Coons, Jon and Becky (me) Wilson, Shauna and Pat Mosbacker, Mom and Dad Monson, Natalie and Steve Monson, and Brian Monson.


The next generation: Brian- don't feel left out, you will add a cute wife after serving your mission!



Some other fun things we did while we were all visiting in Utah included lots of hanging out, seeing the Oquirrh Mountain temple open house (another large temple in West Salt Lake Valley - - near the Jordan River Temple), staying up late playing board games, going to Cafe Rio (mmmmmm), miniature golf at Trafalga, and watching the little kids enjoy their cousins!


Parade of the mini vans!! My parents, my two sisters and I all have vans - - 3 of them are Dodge Grand Caravans!


Fun at Trafalga:
Marcus especially enjoyed miniature golfing- he did a great job with several holes in one!



My nephew Adam having fun getting the ball out of the hole . . .


My little neice Hannah:


Best cousins- Cynthia and Hannah!


Brian and all the neices and nephews- All of the little kids LOVE their uncle Brian!


When Brian gets home from his mission, there will be at least three more . . . This is also a great picture of each pregnancy trimester! Natalie (due in 3 weeks), Me (due in October), and Shauna (due in December).


We had fun with a pinata - -


Especially the goofy things that were inside the pinata- including really silly glasses with wierd eyes. Oh the silly things we do when we are together! Can you believe the grown men in these pictures are doctors?

Summer is on it's way . . .

Ahhh- the sights and sounds of summer! We have had some hot weather for the end of May, and even though sometimes it is hard to be out in - - I love it! The sounds of lawn mowers, sprinklers, splashing pool water, and the air conditioner kicking on - - good things.

Marcus had his very last game on May 30th in 95 degree heat! (Happy 11th Anniversary to me and Jon! It was a super crazy day with Marcus' game, and getting ready for our trip to Utah, but don't worry, we did at least go out on a date to see a movie!)




There isn't a better way to cool off after sitting for 2 hours in the 95 degree heat during a baseball game than swimming! We sure are enjoying our 18 foot above ground pool - - we opened it just in time for the hot weather. The solar cover we just purchased also keeps it a really nice temperature, so I am finding myself swimming a lot more this year. Enjoy the pictures of everyone jumping in for that wonderful cool-off! Everyone is invited to come swim anytime they want!