Welcome Baby Dawson!!!

I was thankful that I had plans to head to Chicago a week after Nathan left.  Stephanie was expecting to deliver her new baby on October 3rd so I scheduled September 30th to fly out.  I had been to their home yet, so it was fun to have a few days to get acclimatized to the house and with Karsten.  We had a lot of fun getting reacquainted  before the new baby came.

Here's Karsten with his Simba

And with Uncle Geoffrey added to the mix.  These two are pretty good friends!!  Geoff had just moved to Chicago to start his new assignment with Exxon Mobile.  In fact, he flew in the same day as I did in the morning, and picked me up in the evening.  He had arranged to stay in one bedroom of an apartment for a month while he looked for a home to buy.  

The only glitch in my trip to Chicago was that they lost my luggage on the way there.  It took them 2 1/2 days to locate it and get it to me.  Not very convenient, but we managed.  

Steph and Marc scheduled her induction for the morning of October 3rd.  While  they were in the hospital, Karsten and I went with Geoff to look for a home.  There was a little communication problem with regard to how long we were going to look at condos, so Karsten and grandma ended up taking an Uber home.  But, it all turned out well.  

Karsten waiting on his front steps for the real estate agent to pick us up

There were some delays at the hospital when they went in that morning but finally, that evening, we got the word that little Dawson had arrived.  Geoff was so nice to stay at Steph's apartment for a few hours so that I could go up to the hospital.  And this was the sweet little man that greeted me...

Dawson Tucker Oxborrow just chilling with Daddy

Such a sweetheart!!  

I got to watch them clean him and take all his vitals  Pretty cool!!

Opening his eyes just a little for Grandma....Hi Dawson!!

Karsten and I got to explore the park near their home.  We had tons of fun on the swings, the slide, and just generally watching people's dogs, etc.

And here are Grandma Jill and Baby Dawson

Stephanie and Dawson at their home

A proud big brother 

Sleeping so peacefully

Karsten in his new Thomas the Tank Engine pajamas

Dawson, Stephanie, and Karsten

At the doctor's office

Karsten helping Daddy to mow the grass wearing his new Exxon Mobile hat that uncle Geoff gave him.  What a dude!!

One of the pictures from our photo shoot that we attempted one day

Steph, Dawson, and Karsten

Dawson stretched out in his crib

Trying out feeding him a bottle.  What a good big brother

Good job, Karsten!!

Awww, such sweet little loves.  Nothing like a new baby to put things into perspective.

So grateful I was able to go out and be with them during this special time.

Saying Farewell to Elder Foulk

Well, we knew the day would come...and it did.  Time to bid farewell to our Elder Foulk!!

Looking all missionaryish

The pre-pack photo.  We were amazed that he easily fit all his things in the suitcases.  He even bought his big boots here and fit them in.  Good job, Elder Foulk!!

Some little treats that Em and the kids made for Nate.  So cute!!

Lots of people were here to listen to his farewell talk.  Here he is with Parker and Tamra Casper.

And the family shot.  It was so nice to have Janelle and family come from Boston.

Nate with the Robertsons

...and with Emily and her two kids.

Nate with his proud Grandma Foulk

The sibling shot

With Mom and Dad....sure love this boy!!

And....the attempted grandchildren photo....pretty hilarious!!

Nate with future missionaries, Alan and Jimmie

And with Evan.  These guys fight like cats and dogs, but they are sure going to miss each other!

Jimmie enjoying Sunday dinner

Nate and Lorelei with Grandma in the background

Tracey's family came down for dinner and to say goodbye

Lorelei is going to miss this uncle of hers

A little St Basils for a farewell photo

At the airport....Nathan, Steve, and a not so sure about this, Evan

The brothers and chess enthusiasts 

And another for good measure

Saying goodbye for two years.....never an easy thing to do

Waiting in the security line

Just about out of sight

And there he goes

Nate was lucky enough to be able to meet up with Megan....

...and Grandma and Grandpa Tucker at the Salt Lake airport.  They picked up his best friend, Chloe, and then took them to get some lunch and then off to the MTC.  

Nate and Chloe saying goodbye

We will miss you, Elder Foulk, but are so excited to hear of your amazing experiences in Russia!!

A New School Year for Evan

Yep, we're down to just one photo for back to school pictures.  

Evan opted for the basic BYU look including his new hair cut.  Looking good, Ev.

And here's a photo of Evan and Ayden working on some 11 year old scout stuff with Steve.  These guys are great friends and have a lot of fun together!!

Some Other Summer Shots

There are some things that are just a summer tradition.  Freezing corn is one of them.  We got it done in good time this year...beginning of August, I think.  It's one of those things that requires some effort and time when you do it, but we enjoy all the way through the year.  We had some fun with it this year by having different people put little messages on the bags as we finished them.  So, as we get them out throughout the year, we have little memories of those who helped us process it.  Kinda corny, I guess, but fun.  :)

We also celebrated Ginny's birthday by making her a "dog friendly" cupcake.  She loved it!!

The Tingey family came for a visit which meant that Evan and Dylan got to hang out for the day.  (In fact, Dylan was one of our corn writers)  We have missed this sweet family ever since they left for Colorado.  It was so fun to spend the day with Dylan.

Synchornized jumps

Steve and I went for a fun date in Philly one night.  We checked out the Franklin Fountain which we had heard great things about and shared this delicious banana split.  After they ice cream, we went on a boat cruise on the Delaware River.  Such a fun night!!

We also made a trip to Boston while Megan was home where we got to visit the Boston Temple.

Megan's two roommates, Emily and Janae, came out to visit and see the sights.  With our timeshare points, we were able to help give them the trip of a lifetime.  I think they all had a ton of fun.

At the Liberty Bell

Visiting the reflecting pool at the Washington Monument in DC

Seeing Les Miserables in New York City.  It was so fun to have them come!!

And here are Megan and Lorelei in their matching skirts.  It was so fun to have Meg home for those six weeks at the end of the summer.  Gotta love airplanes!!!