Blast from the past!!

My homegirl Holly emailed me this one from back in the day when I used to time-travel, ...this one is from back in '78

Just to make your day

Ahhh. There are so many joys of marriage. We'll just name this one for now. So the other day I was cleaning and sorting around the house and I hear Dave in the other room going "Hhealow. Haloo. Heelluo." (Or something to that effect). I stop in the doorway expecting to see him on the phone with someone, but he's just sitting on the couch in the family room with not even the t.v. on. So I ask him what he's doing and he says "I'm practicing my new way of answering the phone." Hum. (For those of you who've called in the last week or so, you know what I'm talking about). I asked him why and he said, "Oh just to make people smile I guess." Oh the effort...

Come on, Mia

So every new parent feels the pain of sleep deprivation. You never know when you're going to get it...and you definitely DON'T get it when you want it. So Mia has determined her own schedule-and what Mia wants, Mia gets. (For now anyway). So she likes to sleep in...big time. Usually at least until 9:oo or 10:00, and sometimes until 11:00. Now this is frustrating for a few reasons.
1. She likes to wake up for a early morning snack way before I'm ready to get up, so I just pull her into bed with us and coax her back to sleep while she nurses. She usually goofs around, talks, babbles, and razzes (that wet hissing noise). She will then proceed to hit, bump, and kick me as I'm trying desperately to get a few more seconds of sleep in. Mia-1 Mommy-0
2. Right around the time I finally give up on anymore sleep and start to wake up and get going with the day, she inevitably decides to fall back asleep. Mia-2 Mommy-0
3. Now I'm lying awake in bed with Dave snoring and Mia pressed right up against me passed out. The room is blazing hot (our bedroom is on the East side of the house) and I'm annoyed. Mia (and Dave for that matter)-3 Mommy-still 0
4. I am now up and going, but several of my friends like to do stuff in the morning...but when I wake Mia up to go and meet up, she usually doesn't take a nap. So do I go have fun and sacrifice any time to get stuff done around my house, or just let her sleep? Mia-4 Mommy-0
Who's in charge around here?

Nana Schoen and Little Mia in Texas

Strike a Pose

Swimming!

Mia dressed up in her first brand new cherry bathing suit to dive into (not really) the pool! We made sure to take her during the shady time for her little skin, but she loved it! We couldn't believe how much she liked it because she usually screams during bath time. The dogs (Blitzer and Shamoo) were especially glad that she is now joining the family swim time!

First Father's Day!

Dave is the ultimate daddy. From serenading Mia with his music when she's happy or sad to taking the colicky shift so I can get a break, Mia and I couldn't ask for a better dad in our family. We love you! (Mia was really happy it was Father's Day despite her behavior in the pic!:))

Dave and Becky's 1st Anniversary, Portland, Oregon, June 7-10, 2008 (with Baby Mia to tote).

Well, it's been a heck of a year!!! We made it!! We have had tons of fun, some of it in the form of a new baby (Mia), and we look forward to many more good times and good years, transitioning throughout Eternity.
We spent our first anniversary in Portland, Oregon (much different than Mazatlan, where we honeymooned). It was sooo beautiful up there! We had a blast, and the temperature was nice.
I love you Becky, and Mia!!! We had a little house boat type thing on the Columbia River and ate some awesome food. We went up to the Gorge and the Damn, and went downtown, and we fished from our boat house. It was a BLAST!!!
Here's to my babies (Becky and Mia)!!!
Mucho love, Dave, Becky, and Baby Mia.

p.s. more pics at http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=227044998/a=93334065_93334065/t_=93334065

Branson, Missouri - May 27-29, 2008

We went to Branson, Missouri to visit our beloved Christen, where she is a nanny for none other than The Dutton's (the Dutton's are like a poor man's Osmond's). It was good fun as we surprised her (she didn't even know we were coming. We were amazed at how beautiful the Ozarks are, and we even got to fly into the Joplin Regional Airport on a 19 seater!! It was good fun, only wished we could've fished the river and lakes up there!!!
mucho love,
Dave, Becky, and Baby Mia

Mia's Blessing

Sunday, June 1 was a very special day! Mia was blessed at church by her Dad. We had family and special friends over to our home for a visit and it was definitely a day that has us both smiling still.

Camp Jimmy James -May 25-26

This past Memorial Day weekend, Me, Jaime, nephew Justin, and new found brother Mike (clockwise from top) went camping at a top secret spot discovered by none other than the venerable master of camping, Jaime Jones. It was fun, and we all had a blast. On this trip we camped next to a flowing stream of water, pigged out on junk food, played cards (where the elders taught the little brave how to cheat at Uno) went exploring at this old miner's abandoned fortress (where Justin caught frogs for fish bait), went swimming and fishing in the lower Salt River (where Uncle Dave proved his manhood by cliff jumping naked), and we all made it home in one piece. Next trip, north, to Alaska!!

Wesley's Graduation - Master's Degree A.S.U.

My Brother Wes received his Master's Degree in Physical Education this past May of 2008, from Arizona State University (nationally ranked by Playboy as the #1 Party School in the Nation), and he did it all drug and alcohol free!! I'm so darn proud of him, he accomplished this while working a full time job, being married to a beautiful babe (Mary, my sister-in-law), raising a son (Steele, my beloved nephew), and serving faithfully in the church. He is an inspiration to us all, and his hard work and dedication is admirable. Good job Wes!!! (In this photo, from l-r is Mary, Wes, Steele, Dave, Mia, and Becky.)

Aunt Beth and Cousin Lauren

We were so glad that Aunt Beth and Cousin Lauren flew all the way from North Carolina to visit us a few weeks ago. Aren't they so cute!?!

Don't Mess with Texas...Mia!

Mia made it! We took our first daring family vacation to Texas the last week in April. Nana and Grandpa were thrilled because after 39 years of marriage...they are finally empty nesters! Nana was elated as her "house was full again!" Becky's little brother Mike and his wife Heather had a little girl the day before Mia. Here are some pics with Mia Jane and little cousin Kati. I think they're going to be best buddies! The plane trip went well and we really enjoyed being with everyone and spending time with friends and family!

***The McKells Visit!!!! Holly and Quinton Rock***

We Love the McKells!! Quinton and Holly are the Bomb! They were so kind as to grace our home with their presence a couple of days ago. We had a blast and really enjoyed their company. They are gooooood people, and we can't wait to see them again!!
mucho love,
Dave, Becky, and Baby Mia

*****Baby Mia Story Time*****

Isn't Becky a good mother? She has been reading to Mia every night. ;)

Welcome Mia Jane Filhart!!!!

To all Friends, Family, Acquaintances, and Neighbors around the world:
Yes y'all, yes yes y'all, it's as official as a referee with a whistle!!! Mia Jane Filhart entered the world at 0017 hrs on Saturday, March 08, 2008. Mia's weight upon arrival was 8.5 pounds, and she was 20.5 inches tall. Becky and I, needless to say, are the proudest of parents...she is the cutest little thing you have ever seen, and she has the most beautiful hands and feet!!! Mia came into the world with some wavy dark hair too, feathered on the sides, reminiscent of Joan Jett circa '83 or thereabouts.
And I'll have to tell you, as a witness to it all, I was thoroughly impressed with the skills of my sweet wife! She was an all-star in its purest form! Becky didn't cuss during delivery or pull any of that Hollywood bull crap. She didn't even break a sweat! I'm not a-jokin'!! I'm telling you, Becky's talents lie in the making and delivering of babies! She was inspiring!! In the midst of her pain and sorrow, (that often befalls a woman during times of labor and delivery), she looked at me, through the tears, and said with renewed vigor, "We can do this, right?!" She had the eye of the tiger, and I fell in love with her all over again. She started pushin' and just wouldn't let up...total time 1.25 hrs, and we were out of there. I'm so darn proud of my Becky. And I promise, as soon as Mia was out, Becky was just smiling, just as if nothing had happened, **as evidenced in the pictures.
So we stayed at the hospital until around noon on Sunday, and we have been kickin' it ever since. We look forward to our time together, chasing the waves and raising heck. And no matter where we are, as long as we're together, it will feel like home.
We love you all, and thank you so much for all of your love and support. Our cup of joy is overfilled. It is very humbling. We surely have been blessed.



mucho love, sincerity, gratitude, and respect,
Dave, Becky, and Mia

p.s. one down, 11 more to go!! ;)