A Sunday Walk

On Sunday, Chloe and I got together with Chad and Maizie and their family for dinner. Duncan has been out of town for a few days, so it was nice to be with family. I think Chloe really misses her daddy! While Chad and Maizie finished making the potstickers/gyoza (which were absolutely fabulous, by the way!) I took their kids on a walk. It was a gorgeous day and so peaceful around Mom and Dad's neighborhood. We did have a little mishap with Ben....He became curious while passing someone's house and ended up breaking their flagpole light. The man who lived there was really nice about it and wouldn't let us to pay for it. Anyway, here are some more pleasing moments from our walk:

(This is the bishop's dog. Her name is Chloe, unfortunately.)

Chloe's Blessing Day

It's been a busy week so this post is past due, but here it finally is. Chloe was blessed last Sunday, April 13th. We arrived at church with the form from the clerk in hand and sat waiting for the blessing to be announced. Opening song, opening prayer, letter from the First Presidency, callings and releases... but no baby blessing announcement. As the Sacrament hymn started, Duncan walked to the stand to remind the bishopric and they squeezed us in the program. This slight delay was actually a good thing (one of those tender mercies) because it gave Chad time to arrive with his family and still participate in the blessing. As if the last minute shift in the meeting weren't enough, the bishopric member announced that we would be blessing "Cleo." Luckily, Duncan gave her the correct name: Chloe Marie Peterson. :) She wore the same dress that Duncan and his siblings were blessed in (newborn baby boys wore dresses back then). It was a special day.

Welcome Home Sister Brown

Diannah returned home from the Arkansas Little Rock mission yesterday! We were all so happy to see her. We had a small crowd at the airport to greet her: Me, Duncan, Chloe, Nancy, Craig, Chad, Maizie, Madelaine, Harrison, Benjamin, and Olivia. We were so glad that Craig came from Boise. Not only was it nice to visit with him, but he was a big help cleaning and getting things ready for Diannah. I'm sure it meant a lot to Diannah to have him there.

Monday night Chad, Nancy and I worked on a "welcome home" sign. Here are Craig and Nancy putting it up. (We made sure we had some aspect of Arkansas reflected in it; i.e. the Razorback hog call.)

Diannah flew home with two other missionaries from her mission. The other sister is from Mongolia and was Diannah's companion for a time. They are great friends.

Mom and Dad called from Korea and spoke with Diannah while we were at the airport. The rest of the pictures are of the various family members who got to welcome her home.

When we got home we had a pizza party. Diannah was pretty exhausted. Between the airport and home I think she got to talk with Nick, Liz, Kathleen, Hudson, Curtis, Jacob, Amanda, Janell, and probably some others.... Chad took Craig to the airport at about 7pm. By 7:30 Madelaine and I (and Chloe) were the only ones left to take Diannah to get released by the stake president. We enjoyed being there to hear Diannah tell the stake president about some of her experiences and to hear her bear her testimony. She's a great missionary! We're glad to have her home!

Conference Weekend

Duncan, Chloe and I enjoyed a peaceful weekend at home watching General Conference. What a wonderful blessing to be members of the church. After the last session we took a long walk. It didn't take long for Chloe to fall asleep in the baby carrier.

One Happy Year

Duncan and I have been married one year today. (By the way, that's the top of our wedding cake in the picture.) What a marvelous year it has been. I was reading in my journal about our wedding day and remembering how much joy I felt when I walked into the sealing room and saw my parents, all my brothers and sisters (except for Diannah, who was on her mission), and many good friends. And, of course, feeling the joy of marrying Duncan and becoming part of his family. What a blessing! And now we have a beautiful, six week-old daughter. We are looking forward to an eternity of good times.

Who's Your Daddy?

No, this isn't a picture of Chloe, it's a picture of her daddy as a baby. Quite the resemblance I'd say.