Kallie Maybel Anderson

Kallie was born on Monday, May 16, 2011. She is an extremely happy baby. Her favorite thing to do is to sleep all day and than to play at night (starting at 2 am)! Jake and Layla adore her and try to hold her every chance they get.

Philadelphia Zoo

Last Saturday we headed to the zoo with family from SLC and DC. At the bird feeding section, Chris was the only person that morning to have a bird eat from her. The swan boat photo is of Kim and Ben. However the award for most entertaining drivers goes to Viv and Abe. They were more than hilarious. It was a great outing. Thanks for coming up Dave & Fam.

Visiting Some of Our History

Last Sunday Mom, Chris, Carrie and I went on an adventure. Mary and Joseph Philips were significant members of the Great Valley Baptist Church in the early 1700s. They then were instrumental in creating a daughter church, the Vincent Baptist Church, about 15 miles away. They, along with many family members, were buried at Vincent Baptist Church. A large stain glass window was built for them in the early 1800s as a memorial. Chris and Carrie became acquainted with the Vincent Baptist cat.

Kallie was born this morning at 8:59, weighing 8lbs7oz, 21 inches. Big baby, but still a few weeks premature with some of the associated concerns...so she'll be spending some time in the NICU. Missy (and Derek) are doing well. I'm sure more flattering pictures will be posted by Kallie's parents in the near future!

For those of us who grew up on Yale Avenue there have been a lot of Yale neighbors who have played a big role in our lives.  For as long as I can remember the Burke family has lived across the street from Mom and Dad.  Mom and Andrea have always been close.  Matt was a close childhood friend of mine and Ted and Kim were inseparable for the first dozen years of their lives.  So it was devastating to find out that Matt had been in a terrible accident in October.  After months in the hospital he passed away in February.  This week he was laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery not far from where Traci and I are living.  Kim came down from Philly and we attended the graveside service.  It was remarkable to learn more of what an accomplished and great man he had become.  He was dearly loved by his family and it was a privilege to spend the morning with them.  It was a very reverent and impressive service at Arlington.  Matt was a Major and had served a year in Iraq.  There were at least two Generals in attendance and it was clear that the Army was taking his passing very seriously.  It was a powerful experience for us and we were grateful to have been able to attend. The Burkes are a terrific family and class acts through and through.  We'll continue to keep them in our prayers.

It's A......(Wait for it......Wait for it....) GIRL!

Kyle and I went to the doctor today to see if we were having a little boy or a little girl. Kyle was certain that it was going to be a little girl. After a while of the baby crossing its legs we were finally able to see that it is a girl. We are both so excited! The baby had her hands up hiding her face for most of the time, guess she is just like her mom and does not like to have her picture taken....

Climbing

We've become friends with a few people here who are pretty serious about rock climbing. They invited us to a climbing gym and we had a blast.  The kids all started out very tentatively.  They'd climb up a few feet and then demand to come back down. Yes there were a few tears.  But with each climb they'd go a little higher.  By the end everyone had reached the top.  I was so proud of their persistence and willingness to try.

Viv makes it to the top.

Abe enjoyed it so much that he'd still be climbling if we hadn't left.

Maggie and me climbing together.

Mag goes solo.