Welcome Natalie

Natalie Elizabeth Stapleton was born on Father's Day (June 21st) at 3:08 pm. She was 7lbs 7oz and 20.5 inches long. She enjoys feeding time, napping, and hanging out with her big brother.

One of our first family photographs taken in the hospital. Drew was wearing his "Big Brother" shirt. He was pretty proud!

Drew has yet to give up the binky, in some instances one just isn't enough!

Showing her beautiful hair. She has dark hair that looks slightly red when in the sun.

Josh's 28th birthday, Drew helped blow out the candles.

If you notice in the next picture, Drew is in a major Cars phase. He just can't get enough of Lightning McQueen. Thanks to Grandma Merrill for introducing this movie into his little life. He just gets so excited to see the movie, and it's a good thing that his mom and dad enjoy the movie as well, or we may go crazy!

Drew for the most part is really good to Natalie, although sometimes he does terrorize her, it is mostly done with good intentions.

Drew and Natalie had a lot of fun hanging out in Drew's toddler bed. Anything to delay actually going to sleep. They enjoy laying down together and singing songs with mom before Drew goes to bed. He says, "sing, sing" because he loves music so much. He surprised me the other day by actually joining in and singing a few of the words with me. Music prodigy in the making?

Our beautiful little girl. She has the prettiest eyes!

Thanks to LeAnn Clark, a nurse I work with, we now have a beautiful diaper bag for our little one. She hand-made this bag, and I am amazed at the craftsmanship of it! The first picture is a little tote that goes into the bag that has 2 pockets: 1 for diapers and 1 for wipes. This is helpful to be able to just pull out if I need rather than bring the whole bag with me! It was a great idea that I have not seen before! Thanks LeAnn!!!!!

Drew dancing to the beat!

Drew has a love of music and dancing to it. Here he is with Josh's cousin Brian at Caitlin's high school graduation.

Time to catch up

So it has been a long time since the blog and has been updated, and a lot has happened. Steph's youngest brother Dan went on a mission to Las Vegas, Josh's youngest sister Caitlin graduated from high school, and Josh's brother Spencer got married! Needless to say, the last couple of weeks have been really busy. All this and in a couple more weeks and we will have a new addition to the family!
So if anyone saw a previous blog about Drew getting a toddler bed, here is one of the problems with his new-found freedom. In this instance he was supposed to be taking a nap. He must have decided that his clothes needed rearranging instead, because he pulled all of them out!

Like his daddy, Drew has taken a liking to basketball. Here he is in an intense match with his uncle Dan.

What can we say, the kid loves to dunk!

Elder Merrill, taking the traditional picture outside the MTC right before entering the MTC a couple of weeks ago.

The Merrill clan, Steph, Drew, Eric, Cindy, Dan, Dave, Jared, and Megan.

Steph had a work retreat to Boondocks Family Fun Center. They played mini golf, and she had the family come down to join into the fun.

A couple of Saturday's ago Drew went swimming with his friend Ella, her dad John, and Josh. Drew got all lathered up with sun block, enough to spike his hair!

Last week Drew and Josh went to Indiana for Josh's youngest sister Caitlin's graduation from high school. Here Drew is just chilling on his Nana's couch.

Drew with Caitlin at the open house at a park in Carmel Indiana.

Drew dancing with Josh's cousin Brian.

"Hanging Out" with Josh's cousin Greg.

Aunt Kinnie, Aunt Sandy, Greg, Nana, Drew, Josh, and Grama Voorhies after Caitlin's graduation.

Friday was Spencer's wedding to Britta. While waiting for Spencer and Britta to emerge from the temple we had some time to take some pictures. Here Drew is with his "uncles" Steve and Matt.

Ok so here is some bias, but he's gotta be the cutest kid around!

Drew is all business in his suit!

The new happy couple, Spencer and Britta Stapleton

Doing their best to pretend to like each other.

Spencer, Josh, and Caitlin.

At the wedding dinner at Buca di Beppo's Drew is stuffing his face with some bread.

Josh's sisters, Andra and Caitlin.

Lisa and Roger at the dinner.

Josh's cousin Nathan.

Josh's cousin Zach.

Roger, Andra, and Kevin at the open house in Salt Lake at Britta's sister's house.

Josh is hungry!!!

We were surprised at how many old friends from IL came by including Neal Pearson with his baby daughter.

Britta watching as Spencer sang to her.

Matt and Amber with their boys Treyden, and Chase.

Matt and Rachel.