The Long Lost Hastings!

Hello dear family! I'm sorry it's been so long since I posted, but hopefully posting some pictures as well will help you forgive me! We've been having a wonderful summer here in Omaha and can't believe it's almost August already. For our anniversary last month we went to Kansas City for a weekend and had a fantastic time. We went shopping all day on Saturday at a huge outdoor shopping plaza and then on Sunday we visited Liberty Jail and the Independence Visitor's Center. This summer Diana taught me how to crochet and I made this blanket for a friend of mine who's expecting a baby girl. FYI, she requested bright red, but I think it still turned out pretty cute. I miss having a blanket to crochet on my lap, so be sure to let me know when I can start making another for a new niece or nephew! More recently, Jon and I have been busy with church assignments, house-sitting and baby sitting. We've been asked to serve on the PR committee for the Omaha Stake Preparedness Fair, which is happening in four weeks. Jon even made a blog for it! Check it out at www.omahapreparednessfair.blogspot.com. This last weekend we babysat for a family in our ward with three little kids - ages 10, 8 and 4. Man is it hard going from zero kids to three! I guess I'll just have to hope not to have triplets! They were a challenge, but pretty good overall and it was nice to earn a little extra cash. Jon's still enjoying his job and they're sad to see him leave soon. His dad said that is Jon wasn't his son, he would make him a job offer on the spot and try to convince him not to finish school. Work is boring as ever for me, but it's only for a little while longer so I guess I can stick it out. I sure have gotten good at crossword puzzles though! :) Well, that's about it for us. Sorry this post is a little helter-skelter, but I suppose that's a little like how our life is right now! Love you lots!

Happy Birthday Grace!

Hi Everyone,
We had a birthday party for Grace this evening, it was lots of fun! I can't believe she's two years old already. She has brought so much joy to our lives, we our so blessed. We are having a great time with Suzie, Eva, and Aiden. The kids are getting along really well, it's so fun just to watch them play together. Hope you are all well. Have a great weekend!
Love,
Aubrey

More Dress-up Fun

Hi Everyone,

Mark's parents sent some dress-up clothes for Grace for her birthday (like BethAnne's, but in a smaller size). They let us open them a couple weeks early so we can have them available for when Eva comes. What a cute princess! Today I watched BethAnne's preschool 'enemy', Breanna, all afternoon. I was worried they wouldn't get along, but they spent half of the afternoon happily playing dress-up (they were happy most of the rest of the time too). At dinner BethAnne said "Breanna thinks she's the boss, but she's wrong. I'm the boss." That summarizes why they have had difficulty getting along in the past. I think they may turn out to be friends after all, as they learn to share the power a little. We love you all.

Love,
Aubrey

Dress-up fun!

We got some new dress-up clothes for our little princesses and they had lots of fun trying them on this evening. Mark had his on-site interview with Microsoft in Boise today. He thought it went well, but they have many applicants for one position so we're trying not to get our hopes up too much. They said they will try to let us know by the end of next week. Have a great weekend!
Love, Aubrey

The Latest From Virginia

We've had a busy and fun last few weeks! I was worried that we'd be bored all summer, but so far that hasn't been a problem at all. We've had swimming lessons for Eva and working in the garden and playgroups and family visiting and all sorts of fun. The garden has been fun and is growing pretty well. The bottom two beds are looking beautiful and we have tons of tomatoes starting, but the top three beds, which don't get as much sun, are in need of some help. We're doing Miracle Grow and planning to start a compost pile for next year and all around considering it a learning experience.

Jeff's sister Leslie and her family (husband, two teenage daughters, and 7-year old) and his sister Noellen came to visit us a couple weeks ago on their way to Lester's graduation from a military training (he'll be deployed to Iraq to train their military at the end of this month). While they were here we went to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History (Eva was so excited to see the dinosaurs!) and a bunch of monuments. Aiden's favorite part was when we all stopped and dipped our toes in the fountain at the WWII monument, which is absolutely beautiful. It was a long hot walk and Eva got too tired to walk after a little bit (we only brought the single stroller for Aiden), but Leslie's two daughters just stepped right in and picked her up and we all took turns carrying Eva. They were so good to Eva and Aiden the whole time, and Eva had so much fun. It was really great to get to know them all better. The next day we all went to Lester's graduation a couple hours away from us. Then Leslie and crew went and stayed with Lester and his family for a week, then came back to our house for the 4th of July on their way back home. We spent the holiday at the National Zoo. Eva made pictures of the animals a few days before we went, and then when we were at the zoo and came to an animal she had drawn, she fished the picture out of her little backpack and pressed the picture right up to the fence so the animal could see it. It was absolutely darling!

This weekend Jeff's mom and her husband are coming to visit, and then next week the kids and I are all headed out to Boise for a few weeks before the reunion. We're so excited!

Orange Blossoms

Hi Family,

I hope you are all doing well. We're having a nice Sunday. We took some pictures this morning, I think BethAnne and Grace look so sweet in their new orange church dresses. We had a fun 4th of July with Mom, Dad and Rick. The kids loved seeing the fireworks! We're still waiting to hear from Microsoft (to see if Mark will get on onsite interview in Boise), so cross your fingers. We are super excited for Suzie, Eva, and Aiden's extended upcoming visit to Boise. BethAnne has a chart that marks down the days until Eva comes. I'm so grateful for such wonderful parents, siblings and your children. You bring so much joy to our lives. We love you. Have a great week!

Love,
Aubrey

Check it Out!

We don't mean to be "dissing" on the family blog, but we have our own blog now... (well Steph mainly does the posting), so if you want to check it out go to, carlandstephbaker.blogspot.com. we will still post on the baker blog occasionally, but more detailed stuff will be on our own blog. cheers. :)