Root Beer

 The cream soda ended up tasting like "butt-crack on a cracker" as my uncle warned us it would. So, today we are trying Root Beer. We don't know how it will turn out. It smells like root beer but it's not very dark.

I love the look on his face in the next two pictures. Always the Chemist.

Babysitting

This may not seem like a big deal but it was for us. We babsat our friend's baby yesterday. The baby was born 3 days after Ellie. We thought it would be hard but it was actually pretty fun. We got to use some of our baby gear. It was nice to actually have a use for it.

This baby really liked to be held so one or the other of us pretty much held her all day. We didn't mind either. It helped our empty arms out a little bit.

Tiger Lily also likes to sleep on Bobby's lap so I couldn't pass up taking these picture.

Tiger Lily was very good with the baby. We always wondered how she'd handle it. She was curious but also protective. It was like she was keeping watch on the baby. She got very concerned any time she would cry.

Ellie's Service

I knew I had these pictures somewhere but I couldn't find them. Then I remembered that my camera was at work so I had to take the pictures with the video camera. Which is why the quality isn't that great.

This is the dress we buried Ellie in. I made it from material leftover from my wedding dress. I originally intended it to be for her blessing.

 This is the hat and socks she was buried in, they are from my mom. She had them in the car packed awaiting my call that the baby was coming. 

 This is the bracelet that she is wearing. I have a matching one that I wear often. They were made by Nurse Heidi who took our pictures and her Angel Mama group.

 This is the blanket she was buried with, it was from the hospital.

 All of my family was able to be there for the service at the Cokeville cemetary. Our wonderful bishop who made the long drive up there is the one who took the picture.

 I know we don't look happy but it was a very nice day. It wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be. It was very spiritual and peaceful.

 This is little Ellie's casket and the yellow daisies we all put on for her.

 We went back later to make sure she was taken care of. The flower arrangement in the center was purchased by my parents, yellow and white daisies.

Other flowers were also  donated by my brother and sister-in-law, my grandma, my aunt and uncle, and the Oakeson family.

Moving

Now that the nursery was obsolte we decided to move the office furniture back in there and put our bedroom back to the way it was before. We didn't want to take the crib apart because it took so long to put it together in the first place. So, we pushed it to one side of the room and it is now used as storage.

Ellie's changing table is now full of her memoribilia. There is her baby book, two heart boxes with precious items, and her stuffed Elephant.

Cream Soda

Bobby had to come home and try mixes of his own. Always a chemist!



Pool party

We have spent lots of time at our aunt and uncle's house swimming in their new pool.

Chuck grilling dogs

 Bobby and Chuck decided they needed to learn to make Root Beer

 And Cream Soda



Friends

We have good friends who have been spending time with us to distract us from the saddness. Their litle girls dressed Bobby up in their beautiful jewelry.

Gifts

We had so many friends and loved ones visit us and bring us gifts. This is a cookie bouquet sent by a friend in Italy.

Euro Bobby

Fortunately we still have a sense of humor.

The 4th of July

We made two trips to visit Sharon's family in Rexburg.

We played lots of croquet.

Mom did lots of dishes

 Watched a briliant fireworks show given by Thomas.

And ate s'mores

First Adventure

Our first adventure was one we didn't expect. Our little Elliphant returned to heaven before she was born. The pregnancy was 37 weeks along when her heart stopped beating.

Ellie Marie Rinehart. Born June 4th at 11:31 pm. 6 pounds and 18 1/2 inches. She had lots of curly brown hair. Her eye color is unknown. Cause of death: unknown. Buried in the Cokeville, WY cemetary on June 11th.

Pregnancy

Our year began with the excited anticipation of the arival of our little girl.

And a baby shower to celebrate the occasion.