Mid-May & Niles' 3rd Birthday

We went to the ranch for our first official outing with Baby Ammon on Saturday, May 17th to celebrate uncle Mike's college graduation. I wish all the timing had been different so I could have thrown this party for him--he did so great, but I missed the ceremony and festivities giving birth and all ;) Mike did a great job, we had a good time.

Ammon hit his ONE WEEK OLD mark as we arrived at the ranch for Mike's BBQ.

Mike and The Ansoteguis enjoying some BBQ along the river

My mom and Mark arrived shortly after the BBQ around 8pm on Saturday, May 17th. Somehow we got ZERO photos of Nana (I hope she took some!). But here are her knees! Ammon relaxing with Nana on May 20th.

Niles LOVED having Papa Mark here to give him some extra attention and birthday love! Mark was so helpful in so many ways. His dad had a stroke while they were visiting and I know he was worried, but he stayed in good spirits and did so much to help us...we were very grateful!

On Monday, May 19th, we celebrated Niles' 3rd Birthday.

The day started with early morning brother snuggles in mommy's bed.

Then Grandma Melin called us from Missouri!

Niles opened his card from Grandpa and Grandma Melin while he was on the phone with them.
 He was SO EXCITED! It was a great start to his special day.

Daddy cooked Niles and birthday breakfast of French Toast and bacon
 and he got to open one present...Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood figures!

DANIEL!

Later, we got a sundae at Western Drug with Nana and Papa.

SILLY BUG!

Monday Night we had brats and dogs for dinner and invited the Johnsons and the missionaries over to celebrate with birthday dinner. I made chocolate zucchini cake for Niles' birthday cake and then he opened his cool presents. We didn't get a picture of him opening his cool beach play-doh set from Brody, but he loved it.

Nana and Papa brought this awesome remote control car

The family got Niles this basketball hoop, which was a big hit
with James and little Colton Johnson, too!

Rich snapped this pic of me and Ammon napping on May 20th
(I stayed in bed all day because I was recovering from a sever case of mastitis
which came on, conveniently, during Niles' birthday party).

James skipped a day of school just to snuggle with Ammon.

On May 21st, Grandma Lyn and Aunt Mart arrived. Grandma stayed with us for a whole month while Marti stayed for 2 days, then flew to Georgia to help Cousin Kevin and Katie have their baby girl. They overlapped with Mom and Mark by one day, so Mark prepared this amazing BBQ dinner on the night we were all together. It was really sweet. The next day Mom and Mark left to visit the Helena kids, and we got Gram settled into her room at our house. She had an injured knee and was immobile for the first week of her visit, but she was such a trooper! We loved having her with us, and Ammon loved the extra snuggles.

S'mores with the missionaries! Rich found this fun at-home s'mores kit
 at the thrift store for $1.25! We love it!

Elder Curtis and Elder Brock love it, too!
(These good Elders are ON FIRE; they have a baptism almost every week!)

My dear girlfriends planned a fabulous shower for me on May 10th at Kim's house, but I spoiled everything by having a baby that day! They rescheduled the party for Saturday May 24th. Lots of people were out of town for Memorial Day weekend, but we had a great time together. I felt so spoiled and blessed to have all these good women in my "tribe."

Diaper cake from the cute Kirby girls

Our hostess, my partner in many a crime,
my gorgeous sisterfriend, Kim Strupp.

Lynners came!

Addie came!

Of course we passed the baby around...here he is with Angie Kirby.

You can always plan on awesome food at any Kim party...
Jessi, Robyn, and Kim did such a great job welcoming Ammon to the world!
Love them!