My little Claire-bear...

Introducing Claire Lee Bawden!

 Weighing in at 6lbs 11oz &19inches long!

Claire is amazing and we all have just

fallen in love with her- even Graham, who is

an exceptional and loving big brother!

Auntie Meg meeting Claire for 1st time...

Big brother Graham meeting sissy for 1st time!

Snuggle time with Auntie Meg!

1st baby pictures... How PRECIOUS is this!

We are so thankful for this sweet little

love, she brings so much joy to our family!

Chelsea has adjusted to mother-of-two so

beautifully, and had a fabulous delivery.

She recovered very well, and wouldn't you

know the brat is already back in her jeans!

;) lol- j/k Chels! You look AMAZING!

xoxoxo

It's friday...

New posts coming soon from our trip to AZ

& what we've been up to lately.

Until then Happy Friday from us... ☺

Trials...

Wells I am going to do an unusual post.... Nothing much to report right now, not a happy post, kinda vague, and no pictures. What a drag huh? I know. All I can really say is we are going through a hard time (Not our marriage so don't worry! Don't need any rumors started!) but just trying to deal with some of the twists and turns of life. I don't feel comfortable putting all the details out there for the universe to see right now. We are trying to stay hopeful and hanging in there, but could sure use some good thoughts and extra prayers if you can spare.
                                                Love you all,
                                                         Meg

It brings me joy...

It has been fun since moving to San Diego to

explore the city and all of the great things it offers.

I recently visited Balboa Park. I was mistaken to

think when we moved there that is was "just a park".

Au-contraire! It is an amazing place with the most

beautifully constructed buildings, and a plethora

of  unique museums, and gardens I could spend

all day long just wandering. It is a truly unique

place that I am SO glad to have found.

 My most recent trip was spent in the San Diego

Art Museum. Which features art from local artists

but also traveling pieces on loan from the great

galleries and museums of the world.

There is something about art... It is second in my

heart to music. They both speak to my soul.

There is something about staring at a canvas

that a great artist painted hundreds of years ago,

observing to brush strokes, the lines, the

technique. I find myself imagining where

they were when they painted it... Why did

they pick that image, or place... How many

hours did it take to complete... Were they

happy with the finished product...

I have a deep love for it so when I get

to see the great works of my favorite

artists, the great masters- it brings me joy.

I got to see these originals:

 Matisse "The Bouquet"

Toulouse-Lautrec "The Millner Rene Vert"

Fatin-Latour "Peonies, Roses, and Carnations"

Dali "Spector of the evening"

Warhol "Self Portrait"

Monet "The River Eure"

I already fulfilled one of my lifetime wishes

when I saw Monet's Water Lilies original at

the J.P. Getty Museum in high school. One

day I'll get to the Louvre in Paris! Until then

I'm glad to have found a local place where I

can get a steady glimpse of the great works

I admire so very much!  

My "lil" bro...

This is my younger brother Greg or "Bubba"

as we call him...Or, Elder Montgomery

as he is known right now. I say younger because I

am a total shorty and he's been bigger than me since

he was like 12 so I can't say little brother...

Today he turns 20, which I have to admit makes

me feel RIDICULOUSLY OLD! But, I'm not going

to focus on that- instead I'll tease HIM that HE'S no

longer in HIS "teens" & how old HE'S getting! ;)

Today is his birthday, and while I wish I was

home to get a big bear hug from him, I couldn't

if I wanted to. He is on a mission for the LDS

church. He is in Idaho for just over one more

year- he's already been gone for a year this 09/16.

It's really weird to have him gone, and even though

time seems to fly by, I feel the distance and I feel

how long it's been since I got to hug him. There is no

better "hugger" in the world than this guy. I miss him!

BUT, I know that he is doing something he believes in

wholeheartedly and I am glad he is so happy, and being

treated well by the people who are around him up there.

Greg- I hope someone makes you a cake, and gives you

a great big hug today. You are the best & I hope that

you can feel as special and loved up there today

as you would if you were home with us!

I love you Bubba! I hope you have an amazing birthday!

xoxo- Meggie

(Bub & I the night before his mish 09/15/09)

Pups 1st Beach Trip...

We have been breaking the girls in to Cali

life one step at a time. We know that
this new life has come as quite a shock to

them. Going from a big house, a huge

grassy backyard, the freedom to roam as

they will- to a small apartment with a patio

& having to go out on potty breaks... It seems

like it would be hard! However, being dogs

they do seem to forgive us easily, and we haven't

had any accidents! They aren't used to a lot of

other dogs so that has been an adjustment too,

because EVERYONE has a dog here!

SO, the day finally came last week & they got

intoduced to THE BEACH! We wanted to time it with

their bath day because a dog on the beach is a mess!

On our way to La Jolla Shores...

They LOVED the sand, but the water & waves

kind of freaked them out at first. Bailey would

run from the incoming surf, it was hilarious!

It was a beautiful evening...

Bailey & Kahlua 2010

Momma & girls...

Dad & girls...

Our little family ☺

(yes... I post about my dogs since I don't

have any kids yet, get over it!)

Another gorgeous Cali sunset!

"Nesting" Baby Shower...

This last weekend I was very thankful

to be able to help throw a baby shower

for one of my BFF's Chelsee (Worsley) Hunt.

Before I post anymore pictures I have to

tell you why this girl, and this baby are so

special to me... Chelsee and I have been

friends since high school, and she is

one of those people who is every bit as

genuine and kind, as she is beautiful.

We can go for what seems the longest

periods of time without talking (though

we both hate when life is that busy) but

the second we connect again it's as though

no time passed at all. We can call on each

other for anything, and have proven time

and time again that if we need our girls,

we are there at the drop of a hat!

With having such an amazing friend, it

has been hard to watch Chelsee as she's

battled a painful 5 years of infertility.

With many prayers, lots of hope, and

unwavering faith- it finally happened!

You can't bottle joy, like that of the night

we girls gathered at Pita Jungle & received

the good news..."...I'm Pregnant!!!!!!"

Chelsee, I've seen this journey coming full

circle for you & I can't quite put into words

the joy in my heart as I watch you- someone

with such divine maternal instinct, finally

becoming what you are so meant to be.

I love you so much, and I am beyond

ecstatic for you and Ben! Baby Braydon

will be one of the luckiest, and most loved

little boys the world over. Congratulations!

♥ Auntie Meg

Now for pictures! ☺

The shower was held at the amazing Worsley

residence. It was a VERY quick trip for me,

but there wasn't any place I'd rather be! We

had a good old fashion slumber party, which

we are NEVER too old for, and then the days

festivities began. The theme was nesting, and

it was a beautiful day!

We made cinnamon rolls for "bun in the oven"

take home favors...

We used nests & apothecary jars as

decor pieces...

We served salads, and every kind of fresh

fruit you can think of...

We had a "fancy cheese" table- oh Brie,

it was delicious!...

Not all of the desserts were out yet,

but the table was beautiful with Christy's

amazing silver punch bowls...

I made some cards and put together a little

table for "new mommy advice"...

(Chelsee w/Braydon, Katie w/baby, Kristen, Meg)

Our favorite friendships!!! We missed

Shanda & Shelby dearly. Love you girls!

It was an amazing day ☺