Apartment Hunting with Dave

My big brother Dave just took a job in Hastings, Nebraska. Nope, he’s not crazy. He’s just building his resume to get a hospital research job in Alaska. After graduating in pharmacology from UMKC in 2009, he stayed on for a year, taking a job in their drug information center. After completing that in 2011, he began the job search, with his sights set on Alaska (he cannot wait to ‘move back home.’ And WE can’t wait to visit him there once he does!) 

Adventures with Rose

I miss my sister Rose.  She is currently studying at BYU, and has been back at school for less than a month since Christmas, and I’m already counting the days until summer break. I don’t know how I shall survive the year and half she will be gone on her mission.

Santa Practice: Christmas Day 2011

We had a fabulous Christmas holiday! Richard's sister Christina completed her service as an LDS Missionary in Ecuador and returned home to Iowa on December 17th.  We got to spend some time with Christina, Josh, Maureen and Ken Goering on Dec. 23rd in St. Louis and celebrate an early Christmas.

Vote on Our New Blog Picture!

 Okay folks, once I complete the Europe entries I will be changing my blog wallpaper, and currently my favorite pic is this one that we took during the family picture shoot.  Any comments about whether Option A (left) or Option B (right) is best would be appreciated!

Preston Family Siblings

James, Dave, Algot, Joe (Ann), Richard (Letty)

After the photographer left we seized the opportunity of being all dressed up to take some pictures of our own! Algot, of course, being his usual goofy self! (Joe does not have a wierd growth on his head, that's his brother-in-laws hand).

Preston Family Pictures

The Many Faces of Emerson Dean

One of my absolute favorite things about my absolute favorite Nephew (who seems to lend himself to superlatives) is the adorable variety of expressive faces that he pulls. The following pics highlight some of my personal favorites caught on camera over his 3 day visit with us.

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!

Emerson Dean and His Daddy

You might be able to tell from the number of pictures I took, but I don't think I have ever seen anything as sweet as my baby brother holding his baby boy.

Emerson Dean and Uncle Luvin

Last but not least, Emerson Dean's Uncles all made sure they got their chance holding him. To be fair, they didn't exactly receive an EQUAL chance amongst all us girls, but we tried to make sure they all got to hold him at least once. lol. Poor Grandma barely got to see him at all this vacation, but we figured since she was the one who cashed in on holding him the most right after he was born that it was only fair we had dibs first.

Emerson Dean and Grandpa

Surprise, surprise, the other family member little EmerD, as Richard calls him, had wrapped around his adorable little finger was Grandpa.  I have never seen anything quite so adorable as my Dad with his first grandson.

 

Emerson Dean and His Aunties

One of the very best parts of Christmas this year was the presence of the first official Preston grandbaby, Emerson Dean. Algot, Alisha, Avery and Emerson arrived the day after Christmas and the fun times began! His Aunts went absolutely CRAZY for the adorable little guy, narrowly averting fisticuffs at times when whose turn it was to hold him was in question.

My 1st Nephew: Most Adorable Baby EVER!!

My brother Algot and his wife Alisha just had the most adorable baby boy in the WORLD!! I'm sure I will probably think my future kids are cuter when they finally arrive...but until that time-Emerson wins it for me hands down! Emerson Dean Preston entered the world September 9th, 2011. He weighed 9 lbs 6 oz and was 22 inches long. Just goes to show us Preston's are good eaters!! He's starting out life right as a southern boy! He lives with his Mommy and Daddy and big sister Avery in Dallas, Texas.

As the very first Grandbaby on our side of the family he is destined to be irreparably spoiled and cosseted. He might even become the very first infant dictator. His aunts (myself, Ann and Rose) are already nuts about him and can't get enough pictures! The measly five included in the post are all we have up to this point. After watching me turn the pictures into my Ipod and Desktop screen savers, and whip my phone out to show people at every available moment, my husband cautiously inquired "Um, sweetheart, you do understand that he is not YOURS, right?" Sigh. So speaks the man with 10 nieces and nephews of his own already.















I can't WAIT to hold him and kiss those chubby cheeks! But I will have to wait until I get back from England, as he was so inconsiderate NOT to make an early appearance (probably busy eating) and showed up a mere two weeks before we head out for Europe.

Richard and Rachel Graduate!

As the only 2 members of the family whose names start with "Arrrr-" Richard and Rachel have long been secret pirate adventurers.

Ok, so this post is very late in coming, but this summer was kinda crazy intensely busy. In June, both Richard and his littlest sister, Rachel graduated. Richard graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with his Masters of Arts in International Affairs (he was writing his thesis for this degree simultaneous with his MBA at University of Chicago Booth School of Business-he is about midway through this 3rd degree). Anyway, we were THRILLED to get one degree polished off so we could be a little less crazy around here. Rachel from graduated from high school the following week in Iowa, and we drove up to see the family and our newest niece, as well as get some great pictures of the two graduates.

Left to Right: Richard, Letty, Mom Goering, Rachel, Dad Goering, Mark Goering, Leah Goering holding baby Kate Goering, and Danny

The proud parents of their 13th high school graduate, Ken and Maureen must be heaving a secret (or not-so-secret) sigh of profound relief. All of them college bound or college graduated, all of them students or gainfully employed, and all of them respected, contributing members of their community. What a way to define success! Way to go Mom and Dad Goering! We are just as excited for your accomplishment as for Rachel's and Richard's!

Dad, Rachel and Mom Goering