6 Years!

Six years ago at 2:00pm, we along with 50 other couples got married at the Oakland Temple we were so young! I still remember it like it was yesterday, taking pictures and getting soggy in the pouring rain. Since then, our lives each year have changed and I can't wait to see what the future brings us.

Here's a flashback of us through the years.

Dating

I don't think that I will EVER be that tan again...oh to be young again.

The night before this camping trip with my family, Andrew was working and got stung by a bee. He is deathly allergic to bees as you can dell by his pillsbury dough boy hand-you think that is swollen, you should have seen his face the day before. He was unrecognizable.

First Year Anniversary

Although it was hard (for me) to be living so far from our families and having virtually no friends, I am gratfeul for the time we spent in Utah, just the two of us. I miss Cafe Rio, Movies 8, scenic drives, and THE basement-not!

Second Year
Andrew worked at Home Depot and I at Circuit City while he was working hard at school and in Business School.

Third Year

Andrew graduated from BYU and we wasted no time (I am pretty sure that it was the day after he graduated) moving back home to Cali. A week after we moved, we headed off to the trip of a lifetime and saw some amazing places including Prague were Andrew served his mission. When we got home from Europe, I started school that day...a goal I am still pursuing.

Fourth Year

After much anticipation, we were thrilled to find out that we were expecting Carson. We had no idea how much his birth would change our lives for the better...we seriously wonder what we did without him...no really WHAT did we do with all of our time??

Fifth Year
So far, I think the fifth year was my favorite, so many amazing things happened but I love to see Andrew as a husband and father...I am tearing up as I just think about how awesome Andrew is with Carson and how good he is to me.

When Carson was four months old we were asked to be in the YW fashion show wearing our wedding attire to inspire the women the reason for being modest and their goal of a temple marriage. It was kind of fun to dress up and remember our day. It was also kind of weird holding a baby wearing my wedding dress...it felt kind of backwards.

Andrew you are a stud!

Sixth Anniversary

I loved you from the moment I saw you in that hammock, another guy at my side and all. I couldn't stop thinking about you and you really did have me at "hello". I am glad that I am yours for eternity...thanks for picking me. I know that I couldn't have done any better. You are still the apple of my eye after all this time.

Happy Anniversary! I Love YOU!

The Sling

It was the night before Christmas and all through the house we patiently waited for Santa to arrive.

drum roll please...

Santa had just arrived at my mom's house and we were busy capturing the moments digitally when my camera flashed me a change battery pack--nooooo!

Not wanting to miss the moment I rushed out to my car where I had left my purse and the possibility of an extra battery. Funny thing was it that day the thought occurred to me to charge the battery, but I didn't listen.

Anyway, running I fetch my purse and dashed back inside only to slip on water.

You see the walkway is concrete but the entry outside is tile. Tile is extremely slippery when wet...the next thing I know I am on the ground. The camera wasn't damaged in the process either was my phone the was in my back pocket. However, my backside aches and something is wrong with my ellbogen.

So I am laying on the ground, I yelled "HELP!"but no one heard me.

As I layed there crying, I wondering if my foot could reach the door to kick it.

I mustering up the courage to turn and knock.

My sister comes to the door saying, "you know it's unlocked." She is forgiven because she is a teenager.

The aftermath

To make a long story short, I am ok but I daresay that that was the worst pain I have ever felt-not EVER but second place.

Santa gave Carson this jingle cane and he loved hearing the bells!

this picture captures the commotion-attempts at a family picture with Santaa and me holding my arm.

Back to the fun part-Santa!
It was magical to say the least. I missed the look of awe on Carson's face when he realized that Santa was really at Gigi's but he loved every minute of it. Santa handed out presents and candy canes ( Carson ate 4, no wonder he wasn't hungry for dinner!), told a story, had a Q&A session and then we sang a song and he was off.

Us: "How many elves are in the North Pole?"
Santa: "For every person ever alive, they have had a personal elf"

Around 6 BiLlIoN!? I don't know about you but it seems like the North Pole would be overpopulated with that many little people running around.

We had dinner, opened presents and as is tradition in my family, we got pajamas. Here are the youngest members of the family modeling for us. What handsome boys, so GQ.

The End.

Just the Two of Us

Andrew was out of town this weekend so it was just Carson and I. Carson is my little buddy. He is so fun and I loved spending time with him but didn't realize how nice it is that Andrew helps out at home. We sure had fun, but I need a break! I don't know how my friends do it weeks and months at a time without their husbands, you are my heroes!

First night:

Carson kissing baby Jesus

Second day:
Saturday morning we went to my mom's to get out of the house. We listened to Christmas music and made a craft. Carson didn't want to play with the big boys so he "helped" instead.

We then went to my brother Tanner's (kid in yellow) indoor soccer game. This was a first for Carson and soon after arriving he explored and found that he could get onto the field through the goalie net...luckily I got him before he could.

He liked watching the boys run back and forth on the field. It was funny, when he wasn't watching the game, he would wander and find kids (usually much bigger than him). He would get up on the benches and sit with them. Getting bored and then find new friends. The social butterfly managed to hang out with Brooklyn (4) and her Brother Gannon (6). They were so awesome with him. If any of you have been around Carson you know that he HATES being by himself even for a few minutes, seconds even. He always gravitates to people. He is going to love it when he has siblings of his own.

A hug without his sticky hands, how thoughtful.

Sunday...church without Andrew-should be entertaining to say the least. Come home!!

Holiday FHE

After re-enacting the Christmas story from Luke chapter 2 and eating far too much sugar for one day, we went to look at Christmas lights.

It was nice to see homes that remembered the reason for the season with this awesome life sized nativity.

This year Carson stayed awake (and up until 10pm--which will make for a fun day because he has been awake since 7:00am...he doesn't sleep in-bummer).

It was fun to see his reaction to the "Christmas light street" I think his favorite lawn displays were Sesame Street of course, and a huge snowman and a Santa Claus, not pictured.

Our personal favorite was the leg from The Christmas Story...hilarious!

On a different note: My latest creations

Sunday and Monday while Carson was napping, I finished of some projects. I made the crayon holder for Carson--I need to think of a better name for them. As you can see, I made two holders because the first was kind of a trial run, I really need to start using patterns and then I wouldn't waste so much of my time. I also made another apron.

Naught and Nice

Q: "What does Santa say?"

Carson: "Ho Ho Ho!"

When he says it, it really is too cute. However, I think he is a bit confused because his "ho ho ho's" are not reserved for Santa but for snowmen as well.

Venting:

We arrived early to ensure no waiting in line.

We were the first customers.

Santa was late.

Once he arrived, I realized that the setup for attention getting, I mean picture taking was not the best.

Santa is sitting in what looks to be a sled and the camera is extremely far away from where the child and Santa are located making it nearly impossible to get their attention because there are too many other distractions like the pretty sparkling silver streamers that are covering the ceiling, the arch for the sled-sleds aren't supposed to have arches are they??, the Christmas trees, the displays featuring all of the nick knacks that you could purchase to place your already overpriced photo into.

Anyway, with that said, I think the picture is ok. My mother in-law thinks it looks like an old fashioned picture from the 50's or something because Carson is so serious.

After taking this picture with Santa and being kind of disappointed I got a call from my mom saying that she is having Santa at her house on Christmas Eve!! I was so excited but only wish I had known a few hours earlier. I can't wait for our hour with our own personal Santa.

Looking pretty good considering the ugly sweaters if I do say so myself.

This Christmas season so far has been an enjoyable one. Carson is more aware of what is going on and I am loving it! What I not loving is his sporadic naughty behavior (yelling, hitting, stomping of feet-gasp-not our son!). Such behavior tends to occur when he a) I am by myself with him b) we are in public c) he does not get what he wants that second and d) when I don't let him do or hold something that he wants.

As a result of his naughty behavior, shopping trips lately have been embarrassing to say the least. I considered not taking him shopping ever again but that is not realistic. So we have been implementing a time out of sorts that hopefully will work.

Any suggestions??

He really is a good boy so to give him "nice" points for Santa, he and I had a date of sorts this afternoon while daddy was at a wrestling event. We went out to lunch and to the mall and he was soo well behaved, it was actually a lot of fun. Besides children not coming with owners manuals, why don't they come with a "be good" switch and a "we're at home so anything goes switch." Don't you think that would be helpful?

The Coming of Age

18 months.

Legal nursery age.

Where has the time gone??

Carson and Sister Hughes, one of his nursery leaders
My flash didn't go off and I was already weird enough taking a picture in nursery so I took what I could get.

Nursery, I thought this day would never come. Although it was so nice and edifying to be able to hear the lesson in Relief Society--the whole thing versus bits and pieces. On the other hand, I kind of missed being with him at church today. When Andrew went to go get him he wasn't really excited to leave, he loved it! He was worn out because he fell asleep on the way home. The fact that he can go to nursery is bittersweet because Carson is growing up so quickly and is becoming independent.

We sure love our lovebug and can't wait to see the man that he will become. Watch out, before I know it he'll be getting baptized!

"Watching" Willow with Uncle Tanner, Taylor and Aunt Sabrina...who can resist homemade kettle corn?!

Just Breath

Group B for Brilliant.
From left to right Mafalda (my carpool buddy), Carla, Jessica, Dawn, Me (the three in the tree), Jennifer, Mark and Angie.

We had woken up at 4:00 am for two days in a row and had just finished our last day of clinical for the first semester yesterday and couldn't be happier! I enjoy working with all of the ladies...and Mark.

I am sad though because next semester I don't have ANY of them in my group-sniffle. So I will have to make 9 new friends with the classmates below and find a new carpool buddy...:(

Class of 2010

On afternoon after clinical.

Our instructor Joni is like the paparazzi always wanting to take pictures and I appreciate that she did because she made us a slide show, put to music of the entire semester, it was very thoughtful and neat to see our confidence grow. She is also a tough instructor but because of her expectations I know that I will be a better nurse and am more prepared for next semester than those from other groups.

Sneaking pictures near the Omni Cell

Hard at work

The Lab

Dawn and I practicing for our injection competency exam, she is in her 50's can you believe it!! I hope I look half that good at that age.

Preparing to insert my first catheter of Mr. or Mrs. dummy

The lady in the middle wearing black with her eyes closed in Adette. She helped us prepare for our skills tests and she helped instill confidence and give us pointers-Thanks!

Looking back at the last four months I can finally breath because it has come to an end-almost. We have two more days of class. At times, I was overwhelmed and honestly thought I would not be able to endure. My confidence faltered and I almost gave up. I am a perfectionist and I had to learn that I am not going to be "perfect" at everything the first time and that I might not get "perfect" grades but that I am learning for a reason.

I am happy that I stuck with it and to say that overall it wasn't that bad and I am grateful to my classmates for being built in cheerleaders. Now that I know what to expect, because I am a planner and don't handle well with the unexpected. With this knowledge, I know that next semester is going to be tough-much worse than the last four months but I know that I can do it.

Mafalda has been an unexpected friend but being in a car with someone for more than 10 hours a week, you get to know them very well. I am happy to say that she is my friend.