Blessings of the Temple

Elder Nelson

Blessings of the Priesthood

Elder Hales

O Remember, Remember

President Eyring

A Book with a Promise

Hope You Know We Had a Hard Time

Wonderful message from Elder Cook.

Memorial Day Weekend

We had quite the Memorial weekend. Last minute we decided to head down to L.A. where Justin's little (taller) brother was having a Basket Ball tournament. Since Justin is done with school and is waiting for work we decided we better take the all the "vacationing" we can! So we left on Friday and arrived just in time for Jaren's first game at the HAX basket ball hanger. It was WAY cool! There was about 6 courts with 7 flat screen TV's, and a Cardio room, weight lifting room, and other rooms for basketball training. It was quite the set up! Jaren's team made it all the way to the FINAL FOUR!! He is an amazing basketball player! Carden loved trying to go out there on the court and would start clapping his hands.

We spent Saturday at the beach since Jaren's game wasn't till 4pm. The beach was perfect. It was so clear and sunny and warm. The water wasn't too bad but there were no waves to body surf on. Justin and I jumped in while Carden took a nice nap on the beach. We went to Manhattan beach and it was so beautiful. Justin and I would LOVE to live there. Maybe someday we will have a beach house right on the beach!!! (hee hee it is fun to dream!). I just loved this one beach house that was so cute. I wish I took a picture of it. It was right on the beach with a large courtyard with a pool. It had a ton of windows and was just beautiful. I loved this beach because there was a bike path as well as a walking path that went all the way down the beach. There were also tons of little shops that were so cute. We went to Wahoo's Tacos for lunch and CARDEN loved it!! He ate almost all my black beans, fries, and a quesadilla. Sometimes I wonder if I'm letting Carden EAT TOO much??? He just can EAT! But we just had such a great day at the beach. I didn't want to leave.

We then drove up to Visalia to spend Sunday and Monday with Grandma and Grandpa and the van Beevers! It was so much fun. We swam, BBQ, flew kites, launched golf balls off the top of the hill, played baseball, some ping pong, and enjoyed the breezy sunny weather! It was a great weekend. Carden loved playing with Luke and Cohen. Carden also LOVED swimming. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for letting us come to your house!

Hilarious!

"Hey!" Look at those TEETH! Justin got the GREATEST PICTURE of Carden. What do you think? Isn't he a character? We were laughing so hard at the dinner table.

This is Carden's new way of EATING... with one foot on the table!

Carden clip

Well this is kind of old. We took this a month ago, but I love his little belly and the things
he tries to say as he bounces his knees!

Only ONE!

Yeah so I finally was able to go see a doctor!!! It just made everything more real!
Yes we are really pregnant (the test wasn't wrong), and yes there is a baby (only one though:).
I really liked the Female Doctor I had today. She was so nice. She even let me CALL Justin and had him listen to the heart beat over the phone! It was a special morning.

Carden's first basket!

Today was a big day for Carden...he made his first basket! He just watches me shoot it in, over and over, and today he finally just walked up and "shot" it in! He did it twice in a row, so so far Carden is 2-2 FG% in his young life! This kind of a step brings a tear to my eye! :) And if he's got his dad's genes it will be the first of many more to come!

- Justin

May Update

Carden is so tender. He picks up his duck and then goes to his little rocking chair and rocks his duck.

This is Carden in one of his NEW shirts and shoes with his basket ball!

Our first year of law school is FINALLY over!! It was rough but we made it through! We aren't sure what our summer plans are, but I teach until July and then I am also able to teach for the rest of the summer if we stay. Justin plans on finding some work here in Sacramento and hopefully we will find a good internship!

Justin and I also would hate to leave our callings, with Justin being in the Young Men's and me being called as the PRIMARY Chorister!! Yeah, I know I have no idea what I'm doing in there. I'm horrible at leading. But I am excited! I love being in there with all the children. I have already taught for three Sundays and finally I feel like I kind of know what I am doing. We learned the song "Baptism" and they did such a great job. Now I have to get creative and bring in some fun games to keep them entertained.

So far my pregnancy is going pretty good. I have felt a little sick here and there (which really stinks since my first I didn't feel anything). But I have noticed I am a lot more emotional. For instance, today in Primary I almost started crying when this cute little boy, Mason, gave a talk on Baptism. It was so cute. And then later that evening I was calling a friend to say a few things and almost started crying over the message machine!!! (well I guess I kind of have a good reason to be crying since my friend Spring and her family are leaving this summer:( ) Already our next door neighbors the McGee's have disappeared. It is so sad. We didn't even see them move ONE box down the stairs and we were hoping that we would be of service!!! We miss our friends so much already. Change is so hard.

As for Carden...
he is just growing SO FAST! I seriously blink and he is one size bigger! He's already wearing size 18-24 mo. and he is throwing baskets, walking everywhere, copying anything he sees Justin and I do... I just can't believe I have a little one year old! He is so much fun. He has the cutest little laugh. He loves his binky like crazy, but I'm glad that it brings him comfort.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Well I've been trying to get this up all yesterday...let's try one more time.

I love you mom, and am grateful for all you do.

baby to boy

I just have so much fun with Carden all day long. He is so funny. Lately he has been getting so hyper with this large duck that he got from his Great Gma and Gpa. He walks around holding it and chatting and laughing. It is so cute. We tried to get a clip of it, but of course it was the end of that once we started recording.

We recenlty made the Cafe Rio's Salad dressing and attempted to make a taco salad, but oh man are we craving some REAL CAFE RIO!!!

Davis Trip!

We FINALLY go out to Davis and met up with the Kirk Family! It was so much fun seeing Becky, B.J., and of course their CUTE little girl Ava! We spent the day playing with Ava's toys, walking all around the beautiful campus at Davis, and swinging on swings and going down slides. Carden and I just had a lot of fun! It was so great seeing my friend and old COLLEGE roommate Becky! It was my first time seeing her beautiful girl Ava. She is so tender. She never cried once and was so tuff even when Carden was patting her (way to hard) on the head. (sorry about that Becky).

I really liked Davis. It is a cute little campus. I love how everyone rides bikes and walks everywhere. That is the only thing I don't like about Sacramento. It is hard being far from Justin's school, but at least we are in a great neighborhood where I can walk anywhere, and plus the beautiful Sacramento river is right outside our door!! We will definitely have to come again and play with you guys.

Thanks Becky and BJ for letting us come visit!!

Daily routine

Carden then takes a nap around 11am or noon. He loves to fall asleep in this BIRD NEST chair!
Carden always starts his day off with a YUMMY bowl of Oatmeal, which he feeds himself!