Go Whitney!

Whitney graduated yesterday. We had a lot of fun at her ceremony and it was nice and short. I'm having a hard time accepting the fact that she's old enough to graduate, but she's a good and smart girl. She's off to college in the Fall and we'll miss her a lot. Good job Nini!Cannon and the Grad

Sisters

Her diploma

Disclaimer: A lot more people were there and I took pictures of them all. I'm just being lazy and uploading a few. :)

A Trip to Southern Utah

This week we got to go to Bryce and Zion National Parks with a few of Jarom's students. The Honors Biology class got the chance to see science in action and we took Cannon and supervised with one other teacher from the school. They were such good kids and it was an amazing trip. I've been to Bryce one other time, but this was my first time to Zion.

The first day, we went to Bryce and saw the Hoodoos and some pretty amazing land formations. The kids and Jarom went on a horseback ride. Then, we went on a few hikes. The first hike was a killer and my legs were jelly the rest of the day. Cannon was such a trooper in his little backpack and loved seeing the beautiful views. We got to eat at the lodge and see a presentation on nocturnal animals that was really amazing. I just eat this stuff up. It really makes me miss school. Teaching science was one of my favorite things.

The next day we were in Zion National Park and there was so much to see. It was a little rainy and the hike to the Emerald Pools was great. Cannon went in his stroller with Jarom. They were so cute. Cannon grabbed some leaves off of a plant and kept them in his hand the whole time. He's too funny. We took the Keyenta trail back to the lodge and Jarom turned around and waited for us down at the Grotto. On the way down, we saw a rainbow over the park. What an amazing sight! It just made me stop and think about how beautiful the earth is and I felt so close to my Heavenly Father. We took one more hike along the River and saw this huge rock. We all climbed it and some nice hikers took pictures for us. Don't even ask me how I got down. It wasn't a pretty sight.

Taking this trip and getting to be with Jarom for four whole days was such a blessing. We really don't get to do stuff like this anymore and I loved every second with my boys. I just can't post without pictures. I took a TON but these are some of my favorites.

The view from Sunset Peak
Poor Baby
The Hoodoos in Bryce Canyon
Beautiful Zion Nat'l Park
Walking to the Emerald Pools
Ah, what a sight! You can't see the rainbow in this one :(
A little rock climbing

Baby Steps

Cannon has been making progress toward walking the past few days. Yesterday, we were having him walk back and forth to one another and he'd take one or two steps and fall over. We thought we'd just try again today and we couldn't believe the progress he made in one day. It helped that I was bribing him with the garage clicker (his favorite toy these days). But, he actually walked for a while this time. I'm so glad we got it on video tape. This is the first time he has done this which is why I flipped out at the end. Please ignore the piles of socks on the floor! Haha!

11 Months!

Wow. Only one month left and he's one! I can't believe it. He's growing up so fast. I did these pictures today on the stairs that go to my garage. They turned out pretty cute. He's such a funny kid. He figured out how to go down the stairs while we were playing. It's kind of scary to watch him, but he's really good. Here's what he's up to:

*21 lbs.
*28 inches long
*Sleeping through the night (12 hours)
*Stands on his own
*Takes a few steps at a time
*Says Mama and Dada to us
*Weaned from nursing - Drinking from bottles
*Eats most table food
*Copies his daddy
*Drinks from a straw
*Waves at people
*Claps when he hears applause
*Loves to be outside
*Likes to play independently

My Day

Yesterday was my birthday. Ever since I was little, I've been obsessed with my birthday. I know that's so self-centered, but I just love that a whole day is set aside to remind others that I was born. Haha! Wow, I was not disappointed! I had a myriad of phone calls, text messages, emails and notes telling me to have a great day. I had that warm fuzzy feeling all day long. I even got a phone call from my childhood friend, Ruth, whom I have known since I was five. :) Thank you to all that remembered it really means a lot!

Now for a travelog of my day:

Okay, so I was supposed to go with my dad to the temple, but I called and canceled because a) I'm lazy and didn't want to wake up at 5:30 am b) I'm evil. I really felt so guilty for not going so Jarom and I have decided to go this weekend to make up for it. :) That will make me feel better.

Little did I know that Cannon's present to me was a full hour of extra sleep. I got up at 7 and walked a few miles on the treadmill. He usually wakes up at 6-7 and he slept until 8am! Woohoo! It was wonderful. Then we played for a bit and got ready to go.

My dad took the day off just for me (well, and a few appointments and meetings) and I met him at the house at 10:30 am. We went to my old Jr. High and picked up my sister, Haley. It was fun to visit and see some of the staff and faculty that was there when I was there. We took Haley to her Dr. appointment and then back to school. Then we went to Kneader's for lunch. My brother Brady and other sister Whitney surprised us and met us for lunch too. That place was packed and super yummy. Then we left them and ran a few errands for my dad.

I dropped my dad off at his Dr. appointment and visited my mom's 1st grade classroom. She took her kids out the the playground and let them blow off some extra energy. While I was there, Jarom called and said he left work a bit early. I left Cannon with my dad and met Jarom at Center Street in Orem. He had a few surprises scheduled.

I FORGOT MY FREAKING CAMERA so every single picture is from my cell phone:

First stop with Jarom was Goldsmith Jewelers in Provo to get my rings cleaned, inspected and re-plated. See how shiny!
Next stop, one of my favorite places, The Cheesecake Factory (Cassi, these are for you! Haha!)

For some of this

and this

and this

Mmmmmm! I was STUFFED!

While we were there, Jarom got a phone call from a teacher at his school. He needed Jarom to pick up 85 loaves of bread for the 7th grade activity the next day. Since Jarom is the one that has the school card, we needed to find a place that would sell us 85 loaves of bread at an extremely cheap price. So, we were off on a goose chase to find a place. We did and bought out the entire stock of wheat bread.

So, this is what the back of my car looks like with 85 loaves of bread.

I don't know how to rotate a cell phone picture, sorry.

Then, Jarom took me to Liberty Park. Wow. This place is gorgeous and clean and SO fun!

He wanted to rent the paddleboats, but they were gone. We were too late. :( He also wanted to go to Tracy Aviary,
But here are their hours

and this is what time we got there

bummer. So, we walked the perimeter of the Aviary and we did see some cool stuff. Like, the head of a bald eagle poking over the fence. And flamingos.

We walked around the corner and saw the duck pond. There were geese and ducks and TONS of little fluffy chicks. They were my favorite. We walked all the way back to the car and grabbed a loaf of bread. Good thing we had 85 in the back of the car. I hope I didn't get Jarom in trouble for stealing a loaf of bread to feed the ducks. But, do they really need 85? Won't 84 do?

Anyway, the geese really liked Jarom. They followed him all over the park. I only used one piece of bread. I'm kind of scared of geese. I got attacked by one when I was little. I was happy to watch from afar.

Here are some of the cute little chicks. So cute!

We finished the day off with a Jamba Juice. Even though I was stuffed, I still found some room for a Mango-a-go-go.

Thanks for a great day sweetie!

You are the best!

Consider the Economy Stimulated

We have been talking about getting bikes ever since we got married. While we were dating there was a time that we rented a tandem bicycle and rode clear up Provo Canyon to Nuns Park. From then on we were hooked and planned several other bike rides around Provo. I remember feeling so refreshed taking those bike rides together. It was great to be outside so close to everything.

Well, it seems that all we needed to accomplish our desire for bikes was a crappy economy. We made some plans before we received the stimulus check to use it on food storage and bikes. Yahoo! (I'll spare you the details of my food storage shopping spree). We set out early this morning in search of the perfect bikes. We both wanted cruisers. My only specification was that it had to have a bell. I know, I'm petty.

After visiting hundreds (okay, like five) stores, we found the most amazing pair of matching cruisers at Kmart of all places. Jarom got a red vintage Schwin. I got a blue vintage Huffy. We knew they were perfect when we were walking them to the front of the store and a cute little man stopped us and reminisced about his first bike from 1940. He told us that our bikes were just like the ones they made back then. Mine didn't come with a bell, but I actually bought one at one of the first bike stores we visited. It's pink. It's perfect. (If you look closely, you can see me in this picture).

My bell

Jaroms with baby seat

Mine with matching bag

We couldn't wait to get them home and install the child seat we got for Cannon. We were giddy like little kids planning our first bike ride. We decided to go to a park and then on a tour of the neighborhood. We got home and took a few minutes to install the seat and we were off. Cannon loved his seat and grinned the entire way to the park. We played for a bit and took a long path back home. I thought I was in pretty good shape, but my quads and thighs were burning the whole way home.

He really did smile... I promise!

I think he likes it!

We had so much fun with these bikes. It's also nice to be able to spend some guilt-free money on something we really love. I think the best part is just being together. We are definitely not pros like Kendall, but you never know! Ride on!

Duncan

Erica asked me to take some pictures for Duncan's first birthday. Duncan was just born when they moved in and I was assigned to be her visiting teacher. We hit it off and we have been pretty close ever since. I did some pictures for them at Christmas time {click on the picture to see them clearly}. They are moving to Chicago in the next month or so and it makes me so sad. I had visions of Duncan and Cannon being buddies and growing up together. But, hey, it doesn't hurt to have friends in Chicago. We'll definitely be up for a fun trip out to visit them {Did I just invite myself? Haha!} Anyway, we had a picnic at the park yesterday and I've had some fun with these pictures. He wasn't exactly thrilled to be there, but we got some good ones anyway. It helps that this kid is CUTE!

Ah, Spring!

Life is good.

Family Party

Every few months my dad's side of the family gets together to celebrate. Wednesday, Jarom and I went to the Confirmation of my cousin in the Catholic Church. We had a dinner tonight to celebrate him. He's such a good kid. Too bad I didn't bust out the camera until after he was done opening cards. Nope, not a single picture of him. Oops.

But, I did get some of Cannon...

He really wanted to be picked up. Also, he still has a tremendous fear of grass and thinks it's pretty icky. He won't go near the stuff. So, he sat on the concrete and watched the big kids play swords. He wanted so badly to play. He would inch his way toward the grass and then chicken out as soon as it touched him.
This is Keo. He's a tough guy. Unlike his sweet little brother, Kobe, Keo does not shy away from confrontation. Can you just hear him saying "Bring It" in this photo. He cracks me up.
My sister, Tori, and cousin Jake fighting. Check out the rad spectacles they wore. Kids are so funny sometimes.
This is sweet little Kobe. Awww. He's just so darn cuddly. He's always up for a hug...

Or a picture with his cuz.
Tori adjusting her spectacles.
A pretty decent picture of Jarom and I. Well, okay, to be perfectly honest, I don't take many good pictures. I think this one is okay. I took it myself. My camera viewfinder thingy swivels so I can see it even from the front and I can take a pretty unblurry self-portrait. :) Also, there just are a very small number of pictures of me on this blog. So, here you go in case you forgot what I look like.

We always have fun with family. I've said it before, but I consider my family such a blessing. We did have a pretty heated debate about what to wear for our upcoming family pictures. Since Jarom's ideas included cutoffs and flip-flops, I'll be deciding what we'll wear. Although we had a pretty humorous discussion about the possibilities. I can't wait to get our first family pictures done at the end of the month.

Congrats Lucas! :)