Random

My dad came to visit on his way to Yuma with his family. He was able to stay for a few days. This is us at the train park in Anthem. And this is the only pic I got, darn it. We had fun though. He of course took us out to  eat and did lots of babysitting for Ali and us. Love when parents come down and spoil us!

We've been picking the tastiest tangelos lately and now I'm completely a citrus snob. Nothing compares with the flavor of the home grown/ picked stuff! We would come and pick 40 lbs every weekend! Yum. 

Williams and us at "u pick citrus" farm

The girls visiting Chelsea Elton and newborn baby Evelyn. One of the many hospital visits...about 10 of our close friends have all just had babies or shortly will. So grateful for my friends here and am glad we're all having babies together! 

Valentines day date at Oreganos. So many fun times with these guys. (And note to self- next time order the thin crust not deep dish...my body can't handle a pound of cheese anymore:)

Girl time while Benny is at preschool. She's just so cute!

 

Random shots of the kids being cute

(My first chunky baby)

Peacocks at the main library! 

These two happened to be matching this day. They are best buds! It'll be hard to say goodbye. Not looking forward to that :(

Colter and Paige came to visit. We had so much fun! Went to les miserables (loved it!), children's museum, zoo, hiking, vball, etc. We/(mostly I) were all exhausted (from so much fun) when they left!

Their daughter Blakey sleeping while we played endless hours of sand vb

And last but not least- BIG NEWS! James matched into an anesthesia residency in Gainesville, FL! Very excited and proud of him. Getting sentimental about leaving everything here though. Feels like we've been here forever, yet still not quite ready to leave. 

Opening the envelopes that reveal their fate

Sisters trip- 

All the girls came down to Phoenix the last week in March. And mom and dad decided to come down as well. It was so fun to have some girl time. I just love my sisters. We had plenty of pool time, did initiatories together, went to the Easter pageant in Mesa and visited uncle Bill, and went to eat at the White Chocolate Grill. We celebrated Jill and my birthday dinner there...it was a pretty fancy restaurant!

Afterward we went to the Cinderella movie. So much fun!

White chocolate grill

Easter pageant 

My free birthday meal at Rubio's. Eden came with me to celebrate her 'special' day

Ali's 30th

We threw Ali a surprise party for her 30th birthday. It ended up being a much bigger deal than I meant it to be. But hey, we had fun doing it! 

The girls that came (this was not even half of the guests- the men and kids weren't pictured)

It was a fiesta birthday party- complete with Mexican food (potluck), mariachi band (thanks to pandora:), salsa dancing and pinata. 

James made the piñata. Isn't  he amazing!

Go Suns!

We got free last min tickets to the Phoenix Suns game tonight. (Thank you Nathan & Katie Johnson for the tickets and Ali for babysitting!) So much fun. 

Christmas break

Photo fly Santa pics

Yes, James was Santa. 

Pony rides at Thanksgiving Point

Eden didn't enjoy her ride

Breakfast with Santa at chick fil a 

(It ended abruptly with Eden pooping her pants- the flu hit us hard this season)

Christmas Day!

Thank heavens for grandparents who spoil our kids. 

Opening presents- Benson got a bike for Christmas this year. We thought we were being smart and bought a size up, with the intent to return it if needed. It was a mistake. It's way too big for him, he's scared of riding it and won't get anywhere near it. Too bad we but we accidentally threw the box away!

Playing on the new present- jumperoo

There was no snow on the ground until we woke up on Christmas morning...and then it was everywhere! (So imagine me singing "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" in the background while you look at this. Lol)

(Plus, thanks to the snow, I earned $5. John said he'd give me $5 if I ran to the round about and back in it, so of course I had to!)

Sledding at the elementary school by Brown's house

Eden warming up in the car with grandpa. She froze!

Winter hike in poky with Jill and dee

My good friend Terry Bitton got married while we were there. I was lucky enough to go to the wedding. 

Kind of dark, but I had to include it bc I just love these girls- Sara (Wiegman) Beck and Terry (Bitton) Hansen. Roommates at byui. Missing Katressa :( such good friends! 

Levi's baby blessing

Levi is by far the best baby I've ever had. Now, when people say they miss the newborn stage, I actually get it! And agree (in this instance). I never want him to grow up! 

I love having a baby, but having a baby boy- at Christmas is a double bonus. Something about newborns help me to reflect on things and shut off the unnecessary noise in life. It's easier to relate to how Mary felt when she held the baby Jesus. I love the scripture in Luke 2:19 that says "and Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."  It must have been wonderful to have had him all to herself in his infancy...and yet know exactly who he was and what his mission would entail. 

The baby blessing was at Browns house the Sunday before Christmas- 12/21/14. Mom and dad and Andy and Payden were there, also Dave's whole family. Jessica and her kids were also there (mark was pretty sick). And obviously john and Vicki were too. 

 

Both grandpas

Everyone in the blessing circle 

Same blessing outfit as benson. 

He was given such a beautiful blessing. Here are the notes I took. 

-we care for you and love you 

-Bless you with wisdom and knowledge; you will have the ability to absorb in the world around you

-blessed with discernment and a charge to surround yourself with great people and things

-ability to serve those in need of your service; prepared to be there for them

-blessed to find a choice daughter to take to the temple

-charge to learn characteristics from your mother