Family pictures and BFFs

We have never really had "family pictures" taken before but while Sierra was staying with us she took some and did an amazing job! I am so happy we finally have a real one!

I'm really grateful to have such a good friend, no matter how far apart we love form each other!

Christmas and visitors

 Well, it's almost February, so how about a picture from Christmas? :) 

  

 My parents came to visit the day after Christmas

Holly and Ashley came to visit me last weekend.

We are so blessed to be so close to Utah and have so many visitors here before we move back across the country again in June! I love my family!!

Happy Halloween!

Baga and Baca come to visit!

{Baga and Baca is how Shad says Grandma and Grandpa, respectively}

My mom and dad came to visit us in Arizona and we had a grand old time. I'm so glad that we were given the opportunity to be close to family for a year before going back even further east for at least three more years so that Shad can know his grandparents. Family is the most important thing in the world to us!

They came to church with us on Sunday and got to see our crazy cool "Arizona-style" church building

Shad loved swimming with "Baca"

Before taking my dad back to the airport on Monday we snagged a few pictures at the Gilbert temple

My mom got Shad a season pass to the zoo for his birthday present so we went one of the days she was here. The forecast for that day showed a lot of rain, but we decided to take our chances. It was almost completely void of people and the weather was great up until a few minutes before we were about to leave.

Then it poured. 

And Shad loved walking in the rain with Baga. He refused to let us cover him with an umbrella.

He loved the monkeys too

We actually saw more animals out than I have ever seen before, they must have really loved the rain!

A bear just chillin' in a tree

"Baga" and Shad at Papago park

Shad wasn't too happy with all the picture taking while he was trying to throw rocks into the water

Hanging out in Old Town Scottsdale

I lost a month... part 1

In the 6 1/2 years that I have had a blog I never once missed one month of posting... until last month! I don't even know what happened (but I know a lot happened) and I still feel like it still should be May. I feel like I lost an entire month! It was an extremely busy month, starting with my birthday and graduation from the Bachelor's in Nursing program at MSU. My parents came for the weekend to support me and we had a blast!

The morning after they arrived, my parents took me birthday shopping while we waited for Jared to be home from school. My sweet dad pushed Shad around in the stroller while my mom and I searched for a dress to wear for my graduation.

We ate lunch at McAlister's Deli

Then we drove up north to Mackinaw City and stayed in a beautiful hotel on the beach, but unfortunately it was still in the 30's outside and ice was still floating in the lake. Still beautiful nonetheless.

The next morning we took the ferry over to Mackinac (also pronounced Mackinaw-something about the French pronouncing it that way but the English writing it the way it sounded....) Island. It was totally deserted, probably because the high for the day was 39 degrees! Most of the shops were closed, but we did go up and walk in the Grand Hotel.

It was super cold, and Shad wasn't too happy about it

                                      

Shad really loves his grandma and grandpa, and I love these pice of them!

The next day was my birthday and graduation. I could hear Shad in the audience the whole time saying, "Cars! Weeoo weeoo!" I love his sweet little voice!

My mom snapped this one of me and Shad walking down the stairs and him holding my "diploma"

My awesome supportive parents. Love them!

The two loves of my life

After graduation my parents took us to a local sushi place. I cannot get enough sushi rolls! 

Then that night we had pizzas on the Traeger and cake and ice cream to finish up the celebrations. I was so spoiled and felt so loved all day!

This is the end of part 1... I don't have the energy to post anymore tonight!

Where did September go?

Man, we have been so busy that I don't even know what happened to the month of September! Luckily I have some pictures on my phone reminding me of what happened:

Shad turned 11 months:

I can't believe he is almost 1! Time really does fly by when you have kids. (And when you are also in school and working....)

I threw a baby shower for a cute girl in my ward:

The theme was "Ready to Pop". I think it turned out really cute! My friend Jessica helped me plan it.

Jared ran his first duathalon. It started with a 5 mile run that went all through the sand dunes. He said it was the hardest run he had ever done. Not gonna lie, I was pretty jealous that I wasn't doing it.

Here he is before the run started:

While Shad and I waited for him, Shad hung out in the stroller and stuffed his face:

After finishing the run he jumped on his bike for a 17 mile bike ride:

After the race:

He did really well considering it was his first duathalon. I think he took 5th in his age group. I was so proud of him!

Yesterday Jared volunteered in the ophthalmology booth at MSU's annual Teddy Bear Picnic all day, so Shad and I came to visit him and he was able to go around to the different booths with us. The Teddy Bear picnic is where little kids can come and take their teddy bears and have them get "fixed up" by med students, doctors, and nurses. Shad had no idea what was going on but we did get a lot of free stuff! He just loved walking around showing everyone his new skills. And of course, he loved the balloons:

Here are a few more pictures that were just on my phone from the month of September:

Shad and I spend a lot of time reading when we are at home. This picture is really blurry, but I love his cute face and I love that he loves to read so much!

My sweet boys:

Shad really loves his daddy so much and is always so happy when he gets home (he cried the other day for the first time when Jared left in the morning. It was the saddest but sweetest!)

So there ya go, another busy month that just flew by! October here we come!

It's official!

As of today, exactly 8 months from the day Shad came into our lives, he is now officially our SON (on paper, anyway. We really knew a long time ago.) Here is proof:

Our awesome friends Jessica and Kayli (and baby Ella of course!) came to the court house with us.

Jessica was able to film the last part where the judge made it official. I still have to pinch myself sometimes to think that I really was so lucky to become his mom! I don't feel like I did much to deserve it. We have been so blessed with Shad in our lives and can't imagine what our world would be like without him! He was always meant to be a part of our family and I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving us the opportunity to become his parents in such an amazing way. Anyway, here is the video. Enjoy!

Memorial Day

Jared and I both had Memorial Day off this year, so we decided to make the most of it and got to a Tiger's game with some of our friends from the ward. What better way to spend a day of remembering all the men and women who have fought for our country than a good old American baseball game? Before the game started they had a big ceremony with a lot of veterans and current soldiers and the National Anthem sung by a Staff Sergeant woman. It was pretty neat. I am so grateful for all of the people who have fought so hard for our freedom, many at the cost of their own lives. We are so blessed to live in America!

In front of Comerica Park- this is Shad's first MLB game!

They gave him this certificate for being at his first game. So cute!

Jared and Shad with Skyler and Kinsley

Shad loves Laurie!

The girls- Me, Julie Landon, and Laurie Johnson

The boys (Jared, Trent, Skyler, and Bob) all decided they wanted to stay in Detroit for the Red Wings game tonight, so all the girls and the kids drove home in a separate car while the boys stayed for the game. (Not going to lie, I was a little disappointed that I couldn't come.) Oh well, I'm sure the boys needed a real guys night. They rarely all have the same night off to hang out. They all work so hard! (Bob is a 2nd year ER resident, Skyler and Jared are almost in their 4th year of med school, and Trent is almost in his second year of PhD school.)