Getting Outside

We took the boys out to our backyard on Sunday to let them run around a bit. Cade was the only one who did any running. Carson gets all nervous in the grass. I don't think he's a fan of the texture and I don't blame the boy. Right now it's dry and prickly. He sat in one spot and never moved, which is so unlike him. He is always busy, busy so it was pretty funny to watch. Cade was all over the place. He had to touch everything in sight. It is so fun to watch them discover new things. Here are some pictures.

Cuttin' Some Hairs

The boys got their first haircut. They still don't have all that much but there were those long, stringy baby hairs growing over their ears & neck that just had to go. I had my sister Lauren to help me out. This is something that I absolutely dread doing on a regular basis, but I'm not about to pay for it to have it done every month either. I better get used to it.

Flesh wound? You better believe it!

Watchin' Baby Einstein. That's the only way I could make it work.

Can this really be comfortable?

Watch Out M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I!!!

These two are goin' on a mission!!! Shane's dad has recently been called to serve as the Mission President of the Jackson, Mississippi Mission. Annette will serve as his companion. They leave at the end of June and will serve for 3 years.

We have bittersweet feelings about their new adventure. We are thrilled about this awesome opportunity but we also can't help but to feel mournful about the long miles that will separate us. They have been very involved grandparents and it will be hard to have them so far away. We take for granted having them so close & we depend on them way too much. We will definitely have some withdrawal issues, but we'll get over it! The great news is...we can go visit!

We love you and are so excited about the new adventures that await you in Mississippi. You will do SUCH a great job. You are such wonderful parents and the BEST In-Laws a girl could ask for...really, the BEST!!! We are blessed to have you in our lives and are better people because of your endless love and support.

Hitchin' A Ride

This is what siblings are for, right? Cade pushed Carson around in circles on Lightning McQueen...for quite a long time. It was hilarious. Unfortunately for Cade, Carson never returned the favor.

First Day

As some of you already know, Shane recently got a new job. Today is his first day with The Amalgamated Sugar Company. Here's the story.

Shane was fortunate enough to get hired on with a great public accounting firm, EideBailly, after he graduated. He's worked as an external auditor and has learned so much from his experience. He had great Seniors, Managers & Partners who trained him well and gave him great experience.

Amalgamated Sugar is a client of EideBailly. Shane has been on their audit for the past three years or so and has always thought highly of the company. He's been impressed with the people from day one and has always thought they would be a great company to work for. He made some contacts there a few months ago, asking about potential job openings. He was told they wouldn't be hiring until the summer or fall months.

About a month after he first talked with Amalgamated Sugar, he ended up contacting their HR department with some questions relating to their audit and asked again about any job openings. To his surprise, he was told that they were actually holding interviews for a position that had just opened up. They had completed first-round interviews and were just starting second interviews. She told him to send her a resume ASAP. He sent it over that morning, had an interview that afternoon, & a job offer two days later.

He was hired as an Assistant Account Manager (or as Shane likes to call it Assistant TO the Account Manager!) for their Nampa office. His job will change quite a bit compared to his work with EideBailly and we think it will be a great fit for him.

We feel so blessed with the recent changes in Shane's career. Not only was he offered a great job during this time of economic struggle, but it just happened to be with a company that he's had his eye on for years. We definitely don't feel that it was mere coincidence that Shane called the HR department that day. Timing is everything. We know that there are many who are losing their jobs and those that continue what seems to be an endless job hunt. We are grateful for Shane's job at EideBailly and recognize the Lord's hand in our lives as Shane has made this transition.

Stocking #2 = DONE!!!

Isn't he CUTE??? I think so! Carson's is next.

(Interesting sidenote: Did you know that these finished stockings go for $100 on Ebay? Who knew?!?)

You Know It's Bad When...

Your little one year old (Cade) comes up to you, pokes your belly fat rolls, looks you in the eye & gets the giggles. What's even worse, when he won't stop doing it.

Sending Love & Cuteness...in LOTS of Pictures!

The Daddy is away on business for two weeks, so I'm flyin' solo for awhile. Just wanted to let Shane know how much we are missing him. I'm torturing the boys with too many pictures...just trying to fill the time! Your boys and I are anxiously awaiting your return!

Mmm...nice belly!

Carson on the run. Cade showin' his buck-teeth. Classic.

For some reason, this picture of Cade is reminding me of my brother Luke. Not sure why!

Love the drool!

Classic Carson face!

One Down, Three To Go!

I'm getting started on my Christmas projects early this year! My Mom, as a young mother, made stockings for me & my siblings. I've always thought it cool that she took the time to make such cute, personalized stockings for each of us, but I never thought I would do it myself...seeing how I barely know how to thread a needle. So, my sister and I started feeling really ambitious after Christmas and convinced ourselves that we were totally capable of making the stockings. We proceeded to buy them...HALF price, of course, since it was right after Christmas. I think that's what sealed the deal right there. Anyway, I competely panicked when I got the kits for FOUR intricate stockings. I was honestly considering sending them right back. There was no way I was going to be able to do it. Well, here I am showing off my first COMPLETED, hand-stitched Christmas stocking! I'll admit it. I'm SUPER proud of myself! I started mine first. It is by far the easiest & least complicated of the four. And, if I ruined it, it wouldn't be the end of the world. I had a few bumps along the way but I'm still pleased with the end result. I've now started on Shane's. Hopefully by the time I get to the boys' stockings, I'll be a pro. I think it's safe to say that it has completely consumed me. It's been fun and I'm learning a lot! I'll post the others as I get them done.

Love My Love

This is what I woke up to this morning as my pre-Valentine surprise! Is there much more that I need to say??? Alright, well I'm going to say it anyway! I love my hubby! I am such a lucky girl. Shane is my best friend and my most favorite person. Our relationship & marriage has always been, well easy, which he gets all the credit for. He understands me and loves me in the most perfect way. He remembers the small things, not only on Valentine's Day, but all year round. I am so grateful to call this man MINE!!!
I'm so excited for tomorrow. We get to start the day out to breakfast with friends, followed by a much needed visit to the Temple TOGETHER! I'm not even going to say how long it has been...way too long. I'm excited for the time I get to spend with my special valentine.

Sending you lots of love this Valentine's weekend...

Carson In The Bloglight!

Carson is a little man exploding with personality. If you've spent any time with him you know that just watching this boy can entertain for hours on end! Here are a few updates on Carson.

• Carson is all about facial expressions. He loves to copy & mimick any expression you throw his way. Along with expressions, he loves to copy sounds & noises. This is hilarious. He's not a man of many words (yet) but he has his signature sounds that put a smile on anyone's face.
• Watching Carson entertain himself is so funny. He hits everything. Not joking...everything! If it doesn't do something cool when he hits it, it's not worth his time or energy. His favorites are balls. He wacks 'em, they roll, he chases them, he wacks 'em...you get the idea. He does this every day, all day.
• Carson gives loves by hugging your knees & legs...and slobbers all over them while he's at it!
• Carson is obsessed with ME (which always makes my day).
• This boy is always busy, busy, busy. I'm not sure what his rush is, but he's on a tight schedule and has lots to do. He's recently been given the nickname of "Happy Feet" by a family in our ward because he doesn't ever stop moving. I think it's a perfect name for him.
• He is full of so much energy and enthusiasm that sometimes he can't contain himself. He ends up just collasping on the floor because he is overcome with excitement. This, too, is hilarious.
• Carson loves to be chased, by anyone. This works out well with Cade. Cade will follow Carson, Carson thinks he's being chased, they both giggle. I love it!

Carson adds so much fun & excitement to our little family. He makes us all laugh everyday. Our lives would be so dull without him to liven it up! So, here's to Carson. We love you!

Let's Talk About Cade

As shown above, Cade is very chatty. He has been for awhile now. He'll hold a full blown conversation with you and I'm sure in his mind, his words and thoughts are completely clear. However, there are a few things that are becoming clear to the rest of us...okay maybe just to me & his Dad.

For the record:

• He has said "Hi" for a long time. Now he holds up the phone to his ear and says "Hi."
• On Wednesdays, our Garbage Man comes. This is the highlight of our day! The boys stand on the couch & look out the window every week, completely taken by the garbage truck. This last week, Cade pointed to it & said "guck" (truck). He has said it multiple times since then, when he plays with his trucks.
• He now is saying "cwack" (cracker) every time you hand him any kind of cracker.
• If you mention "bye, bye" at all, he walks himself to the door and gets super upset if you don't get him outside quick!
• Cade is a little terror around my house. He takes everything off on the end tables, but now he brings them all over to me. As much as I hate that my house always feels like a disaster, I love this part of it. Makes my heart melt.
• Whenever he's done eating, he lets you know by throwing everything left on his try to the ground. He has also started doing this in his bed. In the mornings & when he gets up from his naps, you find everything that was once in his bed on the floor...blanket, binkie, his soft plushy, milk.
• He is very observant. He watches Carson very closely & copies everything he does. This is SO cute, and I might add that it doesn't happen very often the other way around.
• He is such a Daddy's Boy. Shane loves this!
• He has some mad dance skills! Whenever music is on, he is quick to turn on his charm with his dancing.
  

If you could bottle-up the sweetness found in candy, this is what it would look like. Mr. Cade cuddles with any stuffed animal & most women. He has so much love in his little body with such a calm, sweet disposition. We love this boy!!!

Kisses For Mom

Carson gives some pretty mean open-mouth kisses. He gets in these silly moods & seriously won't stop giving kisses. You better believe that I'm not stoppin' that!!!

Just Jivin'

A couple weekends ago we were able to take a quick day trip to Twin to see Lauren's debut on the JIVE stage! It was their Winter Showcase & Lauren has been pretty pumped for it. She did not disappoint. Lauren is overflowing with personality, with all the talent you can imagine to back her up & it defintely showed. She shined on stage. I was so proud! It took me back to my Jiving days...except she pretty much puts me to shame!

This was during her trio. They sang "You Don't Own Me" from the First Wives Club.

This was after the concert. The final number was a medely from the broadway show "Wicked." I wish you could see her entire outfit. It was awesome!

Showing our true colors.