California 2012

On November 1 we drove down to Carlsbad, California to go to Lego Land.  None of us had ever been there so we weren't sure what to expect.  It was a great day.  It wasn't crowded at all and it was the perfect size for Caleb's first amusement park.  He loved looking at all of the Lego cities and other things built out of Legos.

On Friday we drove to San Diego and went to the zoo.  Caleb liked seeing the different animals but he did get tired of all the walking.  We had a couple melt downs when he didn't want to do what he should and he was tired so we left the zoo about 3 pm.  

When we got back to Carlsbad we headed over to the beach for a little.  At first he was not excited about being there.  He did not want Rodney to put him down.  When we finally convinced him to get down he loved it.  He would have stayed all night if we had let him.  He even went far into the water so his entire lower body was soaked.  He wasn't happy when we left but we convinced him it was time to eat.  We will definitely have to go back over the summer so he can spend all day at the beach.

Overall it was a great trip.  I am so thankful we can take Caleb to new places and see him enjoy these new experiences.  I can't wait to take him back again.

Halloween 2012

 Caleb is still obsessed with cars, trucks and trains (anything with wheels really).  So it was super easy to decide on a costume this year.  His cousins Brayden and Tyr had been Thomas and James for Halloween a couple years back.  We asked if we could borrow their costumes and then let Caleb choose which one he wanted to be.  He chose Thomas and he loved going around saying "Choo-choo" and "bust my bumpers".  He had fun trick-or-treating this year and I think he understood what was going on.  He was so eager to eat his candy we caught him eating some of it, wrapper and all.  He loved dressing up and I can't wait to see what he'll be next year.

2 year anniversary

On October 26, 2010 our family of three became official.  We went to court and Caleb's adoption was finalized.  We want Caleb to know how special this day is to our family so we celebrate it every year.  This year Rodney and Caleb surprised me with a cookie bouquet in honor of this day.  I love having this boy in my life and am so grateful we are able to celebrate his adoption being finalized.  I hope Caleb realizes how happy we are that he came into our lives.

Summer playdates

This summer Caleb and I had the chance to do some fun play dates.  Some of the teachers I work with would get together once a week so we could visit and the kids could play together.  We went to some local splash pads, some houses, and even a trip to Krispy Kremes to see how they make donuts.  Caleb had so much fun playing with the kids and I loved the chance to talk with the grown ups.  Hopefully we can continue this next summer.

Utah part two

 While we were on summer vacation we decided to get Caleb a big boy bed since he had started to crawl out of his crib.  We wanted to get him a captain's bed but did not want to pay what a brand new one would cost.  We looked on Craig's list and KSL (a site in Utah) and we found a great bed on KSL.  My brother Troy went and picked it up for us.  So in August we made another trip to Utah to pick up the bed and made another mini-vacation out of it.  Our niece Taylor plays soccer for her high school team and their season had started so we were able to see a couple of her games.  Our nephew Dax's team was in a tournament that week as well so we were able to see him play as well.  We picked up our nephew Evan on the way up to Troy's house so Caleb was in heaven to have all but two of his cousins together.  In between soccer games we played outside and went to a splash pad not far from his cousin's house.

On our way home we stopped at Tiff and Greg's to drop off Evan.  When we got there the city was hosting some activities to help promote the businesses in the town.  There were free ice cream cones and they had a fire engine set up that the kids could shoot the hose from.  Caleb loved having his turn and even did it twice. 

I'm so glad we were able to get another trip in to see our family that lives in Utah.

Utah part one

1st 4-wheeler ride.

Mom and Caleb at the parade.

Caleb watching the fireworks.

So this summer we headed up to Utah for about a week and a half.  We got to Tiff and Greg's house the day before the 4th.  Caleb loved being there with Evan, Brayden and Tyr.  On the 4th we headed up to see the parade and then went up the mountain with Greg's family to have lunch.  Greg smoked some ribs and there were yummy salads and other sides to eat.  There was a swing set and tire swing for the kids to play with.  Marianne (Greg's mom) had brought up one of their 4-wheelers so Rodney and I took Caleb and I on his first 4-wheeler ride.  That night we watched the amazing fireworks show and Caleb was fascinated by them.

Evan reading Caleb a bedtime story.

While we were up there we did lots of fun activities.  We went to story time at the library, lots of bike rides, eating at Roy's pizza and ice cream at the Malt Shop, played croquet, fed the neighbors chickens, jumping on the trampoline and lots of playing outside..

Kaden and Caleb flying the helicopter.

We also drove up North one Saturday and picked up Derek and Kaden and went to the Discovery Museum in Salt Lake City.  There was a great pipe system to put balls through, a construction area, a water play area, a helicopter the kids could "fly", and a air machine that could make paper shoot up and fly.  Caleb loved this place.  He had fun playing with his cousins and exploring the different things they had to do.

Another day we met up with Kamie, Dustyn and Gage and Brook, Taylor, Dax, Derek, and Kaden and went to Seven Peaks in Provo.  We weren't sure how he would do at a water park but he LOVED it.  He especially loved the wave pool.  Afterwards we went to an Indian food restaurant.  I'm usually nervous to try foods from different countries but I really enjoyed what I had.  Rodney has put it on his list of places we have to go when we are in Utah.

Caleb and Gage

Having fun in the wave pool.

  Overall it was a great trip.  I love being able to spend time with my family and Caleb loved all of the time he got to play outside with his cousins.

Mother's Day 2012

This mother's day was a little different for me.  I got to speak in sacrament meeting at church that day.  Anyone who knows me knows I do not like speaking in public so that was not necessarily the way I wanted to spend my mother's day.  It went well but I am glad that it will be awhile before I have to do it again.  Rodney and Caleb got me a digital picture frame so I could have pictures of Caleb while I am at school.  Rodney and my brother Cory made us mom's a delicious dinner and I loved spending the day with family.  I love being able to celebrate this day with Caleb.  I can not describe how much I love being his mother and experiencing the love he gives me.  I am so grateful that Caleb was chosen to become a part of our family and for his loving birth family that chose to place him for adoption.  I look forward to many more mother's days with my little boy.

Shark Reef

 The week of May 7-11 was teacher appreciation week in the district.  Many community restaurants and attractions will offer school district employees discounts and offers during this time.  One deal was free admission to the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay.  So on Monday, May 7 we took Caleb to see the animals at the Shark Reef.  He didn't want to get out of his stroller but he enjoyed seeing all of the different animals.  He was mesmerized looking at the jellyfish and loved seeing the fish and sharks swim together.  I hope to take him back another time to see if he will be more daring and try to touch one of the sting rays.

Watching the jellyfish.

Looking at the sharks and fish.

Caleb's Construction Party

Playing with his friends.

We had Caleb's birthday party on Saturday, April 21.  We had it at Grandma and Grandpa T.'s park in their housing development.  Since Caleb loves anything with wheels still and he had a cars party last year, we decided to do a construction theme.  We took his digger and dump truck along with Grandma's sand buckets and shovels so the kids could dig in the sand.  All of the kids had a great time playing in the dirt or on the playground equipment.  We had chicken salad sandwiches, potato and pasta salad, chips and of course a birthday cake!  We had a great turnout (Grandma and Grandpa T, Grandma and Grandpa B, Tiff and Evan, Cory, Taeko, Brayden and Tyr, Steve, Tracy, Brynn, Kara, Jake, Drew, the Maynor family, the Mangum family, and the Dzarnoski family).  Caleb had a great time playing at the park and a great party.  I am so grateful for the people in Caleb's life that help to make his big events special for him.  

Making a wish.

Caleb turns 2!!

Caleb blowing out the candles.

Opening his presents.

On April 11 Caleb turned two years old.  I can't believe how fast time has gone by.  It seems like yesterday that we brought him home and now he is such a big boy.  He is such a good talker and has a great personality.  He loves anything with wheels (especially the big things like garbage or dump trucks) and he loves to read books.  For his birthday we went to Red Robin for dinner and then came home and opened some presents.  He got an outfit, a Lightning McQueen pillow, some books, Play-doh and a tricycle.  For his birthday treat we made a fruit pizza.  He loved blowing out the candles and eating his yummy treat.  I love seeing him grow up and can't wait to see what the next year brings.

Easter 2012

Caleb checking out his basket.

Caleb and mommy before church.

We had a great Easter.  Caleb had a great time hunting for Easter eggs and he loved what the Easter Bunny brought him.  After he looked in his basket and hunted for eggs, we got ready for church.  I LOVED how adorable and grown-up he looked in his Sunday outfit, and I was glad he wore his tie the whole time.  He also loved spending time with his cousins and hunting for eggs with them.  I am so glad he is starting to understand holidays and really enjoy them.

Birthmother's Day

I've spent most of the day working on a talk I will be giving during church tomorrow but my mind kept going to what today and tomorrow is.  We all know that tomorrow is Mother's Day which I am so grateful to be able to celebrate with my little boy. However without Alicia's choice to place Caleb for adoption, I wouldn't be able to celebrate.  So thank you Alicia for giving me my son and the chance to be a mother.  Please know we love you and think about you often.  You are our angel and we will never forget your sacrifice.  Happy Birthmother's Day!