Ward Christmas Party

Reindeer Shake

Shopping at the Valley Plaza

We all went to the Valley Plaza and walked around the mall. Looking in windows while sipping a Jamba Juice and laughing and talking with loved ones is my idea of a great afternoon. I had a really great time with Sara. She is an amazing person who always gives something to think about or a new perspective on things.

The French Horn and Hart Park

We went to Hart Park to hear Uncle Ben play the French Horn surrounded by nature. It was so peaceful and relaxing to spend the morning outside with famly. Cory and Caleb threw rocks into the river and explored the river bed. What fun!

O Christmas Tree

Dec. 10th

Cory and I stayed up after Caleb went to bed and decorated the tree together. It was so much fun. My mom gave me a new tree decoration every year since my birth and when Cory and I married she gave the sentimental treasures to us. To me they truly are treasures.

My Birthday

Dec 8th

For my birthday I had so much fun. The Marchesini's and the Randall's went to the 24th Street Cafe for breakfast. Yummy! Then my parents and sister took Caleb and I to the Valley Plaza for some shopping. How nice! Then we ended the day buying a Christmas tree. The trees were so fresh and beautiful. All of them were standing in a tub of water and were watered 3x a day. Caleb had a blast running around free in between and around all of the pine trees.

YM/YW Activity

Dec 5th

For Mutual the Beehives were in charge of the combined activity. We decided to sing Carols together and then listen to President Russel give an uplifting talk about this years YW theme - "Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly..." and then we enjoyed delicious hot chocolate and hot cider (provided by Bro. Rock). It was funa nd everyone seemed to bond with each other. There's nothing much better than the Christmas season.

The Slide

At the Park

Caleb and I love to go to the park. Although he might enjoy it a smidgen more than me. Because of where we live we have so much to do. We have a lake with ducks, and a park that is right across the street. Caleb loves the freedom of running around. He loves going up and down the steps to the slide (he isn't so sure about going down all by himself - he had a bad experience; but that's another story).

Saturday Morning after the Temple

After the Temple, Cory and I drove back to Bakersfield excited to see Caleb and renewed from our trip. We visited with my parents until Caleb woke up from his morning nap and then took him outside to play. My Dad got out the radio flyer wagon my 15 year old sister had when she was his age and pulled him up and down the street. Caleb was so happy and every time Dad slowed down or stopped Caleb would sign "more."
In the last picture Caleb is pursing his lips with glee.

Fresno Temple Trip

Once a month Caleb spends the night (Friday) at my parents house so Cory and I can leave early Saturday morning to go to the Temple. We love this new tradition that we have started. Cory and I were sealed in this Temple and it is always our first choice when deciding where to serve.

Birthday Dinner

Nov 16

We all went to Macaroni Grill to celebrate Cory, Alison and Jesus' birthday. We had such a wonderful time together. I sat next to Jerry and learned a lot about his Dad, Welcome (cool name huh?!) By the end of the night I went a little crazy with the olive oil, Cory had to help me before I really embarrassed myself.

Caleb's Lovies

Caleb and his Lovies... which are technically donated slips. Whenever he goes down for his nap or watches Baby Einstien he loves to have them with him. And of course, the more the merrier.

His great Uncles gave him this School Bus for his first birthday. He loves it just as much today as he did when he received it in March.

Oops, I almost forgot Halloween

October 31st

Happy Halloween! Caleb was a Dalmation Puppy, I Cruela DeVil and Cory a disco dancing man. He borrowed the green leisure suit from my Uncle Bill and it wouldn't have been a bigger hit (well maybe if he had white shoes on instead of brown) . Patrick was the cutest Pirate you ever did see and Uncle Jesus' was sick that day and decided he would just go with it and a be "sick guy" for Halloween.

Cory's B-Day

November 5
Cory's birthday! I picked him up after work and we went to dinner at La Cabana (on White lane and Ashe) , Yummy. We had a really nice date just the two of us and the best part was Cory had no idea where we were going. In fact he thought I was lost when I got on the 99 South and didn't get on the 58 East to go home. I am really not good at finding new places or even which route to take to get to a place I've been 10 times before... but that's another story.
Anyway, we had a great, delicious dinner and talked and laughed. I told him that Caleb had said a new word on his birthday. "Vacuum" Of course!

November 3
Saturday was busy and fun. Cory pushed Caleb in the swing until he got tired then I pushed him until I was tired and wanted to move on and then Hill pushed him until finally we said "All Done." Caleb loves the swing but what he loves even more is going high in the swing. As soon as the swing starts to slow down and he doesn't feel the sensation in his little tummy he signs "more. more." And we push him as high as we can.

November 2nd
Went over to my parents house for the day and had a great time. After Caleb got up from his nap Hillari (my 15 yr. old georgous sister) and I took Caleb outside to play in the front yard. And we did for about 10 minutes. He then started to venture off and I was really curious to see how far he would go. So Hill and I went on the adventure with him following a little way behind so he would have some freedom on this very quiet street. He walked all the way to the last house on the street and then began to play in their yard. The owner came outside with her granddaughter and we all watched confident Caleb play while we talked and laughed.

Family Home Evening

October 29th
We invited a few of our good friends over and their families for a FHE at Grandma Connies'. We were happily suprised that everyone who said they could come came. The weather was really crazy that night. George Lindsey Young (local weather man) interrrupted Ellen to tell us that a severe storm was heading to Bakersfield and we should be very careful to stay away from windows and expect sky to ground lightening and thunder storms. Everyone arrived safely and we all had a good time. Cory prepared a "mini" lesson about Jesus being our example in all things (I think the kids wrote down their testimonies later that night in their journals) and then we decorated cupcakes with green and orange frosting, sprinkles and candy corn (all the healthy stuff).

Thanks for coming everyone!

The best part for Caleb was the slide. Every time he went down the slide and reached the bottom he hurried off and climbed the ladder to do it again, and again, and again.