Weekend in Idaho

This past weekend, we were able to spend some time in Idaho. My sister, Courtney, was cheering in the last high school home game, my brother Chad was playing in the Grid Kid Championship game, and my family was celebrating Dallin's birthday. Friday night, we bundled up and went to watch Courtney... this picture is really dark, but she's the cheerleader that's really cute!

Russ and I didn't hold Cade much during the game... my brothers and sisters wouldn't put him down. Michelle, Cory, and Cade.

Cade kept ducking his face down into his blankets... his nose was freezing. Bonneville was killed, but who cares... the cheerleaders were awesome.

After the game, we had cake to celebrate Dallin's birthday. He'll be the big 23 on the 26th. Here's Court, annoyed that I'm taking pictures, and Dallin, excited at the opportunity to strike a pose. Happy birthday Dallin!

Saturday, we went to the Grid Kid Championship game. Chad has had a great season, he was a starter this year and had 3 interceptions! He played great, and his team finished up an UNDEFEATED season...

The award ceremony

Me and my sistersThe man of the hour

After the game, we went to Chad and Cory's favorite restraunt... Chuckorama (sp?)

Cory had a raspberry/blackberry/chocolate/strawberry swirl sunday with Halloween sprinkles... along with a tiger's blood/lime slushie.

Here's Cade with his grandpa.

Thanks for such a great weekend guys!

What a Weekend!

We have had so much fun this past week. Ann and Michelle came to visit on Friday. Cade is such a lucky kid to have such great grandparents, aunts, and uncles! Michelle stayed until Sunday, and Ann left this afternoon. They babysat Cade for us on Saturday while Russ and I went to the afternoon session of conference. That was the first time that I've been away from Cade for over two hours. Michelle was so sweet... she knew that I was really nervous about leaving him (even though I couldn't have left him in better hands), so she texted me updates every 1/2 hr... "He's sleeping", "He just took his bottle", and "He's sitting in his bouncy seat and smiling right now." I swore that I would never be one of THOSE moms who freaked out when leaving her baby... but it's a lot harder than it looks!!

We had a great time at conference. We met up with our friends Taylor and Carla from Georgia. It was great to see them and conference was awesome.

Needless to say, Cade was spoiled this past week. Ann bought him some adorable clothes... my favorite was this pair of pumpkin pajamas, with a pumpkin on the butt... his red hair just glows off of the orange! She also got him this activity center that is so cute... and Cade loves it. I think that he really enjoys seeing the world from a different angle than from his bouncy seat!He also really started sucking on things this weekend... his fists, his thumbs, his toes... he even figured out how to pick his nose with his toes (he must have gotten that talent from his dad)...

Here's Cade perfectly content... he's got his thumb and his Nana, what more could a kid ask for?

We love you Ann, thanks for coming! We hope that you had as much fun as we did this weekend. We can't wait to do it again soon :)

Cade Gets His Way

So, Ann (Cade's Nanna) is coming to town this weekend. Yeah! I guess that guilt-by-blogging did the trick. Here's some pictures of Cade after I told him the good news :)

Dear Nanna

Dear Nana,

I haven't seen you in awhile, So, I've been thinking, and I got an idea!You should come and visit me! I got so excited thinking about it!

I'll show you how I can reach my toes,

and how ticklish I am.
Wouldn't that be great?

Can you say no to this face? No one else around here can.

Love,

Cade

Today!

Cade is 4 months old today... and today is also special because one year ago from today, we found out that we were pregnant! We're so blessed to have this little guy in our family. He is such a sweet baby, and we love him so much! Here are a couple of my favorite pics from the last four months.

It's so amazing that something so little can take up so much room in your heart!

9/11 Tribute

I was thinking today about 9/11, 2001. My family was vacationing in Orlando that week. There are six kids in my family, so big vacations didn't happen very often and this was a huge deal for us. We had all saved and saved to help pay for the trip.

We arrived in Orlando on Sept. 9th. The morning of the 11th, we were in one of the theme parks. We were standing in line for one of the roller coasters and one of the ladies in front of us turned around and asked us if we knew what was going on. We said no, and she told us what had happened. I didn't believe her and thought she must be crazy. How could something like this happen here, in our country? It didn't take long before someone came over the PA system and announced that the park was closing. Then, they said that there would be a moment of silence. I looked around and remember seeing literally thousands of people drop their heads and close their eyes. I watched friends and families embrace and cry. After that moment of silence, 'God Bless America' was played over the intercom. Everyone stood motionless and started singing together. I didn't know any of those people in the park that day, but I felt so close with each of them.

What an amazing blessing we have to live in this country. A country where men, women, and children of different races, backrounds, and religions can unite in a moment of tragedy to pray to God. I will never forget that day, or the way that I felt standing in that theme park.

God bless America.

I heard this song by Alan Jackson a few years later. Every time I hear it, it brings tears to my eyes.

"Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)"
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger, In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry
Did you weep for the children Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below
Did you burst out in pride for the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs, I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs, I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

Happy Baby

Game Day

Cade watched his first LSU football game with his dad on Saturday. Russ bought him a "game day outfit" just for the occasion.... complete with a LSU hat, pacifier, and pacifier clip. Cade was so content while he watched the game, it was really cute. I love his chubby little cheeks.

It's Coming...

I think that Cade might just be as excited as his dad is for this weekend... the start of football season...

Cade's Rockin' the Carseat

You're In the Army Now...

Dallin just got back from Hill AFB this past weekend. He came over and hung out with Cade for a little while... I couldn't resist to try out the flight line head-phone things on him...

Pictures from Last Week

Cade watched the olympics...










he also got a new toy...









He does this thing lately when he gets excited. He will kick his legs as fast as he can and try to stuff his fists in his mouth.









Such a sweet boy.

Cade Laughed!!!

Cade laughed today! I know it wasn't an accident either, because he laughed several times. It was the cutest thing ever.