Eggcellent

We got to spend Easter/conference weekend with my family. It was a good time. Sunday afternoon the weather cooperated quite nicely, and we were able to have an Easter egg hunt. I think hunting for eggs at Grandmas's house is one of my girls' favorite traditions.




Yes, Claire does have telekinetic powers.

The sun was shining and they just could smile or open their eyes.

All I can say is awww...sweet.

My kind mother and lovely cousin Dayna. Dayna was sweet enough to hang with us crazies for a couple days this weekend. We had fun with her - very easy-going and helpful.

The Easter Bunny made it to Grandma Jill's house this year. The girls were quite excited about it and peeked at their baskets before their parentals had woke up. They did a good job of pretending to be surprised when we finally arrived to watch them check out all their stuff.



The girls had a great time coloring eggs this year and were grateful Claire was so good at breaking her eggs so they could eat the insides.



Jaren is growing up some...no longer in the preemie size and nearly out of the newborn size. That's good to see. He's still an angel and we are all loving him.

Mallory's preschool teacher is having a baby in April so she called it quits a little early in the school year. We got to go to her graduation last week. It was so fun to see her sing her best and show us some of the things she learned this year.

3 weeks.

Before church.

And...some more

This first picture needs an introduction. It's a letter to the leprechauns Mia had been learning about in school. She was hoping to make a trap do go under the sign, but we didn't have time for that...It reads...
Dear Leprechaun,
I don't mean to capture you and all your other friends. All they want is the gold. I really want some too, but I don't want you and your friends to die. Well, you should be going right now. By the way, my name is Mia.
Anyway, just thought that was too cute not to share.

Per request from Jake and Hannah, here are some more pictures of Jaren. He is sleeping sooo much better and is still a little angel.

More Pictures of the Little Man

We sure are having a good time with our little brother. He is such a good baby so far...I am knocking on wood right now. Our only dilema is his sleep pattern. He doesn't move a muscle during the day, but moves all his muscles at night. Hope that aspect improves soon. Anywho, thanks for all your notes, calls, comments of concern and support. You guys are the best!

Surprise

Back in November, Nathan and I began the adoption journey. This week we received our little blessing. His name is Jaren William Corae Cardon. He was born on March 11 and weighed 5 lbs. 13 oz. and was 19.5 inches tall. He had quite the cone head so we assume he will be shrinking a bit. The whole process was an emotional one, but we are sure it will be well worth it to have Jaren as a part of our little/big family. We already love him and are so grateful to his birthmom for her willingness to share him with us. So far he is a dream baby who mostly sleeps. His cry is a little squeak. We are hoping those characteristics will continue but will not be holding our breath. The girls are in heaven having him around and want to constantly stroke his shiny, black hair. Unfortunately, Libbie decided to get the stomach flu last night so she has been unable to hang out with him. Anyway, here is our little string bean...

Love

While our Valentine's Days aren't always full of "romance", they are definitely filled with LOVE. We had a nice evening together...candlelit dinner and everything: heart-shaped pizza, fluffy strawberry jell-o salad, cherry 7-up, and chocolate cake for dessert. When Nathan and I went to bed, we found sweet Valentine notes on our pillows from the kiddos that declared we are "THE BEST PARENTS IN THE UNIVERSE". We better frame that statement. Anyway, it was really sweet even if they probably don't think that's true most of the time. Happy Valentine's all my loves!

Her Day!

We CAN'T believe it, but our baby turned 2 this week. How could this have happened? Well, anyway, we had a good couple days together celebrating. The day before her actual birthday we had a party with with Caleb, Marci, Gavin, Henry, Rachel, and Brennan. On her birthday, we took her to Build-a-Bear. She really couldn't have cared less about the experience or the end product. Oh well, it's the thought that counts, right? After the bear experience we headed to Bountiful for some El Matador with Gma, Gpa, Great Grams, Courtney, Jason, and Nathan. Claire humored me with her birthday dinner "choice". We were supposed to go there for my birthday dinner, but we were all sick that day. We really do love having this little girl as a part of our family. She brightens up all our days.


Opening her gifts with many helping hands.

Claire's dog/bunny cake.

Claire got a train for her birthday. It's been a hit.

Another Grandma Post

For Christmas, Grandma gives the girls new dresses. She did a great job again this year. Here they are in all their glory. Ha ha.

It's difficult to get a good picture of Claire these days. She does this thing when you say "smile"...tilts her head up as high as possible, closes her eyes very tight, and grins a very BIG grin.