Family Pictures

We have tried to get family pictures taken every six months or so. Jasmine changes so quickly, and I want to be able to look back and remember us along the way. Jasmine was just getting over a stomach flu and wasn't too happy with a stranger following us around with a camera. It started out okay, but by 10 minutes in she was done! Luckily the photographer was quick and snapped some good ones.

She tried so hard to hide it, but the photographer finally caught a smile.

Wedding #3

The weekend after the Utah wedding, Patrick's brother Jacob married Amy. We love these two so much and were so excited for them!! They were married at The Reef, a restaurant in Long Beach. It was a beautiful day and a lovely ceremony. Jasmine had a lot of fun. This was the only picture I got of Jasmine before she ditched her headband.

Patrick was the best man and looked very handsome!

Jasmine absolutely had a blast dancing the night away! She loved every minute of it... I will have to post the video. I had no idea she could move like that. It was a great day!

Wedding #2

This summer is the summer of weddings for us. My dear friend Ashlee married Pete the first weekend in June and it was a wonderful day. Ashlee looked beautiful, Peter looked so happy, and I got to catch up with lots of friends from the single days.

Then in the middle of July, we flew to Utah for Patrick's counsin's wedding. Jasmine slept straight through the flight there and back - no crying. She is such a good little traveler. She loved the take off and slept straight through the landing. Patrick's cousin Greg married Amanda. They have a beautiful little girl McKinley who is six weeks older than Jasmine and we were so excited to see them make it official. The wedding was at a beautiful farm. It was outside and was so hot that week; thankfully there was lots of shade!

Jasmine got to hang out with some of her Utah cousins and even saw a cow.

We always love going to Utah and spending time with our family there. They are so good to us and make us feel loved and welcome. We can't wait to go visit again.

This summer

This summer has flown by and we haven't posted in months. Our old computer broke down on us back in May, so we purchased a new one. Within three weeks the new one was also completely unusable. We finally got it back last week, and it seems like we are rockin and rollin again.

So we are going to play a little catch up for the last few weeks. Patrick is busy with summer school and I am busy with long days at work. Jasmine is busy growing and learning and having loads of fun - as it should be. We are just enjoying every minute watching her grow and develop into the wonderful little girl she is!

Camping Girl

Four families = four one year olds + two three year olds + four very tired parents.


So it appears camping suits our girl (mostly, except for the sleeping part). She ran, she climbed, she was covered in dirt head to toe, she jumped on the air matress, she made friends with the other kids, she saw deer, horses, a dog, birds, etc., she came home with 2 splinters in her hand... Basically she loved it!

We may try again someday.

Baby Daylon

I think one of the most amazing things about a blog is the power they have to connect people. This connection can be used to share the things that are important to you with others.

A family that we went to church with when we lived in Corona is going through a very difficult challenge. Their youngest child was born with a terminal illness and is in need of immediate and drastic measures to save his life. Follow the link below to learn more about Daylon's story...

http://www.lafujimama.com/2010/04/meet-daylon-help-make-a-miracle-giveaway/

When I first heard about his illness I could not help but think, what if this were my child? My heart is broken to think what this family must be going through. My next thought is, what can I do to help? We will be going down to Corona tomorrow to participate in the fundraiser and will contriubute in our own small way. But there are other ways to help as well. Below is a link to a website where you can go to contribute if you feel so inclined.

http://www.helpmakeamiracle.org/Home.html

You can also help just by spreading the word. Thanks for taking the time to hear their story!

She puts the phone in xylophone

What we've been up to lately...

My new work schedule is a 4/10, so I have incredibly long days Monday through Thursday, but I am really enjoying having a 3 day weekend. Patrick has been super busy with school. So, we try to make it a point to have some family fun time every weekend.

Grandma and Aunt Jessica went to the Aquarium with me and Jasmine...

We went to the Wild Animal Park and Jasmine visited the gazelles... she has no fear!

We went to Oceanside to visit Uncle Arnold and decided to visit the beach while we were there.

I think we've got a sand lover on our hands!

Birthday Girl

Jasmine had a wonderful birthday party. It was really cute, she woke up Saturday morning excited like she knew it was a special day.

We are so grateful for everyone that came, especially those who travelled from so far away and everyone who was so generous with their gifts. Jasmine got some wonderful things that she really enjoys!

Thanks Aunt Cindy and Aunt Sharon!

Jasmine especially enjoyed her play time with her cousin Maddie...

She is also still enjoying the boxes and bags two weeks later.

I would say her first birthday was a big success!

1 Year

One year ago today, our lives changed forever - for the better!

I always knew I wanted to be a mom, but I had no idea how much I would enjoy being Jasmine's mom.

She is a very sweet girl and can be very cuddly. If she's awake, she's moving. Busy babies must run in the family, she never stops. She loves to play, loves the park, and is very friendly. She is still one of the happiest babies I've ever known. Her little vocabulary is expanding and she will repeat a lot of things you say these days. Words she knows on her own: hi, dad, mom, dog, down, outside, I did it, and I'm sure there are more. She is becoming very interested in table food and wants to try whatever mom and dad are eating. Jasmine loves music and loves to dance.

This has been one of the most joyful years of our lives and we are looking forward to watching this sweet girl grow and change in the year ahead. We are so grateful that our Heavenly Father chose us to raise this wonderful girl!

Little Walker

How did this happen already?

10 Months

Jasmine has really blossomed in so many ways this last month. Her sleeping schedule has returned to normal after a couple rough months from teething and being sick.

With the help of a couple toys she received for Christmas, she is getting much more steady on her feet and will be full-on walking in no time. She can take about 5- 6 steps at a time right now (I will post a video).

Her language has been on fire since Chrismas. She talks constantly and has started pointing while she talks. It is super cute. She is getting more and more creative in her play.

It is hard to imagine, but she just keeps getting funner and funner. I can't believe we are starting to talk about what we will do for her first birthday. She remains one of the happiest babies I have ever met. This is her first nightgown, I couldn't resist. It's so fun being her mom!

Major Catchup

So I was having trouble downloading the pictures from my camera, and what is a post without pictures? But the problem seems to have resolved itself, so here we go - it's very long!

On December 15, I was laid off from Centex Homes. No worries though, things have all worked out and I began my new job at City of Corona on January 6. I am really enjoying the people and what I will be doing there. As always, Heavenly Father has been aware of our needs and taken great care of our little family.

On December 16, we left to head out to Arizona to see Laura graduate from nursing school. She worked so hard and we are so proud of her! We know she is going to make a great nurse.

Jasmine was very excited, as you can tell!

Jasmine dazzled in a couple of adorable Christmas outfits this year (thanks Katie). We took a family picture for a Christmas card, but they never made it in the mail - so here you go! Things just got a little haywire with school and work and traveling, etc. We will do better next year.




We spent Christmas Day with lots of family. Jasmine seemed to througly enjoy the idea of opening presents and found that it really is much easier to do from on top of the present. She loved all of her gifts and we are so grateful that people are so generous!

Love the matching cousin pjs...

The day after Christmas we left for a week and a half long trip to Utah. The first part of the trip we stayed with Patrick's grandma. It snowed for two days while we were there and Jasmine loved the white powder! Of course, Patrick had to build a snowman. Jasmine really enjoyed getting to know her great grandma Marshall and lots of other relatives that live in Utah.

Four generations in this picture...

After his grandma's house we left for Midway, Utah to spend a couple of days snowboarding with the Milloy siblings. I did not take a single picture, which should tell you what a great time we were having. The snow was powder, the resort was absolutely beautiful, and it was just a relaxing time for everyone!

We had a wonderful time just spending time together as a family. Now it is back to reality - I am back to work with very long 12 hour days and Patrick is back to a very challenging quarter at school. If you made it all the way to the end of this post - I AM IMPRESSED!!