My sister is getting married!!!

My sister MaryAnn started dating Michael Moon (Mike to us to reduce confusion with our brother Michael) in the spring. He is a truly great guy and fits in with our family really well. He was baptized in May and proposed to MaryAnn in the fall. We couldn't be happier for them. They are such a cute couple! We've had the opportunity to get to know Mike's mom and sister and love them too. Our family has been so blessed.

They are getting married May 7th, 2011.

A big change! Kind of a lengthy post...sorry :)

At the end of August I quit my job at La Petite Academy gasp! I started working for La Petite when I was 16 and had been with the company on and off for years. When I was 17 they let me go due to new age requirements and hired me back as soon as I turned 18. A few months after that I left to work at a Wedding Chapel for a while for a scenery change and hours that worked around my school schedule. After almost a year I was back at La Petite again. It seemed we were made for each other. After a couple years I decided to go on a mission so I left yet another time. This time I was done for good, or so I thought. When I returned home from my mission I got a front desk job at New York New York Hotel and Casino and I really enjoyed it. I mostly worked graveyard so the hours were a little rough but money was good and I was doing well at my job. Unfortunately I wasn't getting enough hours to receive benefits and I am not the kind of person who goes without insurance and the like. I get really nervous about it. So who welcomed me back with outstretched arms again?

La Petite Academy!!!

While working there this last time so much happened in my life. I met and married my wonderful husband, We bought a home, and welcomed Cardon into our lives. I have so many friendships that would have never been discovered if not for working there. I have learned so much, taken so many great classes, experienced so many different things, and been introduced to so many new ideas there. La Petite helped to mold me and make me who I am today. I was given so many opportunities there. I started as an assistant teacher in the infants room and eventually worked with all the age groups as a teacher, lead teacher and later a member of management. I will forever be grateful for all the wonderful people that have entered into my life and helped me along my life path.

Why have I left this time? A combination of different things but mostly to spend more time with my son and it just felt "right". The time had come. I was offered a job as a manager at a friends bookstore and decided to take a risk. The new job offers me flexibility that I have never had before and an opportunity to learn new things and make a difference. I am able to work my schedule around my son and that is a huge blessing!

What's in the cards for my future? I haven't a clue except that the Lord always seems to have something up his sleeve and always knows what's best for me. All I can do is sit down, strap in, hold on tight, and try to prepare myself as best as I can for whatever comes my way.

Cardon's 1st Birthday August 21, 2010

August 21, 2010

Cardon's 1st birthday was fun and exciting for our family. We woke up and cooked eggs with cheese, bacon and orange rolls for our little man. After breakfast was all done with and cleaned up we got all gussied up and headed over to JCPenney for pictures (I'll post those soon).

For lunch we had a little family party at our house. We made chicken salad croissants, 7 layer bean dip, pea salad, a fruit tray, special drinks, and of course Cake! Cardon got his own little cake and everyone else enjoyed matching cupcakes.

We went with a bright blue and green theme to match Cardon's outfit. It was so cute!

Unfortunately he was tired during most of the party since pictures took over his morning nap earlier. He still had fun with his cake and a few presents before completely passing out on his Nonna in the rocking chair.

We love Cardon so much and can't believe that a whole year has passed since he joined our family. We talk all the time about how we can't even imagine our lives without him. He is so smart and comical. He knows when there's an audience and always tries to put on a show.

His favorite things so far include:

taking naps with Grandpa

watching airplanes

jumping on the bed (thanks to Grandpa)

giving kisses to his Aunties

dancing

any kind of music

playing with puppies

eating everything (he's not picky at all)

taking baths

climbing up stairs

blankies, especially the fuzzy kind

saying "uh oh!", "Mama", and "Hi Daddoo"

Summer California Trip

During the summer Cardon and I took a trip to California with my mom. We spent time with lots of family and friends. We stopped in Madera and saw my cousins on my mom's side and their children. If was fun to see all the kids around the same ages together. We also got to see Mark and Jennifer's beautiful home!

Once in Modesto we spent a lot of time catching up with the Lemmo's. I miss the days when we lived so close and could hang out all the time. Stevilynn and I went out to lunch and later hung out talking and laughing just like old times. She babysat Cardon for me and boy does he LOVE her!!!

Cardon and I stayed at my Grandma and Grandpa Taylor's house. They live really close to my Papa Tony's house (where my mom stayed). It was so much fun! On my grandma's day to work at the temple my cousin Shea watched Cardon so my mom, aunt Becky, and I could join her up in Oakland. The Oakland temple is the first temple I ever stepped foot in and it was magical to be back there. On another day us girls plus Cardon drove up to the Sacramento area to see my Uncle Brooks' and Aunt AmyAnn's new house. They have a lovely home and a really cute garden. I wish we could have spent more time up there with them.

Clayton's Dad and Step Mom Cathy live in California and were able to meet up with Cardon and myself at the Sacramento Zoo. It was a real treat since we live so far and don't get to see them very often.

All in all it was a really nice trip but we missed Clayton soooo much!!! He says we aren't allowed to leave him home again ever and I agree.... he should just come with us next time!!!!

July 17th The BEACH!!!

On July 17th while my cousin Julia was in town we decided last minute to go to the beach. My sisters, Julia, Cardon and myself piled into the car and started out on our adventure around 11am. A little late in the day for a trip to the beach??? Nah!

Around 3:30 we were getting sandwiches just blocks away from the beach and we were so excited to play in the sand and water. We soon discovered that getting on the beach was going to be more difficult than we had hoped. There was a major traffic jam and no parking anywhere to be found. After a little over an hour we finally found some parking and found our way to the water.

There were a ton of people there but that didn't matter to us!

Cardon's first beach visit!

Brrrrrrrr!

Julia and Suzi

"Hi Auntie!"

July 5th Rock Band

ROCK BAND!!!

Over the 4th of July weekend we had a great time hanging out with family. We love getting together when we all have the chance to play Rock Band. I usually sit it out and watch, but occasionally I will sing. MaryAnn is our main lead singer and does an amazing "Tom Sawyer". Suzi is great at the bass and Michael, Clayton and Mike switch off on the drums, guitar, and every so often will sing. I love that we are all so close and love to hang out with each other.

Cardon was lulled to sleep by Oasis' Wonderwall.

Baptisms 2010

The start of the summer for my family brought a lot of missionary work. We were blessed to be apart of two baptisms. On May 1st MaryAnn's boyfriend Mike Moon was baptized and on June 12th Michael's girlfriend Brittany Hogan was baptized. We are so lucky to know both of them and are happy for their progress in the gospel. Good Luck you guys, we love you!

June Birthdays!!!

June seemed to be pretty busy with Birthdays. Our friends Sean and Natalie have the same birthday, June 1st and Clayton is June 15th. We made some cakes and watched a lot of Hells Kitchen to celebrate.

May 31st First time in the pool

If you've ever spent any time with Clayton in the summer then you know that he loves to swim. He has been excited to take Cardon for his first swim ever since he was born. When the weather started to get hot he made sure that everyone knew that HE was taking Cardon in the pool before anyone else. So as soon as Clayton had a day off we went swimming. Cardon was so cute and loved the water. Now he wants to swim all the time just like his Daddy.

Just before getting in the pool. Daddy waiting patiently...

(yes that's a puppy in the pool on the right, we can't keep her out)

Getting in his jet ski that his Nonna bought him...

My two boys having a blast in the pool together!

April 27th Cardon's 1st haircut

Cardon's hair grows like a weed! He has a lot of it (surprise, surprise, look at my hair) and it gets so shaggy. I originally wanted to wait to cut his hair until he was 1 but it just couldn't wait. He was 8 months old here and not too cooperative throughout the process. Hopefully the next one will be better, not likely though.

My Handsome Boy!

Bath time!!!!

Since Cardon has started to move around more on his own he has been needing more baths. His knees and hands get so dirty all of the time but he is having a great time being more and more independent every day. He has also started feeding himself and that has made for more baths as well. Luckily he LOVES the bath! It doesn't matter if he's in the tub, sink, whatever, he loves playing in the water and getting clean.

April 10th, A Great Day

April 1oth was a fun filled Saturday spent with family. We took Cardon in the spa for the first time and then to the park for his first picnic and then after a long day he passed out on Auntie MaryAnn while watching a movie.