Home Sweet Home

There is something to be said about when a house is no longer just a house, but a home where memories are kept, where you feel safe, where you feel you belong. We are back HOME! I really feel so blessed to be where we are and to feel so at home here in Utah. It was fun to bring Caden home for the first time. He had the cutest smile when we took him in his bright green nursery. And of course we can't wait to see all our Utah friends!!!

San Francisco Treat

Megan nanny's for an awesome family that let us stay in their condo right in Ghirardelli Square for the weekend. It had an incredible view of Alcatraz and the Wharf. We had a great weekend exploring San Francisco--although it is definitely not a kid friendly city--it is definitely a people watchers dream. There are so many "unique" people there. Here is the view from the balcony:Thanks to Caden needing to eat at 6 am I was able to see the fog rolling in. Pretty neat.Highlights of the trip:
1. Trying Thai Food for the first time.
2. Watching Megan drive in downtown San Francisco. Actually, make that watching Megan drive period. Had I not been fearing for my life it would have been hilarious.
3. Clam Chowder.
4. Jenna and Steve.
5. Seeing a 25 million dollar home.
6. A street sign in front of a 5 by 5 foot patch of grass that said: Mini Park.
7. Getting yelled at by a talking statue for not tipping him.
8. Waiting 3 hours for Bryan and Jarom to get back with movies. Apparently they got a little lost.
9. Driving through the Prisidio three times because we kept missing the right exit.
10. Watching Bryan wear the bjorn.

We spent the first night eating Thai and Cold Stone ice cream, and hanging out with our friends that just moved to SF, Jenna and Steve.Saturday we headed down to Fisherman's Wharf with Megan and Jarom. We ate at some Sourdough place that had really good clam chowder. Then we walked to one of the beaches and Ghirardelli's. Jarom with the mean Statue. "I can't believe you feel okay about not tipping. I have to eat too you know." Here's a tip: Get a real job! (Like I knew you had to tip every weirdo you came across.)At the Wharf. It stunk.The ocean with the Golden Gate Bridge in the back ground.I'm sure you can guess what this is a picture of...San Francisco is such an unique city. I loved the row homes, but wouldn't be able to stand having no yard. Everything is just all mixed together; businesses are right next to homes, and the streets are always insanely busy. I loved visiting, but I am definitely not a big city girl. Through out the night you could hear people walking by our front door and it totally creeped me out. I'm pretty sure I checked the locks about 15 times. The funniest part was when we drove up to the carport of where we were staying I asked if we were in the ghetto because everything just felt so on top of eachother. Megan laughed at me and said we were in the really nice part of the city. Clearly I know nothing.Saturday night Jenna and Steve gave us more of a tour. They showed us all the huge homes and the Cliff House/Sunset Beach. Too bad it was pitch black by the time we got there. :) Then we went back to the Condo and played games and ate way too much Candy.

San Francisco: Palace of Fine Arts

Bry and I got our engagement pictures taken here, at the Palace of Fine Arts, almost three years ago to the day! Since we happened to be in San Francisco it was fun to go back, relive it, and think about how far we have come together since that day. Lots has changed...but we are still pretty dang in love.

The architecture is beautiful and I put my camera to use. I really don't have the eye but it was fun anyway. There were people there doing this intense photo shoot. Of course it inspired us to make fun of them.... And act like idiots...
Bry took on the role quite well. I, on the other hand, couldn't stop laughing. I was really obsessed with these doors. They just make such a cool back ground.

I just love feet.
This picture is to prove that Bry's "'still got it." Three years ago he did this...and yes folks, he can still jump.
These were some actual "relive the moment" photos.
Don't worry...We didn't leave our child. It was a bit cold out so he was looking like this the entire time...probably wondering what he'd gotten himself into with parents like this.

The end.

One Word: Amazing I'm pretty sure Uncle Jarom has a future as a hair stylist.

2 Months

height: 23 inches

weight: 10 lb 9 oz

head size: 39.5 cm

watching him get shots: absolutely horribleCaden's newest talent: While attempting to suck his thumb he accidently sucks his pointer finger which then goes down his throat and he proceeds to throws up EVERY TIME! Pretty sad.

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Today was a big day for Bry. He is again in temporary retirement. He bought a huge chocolate cake to celebrate. It was also a big day because he met with the partners of the firm he worked for this summer and they offered him a job. We are pretty excited to have it as an option.

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While all our other "roommates" were in Hawaii vacationing we decided to throw our very own California is Better than Hawaii Party. I'm pretty sure it made them extremely jealous of us. Our clear blue water, sandy beaches, patio dinner...it was all quite amazing. If only we could have really convinced ourselves that it was better.

Too Young? Too Old?

I went to get my hair cut yesterday. When my stylist found out that I was married and had a baby her reply was, “But you are so young. Too young to be a wife and mom.”
As I was driving home I was thinking about that statement; some people I have come in contact with may completely agree with that. It’s not the first time I’ve heard that I was too young to “give up my life.” Others I know would completely disagree. Many times during college I was told that I was “getting old.” After hearing these words I started thinking about my own feelings on this statement.

I have come to realize that age is a very subjective thing. Someone that I know who is 20 may seem far older than another I know who is 30. How can you possibly name an age that is universally right for getting married or having a child? Who is to be the judge of when it is acceptable to find that person that makes you feel complete? Plus there are so many things that go on behind the scenes that everyone else around is unaware of. You can’t judge what you cannot completely understand. I will admit that being at BYU there have been times I’ve thought “Wow you are so young,” but quickly realized my flawed thinking when I compaired the age I married my husband to the rest of the world’s expectations. Personally, I find it sad that there are people out there who put off marriage because they are “too young” (whether that be 20 or 40). I also find it sad that others are judged when they haven’t been able to find the one they want to spend their lives with.

I don’t believe that life ends when you get married. If anything I felt like that is when it truly began. Marriage allows you to start that journey developing endless memories with the one who makes you more happy than anything in the world. Why would you not want to find that one who is always there to make you laugh, to lift you up, to wipe your tears, to accept you 100% for who you are--your quirks, your fears, your deepest thoughts, your dreams?!? I pray I will be alive for our 50th Anniversary when we can look back with gratitude for all the time we were blessed to share with one another.
I believe that starting your family goes by the same principle. Each couple has their own time line that feels right to them; age doesn’t have a baring. Some feel good about having children right away, others feel best with waiting. Most the time we have no idea what they had to go through to get to the point they are at to have children. Again, I don’t think it’s right to say too young or too old.
I don’t know if 22 was too young, or too old to get married. I don’t know if 24 was too young, or too old to start our family. For me it was all too perfect.

This elephant, affectionately named Edwardo by Bryan, has been on Caden's car seat since the day he was born. He just noticed him the other day and lets just say he had mixed emotions. Bryan accomplished the big feat! He got all his applications for next summers law internships complete. And now we wait...