Memorial Day Weekend

Coming back to real life from a three-day-weekend is always the worst.  That might sound weird coming from a stay-at-home mom, but it's true.  I love when we can all be together and I always miss Aaron more when he goes back to work after a long weekend.

We had a great weekend though!  On Saturday, we went down to the Oakland Temple.  Aaron and I got to do a session, while Ben and Alicia watched Hannah for us.  They're the best and Hannah adores them!  (Just watch throughout this post - basically if Hannah is smiling, it's because Alicia was there.)  The Oakland Temple is beautiful and it was so nice to be there.  I love the temple and the Spirit and peace that I feel there.    Thanks Ben and Alicia for letting us go!
Ok, picture time.

After our session, the five of us went to the cutest little french bakery called La Ferine.  The morning rolls were to die for.  Thanks for the great suggestion, Maria!

On Monday, we took our first big trip to The City.  We had planned to go to the San Francisco Zoo with Ben and Alicia, but it was pretty rainy and cold.  That's Northern California for you, I guess.  We ended up going to Ghirardelli Square and walking through Pier 39 instead and it didn't disappoint.

I love the hilly streets.

About to consume our incredibly delicious brownie sundae.

Hannah wanted chocolate too.  Good thing they come packaged.

Had to get a pirate picture.  Arrrgh!

Going home over the Golden Gate Bridge.  It was so foggy you could barely see it.

My cousin, Erin, and her husband, Bryson, were in the area so they came over for barbecued hamburgers, games, and skookies.  

Summer is on its way!

Aaron's Birthday/Mother's Day

Aaron's birthday and Mother's Day fell on the same day this year.  He was nice enough to share his day with me, but I was a little bummed because I don't feel like he got the credit/glory/honor/jubilation he deserved.  Oh well.  We're going all out for Father's Day.

Anyways, here's what we did...

Since Aaron's birthday was on a Sunday, we celebrated a little on the Saturday before as well.  We spent the day at the pool and went out to dinner at Sailor Jack's.  The food was great and the view was gorgeous.

 

So cute in her little swimsuit!

On Sunday, we woke up and opened presents and ate a big waffle breakfast.  We had a relaxing morning and then headed off to church.  At church, I got chocolates and a rose for Mother's Day (talk about going all out).  I shared my chocolate and Hannah shredded my rose in a matter of minutes, but that's what being a mom is all about right?

After church, we called our mommies and then Ben and Alicia came over for Aaron's birthday dinner, games, and cake.  I'm so grateful for this wonderful guy!  He is the best husband, dad, and friend we could ask for.

                                 

Our birthday boy!  He's now 24!

                     

I had to get a picture with my girl on Mother's Day.

Really, it was great celebrating our special days together.  I love being a wife and mother.

My Birthday

Sorry, I feel like with all the craziness in the last month I'm still trying to catch up on the blog.

I know my birthday was a month ago but thanks for all the birthday love!  Thanks for the texts, phone calls, and facebook posts.  It made me feel great!

My birthday was crammed in there on the weekend before our big move, but we took a little break from the packing and cleaning to do some fun things.

Aaron and I ran a 5k at Thanksgiving Point.  That might sound like no big deal to you, but it was the furthest I had run since having Hannah and I was proud of myself.  I love races and it was such a pretty run through the tulip festival.  Oh, and Hannah loved my medal.  :)

Later that day, we came back to Thanksgiving Point and went to Farm Country.  I have a thing for baby animals and the little girls loved it too.  It was just fun to spend time with my family before we left for California.  Unfortunately, I didn't take many pictures.

Aaron and little miss enjoying the farm

Cute baby cow

That night, Aaron took me to Texas Roadhouse for a delicious birthday dinner.  He's the best.

24 feels good.

Hannah Stats: 11 Months

• You took your first steps!  Crawling is still faster so that's what you prefer, but you've taken up to 9 steps before falling down.
• You love to wave "hi" and "bye" to everyone. 
• You made the trip from Utah to California like a champ.  You slept most of the way and played in your car seat for the rest.
• We took you to your first baseball game to see the A's.  Everyone there loved you so much.  The usher even tried to convince us to let you stay out to see the fireworks.

• You are definitely a daddy's girl.  Playing with Dad is your favorite thing.

• We found out you are afraid of bubbles!  We got you a bubble making toy for the bath tub and you hate it.
• You got your first tooth.  (It came in the day after we got to California.  Phew!)  Another one is on its way.

• You are sleeping through the night for 12+ hours, usually from 6:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.  It's wonderful.
• We took you for your first swim.  You weren't too sure about the pool but you sure looked cute in your swimsuit.

• You are eating three meals a day, plus a few snacks.  You like to eat whatever we're eating.  Your favorite foods are bananas, avocados, pears, and spaghetti.
• Your new favorite hobby is pulling the toilet paper off of the roll.  Silly girl.

• You love to nod your head "no."  Good thing you don't know what it means.  We're still working on "yes."
• You are becoming a talker.  You can say "Mama," "Dada," and "Nannah" for Hannah.

Our New Home Sweet Home

Just over two weeks ago we packed up and left good old Utah behind for California.  It's hard to believe we've been here for over two weeks!  It feels good to be moved in and settled.

So far, we absolutely love it.  Aaron is loving his job, we live in a beautiful place, and we've made some new friends.  We feel blessed to be here.

Here's a little looksie at our new home....

 Come on in!

Kitchen

 My favorite part of the kitchen.  Hello beautiful!

 Living room/dining room

Master bedroom

 Master bath - Hannah's favorite place, pulling all the toilet paper off of the roll.

Hannah's room

Hannah's bathroom - So nice that she has her own!

The view from our little balcony.

I took these on the drive to Aaron's work.  

 A palm tree next to a farm house!  So cool!

 See those little dots?  Those are cows.  We have a strange love for them.  Sometimes I like Hannah likes to moo at them.

We're just a few minutes from the water and about an hour from San Francisco, so if you're in the area, come visit!

Dear Hannah

Dear Hannah,

In just a few days I will celebrate my first Mother's Day as a mom.  Thank you for making me a mother.  The past 10 months have been the most wonderful, teaching, exhausting, rewarding, challenging, happy months of my life.  Being your mom has brought me more joy than I could ever have imagined.

You have taught me so many things.  You have taught me to live more simply, to slow down.  You have taught me that happiness has little to do checking things off of a list and everything to do with enjoying the small moments of each day.  You have taught me how to sacrifice.  You have taught me that my worth does not lie in accomplishments or awards.  You have given me insight into how Heavenly Father must feel towards each of His children.

I love being your mother.  I love the big smile you give me when you first wake up.  I love the way you wrap your arm around mine when I hold you.  I love finding your little fingerprints everywhere. I love when you sneeze.  I love that you hold onto the back of my legs when I'm cooking.  I love your giggles and squeals.

I love you Hannah Jane and I always will.

Love, Mama