Only in Vegas

I'm so behind in my blogging but I'll try to catch up while Eva is suctioned into her Bumbo watching Baby Einstein. So thanks to the Swine Flu, I was able to find a dirt cheap ticket back home. It was so nice to be home and see my family and some of my closest friends. Here are some highlights:
--Eva in a nap snuggler. And with all her adoring family members, there was always a line for the job. Here is a picture of my niece and Eva. My mom loves giving grand babies sink baths. Double sink bath, what could be better?

--Eva loves dogs and attacked Lexi whenever she was in the room. The poor dog just sat there and took it like a champ and occasionally licked her in the face. I gave up on germ patrol after a few hours. Eva always wins.

--We went to my nephew's preschool graduation and it was the cutest thing ever.

--Sisters at Mimi's. Eva sat on the lazy susan and rotated to each of her aunties for a visit. Teresa and Nat were both there during the week.

--Girls' Night! My cousin Andrea and friend Laura both came down from Utah to see us. We had so much fun eating out, shopping, watching movies (Wolverine???). Tiffany came over and Julie made us fried ice cream (check my food blog for the recipe) and we looked at scrapbooks and laughed our heads off all night (!!!!!!!)

--While I was there my sister-in-law, Whitney, got her mission call to Samara, Russia! I'm so excited for her. She's going to be an awesome missionary.

Devin's Graduation

I'm so behind on my posts but I'll try to get in all in before we leave town again for Memorial Day. This has been one of the fastest months of my life. So on with the show: First up- Devin's Graduation. (Joan- thanks for letting me borrow from your blog. I'm having to fight of this little climber that has decided that my modem is the most exciting thing in her world right now.)

Devin's parents were able to come out for the big day. We picked them up in Atlanta and ate at a new favorite Mary Mac's Tea Room for all sorts of Southern foods. We spent Thursday in Helen, Georgia, an alpine themed town in northern Georgia, and Tom and Devin golfed while the girls shopped. We went to graduation on Friday. It was fun so fun to see Devin get his master's "hood" in the Little John colliseum. We're so proud of his academic career. He graduated with his MRED with an almost 3.9 GPA. (sorry I had to brag) Devin and Tom went golfing at the Clemson "Walker course" after graduation. We ate in Greenville at a barbecue place for dinner. Saturday, after a trip to the Waffle house, we took an awesome drive through northern South Carolina and southern North Carolina and had a fun picnic at the Revolutionary War battlefield in Cowpens and discovered a beautiful mountain lake. Mother's Day was great b/c Devin had to do everything for me all day. I think he was excited for it to be over. Later we went to the park with Eva, and we had a crepe party while watching the finale episode of "The Amazing Race". We had a wonderful week and we're so happy Devin's parents were able to spend it with us.

Charleston

Last weekend Devin took me to Charleston for my birthday/Mother's Day (which was great b/c then I got to choose all the restaurants and decide what we did all weekend.) The weather was perfect and Eva seemed to have a great time. Visiting Charleston should definitely be on your bucket list. (things to do before you kick the bucket)

On our way home Eva started burning up with a fever (103!) Thankfully, it was just an ear infection- nothing a little meds couldn't knock out. We are so thankful for modern medicine. Who knows what we would have done for her 100 years ago. I've never seen this baby so docile. Poor thing!

Is there anything better than a baby in a strawberry patch?

Shananagins

A little glimpse into the every day life of Eva... And yes, she normally does wear a diaper. Here's a few of her latest YouTube gems. This first one is what happened when we tried to take a picture of Eva and all her buddies on Easter. I guess we won't have to worry about her holding her own in nursery.

She's trying to be Adam Lambert from "Idol" in this next video. (I swear, she's usually wearing clothes.)

About half-way through this one, Eva goes in for the kill. Antie Nat, it's time for you to teach her The Rules. (The Rules really work!!!)

Helen, GA

"Who knew?" An Alpine village on the banks of the Chattahoochee a short drive from our house... It was a fun discovery for us and next on the list of where-to-take-the-relatives. We're definitely going back in the summer when the river fills with inner tubes and you can float the "Hooch" through town and learn a lot about livin' and a little 'bout love.

(Shonna and Blake: Sorry we discovered this place 2 weeks too late. We're happy you came!)

Easter Message From Elder Holland

I've now written and deleted about 6 different starts to what I want to say in this post. It needs no further words. I'll just say that it touches my heart to the very core and gives me confidence in the all-encompassing power of Christ's Atonement. I hope you all enjoy this Easter Sunday.

You're 7 Months Old, My Love!

I can hardly believe how fast you are growing up. You are already 7 months old! On your 7-month birthday, you weighed 20 lbs. 13.5 oz. and were 28.5 inches tall. You started crawling that very day. Now you are very happy because you can explore and make messes to your heart's content. You are very curious and active. I can't hold you for more than a few seconds without you squirming one way or another. You still wake up at 4 am to feed and I don't mind because after you eat and fall back asleep, I roll you onto my chest and listen to your sleeping coos. You will never know how much your daddy and I love you!

I have a new nephew!!!

Devin's sister Sara, after 10 hours of labor (and one push- Lucky!!!) gave birth to little Zachary Jonathan Cardon Monday night. He weighed 7 lbs. 4 oz and is 21 inches long. We are so excited to have a new nephew and a little cousin for Eva. They are less than a year apart and we know they will be great friends. Sara is my personal hero right now, tackling the monumental task of taking care of a newborn AND a 2-year-old. I can't even begin to imagine. Good luck, Sara. You'll do great!

Texas III- The Big Easy

After San Antonio we drove through Houston to New Orleans. Hotwire.com landed us a hotel right in the middle of the French Quarter. We spent a couple days wandering the streets of Nawlins although we will take much more care not to wander onto Bourbon Street next time. It outdoes the strip easily, even at noon. They have a street car that takes you up into the residential area to look at all the old mansions. The trees along the streets were blanketed with Mardi Gras beads, probably from the big parade a couple of weeks earlier. I didn't realize this until the day was over, but we ate nothing but fried food all day. We started off with beignets from Cafe Du Monde, fried shrimp po'boys for lunch, fried soft shell crab, fried oysters, and fried catfish for dinner. I must be used to the American diet but poor Devin spent the night with major barf attacks. He is officially cured from the lure of fried food for good. We didn't see any of the after-effects from Katrina until we ventured into the Lower Ninth Ward where its toll became evident. One funny side story: we went to the Wal-Mart that we think was the Wal-Mart looted during the hurricane in search of diapers for Eva. Devin said it was a complete circus inside with people riding the un-sold store bikes all over, playing with the toys, throwing balls around. Meanwhile, I was circling the parking lot when a guy ran past me in handcuffs, followed closely by a police officer, while bystanders laughed and cheered. It was crazy. All in all, we really enjoyed our couple of days in New Orleans and we're happy we could squeeze it into our trip this time around.

*See complete album in post below.

Texas II- Austin and San Antonio

From College Station we drove to Austin and then on to San Antonio. Of the two cities I would say that Austin is very live-able and San Antonio is very tour-able. In Austin we spent the day wandering the city, looking for Bachelor Brad's bars, eating at the very first, very biggest Whole Foods Market, visiting the springs and eating yummy Mexican food with my 2nd cousin, Jennifer and her family. Thanks guys for letting us crash with you! (I love staying with people, it's in my blood.)


San Antonio is a beautiful city. The weather was perfect and the city was alive with St. Patty's Day excitement. We spent the day at the Alamo, on the river, walking the RiverWalk and eating waterfront Mexican food. Eva clacked her heels happily in her stroller the entire day. We loved it.

Check out our entire Texas Album.

Texas Trip

Boogers and Thunder Thighs- Reader Discretion Advised

So here are the much requested pictures of Eva's Thunder Thighs. I even took the liberty to upload a video to YouTube. The third picture was taken with Devin's cousin, Amanda. Eva's pants are off b/c everyone wanted to get a look at that chub. I can't resist a good squeeze.

Nor can I resist a good pick when there's a booger on the babe ripe for picking. So the other day I go to it, flick it out (b/c you have to move quick with a screaming child) and it lands on her top gum. I reach in to get it and end up pushing it in further. Eva slurped it up like a hungry hippo and the screams turned to smiles. Why is it that kids like the taste of boogers? Sorry if this is TMI but I can remember as a young child also tasting a booger and liking it. You see, I have this hidden talent of remembering strange details from my early childhood. For instance, I distinctly remember Princess Fergie's wedding, playing row, row, row your boat on my grandpa's lap, riding my big wheel down my aunt's basement stairs and knocking my tooth out on a weight set, an Asian man telling me to "beat it", and ending my prayers every night with "please bless that no fires or robbers or kid-nappers will come"- most likely b/c my sister and I had been exiled to sleep in the basement next to the furnace room. All memories pre-K as early as 2 yrs. Devin never tires of the endless stories. Good times.

Good times may not exactly describe my experience yesterday. I'm at my friend's house, chatting away, Eva's sitting quietly on the floor, a little too quiet I realize. Then I smell it, then I see it, what looked like a pile of cat poop 8 inches behind Eva's bum. Here is my hypotheses: She'd filled her diaper to the brim then leaned back squishing the goods out the top of her diaper in a perfect projectile, landing nicely on my friend's brand new carpet. I'm just happy my friend has a 1-year-old and understands the messes these little ones can create. I promise my next post will be a bit less nauseating. But don't say I didn't warn you!

Texas Part One- Katie's Races

We started out our trip in College Station for Katie's National indoor track meet. She was incredible and pulled out a 4th place in the 800 m with a time of 2:04.75 just behind her teammate that took first. But to be fair, Katie actually had the lead and then got boxed in at the end, opening up a spot for Lacey. We are just so proud of Katie. Her first few years of high school her coach wouldn't even let her run the 800m b/c of a snotty senior coaches pet. So she was forced to run the hurdles instead. When Katie finally got her chance she crushed all the school and state records and attracted the attention of the BYU coaches b/c of her speed and ability to hurdle- the perfect combination for BYU's steeplechase event. Having been recruited to run the steeplechase, no one expected her to be competitive in the 800, let alone place 4th in the nation. And who knows what this kid will do next year. Way to go Katie! The BYU team also placed 3rd overall, the best they've ever done. Adding to the point count was Katie's distance relay where Katie ran the 1200 leg. We all agreed that Eva was the good luck charm, even though she slept through both of Katie's races.

And here are more videos for the fam!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwxtGcoe_DI Bonus video for Gracie!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27e_6hni7bE Giggles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJg0YsdhNzs Our little crow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht4LjQURJNM This one's for you, Whit!

I Heart Grandparents

Time flies and I can't believe I'm leaving for TX tomorrow. We had so much fun in Boise. Eva was able to spend time with Devin's family as well as meet her great-grandparents and lots of cousins. It was fun for me to be able to pass her off to grandma and grandpa at the crack of dawn and finally be able to sleep in. Eva was so well behaved and all around delightful. She loves new people and never is afraid to go to a new person. She perfected her back to front roll as well as the preparatory crawl rocking. She missed her daddy and whenever I let her listen to him on the phone she would get a huge smile on her face, squeal and flap her arms. I think she is in Boise withdrawal because I now have a nearly impossible baby on my hands that refuses to sleep, suck on her binky, get swaddled, nurse, the list goes on. But now for my deep thought for the day: Baby Eva gets so much attention and I love it. I'm stopped about every 5 minutes whenever I go out in public to "what a cute baby" or "how old is she". I'm sure all of you with babies right now can relate. I'm telling you this because as fun as that is for me, it is nothing compared to watching grandparents and aunts and uncles with her. There really isn't anyone else in the world that will just hang on her every expression and sound. The slightest movement is like a turn on a roller-coaster or watching a white tiger jump through a hoop of fire. It really is amazing to me how much love we have for these new babies that come into our families. OK, that's it. Very deep. I know.

Blogger pics aren't working so here's a link to Joan's picasa album.

R-a-n-d-o-m-n-e-s-s

1. Since 90% of you are Bachelor watchers (some in some out of the closet) I'll just rage for one minute. How many of you got sucked into all 3 hours of that insanity last night?!? How many of you have sworn off the Bachelor, yet again, but this time for good. I just can't believe what a slime ball Jason is. How is it better to break up with her in person if it has to be on national television? I feel like I need to take shower after watching all that nonsense. Thank goodness for DVR, at least I could fast forward through the all the making out.

2. Don't get the chicken salad sandwich at Cheesecake Factory. You might spend the day with food poisoning (like I did on Sunday) but you'll get a free gift card out of it for complaining.

3. The book Uncle Tom's Cabin is so good! I'm only 60 pages into it and it is so exciting. And this is coming from a slow reader that takes forever to get into a book.

4. We've booked our tickets to Texas for spring break. We'll be going to Houston, College Station, Austin, San Antonio and New Orleans. So send me your suggestions for things to do, places to eat, things to see, zone leader's brother's x-roommate or grandpa's x-girlfriend's great niece that would want some house guests. That's the way we roll!

5. Devin's grandma is the cutest! She took Whitney and me shopping at Macy's and within 5 minutes had picked out 2 designer jackets for us. If I could, I'd have her be my personal stylist. Her house is littered with Vogue magazines and the like with the corners of the pages turned down marking trends she likes. She seriously is too cute!

Boise Baby

We're in Boise right now and Eva is having so much fun with all her friends here. I'll write more when she's not attacking my keyboard. This little thing is rolling, sitting, scooting, rocking and getting into everything. Time to babyproof!