update from the South!

We made it to Georgia last week and are settling in slowly but surely.
Little Charlie and his cousin are peas and carrots since reuniting and it feels good to see those two playing again.
My sister Leanna and her family live right outside of Atlanta and we have seen them 3 times already! We love living by family! We went to a family BBQ on Saturday night and had a family dinner on Sunday night!
We attended our new ward with the in-laws last week and the members were very warm and welcoming. There were several moms that came up to me following Sacrament meeting getting my name and number to invite me to mommy playgroups. We feel very loved here and very comfortable in our new town and ward.

creamy tomato soup

This is hands down, the best tomato soup I have EVER had!
Plus, the little one slurps it right up.
Isn't he getting so big eating with a spoon!
It is on the pricier side, but I figure I can serve it for dinner one night
and serve the leftovers for lunch the next day!

I serve it with some grated Parmesan cheese on top and viola!!

moving right along

favorite pastime lately
(I think the pictures show what I'm referring to!)

and he falls over!!

he wasn't too happy

love my mischievous little boy!

Did I mention we are moving?
Ah yes, moving.
Isn't moving splendid? Perhaps for those that are fortunate enough to have someone else pack up their lives.
But really, we have been taking our merry ole' time packing and doing quite a good job at that. My husband is very organized and I am warming up slowly but surely to his style and professional attempt to packing.
Charlie will take off an afternoon to devote his time to packing every thing perfectly.
While I, look for any 2 minutes or 30 seconds to spare and throw baby clothes and shoes into boxes.
See the difference?
Actually, we have been working together this last week and it has made all the difference.
Little Charlie's newborn to 2 year clothes are all packed into old diaper and wipes boxes, neatly labeled and sealed for shipment. Well, not really shipment but sort of.
Today, we opened the garage and began sifting through things we haven't used in 3 years.
Since living in my Aunt Maureen's home, we haven't had to use our wedding presents at all. Dishes, eating utensils, can openers, blenders, every thing we needed was in her kitchen.

We are about 2/3 packed which is looking good. We have 2 more weeks before we head to the South! Georgia that is!
I am beyond thrilled to move to Georgia. I LOVE Georgia. Even more, we will live close to all of Charlie's family! Plus, my sister Leanna and her family will be there too!
Things are looking up and things are moving right along!

the Graduate!

[ the graduate ]

[ me and my baby ]

[ the graduate with mom and pops ]

[ the graduate and sisters ]
By the way, my baby sister Katie is pregnant!!! She's 16 weeks along!

[ side shot ]

[ convocation in the Hart building ]

[ receiving my BYU-Idaho diploma ]

[ my beautiful family, how I love them so. ]

[ So glad my husband caught this candid shot, this is the perfect representation of how I felt. ]

Well folks, I graduated!
My husband, little Charlie, my parents, Leanna, Ernesto, Azaliea, Jeremy and Katie came up to Rexburg to show their support. Commencement was in the new BYU-Idaho Center and it was quite the experience. President Kim B. Clark presided and shared a short talk to the graduates. I was so overwhelmed with emotions during that commencement ceremony.
Tears were in my eyes the entire time as I listened to the
beautiful musical numbers and the talks.

The most important thing I took away from graduation was the confirmation that God loves me. I felt His love the entire time and it lingered with me the rest of the night. I felt so special.

I am so grateful for the family and friends that helped me get to this point.
I am grateful for the many prayers that have been answered this last year.
I am so grateful for my husband who was the most supportive person in this process.
Lastly, I am grateful for my Mom going back to college with 5 kids(3 teenagers, 1 in middle school and 1 in elementary school), you are my greatest example!

class of 2011

I can't believe this is really happening! My husband and I are graduating very soon!
Luckily we are graduating within a month of each other and could
send one announcement out to all our family and close friends.
That probably saved us a few bucks.
My family is coming up to Idaho for my graduation this Friday and
Charlie's family will come for his graduation in August.
I can't wait to see everyone!

Family pictures at Lake Norconian

My talented cousin Lyndzee, of EPlove took our family photos at the beautiful Lake Norconian.
Many people don't know about this lake and resort nestled in Norco because it is now a prison and naval weapons base! Who would have thought?!
It was a glamorous resort for movie stars in the late 1920s and you can check out this site for more details. It was truly breathtaking.

When Charlie and I first got engaged I had a crazy idea about having my reception in the pavilion located right behind this last picture. We would have row boats available at the boat house but then I found out it would be impossible to get 300+ guests through the gates without background checks and i.d's! Believe me, I looked into it.
Luckily my older brother Luke is in the air force and was able to work his magic for our family to get in for family pictures. Plus it was Father's day so they were extra nice to us!

the carousel

Little Charlie loved, loved, loved the carousel.
There's something about rides that go around in circles that just get to him.
He also loved dumbo, casey jr., little mermaid ride, pirates and the tiki room.

Disneyland

Little Charlie with his Grandpa Greg

fun in the tiki room with my sissies!

we had to eat at pizza port... it's tradition!

We spent 3 days at Disneyland and California Adventure.
Little Charlie was such a good boy for us. He loved going on rides that went in circles like dumbo and the carousel. He stayed pretty quiet on the other rides and just watched his cousin Azaliea go crazy with excitement. He's just a mellow kid, which I love.
Little Charlie loved eating the pineapple whip by the tiki room and drinking cold water from my water bottle. He took a nap right at 12:00 and woke up around 2:00 which gave me and my husband time to go on rides together.
We had such a great time and I think little Charlie enjoyed getting to know his cousins more.