The Carter Fam

The Holidays 2012

2012-01-03T21:38:00.000-08:00

The holidays started for us on December 23rd...Bill had to work until then. BUT a couple days before we headed to the Carters my brother, Dallin, got his mission call!!!!! He is leaving for
Des Moines, Iowa on Feb. 15th 2012!!!!!!

SO EXCITED AND SO SO SO PROUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, we headed to Concord and spent Christmas Eve with one of our favorite families, The Frenchs. Christmas morning was awesome and Cade was so funny. Let's just say lesson learned, I should have never bought him anything but a little hot wheels and a 'sheeeooooowwww', aka, a show. He was in the other room playing with cars the whole morning and I opened his flippi presents. Waste O money. Good thing I know my child and bought things he needs mostly:) Bill got a full set of custom Callaway golf clubs and he got me a gorgeous ring amongst other things. We then had a crazy 3 days making sure Jay and Anna's wedding went smoothly on the 28th. It was beautiful and the day was generally flawless. Anna looked gorgeous and they look so in love. It is sweet to witness the way they look at each other. I was in charge of the hot chocolate bar that turned out so cute! We THEN turned around and made a 13 hour roadtrip on Friday the 30th to Olympia & Seattle for the 2nd reception. We were all so exhausted, it was fun, but cold and tiring. We spent New Years in Seattle which was a very cool city, wish we could have stayed longer. Can I just say here and now for the record that Cade might just be the easiest child ever. He is very busy, but he did not make a PEEP the whole way to Seattle and on the 13 hour drive home just 24 hours later, he only whined toward the end when we were almost home. Maybe I feel so grateful for his innate sweetness because Bill and I are on a little get away without him as I write this, but either way I love this sweet boy and am so lucky to be his Mama. We are currently in Pismo Beach celebrating out anniversary at our favorite spot, The Cliffs Resort. I love it here. Especially the week after New Years. We have the place to ourselves, the weather is always fantastic, the pool and spa, the food, the beach, the whirlpool tub...we look forward to every time we get to come here. It's our first time leaving Cade and even though I was super worried, I know no one loves and worries about Cade more than his grandmas and aunties, so he's in good hands.

Here is the last 2 weeks in pictures:

Dal opening his call on Skype...

Cade in the morning...killing time til we head to Gma (Mamao) & Gpa ( pa pa) Carter's...

Christmas Eve Dinner

Christmas Morning! He loves his trike which he affectionately calls " Car".

Giddy up Toby!

Putting together Cade's trike for Santa with Uncle Liam

A rousing game of Settlers.

Hol & Jay on his last night a single man, playing settlers of course.

Doing Christmas morning with my family via skype. Skype is a modern day miracle.

Temple Day! It was gorgeous weather.

Wedding decor...made by Tanya French. It was GORGEOUS. She is so creative.

Chocolate covered spoons and pretzel rods for the hot chocolate bar!

I know I'm his Mama, but this kid is so talented with a ball:

Why wouldn't Cade come down with the flu and a double ear infection the morning we are supposed to leave for Seattle? Poor little guy. Within hours of starting amoxicillin he was running around.

Go GIANTS! His new coat from Gma and Gpa Carter.

Grandpa Jim let Cade drive - seriously- in the parking lot on the way to Washington.

Pike Place Market- Seattle. I have always wanted to come here, it was awesome. Just really cold. A stranger even gave me her coat and it was weird, I wasn't even that cold. I decided my hair was a mess so maybe she thought I was homeless.

Being this close to Chico felt so wrong not to stop and have a little La Comida and Jon & Bon's.

We left Cade for the first time with Triss, Jim and Holly. We came down to our fave spot in Pismo Beach, The Cliffs. But, first, we stopped in San Jose to introduce Bill to Maggiano's. DELICIOUS.

Our room is the top floor, far left. Beautiful view. Fab room. Loved it.

I took a pic of the bathroom because I LOVED the deep jetted tub.

& a view from our room

My handsome love.

Sunsets here have been phenomenal, especially from our room view.

Dolphin pod! We watched them laying in the sun for like 2 hours this afternoon.
Today we went to the adorable little town just before San Luis Obispo called Avila Beach. Of course we had to hit a bucket of balls with Bill's new clubs! It was actually really fun.

Utah Thanksgiving trip 2011

2011-11-29T20:30:00.000-08:00

I have been so homesick lately...I actually don't like that expression because I feel at home here, in Monterey, but when I miss my family is feels like homesickness sooo...for lack of a better word, I was homesick. We made a 15 hour trek out to Provo on the 18th adn stopped half way in Vegas and visited my beautiful cousins taking the edge off of my "homesickness". I love love love cousins. We continued on and made it to UT county just in time to meet up with my sister & fam, and the Manwill girls at Guru's for dinner. I love love love BFFs. Call me cheesy, but my soul warms up when I am belly laughing with these girls every time I visit. I miss them. Every. Single. Day. We headed to Highland to Grandma Tall's house to soothe some more homesickness symptoms and it was perfect. I love staying up late talking to Gram. Looooong, and I mean long, talks with Gramps. The most comfy beds ever. Good Food. Lots of family craziness at sunday dinners. I love love love when a home feels like a sanctuary. The next few days we spent visiting friends, shopping finding the coveted "Utah Gems" ( aka: Deseret Book, Hobby Lobby, Shade, Tie Stores, Tai Pan etc...credit:Steph) , eating at: Cafe Rio, Kneaders, Brio, Cheesecake Factory, Magleby's and their life-changing chocolate cake, and Village Baker. OH how we miss the food. Wednesday we met up with my Mom, Dal and Beau at Redrock Brewery, another gem, at Fashion Place...usher in the few remaining feelings of homesickness vanishing. We spent the day at the mall and getting things for Chelsea's Baby Norah shower. We went up to Ogden for the remainder of our trip to the Tiner grandparents. I miss them, it is hard to watch them age each time I visit. It makes me have some pretty heavy regrets about not making the 1.5 hour drive more often when I was so close. We had thanksgiving, which we did without Grandma because she had foot surgery right before we got there, good timing! It was delicious nonetheless. Mom brought the Xbox Kinect and we played sports and my personal favorite, Michael Jackson: The Experience. I LOVE IT. We went to Black friday on thursday night and almost died in Walmart aka hell. Mom, Chels and I went to black friday the next morning at 5am after my hours of coaxing and waited in line at Tai Pan--it was SOOOO worth it. Amazing store. I miss being alone just us girls, rarely happens with hubs and kids, I guess it takes standing in line in the dark freezingness of Ogden to pull it off, but it was great. Lots of laughs-my favorite part. We spent the rest of the day lounging and playing games. Playing HORSE and knock out. That night we were baking up a storm for Chelsea's Baby Norah shower. Pink Zebra cake, lemon muddy buddies, pink zebra cookies, strata etc...the next morning we headed to Highland to get ready for the shower. It was beautiful. Chels looked so cute. Great friends, great family. Loved every minute. I CAN'T WAIT FOR NORAH TO GET HERE! Anyway, Bill and I decided to go home through Reno this time, so we went to Ogden with my fam for the last night. Sad. Sad. Sad. It was such a busy-fun week. Word on the street is that my parents are moving to UT and I am so excited I don't have words. Here are pics from the trip:

Cade Lately:

2011-11-13T17:43:00.001-08:00

Hangin at the beach...he loves to run wild and free.

First Mani-Pedi

Looking like a bonafide toddler. He turned 18 months old 2 days ago. Wow.

This is how Cade puts his hat on, he'll leave it there It slides off and then re-put it on this way. It's a new fashion trend.

Making up tricks to show daddy

Lookin big again...GO GIANTS!

I keep finding him in things...drawers...

He loves to sit in the sink...

In boxes...

He is getting so big and so smart...he has been teething I swear for the last 12 months, but we finally have 4 molars in and our nights have been a lot better. He is talking too..."shoes", "two" ( not one or three, just 2.), " no" ,"thank you"( pronounced dah doo, not to be confused with dah dah, which is " love you".) and his latest obsession...he yells, no screams, MAMA. All. Day. I secretly love it, just usually when I'm in bed at night winding down thinking of how sweet he is.

Halloween 2011

2011-11-13T17:35:00.001-08:00

I am so behind on posting...here is our few pics of Halloween this year:

Can you guess who we were?

Sweet boy at the gym in his costume, they did a parade around the gym----cuuute.
This is who Bill was: The one and only Bob Ross, methodical painter extraordinaire. I on the other hand, was Bill.

Kimmi Ann Rea came to visit!

2011-11-13T17:31:00.001-08:00

It was one quick night, but was way past due and much needed. Thanks Kim for the laughs, reminisces, and love. Miss you every time I cheat on my diet aand have myself a big bowl of Oh's.

Moving and Organizing

2011-10-01T16:13:00.000-07:00

We have moved to a cute new place like a mile away from where we've been for a year in Pacific Grove. We are in Montrerey now and LOVING our new place. Cute patio/yard thing, across from a big field and park for Cader and has Washer/Dryer hook-ups. Sounds weird to those of you anywhere but here, but NOWHERE in this county comes with appliances or hook ups for them. Lots of older homes and buildings---SO, we bought our first set of W/D and I Can't WAIT for them to be delivered in a couple weeks. Also, with this new move I have made a renewed commitment to get super organized and clean more often. Of course my motivation was ignited by a couple cute crafts to make this transition into efficiency more fun and colorful:)

My to-do board I made with my handy silhouette and an IKEA board...

My chore chart:) Thank You picnik.com. LOVE that place.

lately...

2011-09-08T19:05:00.001-07:00

Just your standard naked Giants game...

First girlfriend at Caledonia Park.

Saying goodbye to friends who are moving...so sad.

Reading with Daddy...

A 15 month old photo shoot at the park...oh, those eyes.

We went whale watching with our friends who moved, The Bybees. This was our one and only picture because I was pretty sea-sick, but Bill, OH. MY. GOSH.He was so ill, he went into shock and told me later he kept thinking, "If I throw myself overboard, they'll probably stop for me..." So, don't let the chipper photo with the exciting text bubble fool you, whale watching is not for the faint of stomach. PLUS, we saw nothing. A couple dolphins off in the distance and an albatross-yay. Here's to next time and taking 2 dramamine a full hour before.
A little update: we have been crrrrazy busy this summer. I don't even remember if I have blogged about it at all, but we've going non-stop since May. Started with hawaii and ended with multiple trips to Concord and one to Huntington Beach for Lexi Terry's wedding. Bill is in line for a great promotion and can't wait for him to be in a better position that will make him less stressed and more content. I am in YW and loving it. Meeting new friends all the time and hoping some will be permanent like me. Cade is hilarious. He never stops talking in his middle-eastern-mandarin-chinese dialect of jibberish. He loves to play with balls, he is shooting hoops with his Dad as I type this. He adores being outside and running. We are moving in 2 weeks to a better, bigger, cuter place with a little yard & garage. It is across the street from a park too which is going to be AWESOME. We are soooooo excited. Did I mention we can't wait?

Bill's dream has come true.

2011-08-16T12:57:00.001-07:00

We officially have a waterpolo capped basketball slam dunkin' 15 month old.

Cade is basically a toddler...time flies.

2011-07-27T17:20:00.000-07:00

This the 2nd time in 24 hours he has dug through my cupboards and brought me this lemon cake mix asking me to m open it in his best "please mom" whine.

So cute...guess I'll make it tonight:)

This is Cade this morning on our way to the gym...

Crocs, check. Big-boy Puma jacket, check. Not-so-big-boy binkie, check.

He is getting bigger everyday...I find myself asking him out loud where my newborn has gone...He is walking everywhere. He sleeps like a gem unless he's teething or in a new place. I loves to skype and watch shows. He LOVES to be outside. He still loves to be part of the action, he'll be good all day long if he's involved in whatever I'm doing. If not, it's the opposite. He calls me nah-nah but then says mama when he's complaining. The loves to pound on the keyboard of this computer. He loves books and being read to. he loves sweets. All kinds. He gives kisses, pats us on the back, laughs anytime we do, and he is still obsessed with any balls and shooting them in his hoop. He brings so much joy to our lives and anyone who meets him. Today I was at the craft store and he struck up 3 different jiberish conversations which old ladies...I love it.

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-05T21:22:00.000-07:00

We spent our day with our new friends, The Wetzels! They moved here from S. California to buy a dental practice which means they are PERMANENT. Yay for no military! Love my military friends, but I hate saying goodbye so often. We BBQ'd, went to Pacific Grove's little town celebration and played with sparklers...no fireworks anywhere in the county---lame. Here are some pics...oh, and on another exciting note, my sister and Vance are coming tomorrow! Wahoo! Then we're off to Utah and the cabin-FINALLY. I've been craving me some Yellowstone air, family, games, good food, fishing, boating, reading in the sun, porch sittin', and laughing till my gut hurts with some of my favorite ladies in world...

T minus 8 days...

look what I made!

2011-06-24T14:46:00.000-07:00

Lovin' this starfish flag...it was cheap and easy, my 2 favorite types of crafts:)

Piece O Cake

2011-06-07T08:13:00.000-07:00

This is how it's done LeBron:

step 1

step 2

and 3.

If your question is ' Is your retirement plan banking on Cade being a pro athlete?',

the answer is a resounding yes.

He's almost walking...who cares? He can stand up with the ball and make a basket.

We're Carter's afterall, walking comes second to sports coordination:)

Back track to March...

2011-05-31T13:13:00.000-07:00

My mom came to visit back in March and I can't believe I haven't done a post of her trip. It was short and sweet and exactly what I needed at the time. My parents live in the North Pole--aka Montana-- and I was so excited for her to get to come to our gorgeous coast and soak up the sun. Of course, it rained 95% of the time. But, the 5% Mr. Sun decided to show his face we were outside on the beach ready to greet him. She was only here a few days and we packed in lots of eating at our favorite places, fisherman's wharf, walking the bike trail, Point Lobos ( which was, as always, amazing), and of course sinking our toes in the sand listening to the waves. Here are some pics that are way past due, my camera died so most of the good pics are on my Mom's camera, good luck never getting those from her:)...love you Mom.

Come again soon and stay forever.

Crazy squirrel that followed us around for food at Point Lobos

K, you can't see it very well, but that little puff of water shooting up on the left and right is a whale spouting water!! Point Lobos was rad.

China Cove, Point Lobos. Bill vowed then and there to come back with friends and/or family and swim in that cove, we couldn't go down due to Harbor Seals pupping season.

Now having gone to Hawaii and it being summer, I can't believe how pasty I look here.

Get some sun girl!

Grandma & Cade at the beach

Sweet pea cuddling Grandma

Walking the bike trail

Going to dinner at one of favorites, Fisherman's Grotto on the wharf. So yum.

Lately I've been giggling a lot about::

2011-05-27T11:55:00.000-07:00

My boy's pigeon toed-ness.

this is what we get for trying to sleep in and letting Cade crawl around the house...

2011-05-27T11:44:00.001-07:00

Our boy turns 1

2011-05-22T14:38:00.000-07:00

Has it really been a year already? I realized I haven't done an update on my boy in a while and this is the perfect time. We were on a plane to Hawaii on Cader's actual birthday last wednesday and he was an angel. I know it's becoming cliche to write directly to your kids on blogs, but later when this is bound as a journal I want him to read how we felt directly.

Sweet baby Cade,

Wow, I'm already teary. I'm sure if you are reading this you know your Mama cries at the drop of a hat already. You are so special. You light up our lives and everybody around you. Even grumpy people put a smile on it when they see you because your joy and

dimples are just that infectious. You love to play, you are curious and you prefer ritz bits over any other food ever. You take one fantastic nap per day, any more and we pay for it royally till 11 or midnight. In fact I can hear you wakin

g up right now babbling and yelling for me. Your big baby blues are mesmerizing and your sweet face looks just like your handsome dad. In fact, I have not had a single person tell you look like me, but that's okay because you daddy is pretty good lookin. You love to watch sports on TV with our dad, especially the Giants. You love this goofy show called Yo Gabba Gabba, no joke you could watch it for hours- you did once on the way to Las Vegas last month because you were screaming and we had 3 hours left. You are constantly exploring and learning about what's around you. Sometimes I'm convinced you could babysit yourself because you concentrate on things for so long. You love the beach. You love to go on walks in the stroller. You love to talk to your cousin Vance on skype.In the last 2 weeks you have developed a nasty attitude,

(throwing stuff when you don't want it, spitting out your

food, yelling directly at us when we do something you don't like etc...)

which I'm sure you get from your Dad:) You are starting to want to walk, but I think your 99th percentile noggin is making it a little hard haha! You are so smart and your great sense of humor was obvious very early on. You have giggled and laughed for months.

Cade, you are the light of our lives and I can't wait to

see what the years bring...this first one has flown by and ha

s brought more joy than we thought possible. When you were a newborn I put here on our blog something your dad said that still rings true. He said:

" The love a parent feels is the closest you can feel to how Heavenly Father feels about us."

I'm Famous Ya'll.

2011-05-21T18:38:00.000-07:00

So remember when I posted the picture of the dry erase board I made for my sister? Yeah, well, Shelley from The House of Smith's ( where I saw the idea) saw the one I made and featured it on facebook because she loved it so much!! What? I seriously have butterflies, she is so cute and her blog is too. Check her out on theouseofsmiths.com for cool DIY and decor ideas.

Here's the link to her facebook page:):):):):)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/House-of-Smiths/112455755475420?ref=ts

Tall Family 1st ever photo shoot!!

2011-05-19T19:13:00.000-07:00

We have been in Hawaii...it was paradise.

Had our family's first shoot, it was picturesque in a

peaceful bay at sunset. More pics of the trip and our

adventures to come...for now here are some of our

shoot that I edited:)

PS- My baby boy turned 1 the day of our flight out to Kona, time flies.

This does NOT feel right.

2011-05-01T21:30:00.001-07:00

It's May for crying out loud.

Look what I made for my Sis!

2011-04-30T20:34:00.000-07:00

It is a weekly menu with dry erase vinyl to write on! Happy uber-late birthday Chels my love!

It Just Feels Right

2011-04-21T12:59:00.001-07:00

Changed the plates:)

Beachin' It

2011-04-13T21:35:00.000-07:00

Recently I have made a goal to head to the beach whenever Mr. Sun pokes his head out in case we ever have to move. I would have some HUGE regrets if we ever leave and I didn't make the most of what Pacific Grove/Monterey/Carmel has to offer. It is gorgeous here and we are getting more and more settled in and comfortable...we're making friends and feeling more like we're home when we pull up to our tiny apartment. I realized things had mellowed out and "normalized" for me when the other day I was at a girl's night with some friends and one girl said something to the tune of "We love our ward, it's like Monterey's one saving grace, if we are here any longer than the summer, I'll be suicidal..." WHHHHHHHHHHHHAT??????????? I bout punched her, but instead I informed her she was nuts and hello? People pay thousands to come here from all over the world. No biggie. Not to mention fresh produce 12 months a year, consistent 55-75 degree weather, the BEACH including a 20 mile walking path along it, no crime, Point Lobos...I could've gone on all night. Also, to be suicidal is a bit dramatic. I am a titch defensive of my home state as a whole, but I surprised myself how much I defended Monterey specifically. Funniest part? They are moving to like North Dakota and she's excited! Have fun chick! You'll be missin this, just you wait.

I luh me some California produce.

2011-04-05T15:54:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd log how amazing the fruit stand we frequent every other Monday is......for a grand total of $29.06 we brought home:

1 bunch of kale, celery, 4 cucumbers, 3bunches of cilantro, 6 roma tomatoes, 3 baskets of raspberries, 1 head purple cabbage, 2 red peppers, leeks, 4 pounds of strawberries, 2 bags spinach, 2 lbs grapes, 3 heirloom tomatoes, 7 nectarines, 2 heads romaine, 5 onions, 11 AVOCADOS, yes 11, 2 purple onions, 4 jalapenos, 2 lbs green beans and 7 fuji apples. I might've even forgot some stuff. We LOVE LOVE LOOOOOOVE living here alone over the produce. Bill & I are fruit and veggie people so I get rediculously excited for the produce stand shopping day. It's 20 mins up Hwy 1 and a gorgeous drive. Today I took a couple of friends to show them my little gem, they fell in love too. My mom was just here and I need to blog about it because it was by FAR the best event of the year so far...here's our bi-monthly pile of treasures:)

My First Chocolate Chip Cookie

2011-03-20T14:17:00.000-07:00

Sweet baby loves sweets, surprise surprise.

Jay Is Home:) Here's the proof...

2011-03-20T13:34:00.000-07:00

We went to the airport on Friday March 4th very very early...and waited... ( a little shout out to Auntie Mary for my awesome amazing infant size Giants hat:))

we made Cade a shirt that said " I love Uncle Jay, and the GIANTS" in Japanese...

...and another that said " YAY FOR JAY"...

...and we waited and waited...

...till we saw him walking out on the international arrival monitor and we all freaked out...

it was kind of surreal, very emotional and happy...

...Holly was ecstatic...

It was awesome. Of course my camera died so I only have this picture of Jay, Liam & Bill when we went bowling the next weekend when all the kids were home for Jay's welcome home talk at church. Good food, good company. My 2 favorite things.

Jay & Cade hit it off right away...we went to a Stanford-UCDavis girls NCAA tourny game this weekend in Palo Alto.

cute cute cute:

Gettin back in the groove

2011-02-27T13:29:00.000-08:00

Ok, I finally feel like updating our blog! I was waiting for some motivation because there is lots going on and Cade is changing everyday and I need to log it! Better yet, blog it! hahaha-funny. Check it: The next few months are going to fly by and be so busy...Bill's brother Jay comes home from his mission next weekend (finally!). Then my Mama comes to visit in the end March, April brings a brazil trip for Bill and maybe Utah trip for me if I can find a tranquilizer to take so I can fly, May we are going to Hawaii with my fam and I am so so so excited, June is a Carter family trip to Mexico---oh I can't wait for the food, July is girl's camp and Tall family reunion=cabin tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime. That means plans have been made through August. Wow. There went half of 2011. As for an update as of lately, let's see...Bill...he's still working hard at Fidelity, he's in his last semester of his MBA program and somehow he still manages to stay on top of every sporting event broadcasted by ESPN. He is the asst. ward mission leader at church which keeps him in his comfort zone, serving others. Speaking of service, we finally added him to my gym membership so he could blow off some steam and push through this last crazy semester and as of late, that has been replaced with teaching me how to play racquetball and it's not quite a workout for him yet...bless his heart. As soon as I can figure out how to get in a rhythm and not look like I'm swatting a rogue bee he'll be dripping sweat and make up for lost time. You just wait. Moving on...Me...I'm at home with the peanut, and I got called to the Young Women presidency in our ward so that has given me more to think about and get done. I love the women I'm serving with already and it was perfect timing. Like I mentioned before I'm learning to play racquetball and I'm diggin kickbox classes a LOT lately too. The greatest little boy ever, AKA Cade, has been so so so so busy. He was born busy, but oh my gosh this kid is crazy! Like a good Mom, I haven't logged any of his milestones and when he did them, but this is what I remember: He just broke his 4th tooth this week. ( is that normal for 9 months? he seems so little!) He has been standing up holding onto something for a few months now, but stood for a few seconds alone last week! He repeats syllables ( like, I'll say Cade, say " ball" and he'll say one syllable " dah", with intention...semi-counts.) I cut his baby hair! I had to, it was turning into mullett2. He moved into a big boy carseat. He eats anything, but if he doesn't like it, he's not shy, he'll spit it out right at you. He loves music. Cade loves to be involved. As long as I bring him with me and he can be around others he is a happy camper, seriously the happiest baby I have ever known. He still has his pretty baby blues. He has been wearing 12 month clothes for at least 4 weeks. He got his first tattoo at Shark Days at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. ( see below.) The best milestone Cade has reached as of late though, is- drumroll....duh duh duh-playing catch! He plays with Bill every night when he gets home and if you know the Carter's, you know that this was a little past due, he was expected to know at birth, but 9 months will do:) This last Cade announcement has been life altering-dare I say it out loud for fear of jinxing it? For a week and a half he has been

SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT. I REPEAT-ALL NIGHT.

Look at this angel-baby. Just sayin.

We miss cuz Vance.

1st tat!

Bring on the emptying of all my cupboards and drawers!

He actually loved these black beans...

I LOOOOOOve his bowed legs and pigeon toed-ness.

Oh where oh where did my newborn go? He's practically a teenager in his new seat here. Bill said on his first ride he laughed the whole way because he had never faced forward hahaha! ( I know, I'm aware he is still supposed to be rear facing, but I can't figure out how to hook it up so, till then at least he's locked down and strapped in.)

I wanna break out in 'Amazing Grace'.

2011-02-08T19:55:00.000-08:00

This pic doesn't even do the view justice. I took it on my phone. I take lots of walks along a path that passes by here. This is less than a mile from my doorstep. Every single time I walk here, which is once or twice a week, suddenly I'm struck with this moment of 'Really? We get to live here?'. Chels has been here for a week tomorrow and every day has looked like this. Never below 65 degrees and gorgeous. Today I feel grateful for sunshine on my face, good friends and amazing family, warm weather, my health and every morning I feel glad & lucky we live in a safe neighborhood where I get to walk along this beautiful coast as far as I want.

CHELS & VANCE ARE IN TOWN!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-02-03T13:06:00.000-08:00

Let's make this easy on the both of us...

2011-01-16T18:27:00.000-08:00

I'm gonna call this my 'FALL 2010 all-encompassing post' since I can't seem to get my posts done in sequence and thoroughly. I always seem to forget something and for some reason I am just not in a journaling mood lately...at least on my own personal blog. So starting with Bill's aunts coming to visit...they brought this sweet chocolate lab, Chewy, and Cade was in love. We spent a day in Carmel and I fell in love. Then we went to Concord for Christmas, and the family was in love. With Cade, that is. Good times. Christmas and the holiday season is over, so let's kick it in and move on to summer. All in favor?:):):):):):):)

I need to sort through Christmas pictures, but in the mean time...

2011-01-13T07:52:00.000-08:00

We went to San Luis Obispo for a Cal Poly vs UC Davis BBall game...so we hit up Avila Beach. Cade's first time in a swing and on a slide and they were right in the sand looking at the water. So cute.

Like father like son...they both sat like this through the whole game...and yes, Cade's hair is growing in weird, but is it right to buzz an 8 month old?

I will be framing this one.

Cade's new sleeping position...which is ironic because this is how I slept when I was pregnant with him:)

All is well...getting ready to start Bill's last semester of his MBA program. Oh that will be so awesome when he is done. Cade and I are holding down the fort at home, trying to bolster up our day with a social life which seems nearly impossible in this sleepy town. So instead, we hit up the gym, go down for naps, make lunch, play, nap again (once or 5 times a week this nap may or may not be replaced with going to Target for nothing in particular, but always in the name of baby food), start dinner while he whines at my feet, Bill gets home and we eat n' chat . Cade gets a bath, eats and goes to bed while we watch a show or two (more like ESPN then a show:) and we're off to bed to do it again the next day. I'm trying to find joy in the simplicity of my days lately because I know it won't be for long. Still homesick for my life in Utah, not so much Utah itself, but let me put a plug in here for modern technology: I am soooooooo grateful for skype and as of late, blogs. I feel like I see my family on a semi-daily basis and it has helped this transition immensely. Is feels weird to say skype is a blessing, but it really has been. Maybe I can say this over the pulpit next time I have to give a talk...hahaha...Mid-tears: " Skype has really blessed my life immensely..."

time flies.

2010-12-31T11:15:00.000-08:00

Home Sweet Chico

2010-12-25T21:40:00.000-08:00

AND GUESS WHO WAS THERE TO SURPRISE ME WHEN I GOT THERE??????????????

I swear he was excited.

I showed up in Paradise and Chels and this little gem jumped out from under a comforter.

I started screaming, then slowly it hit me that they had planned all of this, driven 11 hours with 2 babies through the night and all for me?

I have the best family & friends in the world.

I am very lucky.

I was sobbing when all this registered. I'm kinda tearing up now.

I couldn't/can't help it...As you could tell from my last wahhhhh-mbulance post, I have been a little lonely and this touched me right to my heart that these sweet girls sensed I needed a major pick-me-up and a bearhug in person.

I went up to Chico/Paradise for some hometown rejuvenation with some best friends & family starting with The Manwill Fam minus Daye and Chels & Vance were surprise stowaways.

The 3 amigos reunite!

Shauna tossed Koosh-balls from the upper balcony to the babies and they could not figure out what was going on, hilarious.

I had to post this picture. Is this not Shauna Manwill Jr.??? Like Daydre and Shauna bred. Cade is hunting down her binkie. He had already commandeered Penelope the pink giraffe, next: her pink binkie.

Jaynie & Vance played hide & seek, so cute.

Played with Auntie Cam

Karlie plays volleyball at Butte and we went to one of her games, cute Chels.

Chels and I went to Tres Hombres...oh so yummy. I miss this town. Though it didn't take this trip to make me realize that. I think about it often. Often being like everyday. haha:)

Then, we ventured down to the hometown, Chico. Oh I love this place. The only thing that made it better was staying at Scott & Kayci's house. It felt like being at home and that too helped relieve a bit of pent up melancholy. We: hung out, went to my all time favorite mexican food, La Comida, watched vids, introduced Scott to the bust-a-gut-from-laughter land of Dave Chappelle, watched Kayci work her magic knitting fingers( I need to post a picture of what she made Vance), played games with Colt & Chase, ate Celestino's, went on a trip down memory lane( ie Pine Tree, ABC market, downtown, Chico High, Emma Wilson etc...), donned Cade the official nickname of 'Megamind' ( anyone who has seen my child's cranium knows this is perfect & oh so funny at the same time-thank you to Colten for bringing this to the Tiner humor table),went to Morning Thunder for Breakfy, went to Jon & Bon's for 2nd breakfy, and had some way past due chit chats interlaced with belly laughs in their living room. So much fun. Cade loved Scott, almost as much as his hat:) The first pic is a CLASSIC Scotty look. Come visit please so we can do all this again but in Monterey?

This picture of Cade was just funny and appropriate since this is all he does these days. Bill has an Aunt who is always happy and always nice, Jeannie is her name. She said the key to positivity is finding humor in everything. She said she does this so efficiently that she has to be careful not to embarrass herself at funerals...so I was thinking my goal is to be somewhere between myself and Jeannie at a funeral, which is humorous in and of itself! Laughing is therapeutic, and therefore, this trip was too.

Just a side note, Vance is standing on his own and his concentration face is humorous...

This shirt is humorous too...

Colten and Chase LOOOOOVED these boys. Chelsea and I had to play second fiddle when it came to these boys with our boys. They remind me of my brothers, they all are gonna be sweet daddies.

This baby brings humor to our day constantly. I know how annoying it is when people speak in absolutes, but really, he is the best baby ever. Rarely cries, entertains himself, naps great (still working on sleeping through the night), laughs easily, cuddles me when I want and plays to give me a break when I can't. He has such telling eyes,they are very very attentive. He rarely misses a beat. They are soft and kind. Very innocent and happy, anyone can tell he has a sweet soul just looking at his big baby blues. Plus, he's the cutest thing I've ever seen. Sorry, but he is:)

I think I have an obsession with:

2010-12-25T20:43:00.000-08:00

This photo and everything that Cade's sweet look at Bill says.

Check my new binkie AKA mute button:

2010-12-15T21:20:00.000-08:00

THANKS AUNTIE HOLLY FOR MY NEW LOOK:)

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-12-15T16:08:00.000-08:00

So we drove 17 hours, better known as forever. And to get where? Utah? Family is where your heart is I guess. I actually miss it. Like really miss it. I am far more lonely than I thought I would be, and not to throw a pity party or anything, friends and family are what make me happiest and I wasn't prepared for the transition we've had to make...that's why 17 hours of driving was sooo worth it. Worth it so I could get back to where people know me best and I don't have to try to prove I'm worth hanging out with. What a breath of fresh air, even though it was a mere 9 degrees. I never thought pulling up past the Y mount would warm my heart. I of course in a hurry to get out the door forgot my camera so all I have is a few random pics...I'll have to get copies from Mom, Chels & Steph, better known as the ladies who know me best.

My punkin in his CUTE CUTE CUTE turkey shirt made by Auntie Chels

Vance & Grandma

Uncle Dal & Cader

The 3 amigos in the tub

The lonesome girl amigo's fantastic BOOTY & ROLLS:):):)

Cade & Grandpa Jim! Stopped in Vegas for the night both ways, thanks to my amazing cousin Whit for letting us stay there. Just one more gem of a girl who knows me best.

Just cramming Abby girl and Cader into a one-bottom stroller. Didn't last long:) This trip was AWESOME. My family came down and it was just relaxing and fun. If everyone reading this could go ahead and make the leap and move to California, that'd be great. Much abliged.

CADE LATELY:

loves highchairs & eating beans in them.

We live next door to Pacific Grove Highschool, so we've loved walking on the track when Bill gets home from work. Grandma Triss would be so proud.
He wears a real tie to church and it melts me everytime....so funny and cute at the same time.
Last but not least he's learning how to use a sippy...so far it' s a whole lotta me wiping up puddles, but he's getting it.

Bomb Diggity Dinner

2010-11-23T12:48:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted any recipes in a long time. So long that I can't remember if I ever have....anyway, Ashley Mounteer ( formerly Manwill:) gave me a cookbook that is hilarious AND SOOOOOOOO good. She has a copy and I borrowed it for a good 2 weeks. So, for my birthday, she sent me a copy:) We both love to try new recipes and find things that are healthy, but don't taste like it. Thoughtful little bestie. Everything I make out of it is so good. Despite my lack of recipes posted, I really love to cook & bake, and this book rocks. Last night we made:

Melancauli Baby

Curried cauliflower Sweet potato soup with Swiss cheese and wild rice

When you’re feeling down in the dumps, raise your spirits with this outstanding combination of ingredients that’s so tasty, it’ll bring tears of joy to your eyes!

1 tbsp butter or oliv
e oil
2 cups thinly sliced leeks (about 2 large)
2 tsp minced garlic
4 cups small cauliflower florets
1 ½ cups peeled, cubed sweet potato
1 ½ tsp curry powder
1 tsp ground cumin
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 cup cooked brown and wild rice blend (see tip in margin)
1 cup evaporated 2% m
ilk

1/2 cup packed shredded light Swiss cheese (2 oz)
Add butter to a medium saucepan & melt.
Add leeks and garlic. Cook and stir until leeks begin to soften, about 3 minutes.
Stir in cauliflower, sweet potato, curry, and cumin. Cook and stir for 1 more minute. Add broth, salt, and pepper. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
Transfer half the soup to a blender and purée until smooth. Return puréed soup to pot with remaining soup and mix well. Stir in cooked rice, milk, and Swiss cheese.
Heat soup for 1 more minute. Serve hot.
Makes 8 servings
Per serving: 142 calories, 3.7 g total fat (1.7 g saturated fat), 8 g of protein, 20 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 16 mg cholesterol, 448 mg sodium

*** I put extra cut up sweet potatoes because I love them, also I forgot swiss cheese and used pepper jack and I loved the little kick it gave it. Also, it was even better the next day for lunch and only has 142 calories per serving.***

Here is a pic of the book:

http://www.amazon.com/Shrink-Merry-Great-Tasting-Food-That/dp/0968063136/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1290546601&sr=8-1

Playing catchup...

2010-11-22T13:37:00.001-08:00

Halloween on a sunday goes like this for our fam:

A little Giants game

Putting on our cute spider costume from Auntie Coconuts

Exploring the trick or treaters candy bowl...we only had 3 come by our door:(

Do a little pose with Dad

We had Grandma Triss and Grandpa Jim down on Halloween weekend which made it much more fun

Grandma Shelley sent me this Halloween shirt from Montana. We miss her.

Lately Cade is into:

T.V. It doesn't matter where in the room he is, he'll turn his neck in unnatural positions to see the tube.

Yo Gabba Gabba on the computer....no joke, he would sit here all day if I let him. Look at that face.

Oh the intrigue!

Oh the suspense!

Oh the anger and upset!

And lastly, continuing with the technology obsessions, he loves the remote.

I love to watch Cade throw a kink in Bill's 30+ years way of doing things. Work, come home and get in his sweats, and watch sports. All night long. Not no mo. Cade likes to watch Bill, play with Bill and his favorite thing is to try and grab his glasses before Bill can catch him.

We started Cade on solids a little earlier than we had planned because he is NOT sleeping at night. It hasn't helped. It was a little comic relief though:) He hated it at first and then couldn't get enough:

Oh gag, sick, nast, ew...

Hmmm...that's not so bad...

I'll take it from here, thanks

oh yeah, I'll just use my hands.

Dear Cade,

Mama and dad love you to the moon and back, but scout's honor if you don't start to sleep more than an hour and a half at a time I'm gonna slip you a baby dose of unisom. Mama is loooooosing her mind.

Love,

Mom and Dad- but mostly Mom.

Signs We're Home

2010-11-09T15:13:00.000-08:00

Bill & I both grew up in Northern California, but we were in Utah for so (too?) long we wondered just how different it would be to be back in this area. On our trip to Big Sur there were signs of Home Sweet Home that really warmed our hearts:

Of course there are hanging peace sign flags.

Prop 19 didn't pass, but if it had there would have been a celebration at this particular "gift shop". Right.

Hanging peace sign flags and weird rock art? Makes me feel nostalgic and I don't even know what it means.

Need I explain? Need I say outloud and admit part of me really wanted to buy this?

Bring on the bronze budhas and anything related to Indian culture, yoga, or Hinduism. Oh so glad we're home.

Birthday Saturday

2010-11-09T14:45:00.000-08:00

My birthday was in September, so this is a little tardy. It was a semi-lonely one until Saturday when Bill took me on a gorgeous hike in Big Sur ( if you don't know what Big Sur is, google it, you won't regret it. It's stunning.) and to lunch at a rad little restaurant:
The trees were ENORMOUS. That word doesn't even do these trees justice. Anyone who knows me knows I dig trees more than the average bear, but these were very cool. We're standing in front of a trunk here in the pic below, and there was a slight language barrier with the stranger taking our pic for us so we got a close up:)

Cade yelled, I mean 'sang,' in his bjorn the entire 3 miles.

We couldn't even see the tops of the trees:

On the way back we got a pic in front of that huge tree....so so big.

The hike was beautiful, you ended up on top of a mountain looking down the canyon with the ocean at the end. It is very cool to live somewhere so similar to where I grew up, but have the ocean and beach too. The best of both worlds.

The restaurant

You could eat out in the creek in their chairs if you'd like, so Chico huh?

Or on the patio looking at the river with all the chairs in it, we opted for the patio since a baby carrier might be a titch reckless to take on a forging river luncheon.
The drive to Big Sur is unreal. The colors of the water, the random bouts of fog so thick you can't see, the cascading cliffs that make my stomach flutter...the drive is part of the whole experience.
People do this all over Monterey and I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me the meaning...
This picture doesn't catch the craziness of this TALL bridge. Enter stomach flutters. It plunged so far down this canyon into the crashing ocean below. Nuts.

The same bridge from the other side

I love the views here. This was a great day. I love to hike. I love trees. I love the ocean. I love good food. I love chairs in the middle of a creek to cool your toes off. I loved spending my day doing all this with my two boys.

A record for our posterity: The World Series, Carter Style

2010-11-03T12:51:00.000-07:00

So one of Bill's dreams came true, the Giants won the World Series for the first time in 52 years! I grew up watching the Giants with my Grandpa Jim and Uncle Scott, but wasn't a true convert till this season. I really got into it. We had so much fun watching games, playing cards and skyping with Chels & Jordan, yes I converted her too. In fact, Chels proved to be a true fan when she shed tears upon their victory:) This is how our series went:I love this picture of 2 of our favorites...Aubrey Huff & Buster Posey. ( I thought Buster's name was Buxter for at least half the season haha)

So in game 2 or so we had a little convo, Bill & I:

Me: " I really like that guy, he's solid...what's his name?"

Bill:"Ha ha ha, Edgar Renteria."

Me: " Why are you laughing?"

He said, and I quote: "He kinda sucks."

I said " Really? I dig him."

Eating your words now honey? I could've sworn he got MVP:)

Everyone did such a good job...I loved that no one was a superstar specifically, they all just played together and had individual big moments. ESPECIALLY: Cody Ross.

I love me some Brian Wilson. Somethin about this guy...I think it is that he looks like he belongs on a Harley and could kill anything in his path. Either way, he was awesome.

Love this pic too:

Just a little shout out to my bff's in Texas. This horribly made poster goes bigger than baseball...Texas is cool and all, but at the end of the day ....
I was kinda bummed that the win was in Texas and not at home, but what a welcome home party for them! So cool.
Here is how the win went down: Wilson threw his 1 st strike and Bill jumped off the couch to get ready...
Pretends he's the one pitching for good luck and to calm his nerves. No joke he had his hands on his knees doing yoga breaths to calm down...

2nd strike....

3rd strike and we won. You would've thought Bill won the lottery or got 600 miles on a single tank of gas in our Honda:

Cade got some celebratory love too...

and he was stoked. Great season, glad it's over though:) Had to post all this in case it's another 52 years.

This has to be posted.

2010-10-26T18:14:00.001-07:00

This was too cute not to remember.

In other news, as of today Cade officially sits in the grocery cart. No more carseat hauling. Hallelujah.

He had no less than 6 people stop, not just wave in passing, but stop and want to play with him. It's easy to see why, and I'm not biased at all:) He was this smiley and had JUST had his shots. He definitely got his temperament from me. hahahahaha. Rrrrrrright.

His stats are:

Weight- 18 lbs 1 oz-70th percentile

Height- 27 inches - 80th percentile

Head Circumfrence - 90TH PERCENTILE.

Friends & Family I guess we have a genius in our midst:)

Cade Lately:

2010-10-25T17:17:00.000-07:00

CAUTION: LOTS O PICTURES.

Call me immature, but I was always real passionate about the fact that books with pictures were way more fun back in the day and the theory still stands.

Anyway, I need to update more often so I don't get so behind that it turns into a 'neglect my child to update the blog' situation. We all have to sacrifice Cader and you drew the short stick today:)

So here's an update on my favorite little punkin this halloween season:

He STILL spits up. I've given up caring whether he looks cute in his outfit.

His big baby blues are still awesome.

He loves to play in the car...I feel like he's too little to care, but it's really obvious he knows its business when he gets to come in the front seat. Super cute.

He seriously melts me. Those eyes and his sweet demeanor make me feel joy I've never felt before. One of my favorite movies is 'Hope Floats' and there is a quote I think of every time I feel the motherly joy you only understand when you have one of your own. (Though being an auntie came real close) A sweet old grandma tells her cute granddaughter every time she feels overjoyed that her "cup runneth over", meaning she has so much joy it feels like its overflowing. Though I always liked how she used the phrase it all the sudden made total sense the first time I saw Cade. I feel it every time he smiles, cries, wakes up from his nap with a smile and especially when he does something new. Being a Mom is hard to describe in words sometimes because most of them seem inadequate, but those few she uses covers most of the bases for me.

I love that booty.

LADIES & GENTLEMEN THE MULLET IS NO LONGER:

As seen here with cousin Abs,

Driving,

& Face planting, obviously due to the weight on the back of his head. the mullet was everywhere.

The mullet will actually not be missed:)

He has changed so much, going from this worm-baby-gym apparatus he was really into for the summertime...

To his exer-saucer which was the best purchase I've made yet, next to binkies & breastpads of course.
To his Bumbo...

Makin' salsa in the bumbo...

Cade Loves His DADDY. He likes to make sure getting his homework done is easy for him...

He is a recent convert to the Carter Family club of Giants Fanaticism. He's watched all the games with his dad just like this: ( If you have been under a rock somewhere and haven't heard, they are goin' to the WORLD SERIES and I like to think it because Cade wore his supportive giants gear all week.)

He got all tuckered out by the last game & got a little too comfy...

Lastly, I am in SHOCK! Cade is officially sitting up and has been since he just turned 5 months old, so a week ago or so. WHAT?! Do babies sit up this early? One day my sweet cousins were visiting and I sat him up to be with cousin Keagan and he stayed there like, no thanks Mom, I got it. It's been smooth sailing since then, minus a few head bonks and face plants. I still don't believe it.

Is it evil I think this pic is hilarious?

Oh, where did the time go? Oh gosh I'm all misty-eyed. Makes sense.

My cup runneth over.

Woops

2010-10-18T12:28:00.000-07:00

This summer we had taken a trip to California to see Bill's family and I forgot to post a few pictures. At the request of Bill here they are: We drove to Pacifica to see Bill's fantastic Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Jack...ate some good mexican food and walked around the beach and chatted. Three of my very favorite things to do all in one quick trip. Pacifica is beautiful. Mellow, small and quaint. They said it is too gray and chilly, but coming from Utah, we begged to differ:)

Bill's adorable 91 (92?) year old Grandma, Gabba, came to Concord from Rancho Cordova to see us. She is so quick and witty. We are so excited we live closer now so we can see her more often.
Mm-hmmm. I like him.
Grandma Triss and Aunt Jeanne & Cader

Who would've thought 3 years ago...

2010-10-12T20:51:00.000-07:00

That I'd get to meet the best guy ever, and then get to be his sweetheart? That I would be a Mom to the cutest kid on the planet? That I would be blessed enough to get to stay home and raise him? That I would live back in California? I was thinking this on my way to run some errands. When I was done, this is what it looked like:
I've become quite the grocery shopping-jigsaw expert.Lastly, who wouldv'e thought I'd be so white trash? Kid wore just a bib today, no lie. But look how happy we are:)

Where did the time go?

2010-10-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

This little punky is the best. Besides the middle of the night wake up calls, he's perfect. Cries only when he's tired or hungry. He is starting to yell, more like squeal like an ambulance all the time. He loves to play in his exer-saucer because he has preferred to be standing up since he was 3 months old. I don't know if he'll ever roll over or sit up because he has a rough relaionship with tummy time and spits up all over when we try sitting, but he would be happy to stand on our laps holding onto our fingers all day so maybe he'll walk first, then sit, then rollover? It's lookin like it. Cade loves Bill. When Bill is in the room he just stares at him and watches his every move and when Bill finally looks at him he giggles really loud and smiles like he is in the last pic. I think he loves the show Yo Gabba Gabba as much as he loves us. he could be in the worst mood, grumpy, tired and hungry and if I put this show on he's all grins. He is great in the car, shopping, riding in his stroller, sitting in bumbo ( the dumbo/dimbo/bimpy, Mom:) and pretty much anything on the go while getting to be involved in whatever everyone is doing...I think he got this from me. His nicknames are kinda funny...Cader, Catorade ( Holly's idea), cader-tot, peanut ( me), walnut (Ash & Chels said he was too big to be a peanut:) pooper & duder (Bill). Anyway, just a little Cade update. Basically, he rocks our world.

Summer with Jaynie...

2010-09-27T17:40:00.000-07:00

I need to hurry and get past this summer's pictures so I don't get lonely....breathe...I already miss going to lunch after we work out or whatever. That's all I am saying before I tear up.

Best Friends...even both love to eat their feet:)
Bill & one of his good boyfriends, Ash's husband Corey, better known as Corihor. Try and picture one of Jordan and Bill here also...I can't find a cute one I took at the cabin, but when I do it'll be up. We loved our time in Provo, and it is probably good it was such a short notice about moving because I think I would have realized how good and easy we had it with family, friends & familiarity. WE MISS YOU.

The Summer of Cade & Vance

2010-09-27T17:13:00.001-07:00

Starting to notice each other...
Vance is a real trooper when he's exhausted:) These kids were bathed together so many times this summer I couldn't try to count.

Uncle Scott came to visit the weekend we found out we were moving...that's why he's smiling haha
Cade was younger here, but I had to put these up because I never want to forget Vance's bullfrog smile ad how he keeps his legs super straight! Hilarious!
These boys had roadtrips galore the last few weeks. To the cabin, to our parent's house in Billings, to the cabin again and then finally the 18 hour trek to Monterey. They were about like this the whole time and I wish I could say it was out of the goodness of their hearts, but let's be honest, Yo Gabba Gabba this goofy cute show had a LOT to do with it:)

At Chili's the day before we left...Ash and Jaynie were there too, posting those pics next
Sweet boy, miss him already. Skype is a real blessing if I can call it that without sounding weird. It's so great to see my fam and friends face to face, makes being apart semi-bearable.

We live here?

2010-09-16T19:25:00.000-07:00

Things have been soooooo nuts trying to get out here and get organized...Lots of pictures to organize and post from the summer, but here are a few pics from my phone camera when I have looked out the window and realized that I am not on vacation. So far, there is amazing food, amazing weather and a slow, small town feel. Perfect for us. Details to follow soon...

big big big news... WE'RE MOVING TO...

2010-08-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

Bill got a really good job in amazing Monterey, CA and we're outta here. We definitely have some mixed feelings because our lives are here, but we can't pass up an opportunity like this. Bill starts on the 23rd of this month so here's to new adventures by the beach!!!

Shots make for a sad, sad day...

2010-07-28T18:32:00.000-07:00

hour 1... Hour 2...

Hour 3...

Hour 4...

Hour 5...I cried a little too.

Tylenol is a miracle worker here in hour 6:) It takes a lot to make my boy cry. Especially like he did today, so today was a long day for us. Just have to keep telling myself it's important to vaccinate, the benefits outweigh the negative...blah blah blah...hopefully he'll sleep it off tonight.

Three things I'm lovin' about my boy...

2010-07-20T18:52:00.000-07:00

1) Anyone who has spent time around my little punky knows he spits up CONSTANTLY. It is a dang good thing he is so flippin cute...so I have found a way to find this issue endearing by giving his constant burp rag a nick name : The Barf Scarf.

Even he apparently loves it...:)

2) His adorable enormous feet.

This is in the hospital...cute little skis.

One of his bff's, Jaynie, who was 3 months old here and he was like 7 days.

Cousin Vance at 6 months and Cade at 2 weeks. Hilarious.

My 8 week old fit in his sperry's already....oh melt me I looooove his sweet feet and toes.

3) His smile. He has been smiling all the time and it makes everything worth it. He smiles when he is...

gettin ready for bed...

at daddy's waterpolo game...

nursing in the Nordstrom mommy's lounge...

at daddy's waterpolo game again...

just waking up...

even when he is cold he smiles. This little boy rocks my world. To say that I love him feels like an understatement.

PROOF THAT:

2010-06-21T15:40:00.000-07:00

The moose was real. My baby boy does in fact cry, just when he's hungry, yet another non-physical trait he got from his mama.

Rollin' with the Homies...

2010-06-21T15:08:00.000-07:00

So since moving back to Provo I have been loving the canyon and Provo river Trail. It kind of reminds me of northern CA and for a minute I feel like I'm somewhere else, every morning. These are my 2 recruits and their recruits:) Thanks to the kind, slightly sketchy fisherman for takin our pic...

loading up all of us every morning is funny everytime...3 mommies, 3 babes and 3 strollers.

Then we walk for about an hour and a half along this gorgeous river and canyon...the pic doesn't due it justice since it is from my phone, but trust me, there's something to it to do it everyday. Beautiful, minus the bugs. Last week Ash and I went alone and I thought for sure there was a man stalking us in the bushes (especially since that CRAZY provo river trail rape last week) and so I look and it's a MOOSE! So I started taking pics on my phone because she was so close to us... then I saw her babies. -SEE YA-. We ran nervous she'd get defensive and kill us for sure like my Gramps Tall always warned at the cabin, though they always seem more scared of me:) I'm gonna see if I can find a pic I took for proof.

Vance, grinning like a doofus, Cade in his usual state and sweet baby Jaynie lookin right at her Mama:) I LOOOOOOVE our 5 mile walk-trots every morning...eventually maybe it'll be a run? Yeah, okay.

CAPTAIN ADORABLE!

2010-06-20T19:36:00.000-07:00

Had a mini photo shoot in a onesie that looked silly until I put it on him...

This baby makes my life feel complete. He has the sweetest personality, exactly how he looks in pictures.

Cade's Baby Blessing

2010-06-20T17:48:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, June 5th we blessed sweet baby Cade. It was such a great day...the mood was calm and happy. Both of our families were there minus Holly and Jay as well as our friends the Millards and Jacobsen's. We had yummy food and hung out on grandma's porch, my favorite way to spend time with the fam in the summer. The blessing was beautiful and gave me goosebumps, Bill has a magical way of speaking that seems to just flow. He sounds intelligent without sounding arrogant. The star of the show, in his usual mood haha
Just the 3 of us

Beau and Cade took a long nap together. Cute.

Happy Grandparents

Gram Tall...classic pose

Dal and Beau are the cutest uncles...they are going to be sweet daddies someday

Grandma and Grandpa Tall

Bill & his BFF, Logan:)

Gee, my Dad and Dal look nothing alike huh?:)

Bring on summer 2010...

2010-06-14T15:57:00.000-07:00

Starting with San Diego!
We went to San Diego for Bill's friend Joe's wedding...and another friend was out of town and was sweet enough to let us stay at his cute beach flat right on Mission Beach. Beautiful.

We stopped in Las Vegas both ways to see our cousins Whit, Holly & Morgen and their lovers... The cute beach house we stayed in

The house was along a beach walk and we found this cute outdoor breakfast place looking out at the ocean

Took a small detour while Bill was with all his friends to have lunch with Pam and see my friend Britt

At the wedding...
Joe & Jen....cuuuuuute.

The hotel & marina the wedding was held at

Something so sweet about watching Bill push the stroller...kinda gives me butterflies.

The spotlight's on CADE...

2010-06-03T13:53:00.000-07:00

We have sooooo many random cute shots of punkin Cade that I decided just to do a whole post of the pics we love...
FAVE

Fans of Cade #1... Whit, Pam, Britty & Auntie Chels

Fans of Cade #2...Ash, Daye, Grammy Triss and his two biggest fans are on the bottom right:)

Fans of Cade #3...Grandma Kay, Grandpa Jim, Grandpa Tall and cousin Syd

Fans #4...wow he has a lot of fans...Auntie Chels & Grandma Shelley, that's weird to say and/or type, Grammy Triss, Uncle Liam and Uncle Alex...where is auntie Holly? I need to get one with her...

On daddy's chest...

He sleeps like I do. Got one thing from me yay!

Cade's bed

I decided he heard me bad mouthing breast-feeding...sorry if this pic offends anyone between the middle finger and the fact that he's breastfeeding, but I was laughing so hard at this because I was literally on the phone with my mom telling her how hard it is to do and this is the pic I get. Poor kid got my 'tude:)

His hospital bed sign the cute nurses made for him

GO GIANTS!!!!!

Oh this haaaaaaas to be in my top 3 fave pics.

mini photo shoot. Post-breakfast Cade makes these 4 faces like clockwork. Every morning. Starting to become my favorite time of day, besides nap time of course. So tired.

We LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE this kid:) So grateful everyday that he is happy, healthy and that I'm not pregnant anymore! Yay for running, walking and laying on my tummy!

Baby Cade's first day...

2010-05-20T19:28:00.000-07:00

Monday the 10th of May I went to the doctor to check my dilation one more time. The difference between this time and the others was that now my Mom was in town, I was 4 days past due and in the past 2 days I had put on like 100 pounds of water and I was miserable. So Dr. Judd told me there was still no action and I had a choice between waiting for this already large child to descend or schedule a C-section. Terrified is an understatement for how I felt about making that choice. Luckily Bill and I had decided the night before that if there was no action going on we would do a C-section, so I boldly told him I wanted to and he told me he had already scheduled a slot for me at 7 a.m. the next morning in case I chose that option, which I thought was thoughtful for a Doc who delivers babies every morning and night and has hundreds of patients. So, we went to The Pizza Factory to celebrate the decision, just me, my Mom and Chels. The next morning we were up and out the door at 5:30 to be in pre-op by 6:00 a.m. I LOVE the hospital I chose to deliver at and all the nurses are straight from heaven. I felt like they were working for tips:)

Me at some point right before they started the operation...that's the curtain to block me from seeing. My Mom, Chels and Grandma Tall were at a window to my left watching the best they could. I was so thirsty that I cried through the whole operation. I kept telling Bill who was sitting by my head to tell me about all the ice I would get to chew. The procedure was soooo fast. I got into the operating room at 8, got my spinal block which was super weird, laid me down, Bill came in and took this pic of me and the next thing I hear is Cade whimpering. We were back in my room all done by 8:40. CRAZY. Proud Dad in his sterile NASA suit:)My mom teaching Bill how to change his first black poop diaper and how to swaddle babies...Apparently this was the first time I held him though this entire day is a big blur. Glad someone caught the pic to prove it.Cade's two Grandmas!

His sweet feet that are the same size as Vance's. I will be doing a blog post just about this child's feet, so funny. The whole experience was just awesome. The pain was minimal considering what my body went through. Nursing not included:) The umbilical cord was wrapped around Cade's neck twice so I would have ended up having an emergency c-section anyway I guess. Steph had the best word to describe the last 9 days, foggy. All I want to do is cuddle my punkin and be outside walking around because for the first time in months, I can. I am so tired that I try hard to figure out what day of the week it is and just when I start to figure it out I get too tired and move onto something else, like being able to touch my toes again or fit in my bath tub:) I know there are tons of things I wanted to write about but it's late and Cade just fell asleep which is my cue to try and do the same because everytime he finishes nursing I suddenly have a 3 or 4 hour countdown before it's back to square 1...

The BEST week ever!

2010-05-16T22:01:00.000-07:00

HE IS HERE!

William Cade Carter

9 hefty pounds and 6 ounces

21 inches long

May 11, 2010 More pictures and his sweet story to come as soon as we find our camera cord that hooks up to the computer:)These pics will have to do for now that we caught on our phones.This has been the most amazing life change next to meeting Bill. Being a mom is like nothing else and I love what Bill said on a walk we went on today that being a parent is the closest thing you can do to feel how Heavenly Father feels about us. Gosh he must cry tears of joy and worry constantly since that is all I do these days:)
My sweet boyHis first stroller ride today.

Me trying to figure out how moms use these hooter hiders. So far I struggle apparently, thanks for catching this pic Chels. haha

I Think We're Ready...

2010-04-28T19:53:00.000-07:00

I remember when we took this picture I thought I was enormous and as big as I would get. Well, I was wrong. Way wrong.

In fact every doctor appointment my doc re-informs me how big this baby is and today told me that I might be looking at a C-section. Scarrrrrry. Actually it is looking pretty likely because along with a big baby apparently I have a really small pelvis ( who woulda thought? I got hips for days and a ghetto booty like no other) and I have been freaked out all day. So convenient for my last day of finals:) So Monday we go back in and if nothing has changed we have to make a decision...YIKES.

I think we have everything on our list...pack n' play bought and set up by my trusty hubs-check.

A whole bunch of new baby stuff and a changing table-check.

Closet full of clothes from everyone but me-check.

Bouncy chair-check.

Stroller-check.

Carseat-check.

Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE a good remake/remodel of anything from house stuff to furniture to whatever. So some friends gave us a cool rocking chair I sanded it down and Bill re-stained it much darker. I love it and use it for Vance already. Partially done rocker-check.

He did such a good job...I was jealous the whole time he was staining it, but I promised the guy at Home Depot that I wouldn't be the one doing the staining because the fumes are no bueno for baby Carter. New stained Rocker-Double Check.

SUSHI NIGHT!

2010-04-26T16:19:00.000-07:00

So, I love sushi. One of the few things I have actually craved this pregnancy. I could eat it everyday maybe...problem is, it's kinda pricey. So, I decided to try and make it myself and it turned into a how-to date night which Bill & I have been doing lately. It's kinda fun to try and make your favorite food for date night once in awhile and just hang out together instead of going to a noisy restaurant. We ended up having way more fun than I thought, it was hilarious from the start when I went to the coolest Asian Market here in town. The cute lady who owns the store straight up gave me her family recipe run down for like 30 minutes and I soaked it up because I'm 38 weeks preg and if I'm gonna stand on my feet to cook it better be for some bomb sushi. Turned out sooooo much better than we thought it would! Here are the ingredients I got...sushi rice, wasabi, soy sauce, asparagus, avacado, shrimp, salmon, cream cheese, asian chile sauce, seaweed (sounds weird, it's not), sesame seeds and vinegar. PS-the Asian Market was 10 times cheaper than any grocery store and it's all authentic-no made in the U.S-Western Family brand stuff. You know it's good when the label is not in English and the cute Thai lady recommends it:)

Bill making his first roll with his very own .99 cent sushi roller courtesy of the Asian market.

He wasn't excited or anything. Saving money by not eating out and making his own sushi? Right up Bill's alley.

We tried to tempura fry a couple rolls and they looked weird until we cut them and they were sooooooo good.

The finished product. Voila!

My Baby Shower

2010-04-11T16:27:00.000-07:00

The first weekend in March my closest friends and family ( minus a couple girls:) threw me a FANTASTIC baby shower! It was all I could have ever asked for. Steph flew out from Texas, my Mom got to take work off and come down, and at the last second my aunts, Ally, Lynnie & Mary flew out too! It was a busy, but fun, way past due girls weekend. Mary brought these flowers out from the bay area and I loved them. They reminded me that spring was just around the corner which meant I was gonna be a mom soon....crrrrrrazy. Since this shower it has snowed like 4 times....needless to say, I'm struggling with this looooooong winter. Anyway, the food was amazing and we had a huge turnout which makes for a fun shower:)

The Manwill Girls...might as well be adopted sisters.

My 2 sweet Grandmas chatting it up. The older I get the more I realize how insanely LUCKY I am to have not one, but two sets of grandparents alive and healthy. As a special bonus I grew up within a few miles of both of them and we are abnormally close, I consider both of these gals amongst my closest friends and genuinely love to be with them even just talking.

This boy is already spoiled...his closet is full and I have bought very few things myself.

Ally reading this sweet book she got me called 'You are my I Love You'. I have fallen in love with this book.

hahaha...Camie and Daye trying to measure how big they think my belly is.

Kimmi, one of my closest friends out here in Utah...

Speaking of Ash, check this girl: she had her sweet baby girl Jaynie 4 WEEKS before this. Doesn't she look beautiful? Oh, and I love my punkin Vance.

I LOOOOOVE this picture. Cute of my mom, but I love how Vance is giving her a bear hug as he sleeps. So cute. Plus, they match. haha

Ava Jade and Aidan came out with their Mama and loved Vance the whole time. Maybe they can sense that their little sister, Abby will be here in less than a month:)

Ashley's Shower

2010-03-26T11:35:00.001-07:00

Ashley had her sweet baby Jaynie Lynn Mounteer like 6 weeks ago and I am just getting to blog the shower Daydre and I threw for her...it was so fun... Smelling candy bar "poopy" diapers...

PRESENTS!

What Vance thought about the whole thing...

Daye my trusty side kick....she's all grown up. I remember when this girl was a little tomboy and fought girls at church basketball:) Now she's smokin' hot and has a cute boyfriend and goes to BYU. LOVE HER. She's hilarious, few people make me laugh as hard as she does.

This is the diaper cake Daye and I made...Ash still has it just like this at her house, she refuses to take it apart!

The spread...we did taco salad bar and it was soooo good.

This is me & Katie Brousseau...I nannied for her 4, yes 4, kids for most of my pregnancy and Ash helped me a lot on days I couldn't be there or vacations.

HILARIOUS. Ashley's male BFF Anders showed up and it was perfect. So funny. He had spent the afternoon trying to pick out the perfect gift for her. So sweet.

The crew

A few more...

2010-03-18T17:49:00.001-07:00

Tall family game night is no joke. We played this CRAZY game called 'Quelf'...such a weird, fun, hilarious game. My mom took a beating in the game eventually having to wear my dad's hele-skiing helmet and a straw had to stay in her mouth and resemble a scuba diver. Then she drew a card that made her play the game from under the table while holding Dallin and Beau's hands. My dad was laughing so hard he had tears streaming down his cheeks. HILARIOUS.

Chels & my scuba-mom acting out aerobics. Oh you'd have to be there-so funny. At one point I had 5 mins to make up a rap about my looks and then perform it on my next turn. Awkward. Jordan had to make a toilet flushing noise everytime someone lost their turn, Dallin had to talk like pirate, but sounded more like an Irishman the whole game, and Chelsea had to say " That's what you get Captain Poopy pants" EVERYTIME someone moved back a spot on the gameboard. There were tons of other things but it's March and this was in December, so I can't remember the funny details...oh good times.

A few forgotten pictures...

2010-03-18T17:41:00.000-07:00

Bill and I didn't think we would be able to be with family for christmas because of work. When Bill got off early I was soooooo jealous Chels and Jordan got to go to Billings so we packed our stuff and went up too. I am so glad we did, it was worth the drive for sure. Such a little punkin with his grandma:)

We had an awesome fondue night...

Veggies, steak, chicken, shrimp...Cheese fondue, chocolate fondue...we went all out. SO good.

Chico wanted to be part of it all night too

The veggies

It's a BOY!!!

2010-02-17T11:29:00.000-08:00

We FINALLY found out that our little baby is a BOY! We have gone 3 times to find out so this was a long time coming...I realized today that I haven't really blogged about this pregnancy much. So, sorry for the boring post, this is mostly for my own memory. I thought I would blog a few things for next time I decide to do something this crazy:) I was sick from day one. I tried everything everyone told me like ginger this and ginger that, lollipops, Mommy's bliss supplements, aromatherapy, cranberry pills, herb tea and so on. Nothing worked. I only ate potatoes in any form, mashed mostly, and cornbread. ( yes I put on half the weight I've gained in those few short weeks:) Until one glorious day around 12 weeks ( thank you Steph) I tried Unisom and B-6 at night. BEAUTY. Changed my life. I would wake up 98% myself and was able to sleep and it killed the nausea somehow. Also around this time, if I ate more than a bowl of cereal, my back hurt. Weird, I know. It still happens. I bribe Bill nightly to rub my back. The baby has been in constant motion since 20 weeks pretty much, sometimes it keeps me awake at night, kinda sweet, kinda troublesome because Angie not pregnant NEEDS sleep or I become a crazy person. Cravings: Bread in any form and Mexican food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Spicy food. Fresh food, like veggies and fruit. Yogurt with granola. Lately, diet A&W root beer has been my best friend. Aversions: the grocery store till around 15 weeks, pets ( dogs & cats), most processed crap food with the exception of a bomb PB&J on great harvest white bread:), mint anything makes me sweat and gag, red meat except Red Robin hamburgers, bad smells make me gag, doing dirty dishses does too along with brushing my teeth. The first 12 weeks pretty much everything and everyone made me gag. To wrap it up, I have had a great 2nd trimester. Going back to the gym has been magic for my mood and energy levels. I feel great all day, fantastic actually, until about 9 pm when I need to lay down and chill or even go to bed. I can eat pretty much whatever, no mint still. The 3rd has been great so far, getting a little more uncomfortable everyday though so I can feel that I'm in the home stretch and I am getting so excited! T minus 11 weeks.

Time to go out with a bang...

2010-02-06T21:17:00.000-08:00

One of Bill's friends from high school got married and conveniently had their reception while we were in the Bay Area. I have been a real grandma lately and forgot what it was like to get down, like the real world outside of Utah does:) We walked into this chic venue in the Industrial area of San Francisco. There was a red carpet, mirrors, chandeliers, and killer food. I thought being the mormons we are, we'd be over dressed wearing church clothes, but I didn't know what else to wear. YEAH RIGHT. The women were in straight up prom get ups. Flowing dresses, every color. I felt under dressed....better than over dressed though:)The party went LATE into the night. Way past my bedtime. Especially my pregnant bedtime. I tried to be a trooper because all of Bill's friends from kindergarten were all under one roof so it was fun for him, and actually for me too. They were quick to remind me what a catch Bill was and that I better treat him right...at least 4 of his buddies said something to this effect. Cute.

So, the mother of the groom wanted a picture of all tne childhood friends who have stayed pretty close, I was thinking 4 or 5 dudes. Nope. More like 12. They all still talk and my jaw hit the floor. These guys are 30+ years old. This is something I totally admire about my hubs. He is so good at keeping in touch with friends. He is the only LDS one out of all these cute boys and they ADORE Bill despite his radically different choices that had to be made over the years. I wish I was this good at staying in touch with friends, or better yet I wish I had this many quality friends in highschool to keep in touch with!

The party from the 2nd floor...too bad we don't drink because they had an open bar and a bunch of fun looking drinks. By the time we left the crowd had started to dance and sway and slur their speech and I realized they wouldn't even remember us being there...our cue to peace out:) Fun though, and back to real life the next morning. Back to school and work and oh yes, snow.

The Best Way to End the Best Vacation

2010-02-06T20:52:00.000-08:00

So, for those of you who know Bill or any of his family, they are the most DIE HARD Golden State Warrior fans I've ever met. Except maybe my Uncle Spencer, who for Christmas gave me his two 5th row season tickets to the Warriors vs Kings game. It was awesome. We got to valet park, the chairs were all soft and padded and ladies came up and took our order for food and drinks at our seats. Royalty. We got there early to watch them warm up and soak it up.

The Oracle Arena was cool at night...

So, the warriors were behind like 10 points the ENTIRE game until the last few minutes. They came back 14 points and WON!!! It was a perfect game to be at in person because the Warriors are notorious for playing awesome and losing by 1 point. Everytime. I've only been a converted warriors fan for goin on 2 years and they have lost 1 or 2 points more times than I can remember. So, this was heaven for Bill:)

So, this my favorite player. #21, Ronny Turiaf. He's hilarious. Kinda like Shaq. He's ENORMOUS in person.

Heaven Continued...

2010-01-26T12:32:00.000-08:00

WE SAW A WHALE!
We went to Morro Rock and of course Bill saw the big whale jump in the air and splash it's fins while I was in the bathroom, thank you pregnancy. By the time I waddled my fastest over to Bill we could watch it blow air from it's blowhole and dive under. This was the best shot I got because I was so excited I forgot to take a picture in time. So this was the magical shot of Willy I got. It swam around Morro Rock so we hiked around the other side to see if we could see it, but nope. Met a couple of other trespassers and snapped a cute pic. Check the belly, it totally popped over our little vaca. I told Bill I feel like I look like Winnie the Pooh, so now that's my nickname from my hubs. Super romantic haha
There are otters all over the bay and I tried all week to get a good shot because they are so funny, but this was the best I could.

If anything, we will retire here. One of my aunts told me one time that people are happiest when they live the life that matches their personality. This is where our personalities have met their match.

Speaking of needing a little sun...

2010-01-26T10:24:00.000-08:00

January 2nd was our 1st anniversary so we decided to head for warmer fun in the sun. We made a road trip out of it. We headed down to Vegas and stayed with our cousins Whit & Holly for a night. It was quick, but fun to see them and catch up. Of course I forgot to take any pics dang it. Then we made an unusually long trip west to So. California. The day after New Year's was a bad day to choose to go and we had no idea the traffic we would face. A typical 4 hour trip took almost 8. We stayed with my good friend from highschool Pam and her cute family. She married a Huntington Beach boy named Paul so she lucked out and they are living the beach life in a cute condo they bought with their baby girl Payton. We did our usual HB activities, Wahoo's, shopping and of course the beach and pier. We even made a little time to go to Lynnie's house for Sunday dinner and caught up with her too. After that it was up HWY 1/PCH to Pismo Beach for our vacation. The drive was either breathtakingly beautiful or way ghetto. It was fun to go HWY 1 though instead of the main 101 that is off the beach and farther inland. We are in LOVE with Pismo Beach/San Luis Obispo area. In fact we went and looked at houses for sale just for fun:) We forgot what it was like driving with the windows down feeling the sun shine on your arm while it warms the car. We forgot how it feels to smell the beach wind while eating yummy authentic Mexican food outside. We also forgot what it was like to have nothing on our agenda but hanging out together.

If you scroll back to our honeymoon, the pictures are very similar because we got to stay in the same hotel resort called The Cliffs. We love this place. The workers are so nice, the rooms are too but the view and the grounds are the best part.

REALLY?

2010-01-26T10:06:00.000-08:00

Anyone who knows me knows that THIS is not where I belong. Though I bet my neighbors are well aware now after I burst into tears at this sight haha. I was of course running late to work and so on and so forth so I'm sure that added to the drama. Long story short, it is about this time of year in the north pole that I diagnose myself with S.A.D. Basically a depression because of lame weather:) Though Bill and a few specific others don't think so, I acually do try and be as positive as I can about the fact that I am no snow bunny and belong in the sun. I swear my body chemistry changes and I'm a different person when the sun comes out and things are green and warm. All in favor of movin' out west say I.

Getting ready for Christmas!

2010-01-17T14:43:00.000-08:00

Before...

After!

Bill is super good at posing for a picture and making it look natural, especially whenthe 49ers are playing-actually, from the looks of it's better than football, it's So You Think You Can Dance. Better known as SYTYCD:)