California Visit & Sealing

Here's Evan's FIRST PLANE TRIP! On our way to California to see my family. Evan has only met his CA Grandma Karla, Aunts- Jenalyn & and Ashley and Cousin Liam before this point. He had a Grandpa Allan to meet, and 7 Uncles, 6 Aunts (one other couldn't make it, & 2 others he already met), 8 Nieces and 7 Nephews (had already met Liam) to meet! Not to mention, he met 2nd Cousin Greta and Family, 2nd Cousin Tanya, Great Aunt Barbara, Great Aunt Mary, Great Uncle Nacho and Great Grandma Nona!!! Whew! And YES, ALL of these people are at my parents house once a month and on Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving PLUS some! There are no pictures of that, it's amazing that I even just counted all that out! LOL.

He was soooooooo good there AND back!:)

recognize the celebrity between evan and I?

"Gunny" from "Full Metal Jacket"

Meeting Grandpa Allan for the first time at LAX and already in love with each other. ;) We both like hats. he he.

then...First Visit to the Apple Pan! ;0)

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..................... hickory burger. mmmmmm.....................

Go DODGERS!
Thanks to Asphalt Professionals and Uncle Carl, we got some sweet seats at the Dodgers vs. Mets game on Wednesday night. Matthew McConaughey threw out the first pitch, Tom Arnold sat 2 seats in front of us and talked to Evan. Zooey Dechanel and Benjamin Gibbard (her fiance from Death Cab For Cutie) were there too but up too many rows to get a great picture of them for you all. We had a great time and Evan even stayed awake until the 7th inning, plus... WE WON! Yeah! Dodgers! Oh, yeah, it was free bobble head night too so Evan has a free memento from his first Major League Baseball game! Awesome! Serif... Evan wishes you and your parents could come too. ;) We miss you!

who needs a dodger dog when i've got squash?!

Uncle Isaac, protecting us from foul balls. Thanks Ike! ;)

Happy then a little bored but then....
so happy!

bein' cool with uncle isaac!

starting to get sleepy/bored... but...

It's celebrity every where!!! LOL. First Tom Arnold...

zooey dechanel & fiance from death cab for cutie.

COUSINS!!!!!

Family, Friends & Picnic...

In 2008, 4 babies, all boys were born in my side of the family. First Liam, then Stewart, then Luke and Evan. Here is our attempt at getting them all photographed at the same time. LOL!

babies and their mommas! Lila/Evan, Jen/Luke, Kelli/Stewart & Jenalyn/Liam
now... the rest of the family! Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of a few family members with Evan. Sorry!

helpful Liamdueling bouncers Olivia my cousin Greta!

LUKE! playing with LUKE!
Noah Aunt Jen

meeting uncle Jesse
uncle Bennett! friends Malia & Dallin
Great uncle Nacho, Great Aunt Mary Grandma Karla & Grandpa Allan Aunt Kelli loves me! ;)

Aunt Lisa crazy uncle Wade (we like to make the same faces)

Heather and Austin :) cute, single (almost 19) uncle Isaac.

cousin adelle ;)

and...

Our friend Jay Mathison who served his mission in Nashville where he met and taught Michael the gospel. He left us a very sweet note and pointed out that he was able to see Michael at his baptism, our marriage sealing and now Evans sealing to us. It is a great reminder as a family where we have come from and where we should go next. ;) Thank you Jay (we missed you Melissa!).

- fun at the picnic -

First time on the SWINGS! Dad pushed Evan on the swings at our Picnic. What do you think? Did I like it? How about the slide? Hmmm????

hello?... anyone there?... can i have a push please? booooo...

The Sealing

Saturday, May 23rd Evan was sealed to us in the Los Angeles LDS Temple in Santa Monica. This is a very special day for us, the real day we have waited for as parents. A sealing is uniting us spiritually as a family and in our religion this goes beyond our earthly life and makes us a family when we die and are in heaven. Michael and I were sealed together when were were married in this same temple almost 12 years ago (June 21, 1997) and all biological children are automatically sealed to us. WE had a beautiful opportunity to have Evan sealed to us now since he was adopted. We had a beautiful experience in the temple. Evan was beautiful and happy, Cooing, laughing, giggling and very interested in what was happening. We feel blessed to have had so many friends and family able to attend. Thank you for making our day so special. Here are some of the pictures from that day:

Evans Nursary tag so they knew what parent he belonged to. There were about 15 or 20 other children waiting to be sealed to their parents.

Last but not least, Memorial Day Beach day in Ventura!

they who eat chips (with sleeping baby under striped towel)

Bathing off the beach with cousin Liam