happy thanksgiving.

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Gulf Shores Alabama

We are on our way to a weeks vacation in Alabama on the beach! Michaels parents have invited us for a second year in a row. it's great. Home of 'The Little Zoo that Could' on the Animal Planet Channel, we will be staying in a condo on the beach.It's about a 8-10 hour drive & the first for little Evan.As you can see, he's soaking it up. So far he's doing well but doesn't like being tied to his car seat for so long. ;) The boy wants to stretch his legs. lol. anyway, that's all for now.

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these were uploading to the other post for jenalyn and showed up here so, here you go! lol. this is the cousins first 'playdate'. It began with an innocent eating of the face and ended with Liam taking Evans pacifier to 'play' with it, bully. ;) just kidding jenalyn! liam is hilarious and cute, ESPECIALLY when he thinks a pacifier is a toy to play with.

so f.y.i., we have all established that Evan is a genius right? well, add 'great sleeper' to that growing list! tuesday night, the kid slept for "8" hours straight!! wednesday night he slept for 6 1/2! we love this trend and hope he keeps it up although, i really don't mind getting up with him usually cause i can't wait to see him and his big dark hazel green eyes!

THANK YOU JENALYN!!!!

My Sis (she's number "9 of 11") Jenalyn.

Holding her favorite (Tennessee) Nephew.

GREENWAY ADVENTURE

Start here:
Smokey, "going for a ride" in the back of our truck. He LIVES for this, "Sicking the Kitty", "Walks" and "Treats" (a video or 2 for another time).

Eventually, Liam needed a break from our stroller so Smokey took a turn! lol!

Jenalyn tasting the sap of a Hedgeapple, our new facination. ;) (thanks ash and mom!) Learn more here: http://www.hedgeapple.com/. Go get your hedgeapples today! I bet my family wishes they'd taken some with them if they get rid of SPIDERS and mice, WOW!

Our latest shadow puppet experiment.

Playing at Matt, Nanci's, Brooke and Laurens House. Our nieces, thought Liam would fit perfect in this pink tent (don't tell his dad!). lol.

Haircut During, very cute. Haircut After, EVEN CUTER!
Look at that side part. soooo handsome!

"I'm going to play with you and KISS you! Is that your eyeball?"

My sister Jenalyn was a HUGE help to me with going back to work the day after she arrived. She and her 9 month old son Liam took a vacation from firey, heatwaved, sunny southern california and their husband and daddy Darren (thank you Darren!) to spend one week in 24 - 50 degree freezing tempuratures and RAIN! Poor girl. She loves to exercise and really couldn't get out with all the scenarios but we did get to the local "Greenway" for a little walk on Sunday afternoon. It was about 30 out, topps. I had Evan strapped to me with Jenalyn's Baby Bjorn and Michael pushed Liam in the stroller for most of the walk with Smokey getting to come along. Despite the very cold tempatures, we had a great time together. There will be a little 'surprise' picture in there for all you dog lovers... ;).
We also gave Jenalyn a Haircut while she was here and Liam got a very manly one! He was sooo good and sooooo cute! He had a fabulous time with his cousins Evan and Smokey and his best friend of all.... a walker! I just hope the video will load later. For some reason all pictures won't load for me all day so, stayed tuned . . .

Evan trying to be like his older cousin.

We look forward to comparing their size the next time they meet. Maybe Liam won't try to eat my baby next time or roll over him. lol!
(again... load pictures later)
We love you Jenalyn and Liam! Thank you for all your help and compassion for our son. He loves you and misses you.

A tribute to Liams energy, via videos:

It won't be the same around here without you!

California Based Virtual Shower

Hey California Family and Friends (and a sprinkling of other state friends that Jenalyn said contacted her)! Welcome to our blog! For those of you wondering about this post, my Sister Jenalyn and friend Heather put together a "Virtual Shower" for Evan since we can't get to YOU and so many have become as involved with our wait at we have and asked how they too can celebrate. Now we've invited those who haven't asked too! (we are sooooo generous. wink wink). Anyway, we are not capable of coming to California (where most of our out of state friends/family are) for a few months because of our Adoption costs so we devised this plan. We miss you guys so much and are greatful for a way to include you in celebrating our JOY! So, since this is the first that we know of that a "Virtual" Shower is attempted, we are working out the kinks but the spirit it was created in is here. I had so many of you ask how you can help us or celebrate that in talking to my sister Jenalyn and one of my Best friends since childhood, Heather, this is what we created to include you and invite others that we wanted to know. We wish we could be there in your homes to celebrate the gift of Evan with you but we cannot so we thought this could be fun. In California, we were surrounded with my beloved mentors/leaders from Primary, Young Womens and fellow sisters in Relief Society at church. Also, thier children, my childhood friends, Adult friends from past jobs and strangers we've picked up along the way who have helped me be molded into not only the woman, wife, businesswoman and now mother I am today but who I am hopefully yet to become. I mean it when I think of growing up in Camarillo, Thousand Oaks and Moorpark, I see glimpses of particularly women, who shaped me and influenced me. You know who you are and are especially the people I am sad I do not get to see in person right now.
When our Adoption is finalized in April or May, Michael and I have decided to have Evan sealed to us in the Los Angeles Temple as it is the best chance to have the majority of my siblings surrounding us in their support. We know, we are the ones who moved away and could not expect for them to travel to us. While that happens, we hope to have a big meet and greet at my parents so you can all meet Evan as it would mean so much to us to see you and FINALLY share him with you all. Besides hopefully Isaac will have his mission call and we'll have that to celebrate too! (yes, it's true #11 is THAT old! YIKES!) no pressure Isaac! ;)
On to the shower, We have already recieved notes and gifts! When my uploader will stop, stopping me, I would like to post pictures but would rather not list everyones name so to not overwhelm myself (hope you understand). I will be working on your thank you notes however over thankgiving and am documenting your generosity as meticulously as possible so I don't miss anything.
Again, I wish this could be more personal cause I want so bad to celebrate with you but thank you for your interest and excitement. I cannot wait to see you in 'five' months....
Thank you for all your kind words and support!
Lila

One MONTH!!?!

my friend cherilyn suggested to take a picture with his stuffed animal and i chose his alligator. it is the first one we bought him and i love it. we'll take a picture of him every month. unfortunately we don't have one of him at birth with it but this will be fun.

November 14, 2008

How is it that this could be the time for our sweet little son to be ONE MONTH old?! Every Parent has uddered these words and it is our turn. Even in his first week, I was getting genuinly upset because of all the changes I was noticing. Thankfully, everyone who see's him still mentiones how little he is. That makes me feel better to live in denial that he will always be my baby infant (though there is so much more to look forward to as he grows...). Here is a video as our attempt to share with you how big and strong and alert our baby is...

For his One Month day, we began by cuddling in my bed till Cousin Liam and Aunt Jenalyn came to play.

Here is video of California Cousin Liam showing his affection:

So wrong it's Right

"Daddy's First attempt at dressing his son"....

There's blue, there's brown, there's stripes, why not! That was the thinking behind this ansamble Michael put together for Evan for his Brothers birthday party last night. I really laughed cause even though it "matches", most women would not have found this acceptable. I quickly understood and accepted his thought process cause really, the kid is cute. So while I continue to work on his One month and "Other Visitors from the West" post, I'll post this teaser.

Nieces proud of their cousin cause he's getting so big and sooo cute. They can't wait to sit by him in the Van on the way down to Gulf Shores for Thanksgiving week!

Birthday boy Matt! Also so proud, thinking, "How long till I can brainwash you into loving Star Wars???" lol.

going back to work...

frown. today will be my first day back to work and although i love my job, my baby is still only 4 weeks old and my sister Jenalyn and her 9month old son Liam are visiting so it's bittersweet. thankfully i have prayer to help me get through without crying! i just hope i don't forget to bring pictures. i guess i'll just bring my lap top since i don't have many printed out yet. anyway, going to bed after doing a feeding but wanted to document my thoughts... evan, i will miss you tomorrow. mommy loves you and is leaving you in wonderful hands with Jenalyn. muah!

Tennessee Shower

main photographer and guest, ashley (lila's sister). centerpiece.


This "Shower" was more of an Open House where you come and go as requested by us. We asked that there would be no games played, there were gifts but we didn't open them at the Open House so we could concentrate on visiting and celebrating Evan. So, we were so busy visiting with everyone at the shower, we didn't get all the pictures we would have liked but we thank you all for coming. There were about 50 people there from Our Church friends, Lila's Clients (also friends), Michael's Childhood friends and Our Family members! We unfortunately didn't get pictures of everyone or everything but we will post a few to show how much fun we were having with everyone.





"The hostess with the mostest!" Thank you for organizing everything Lindsey. You are one of the most thoughtful and caring women I know. You never want anyone to feel left out but you go the extra mile to make it even more special for them. Everything was beautiful from the food layed out to the table centerpieces, it was all tasteful and very Martha of you. ;) Sorry my mom didn't get over to give you a foot rub but I will be over soon and you'll just have to hold Evan while "I" rub your feet. I've been given a compliment or two on my talents in that area... wink.







"She's done this before." Thanks bff for coming and taking care of my baby!

Arnold's getting in some practice... and... oldies but goodies! ;)




nashville beauties. ;)







mingling







"twin"







family.




Saturday, we opened gifts at our house and it just wouldn't be fair to try to pick which ones to post and I can't possibly post them all so we'll post our excitement and process... We were given many generous gifts! There will be thank you notes in the mail, sometime this century. It will be worth it. ;) We now feel much better prepared for caring for Evan. With all it costs (not complaining) for adoption, it is very appreciated that you all have been so kind to us with your time and attention. We thank you!




before.during.after.




My sister Jenalyn and long time friend Heather are giving me/us a "Virtual Shower" this week, for those out of state and especially in California where I grew up. It is a hilarious idea and can't wait to see how this ground breaking idea goes. (I've never heard of it but am excited to celebrate with all of you!). One of the sad parts of having a child so far from my family is also missing the celebration with all of you that molded me into who I am today. I miss you and am truly sad not to share this day with you in person. Like I mentioned in a previous post, we will be home in 5/6 months after we finalize the adoption and come to Los Angeles to be sealed in the Los Angeles Temple. At that time we will have a party at my parents house to let you virtuals enjoy him in person! ;) Until then here's some bath time gems taken by Ashley...

bfn...