The big 23!

So, I turned 23 on the 27th. I'm starting to feel a little old. I mean I know I'm not, but most of the girls in my ward are younger than 21 and don't have children, so it makes me feel older anyways. We had a fun time celebrating. David was very sweet and set up a surprise dinner with our friends at Brick Oven. Of course I forgot to take pictures with everyone, but David did get a picture of me standing on a chair when they sang to me! David also took me shopping and made me buy clothes because I don't usually like to spend money on myself, so I got some things that I really like. I also got new running shoes and an entire jogging outfit. All of my old running stuff was way old and the shoes were in horrible shape, so I was very excited about all of this. Anyways, it was overall a great birthday and I get to share my birthday with President Hinckley's birthday into heaven.

Books Read in 2007

My friend, Mary, posted about the books she read in 2007. I thought it was a good idea because it made me realize just how much I'd actually read and that made me feel good. I've never read this much leisurely simply because I was always in school and had too much studying to do. I had a fun year choosing books to read for fun and I look forward to doing the same this year. So, here's my list:

Harry Potter: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 - J.K. Rowling

The Hiding Place - Corrie ten Boom

Year of Impossible Goodbyes - Sook Nyul Choi

The Endless Steppe - Esther Hautzig

My Antonia - Willa Cather

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

Twilight - Stephenie Meyer

New Moon - Stephenie Meyer

Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe - C.S. Lewis

The Magician's Nephew - C.S. Lewis

The Horse and His Boy - C.S. Lewis

The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale

Enna Burning - Shannon Hale

Currently Reading: River Secrets - Shannon Hale

Luke's Birthday Celebrations

We had alot of fun celebrating Luke's first birthday. We went to the BYU Creamery on the night of his birthday and he got to eat his first ice cream sundae . . . which of course he loved. We had a little birthday party for him on Saturday night and he got to play with friends, eat cake, and watch the adults attempt to break a pinata . . . we had issues. Anyways, it was lots of fun.

Happy Birthday, Luke!

It's hard for me to believe that this time last year I was recovering from the most difficult ordeal of my life and staring into the face of the most beautiful baby I had ever seen (yes, I am biased). David and I knew that our lives would be different from that day forward, but we could not have imagined just how wonderful it would be. We are so grateful for Luke. Everyday he brings new joy and life into our lives. From the moment he entered our home he brought with him a strong and peaceful spirit and we cannot imagine our lives without him now. Over this past year he has definitely changed a lot! He has learned how to smile, hold his head up, roll over, sit up, scoot, crawl, clap, walk, eat with his fingers, hold a bottle, laugh, chatter, drink from a straw, drink from a sippy cup, fall asleep on his own, sleep for 10-12 hours at night (yes!), and so much more. Little children are such an example to me. They have so more to learn and conquer and they do it all with a smile . . . maybe not teething, but most things. Anyways, I am just so grateful for my little boy. Happy Birthday, Luke!

Then

Now

Natalie and Matt's Wedding!

After our visit to LA we went to Mesa, AZ for my sister's wedding. It was such a nice wedding and the reception was beautiful! We're so happy for them. Welcome to the family, Matt!

Christmas

We had such a wonderful Christmas. We went to Los Angeles to visit David's parents (on their mission). His sister and her boyfriend came out as well. We had so much fun going out to eat, watching movies, going to museums and spending Christmas with them. Luke got spoiled rotten, but it was so fun to watch him open his presents. We feel so blessed to have such wonderful family!

In front of Santa's house at the Grove in LA

Christmas Jammies!

Luke's haul

The whole family in front of the mission home

Hanging out with Albert Einstein at the Griffith Observatory