Arizona

Max and I arrived in Arizona just in time to spend time with family before my 

younger brother Jared flew off to Guatemala.

As I mentioned in my last post, Jared is now serving a full-time mission for our Church

and he will be gone for 2 years. Having served a full-time mission myself

(I can't believe I've been home for over 4 years!), it's easy to be so happy for him.

I'm happy for the decision he made to be an instrument in the Lord's hands for 2 years,

I'm happy for the people that he will meet, serve and love,

I'm happy that he will learn Spanish,

I'm happy that he will get to learn about the Guatemalan culture,

and I'm happy about the person that he will become over the next 2 years.

I digress...

We were in Arizona for 4 days before Mark drove down to be with us.

We had so much fun!

There was much relaxing, going on walks, visiting with family and friends,

and eating at all of our favorite places.

It was a much needed visit, since I can't remember the last time we were there longer than 3 days.

Max must have enjoyed it too since he finally started sleeping better when we got to Arizona!

We stayed there with Mark for another week before we drove out to San Diego with my parents,

my brother Josh and his family, but I'll save that for another post!

Now for some pictures!!

 We stopped to check out the construction of the new Gilbert Temple...gorgeous! // One night Max didn't sleep so well, and I had laid him on this blanket and couldn't believe it when he fell asleep! He never falls asleep like that!

My niece Ella with my brother the night before he flew to Guatemala // Max got to meet his cousin Isaac! They're only 11 days apart!

 My mom Nonna, holding two of her grandbabies.

 My sister-in-law Merideth & Isaac.

Max got to meet his great grandpa for the first time!

Max's Blessing Day

On March 3, 2013 Mark had the privilege to bless Max in our Church. 

It was such a beautiful experience that I will never forget.

We were so blessed and grateful to have so many family and friends

there to support our little family, and we couldn't have been happier!

My mom put in a lot of time and effort to make Max's white blessing outfit and it was gorgeous!

I never got a picture of just him in his outfit, so maybe I'd better get him back into it and do a photo shoot before he gets too big!

After the meeting, we had everyone squished in our humble abode for food and visiting.

It was a little crazy since it was a rainy day and we couldn't go outside, 

but it was so lovely to see everyone!

My parents were kind enough to come up from Arizona for the weekend 

and it was the first time that my step-dad got to meet Max. 

We were so glad and grateful that they were able to come!

A couple of hours after the blessing Max and I flew down to Arizona with my parents

so that I could spend time with my family before my younger brother flew to Guatemala

to begin his 2 year service as a full-time missionary for our Church.

Having to skip out early on the festivities made things a little hectic, but it was a fantastic weekend!

My step-dad meeting Max for the first time!

 

I, being the crazy person that I am, made 100 rolls for the lunch after the blessing. 

That's a lot of rolls!

With my parents

My gorgeous sister Keri

With Mark's parents

Mark's mom with Max, and her sister Deanna with her newest grandson Lincoln

Max's Birth Announcements

I'm finally getting around to sharing Max's Birth Announcements with you!

I had so much fun making these, and I'm so happy with how they turned out. It's crazy how much he's grown even from when this picture was taken! 

I love our bald little boy!

Heartbreaker

I can't believe this kid's smile...what a heartbreaker!

I also can't believe that he's 3 months old...who knows how to stop this whole time thing, or at least slow it down a bit?!?

I also need to apologize for my lack of posting the past couple of months.  It's been rather difficult to figure out this whole newborn thing when your newborn wouldn't sleep anywhere except for your arms during the day and would wake up every hour at night. Thank goodness he's grown out of that phase (we hope), so I can actually get things done during the day, including blogging!

I have some awesome things to share with you all...it's been a fun few weeks around here!