Caden's b-day party

This is a belated post. We celebrated Caden's 4th birthday with a friends party. He invited all of his friends from joy school (a preschool rotation with 6 kids from our congregation at church) and two neighbors. Of course, it was a Cars themed party because Caden LOVES Cars. He had a Chick Hicks cake, and lots of Cars games.

This was "McQueen's blown a tire" where the kids tried to pop each others "tires".

All the kiddos playing "Luigi's bean bag toss". Caden was really into it!
We also played "pin the tire on McQueen", "Don't wake the tractor", "Hot rod" (instead of hot potato) and other fun games.

Caden wanted a Chick Hicks cake, but they don't sell Chick Hicks cake pans. So, we used the Lightning McQueen cake pan, and tried to decorate it like Chick Hicks....not too bad!

Of course the highlight of the party is the....presents! Caden was SO excited and all of his friends know him well and bought him Cars things. He was so excited! I love the face of his friend in the red shirt sitting down..."wow!!"Then we ended the party with a little Piston Cup race down the slip 'n slide. We had a blast planning this party for our little boy that is growing up. Everyone had a fun time and we loved letting him share his special day with his friends.

Parade to support adoption!

We had the opportunity to participate in a parade with all of our friends from Families Supporting Adoption (FSA). We had a trailer that looked like an empty nursery and everyone was pushing strollers with signs either saying "adopted" or "hoping to adopt". Caden wore a special sign saying that he is hoping to be a big brother. We handed out candy, fliers, and pass along cards. Caden did a great job of handing out things to the little kids. We waved at everyone and yelled that we love adoption. We loved to hear that people in the crowds had adopted children or that their siblings were adopted, etc. We were hoping to promote a positive view of adoption and we think it was a great success. It was a really fun thing to do as a family and with our friends from FSA. We can't wait till next year!

Caden even helped to carry the big sign in front! :)

Caden's dancing skills

Caden has some serious dancing skills. It is so funny. We went to Russ' three youngest brothers Eagle Court of Honor this past week and we were so proud of them. After the court of honor, Caden showed off his dancing skills and came up with this on his own. We died laughing! Apparently he has seen some break dancing somewhere...too funny!

5 years!

5 years ago, I was driving to the temple with the man of my dreams to be sealed. We sang "Families can be together forever" and I just didn't think I could ever love him more than I did at that moment. After 5 years of fun, exciting, sad and hard times I can say that I honestly love him more than I did the day that we were sealed. I love the song "Then" by Brad Paisley, because it shows how much love can grow in marriages over time: through the good times and the hard times.

When I met Russ My cousin was in his ward (our church congregation), and I was over at her place watching General Conference (our semi-annual worldwide church conference). He came over to visit and when she saw us in the same room, her match-making skills went to play. She set us up on a double date, and the rest is history. We went rock-climbing on our first date. It was the first time I had EVER done it, but it was so fun. We went out to dinner (speaking Spanish since three of the four of us served Spanish speaking missions), then to a hot tub and then to watch a BYU Football DVD. Russ slipped off into the corner to play the piano and my interest was peaked. I loved hearing him play the hymns and other songs. From that day, we spoke every day for hours and quickly fell in love. He was everything I had been looking for, and he motivates me to do more and to be better.

5 years later
We have been through so much together, and we have truly been "making memories of us". Russ has a great talent of being my rock and my peacemaker. In dealing with infertility, we have heard some pretty tough things and when I get emotional, stressed, worried, etc. I just have to talk to him. I am instantly calmed by his reassurance, his peace and his love. He can make me laugh all the time, which I love. He is very committed to everything he does and always supports me in all that I do. He is my #1 fan and even gets excited for the random crafts or cards that I make. He always tells me that he loves me and also shows it by helping me with things around the house. He is an amazing, loving, fun father and Caden loves him so much. He is very appreciative of the dinners that I make and the things I do at home as a stay-at-home mom. I really couldn't ask for more, and I am so happy that we have been married for 5 years. Here's to many more...and eternity!

This pic was taken on our 5 year anniversary.

We all scream for....

...Ice cream! Especially when it is free at the Broncos training camp and Caden can run out on their practice field to get it!We also went to an open house/tour of a reservoir they are working on. It was pretty interesting to see, but the highlight was definitely the HUGE trucks and tires!

The tires in the pic above were at least 7-8 feet tall! Crazy!!! In the pic below, Caden is sitting in a tractor wheel. It was a little boy's dream come true!
After that, we went to National Night Out. It had free bounce houses, informational booths, fire truck, ambulance, etc. It had great information of how to stay safe.
Caden did some sweet pull-ups!! (with a little help from his strong Dad!) Russ had a turn afterward and did a great job.

Roxborough State Park

We heard on the news that on Monday there would be free admission to all state parks. We were excited and HAD to take advantage of the pretty day and the free admission. Caden and I went to Roxborough State Park because it was a recommended hike for families from REI. It was BEAUTIFUL!!! Caden hiked 2.2 miles on a hot day, going up some decent sized hills and LOVED it! I realized (yet again) that I live to be outside. That is what energizes me and also gives me peace and joy. We REALLY missed Russ who was working hard to provide for us, but we know for sure we are going to take him back there. Hopefully soon! :)

Here we are at the start of a beautiful hike....our attempt at a self-portrait.

Here is the happy hiker. He is such a great, happy, strong kid! He keeps saying thanks in his prayers for the fun time we had hiking and that "I hiked 2 miles!"

He is also a photographer in the making...here is one of his shots.

He loved looking for the numbered posts that had engravings on them of animals, plants, etc. It even helped him to run up some of the hills!

Today, Russ heard on the radio while he drove to work that there was a Broncos training camp this morning. He is such a loving, selfless, thoughtful husband that he called and told me about it so that I could take Caden. He wore his BYU jersey, but at least he did yell "Go Broncos Go!". He had a fun time and it was awesome to have the players so close. Definitely going back with Russ!

Caden's quotes

Kids really do say the funniest things! Here is a conversation we had a little while ago. We were riding in the car, and one of the songs from the movie Cars came on. That is Caden's favorite movie and he loves that song too. He got all excited and said "That's my kid!!" Kylee started laughing and asked Russ "Where did he get that from?" Caden then speaks up from the backseat and says "You say it, Mom!" We all started laughing so hard! Apparently we are proud parents and often say "that's our kid!"

We love the really funny things that Caden comes up with, as well as the really sweet and loving things he says. He is such a joy to have around, and all three of us are so excited to adopt a baby and have even more joy around the house.