My Birthday

Yesterday, we celebrated my 26th b-day. It was an interesting day---all types of feelings, but it ended on a perfect note. The best part is that I drew closer to the Lord than I feel that I have ever even been. Perhaps that is the reason why we have trials- to bring us closer to Him.
So, yeah, we had Mexican, cake, balloons, & streamers...but what I will remember the most about my 26th b-day is how much I need our Heavenly Father, and for all the blessings He's given me.
I also had to throw in some cute pics of Noah. He is so much fun!
Thanks for all of the calls and messages yesterday!!! I love you all!

Home Sweet Home

Finally, I decided to post some pictures of our apartment here in Arkansas. We're pretty much all moved in now, minus a few minor things. Notice the bookshelf...Jared made it himself. I also threw another picture of the dresser that I refinished for our room. We just love being crafty. You might also notice the dresser we got for Noah's room at a garage sale for $30. We think it's perfect!

Know that you always have a place to stay if you are ever in the area!

I'll post more pictures of Noah soon- he's starting to smile all the time now. What a cutie!

Camp Orr

Jared and I went camping at Camp Orr in the Ozark mountains this weekend with Tommy and April Lowden. I've been camping plenty of times, but I've never had a camping experience quite like this one. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.



"What's that boys? Y'all didn't bring the tent! You're telling us that we have to sleep on a tarp under the stars? But we don't want bugs and spiders and animals crawling on us! Yes, there are too animals in the woods at night. There's not? Are you sure about that?"



(after seeing a skunk by our campsite) "LIARS! There are animals and we have to sleep with them. We're never gonna sleep you jerks!"




(after a rain shower) "You mean to tell us that you forgot the tent was in the car? Yeah right; I can't believe how desperate you were to get your way. Sleeping under the stars is NOT that cool."

"What can I say? I like sleeping under the stars."

"You don't see stars when you're sleeping."

"Yeah, well I like the idea of it."

(after putting on goggles to avoid campfire smoke) "I'm Michael Phelps gone camping."



"What's camping without a good smore?!"




"So, I might've exaggerated a few things on this trip- I guess the bugs do still come out at night and that there was a chance of rain. And I guess animals can come to our campsite. Oh, and the tent IS actually in the car. But at least the hike will be worth it. You will love every second of it, I promise. It won't even take that long to get to the top. Is it hard? No, it's easy, no worries."





"Do you seriously mean to tell me that we have to cross the river barefoot twice? Oh shiza!"





(after 4 hours, blood and sweat, some rock climbing, and an argument later, we make it)

"Was it worth it?"

"Ask me later."



Later: Despite the fact that we got rained on and that I was taken on a hard hike when I am NOT in shape (remember how I just had a baby?) and that the boys lied to us a few times, we actually had a fun and very memorable trip. The boys are excellent cooks- we had chicken fajitas, dutch oven peach cobbler, smores, sausage and egg breakfast burritos, biscuits, and orange juice. Thank You Lowdens for going with us and being our friends!

Loving Life!!!

I am having so much fun staying home with little mister. His personality is starting to come out- he's a very entertaining little boy!



We're enjoying spending time with our friends here in Arkansas. We love it here so much!

I've also been non-stop busy doing never ending projects around the house. Here is one of the latest- I completely re-did our dresser. I wish I had taken a before picture. I'll just say it was light oak colored with brass handles. I'm so happy with the outcome---and I feel so domesticated!

More pictures of Noah...



And to end, Jared and I celebrated our one year anniversary on Saturday the 20th. We had a blast! Rifka watched Noah on Friday night, then on Saturday we went out for mexican, a great walk, and cheesecake. I loved it!!! I love being married to Jared---best decision I ever made!
We both gave each other homemade presents this year. I made Jared a picture album highlighting the last year. He made me the board game that you see below- it was awesome.

Esp. for you, Mom

My mom asks me everytime that I talk to her on the phone if I have any new pictures of Noah. :) I promised I would put some more up, but just realized I haven't really taken any since I lost my battery charger. Well, no worries, I ordered a new one off of amazon, so I'll start taking more pictures. I've been pretty busy trying to put the house together and get things in order after the move. So, I apologize for all those that I need to call back! We finally just got the internet in our house too. Anyways, here's the latest Noah pictures I have. :)

Jared & Noah at the airport in Kansas City- on our way home to Arkansas!

Noah kind of smiling in his swing. BTW, Noah has been smiling so much lately- it's the cutest thing ever! He also makes really cute sad faces- I try not to laugh.


What a sweetheart!

The journey to Arkansas

As most of you probably already know, I've arrived happy and safely to Arkansas, my new home! Here is Noah and I at the airport in Salt Lake- I was a little nervous about taking a 6 week old on an airplane, but he did great...didn't even make a sound on the airplane. He's such a good little boy...I am so lucky!

It was amazing to see Jared again in Seattle- we had fun at Caleb and Becca's wedding- congrats you guys!

We also had fun taking Noah to his first MLB game- Mariners vs. Yankees. It was soooo fun- we think Noah liked it too...he was smiling the whole time (although not so much in this picture, but he still looks cute!)

I love my boy!

Noah LOVES his daddy! He always gets happy when Jared holds him...it's so cute.

I love being here in Arkansas- so much better than Utah. Don't even get me started.

I'm not sure when I will be able to put up new pictures because I actually lost my camera charger in the move :( So I guess I will have to buy a new one, but my camera takes a specialized battery- oh great! I'll work on it to try to keep everyone updated. BTW, Noah is 7 weeks old today- time is flying by. I love being his mom. More later!

A note from Noah

Mommy says I am growing before her eyes! I'm finally starting to get a little bit too big for my preemie clothes.

I love all the attention I'm getting. Here I am with my Aunt Kallie- she left for Provo last week. I already miss her and want her to come visit me in Arkansas very soon!

I went to Idaho yesterday to visit my Uncle Kyle and Aunt Lynette. We had fun, except for when everyone watched a scary movie and I could feel my mommy being scared. It even made me start crying. But I still liked being there.

I am starting to smile and it makes everyone so happy. Everyone is trying to tickle me so that I will smile at them. Ahh, life is good!