Carly Turns One

March 27th Carly turned one. We celebrated on Saturday the 26th with a little party. We had dinner and then cake and ice cream. Both sets of Grandparents were there along with Caralynn, Carla, and Michael (Michael's birthday was on the 26th). CJ smoked some pork for dinner and then we had sweet potatoes and macaroni and cheese, two of Carly's favorites. The cake was made by Maria and I and it turned out pretty cute I thought. Carly was not sure of what to do with her piece of cake that we gave her, but as soon as she realized that she could do whatever she wanted with it she was a happy one year old. Cake was followed by opening some gifts. Carly was a little confused throughout the day but liked that she was the center of attention. She is a very happy little girl and attention makes her even happier. It turned out to be a very nice day.

Carly happy to have everyone watching her.

A family photo.

Carly trying to blow her candle out. She couldn't quite get it out by herself, but her dad was there to help a little bit.

Carly happy with her cake and being able to eat it on her own.

Maria or Mozart?

Maria started to take piano lessons in February. She has done very well. Her teacher tells me each week how well she is doing and she has really enjoyed it. She doesn't mind practicing, but keeping Carly away from the piano is the hard part. Maria is good to let her play and gets her practicing done while I hold Carly down.

Carly Walks

The end of January Carly started to walk. She had just turned ten months and we knew that it was coming, but I was still not prepared for it. It took her a week to figure out that running was faster, and she has had bruises ever since. Usually on her head for all to see. She is pretty tough though. She does get mad when she falls but doesn't usually cry.

Catching Up

I have not been doing so good with blogging. I have felt like not much has been blog worthy. The past few months have been somewhat uneventful. We spent three weeks the end of February and the first of March with CJ at home from work recovering from his second parotid gland removal surgery. It was cold outside and so we were all experiencing a little cabin fever. One of the girls' (Daisy included) highlights was when it snowed to watch all the neighbors shovel their walks and driveways. That is how exciting our lives have been. CJ did buy a snowmobile so he has done that a few weekends and has taken Maria with him a couple of times. He will usually go in Wyoming and will check on Mitchy while there. Maria went for a ride one time when she was there with him. I think that she would love to be a full time cowgirl. Carly has gotten very busy the past few months. She gets into everything and then gives you dirty looks when you tell her no. She is very expressive and happy.

Maria posing with Daisy. She is wearing shorts and sandals. She can't wait for summer to come.

Maria, Carly and Daisy watching the neighbors shovel their driveways. Most of them have snow blowers so they like to watch it shoot snow everywhere.

Carly getting herself into a situation where the only solution was to cry for help. This is an hourly occurrence.

Maria on Mitchy.

Happy Anniversary

CJ and I celebrated our 12 year anniversary on January 2nd. We had a very relaxing day. We have been looking on ksl.com for a dog. We found one that we wanted so we went and got her for our anniversary. Her name is Daisy and she is a 18 month old Great Dane. She was loosing her home and is very sweet. She is bigger than Maria and about four times the size of Carly. She is very aware of Carly though and really watches out for her. She is pretty well trained which I am happy about and CJ has always wanted a Great Dane so he is happy with her. We are excited to have Daisy in our family.

CJ and Maria getting to know Miss Daisy.

Maria and Daisy, you can't really see Daisy because she is black and the picture is so dark. I love Maria's big smile though. I think she is happy with our anniversary present.

Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas. We did a lot of things that we have not been able to do the past few years. Maria enjoyed her break from school, and Carly loved all of the lights. Carly was a little confused on Christmas morning with all of Maria's excitement. We had a wonderful holiday season, but like always I'm glad to get back to my normal schedule.

At Temple Square looking at the lights.

Maria and Carly in their Christmas Eve pajamas.

Carly happy with the candy that she got in her sock.

Maria Christmas morning.

Major Anderson

CJ became a Major on December 1st. He acted like it wasn't a big deal, but it was and I'm very proud of him. He does a wonderful job and whenever I talk to people that he works with they have nothing but good to say about him as a person and as a coworker. We had a lot of family come and that made CJ a little nervous, but we appreciate those that came and supported him. It was a very nice ceremony, and I would put his speech up against the greatest speeches in history. Maria and I pinned his new rank on and then were awarded flowers along with his mom during his speech. Maria was thrilled, and told me that it was the first time she has ever gotten flowers. We had refreshments provided by the Pharmacy and then it was over. My parents and Clint did stay for lunch, and we went to Burger Bar per CJ's request. It is a drive through so we put the seats down in the Land Rover and piled in so that we could eat together. I don't think that CJ was expecting that when he requested Burger Bar, but it was a nice tight lunch that we enjoyed together. It was a great day and I am very proud to be the wife of a military man.

Maria and I pinning on the new rank.

Presenting Major Anderson

A family photo after it was all said and done. Carly was just to interested with the flowers to look at the camera.