I did it!

On May 6, 2010 I graduated from the University of Utah with a Master's degree in Nursing. I will be taking boards soon to be a Family Nurse Practitioner. I can't tell you how much this day meant to me. This day seemed so far away and the goal impossible at times to achieve.

Graduation outfits made by Grandma Newman

I get teary eyed thinking of all the hard work the last 7 semesters have been. Although, I know my children will probably not remember this too much (I hope!), the ache I have carried from being away from them will not leave my heart anytime soon.

I'm so glad I'm done!!

Pictures stolen from Nana!

Where's the baby?

Hannah had to sleep with "all" of her babies!

Pictures taken March 2010

Easter at Nana's

Nana always makes a traditional Easter dinner with the best turkey ever (voted by Carson and Cam!) Of course an Egg hunt is also in order!




The hunt is a bit more competitive here for the bigger boys! Carson loves it!




Cousins and best buddies-holding hands while eating!

PS. check out Hannah's cute Easter dress made by Grandma Newman.

Easter at Grandma and Grandpa Greener's!

Easter with Grandma and Grandpa Greener is always fun. The annual tradition is an egg drop and egg hung. Carson starts planning for the egg drop weeks before.


Why is it so hard to get one picture of both children looking at the camera and smiling?

Carson's invention "Flying Egg Machine" Carson is an inventor. He made this pulley contraption for his egg to get from point A to point B safely. Of course-it worked!


Karli's floam contraption however, didn't work as well!

the family with their egg drop contraptions!


Grandma and "baby" Hannah and baby Kylee.

Easter Egg Hung at Grandma and Grandpa's!

This is one of my favorite pictures! Carson "comforting" (AKA making the situation worse! :) Hannah.

We love our Family!

Beautiful!

Hannah loves, loves, loves makeup. Aunt Melissa (or "issa") gave Hannah some makeup. Hannah couldn't wait to "dig in" to her new surprise.




You can never have enough right?? Sorry about the boog-she's still cute!


The girl even knows how to match and accessorize! (PS. Look at those big beautiful brown eyes!)

Pictures taken January 2010

Scouts!

Being eight really is great! Turning eight also means being able to go to scouts! Carson loves scouts and is really excited about it.


Here he is on his first day of scouts (Somewhere, I have seen this exact same picture/pose of Cameron at age 8 on his first day of scouts...Deborah do you have that?)

Within a month Carson had already received his Bobcat.

(Receiving the "Mother's Pin")

First activity of the month a rocket blast-off!

Who knew building rockets would so much fun??

The Masterpiece built by Carson with some help from Dad.


Pictures taken January 2010

Carson's Baptism

I can't believe my sweet baby boy is old enough to be baptized. For him, the day could not come soon enough. He was so excited to be baptized.
Carson turned eight on December 14, 2009 and was baptized on January 2, 2010. Our stake does "Stake Baptisms" and our ward was in charge of conducting the program that month. When I started calling the other wards with baptismal candidates I was surprised to find out that due to the holidays many families had decided to wait until next month. Carson was the only child being baptized! It was pretty neat that he got to have his own "personal" baptism. That doesn't happen very often!

The baptism was at 4:00 and held at the Ogden East Stake Center. Carson looked so very handsome and full of happiness. I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost and all of the other parts of the program were done by people who know and love Carson from our ward.

We invited many friends and family and had a huge crowd! It made my heart swell with all the people who came to support Carson on his big day.

Cameron baptized and confirmed Carson a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Those standing in the confirmation circle included Cam, Grandpa Doug Newman, Uncle Scott Newman, Uncle Eric Hansen, Uncle Max Crozier, Grandpa Ben Greener, Great Grandpa Delano Greener, Uncle Sheldon Greener, Great Grandpa Robert Manning, Friend Chris Hansen, Second Counselor in the Bishopric Marty MacDonald, and Bishop Wilde.

After the baptism we had dinner at the Eccles Park church house. We had soup, salad, and homemade rolls and breadsticks. Again, there were so many people there all because they LOVE you Carson!

To my Carson:
My mind really can't accept the fact that you are now 8 years old. You are a wonderful little boy. I'm so grateful I get to be your mother. You are such a smart and handsome boy. You have a desire in you to be and do good. Sometimes I worry, that you are too "grown up". You are mature and wise beyond your years. You look at the world differently than others-your mind is constantly thinking of how you can invent or improve new ways to do things. You also have an awareness of how others are feeling. I know you would never hurt or put someone down-it's just not in you. My heart is bursting with love and pride for you, sweet Carson. Thank you for being you because you are absolutely PERFECT in every way.