Fun with Cousins!

Dean was the center of attention when his cousins were visiting. This was the first time he had met his Maxfield cousins and he loved watching everyone play and loved having everyone play with him. The closest cousin on the Cardon side is 3 years older so they all loved playing with baby Dean.Joshua and Dean
Kate, Taylor, Summer with Dean

Jacob and Dean

Peralta Canyon

Brian and I took my sister Christin and her family, who were visiting from UT on a hike in Peralta Canyon. My Dad came also. All of us hiked at different speeds so the hike lasted a little, okay a lot longer than expected but it was fun and the weather was great! Brian and I, along with Taylor who is 9, were the only ones who made it to see Weavers Needle. The trip also took longer because as we were driving back we found a group of people who had been driving their SUV in the dried up river bottom and got it stuck in the sand. Brian, Andy, and my Dad were good Samaritans and helped this group. It took about an hour and we had to flag someone down who had four wheel drive on their vehicle but they finally got the car out.
The Maxfield's
Summer, Christin, Kate, Joshua, Jacob, Andy, Taylor

Temple Lights

We finally made it to the temple lights as a family the day after Christmas.

Christmas Day

So theses pictures are in reverse order but here are some of the things we did on Christmas day. Noah and Aunt Rachael went roller blading
Dean so excited about the new pajamas he got from Grandma and Grandpa Cardon

Noah's expression when he first saw his new bike. Brian worked so hard on getting that bike nice and shiny. Noah opened a new helmet, handle grips, and a seat pad. Then after we opened all the presents Brian told him there might be one more gift in the kitchen and there was his bike.

Dean and his gifts

Noah opening his gifts from Nonny and Papa

Noah and Dean Christmas morning. It was Dean's first Christmas.

Christmas Eve

We went to Becky's cousin Nicole's home to spend Christmas Eve night with the Cardon side of the family. We had great food and enjoyed seeing family. Mita had half of her great-grandchildren present and they acted out the nativity story. Some of Becky's immediate family with Mita
Dean was baby Jesus this year and Noah was Joseph

Dean did great and was quiet the whole time and let Sariah (who played Mary) hold him the whole time.

Some of Becky's cousins with Mita

All of Mita's great-grandchildren who were in town for Christmas.

Sherylstin

My brother Scott is in a band called Sherylstin. They were formed during high school and stopped playing when everyone when on their missions. Most of the members are back home and one is leaving on a mission soon so they decided to have a Sherylstin reunion and farewell concert. Brian and I along with my sisters Rachael and Emily, and my parents came to cheer Scott on. This was after the concert

Brian was the video guy

Scott plays the keyboard and the tamborine

Becky and Rachael

Scott also sings some of the songs. Not to be biased or anything but I think he sings better than the lead singer. Their band wrote most of the songs they sing. It was a fun, chilly night. It is the last time they will probably play together so it was a little sad to see it end.

Farewell Sherylstin- GLORIETTA!

Santa

We took Noah and Dean to the mall to visit Santa. There was a big line when we got there and it was not moving quickly. We took turns waiting in line but we realized the line was not moving as fast as we hoped and that we would not get to Santa before his break. So Brian was so kind to wait in line while Becky took Dean and Noah home so Dean could take a nap. He is the best! So after 2 1/2 hours of waiting we finally reached the front. Brian actually had to let people go ahead of him until we got back to the mall. Here are the results of our waiting. Dean was quite curious and wanted to just look and check out the man with a big white beard. He did not cry and just did his normal wide eyed look. Noah has done this many times so he just enjoyed telling Santa what he wanted this year.

Gingerbread Houses

Sunday night we went to Grandma and Grandpa Cardon's home to make gingerbread houses. Noah along with his cousins Peyton and Hailey each got to make their own. Emily and Rachael helped along with Brian.

Dean just got to watch. Maybe next year he can help.

The final products. Noah was quite proud of his.

Temple Hosts

On Sunday Brian and I volunteered to be hosts at the Mesa Temple. Brian was also a coordinator (at least that is what it said on the tag he was wearing.) Truth of the matter is that we were more like security; kind of like God's Secret Service. We were assigned to the West end of the temple grounds, which as everyone knows, is the most likely location for enemy infultration and gang activity to occur. Our watch was from 6-10pm that night. Yeah, it was cold, but we are tough like that. There are thousands of people that come to see the temple lights (and Brian attempted to frisk them all) and the musical performances during the Christmas season. I was quite cold in my skirt but good thing we were able to take breaks and get some hot chocolate when needed. It was fun seeing all the people. We saw a few people from our ward and other friends. We enjoyed the musical groups as well and chatting with the missionaries who are there to answer questions and get referrals. I strongly believe that our presence alone thwarted several violent crimes from occuring. Is it fair to say that lives were saved that night?.........Who knows?....maybe that is the true miracle of Christmas.

Ward Party

We had our ward party almost 2 weeks ago. It was yummy food, great people, and the primary children did a representation of the nativity scene. Noah decided to be a wiseman this year. They let the children decide their part. Our primary is very big so the stage got filled by the end. He got his great costume from his Nonny.

Happy Graduation, Becky!!!

Yesterday was a very special day. Becky graduated from NAU with her master's degree from the College of Education. Her degree is in human relations and counseling. Becky has been working very hard on this. She graduated with distinction, which means she is smarter than A LOT of other people. In fact, she had all A's, except for a B in statistics, which is just as good as an A if you have ever taken statistics. I am so proud of Becky. She is the first to earn a master's degree in her immediate family. She has been an inspiration to me as I am attempting to earn one myself.
For those who may not know, Becky decided to begin this program of study shortly after the passing of our daughter. She needed something to help occupy the time and serve as a healthy distraction from the pains of loss that were almost overwhelming. She did all of this in about 16 months while still working part time as a school teacher, giving birth to Dean, being an awesome step momma for Noah and being the best wife ever. She actually does a lot more than that. She serves in the r.s. presidency, gives blood twice a week, hosts a weekly radio show, and in her spare time she tracks & studies the elusive snow leopard in Far East Russia.

Becky is the one wearing the black hat. Actually, she is bottom center after having just received her diploma. You can't see me, but I am sitting just behind the two balding men at the bottom of the picture.

Becky and the lumberjack mascot


Becky's parents accompanied Dean and I to watch her graduation ceremony at the Sky Dome of NAU.

Dean is on the go!

Dean crawled for the first time today. It was a backward crawl but it got him moving. I took him to the park this afternoon and layed him on his belly. He kept getting on his knees and pushed himself back until he pushed himself off the blanket. I kept having to move him back onto the blanket. It did not occur to me that he was actually crawling until later when we were inside and he did the same thing. He pushed himself back into a wall and then turned himself around and got into the DVD's that are on the bottom of the entertainment unit. Good thing Brian was there to stop him. I was a little amazed he started doing this because I have not seen any signs of him trying to crawl. He usually does not like being on his belly. It is amazing how babies can just learn so quickly. It was fun to watch him but we realize our life will be a little busier now that he is moving. I guess it is time to baby proof the house.

Dean is 7 months

Dean loves his bathtime, going on walks in his stroller, and going to the park to play with his toys on a blanket. He is growing so fast and getting stronger and cuter everyday. He smiles more and has a least one laughing/giggling time each day. Noah loves to play with him more now that Dean is bigger. Dean sits ups great and loves to grab for things, especially hair and faces. He continues to bring so much joy into our home!

Freestone Park

On Saturday November 29, we decided to go to Freestone Park and ride the train. Grandma and Grandpa Cardon treated us. It was Dean's first time on the train. Brian had a study group to attend so he was not with us.

Dean with Grandpa and Grandma Cardon

There were a ton of people at the park getting their family pictures taken. It was a beautiful day! So we decided to get a little group picture taken as well.

Hiking Camelback Mountain

The day after Thanksgiving we decided to go hike Camelback Mountain. Andrew, Michelle, Rachael, and Steve decided to join us. The first few pictures are at the start of the hike so we look refreshed and ready to go.

Rachael thought it would be cool to hike her shorts up for the hike.

There are two spots of the hike where it is very steep so they have put these railings in to help.

We made it to the top in about 50 minutes. There were a lot of people hiking that day including dogs and children. Next time we think it would be fun to bring Noah and possibly Dean if Brian is willing to add another 20 lbs or more to his pack.

Becky with her brother Andrew and sister Rachael.

These are pictures on the way down. It was a beautiful day and the weather was perfect for hiking.