Nixon's Blessing

On the second Sunday of April, we name and blessed Nixon. His blessing was such a good day! We originally wanted to bless Nixon when he was two months old so that he would sleep and be calm for his blessing. But due to his RSV and hospital visit we had to postpone it until April when he was just a couple days shy of 4 months old. We were so worried that Nixon would cry and wail the whole way through his whole blessing. During the blessing it is tradition to have the baby laydown and all the priesthood holders hold him. Nixon is older now and not much of a fan of laying on his back. He likes to be up and looking around. Our little Nixon tends to be a sensitive dude. He can be smiley and incredibly happy one second then the next is crying and demanding food or a diaper change or something! So this moment and day was so special because Nixon was a little angel.

It was so special to see all the powerful and strong men in Nixon's life circled around him and holding him while Matson gave him a name and a blessing. It just made me so happy. Some of my favorite things from Nixon's blessing that I loved:

1. Later hearing that Nixon was on the verge of crying until Matson started the blessing. Kind of sweet that Matson's voice (or possibly the little bit of rocking that the men were doing) calmed him.

2. Matson blessing Nixon with "the qualities and traits of our Savior, Jesus Christ."

3. Matson blessing Nixon with a "desire to do what is right."

After Nixon's blessing we headed to our house for a brunch. My loving mother made loads of Eggcellent (an egg, ham, cheese, and potato mix) that is just "eggscellent"! We used that to make breakfast burritos. It was yummy! Something else I did that I want to do at all of my future kid's baby blesssings is I bought an LDS children's book to have all the guests sign so that he will always know who was there on his blessing day!

I kind of regret not taking more pictures. I have like 40 of Nixon but not of everyone else and the event. It was so special to have both our grandpa's in the circle along with our dad's and all our brothers. My brother from California came for it and it was so special to have everyone there!

'N' Cookies for Nixon! Thanks T* for making them!

Matson's Grandpa and family drove down from Brigham City/Logan to come!

This picture just shows you how tired our boy was. He skipped a nap and was so tired!

Missionary Times Two

Matson's little brother got his LDS mission call. We had a little opening of his call party where everyone guessed on a map where he was going. I think I guessed he would go to Guatemala. WAY off because he will be going to New Jersey in July!

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One of my good friends left on her mission a little while ago. Her farewell talk was so her and so good. She couldn't decide if going on a mission was right for her, but I remember when she told me a long time ago and I knew it was so right for her! She is already out (and has been for a month...shows you how behind on blogging I am) and I receive her weekly emails. They are hilarious and she sounds like she is doing so good!

The week before she left, she was over booked with all
her friends wanting some time with her!
So nice of her to spend some time with me on Valentine's Day getting pedicures!

Farewell Day.

The night before she left...excuse my dance class attire.

Little Nephew Blessed

Today Matson and I went to our little nephew's baby blessing. It was such a special day for our little nephew and Matson's sister and family. Even Matson's GG and Grandpa came! Days like this make me excited to our own little family someday.

Happy Blessing Day Baby B*!

2 Baptisms in 1 Week

I love Baptisms so much. I feel the Spirit so strongly and am so excited for the person being baptized and the wonderful decision they have made to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. So whether the person getting baptized is 8 or 22, I always feel the Spirit and it helps to remind me of the covenants I made at Baptism, to continue to be worthy and righteous to live with Him again.

H* (when she was 4 or 5), me (excuse my swimsuit), and her little brother.

The little girl above, H*, is my little cousin (really she is my cousin's daughter) who was baptized last Saturday. In the picture above she was a little, little girl and it is crazy how she is 8! It was such a special event and I cried as I felt the Spirit as her mother bore her testimony and as she received the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It made me think of how wonderful it will be to be a mother and see your children grow up and make wonderful decisions as they go through their own life.

I love this photo of H* from her fun Baptism shoot.  It symbolizes how once you are baptized you are cleansed and have a wonderful future ahead of yourself as you continue to grow and strive to be the best you can be!
 photo via Moxie Shots Photography.

Last night we attended another baptism. This baptism was of the most amazing woman I have ever met. L* is only 22 and is incredibly brave. I won't tell you all about her and her life, but she has gone through some horrible things that I hope I or my children or anyone I know has to go through. She has no family and no one to support her, yet I remember when I first met her how she said, "I know that I am not alone and that without God I would not be here or who I am today." By knowing and interacting with her, I have realized how blessed I am. If I was given the situations and things that she has gone through in her life, I do not think I would be able to of done what she has done. She has so much faith and hope. Through L*, my own testimony has grown so much. It was such a treat to attend her baptism last night and to experience it with her.

How lucky am I to be able to attend 2 baptisms in less than 1 week?

the small things matter most.

the smalls things matter most. at least to me.

like...

what direction the toilet paper is put on. which I am sure is a reoccurring battle with husbands, roommates, siblings, or whomever you live with. matters.

Came across this image this week.
I guess I am a faithful, logical, and sensible.

Or like...

just painting your nails and a good time what seems like 30 minutes of waiting for them to dry then freaking smudging one just one nail and you leave it be because you don't have another what seems like 30 minutes of waiting for it to dry. matters because the whole week I am just staring at that ruined nail.

Or like...

the moment I walk into my parents house and see this little face running straight at me. matters most.

Or like...

the little kiss your husband leaves on your forehead or cheek every morning before he goes to work. matters most. even if you are the deepest sleeper ever and don't remember it more times than you actually do remember.

I know, I am not asleep but just pretend I am in PJ's rather than a wedding dress.

so "lift up your eyes" and think about what small things matter most to you?

Tanner Christmas Events #3 - Christmas Day

Christmas Day December 25, 2011

We slept in again (heaven). I will admit I was sad to wake up and find no snow on the ground. Took a little away from the Christmas spirit. But it's ok! We opened our stockings my mother is the best at finding all the coolest little things to go in our stockings (I got See's, pads of paper, mascara, pen, jewelry, etc.) then we ate a yummy homemade breakfast by my mother including eggsellent (eggs+cheese+ham+hash browns), cinnamon rolls, hot cocoa and fruit! After our yummy breakfast we decided to only open a few gifts before getting ready to go to Christmas church.

Could he of done any creepier face? Matson and his stocking jackpot!

The family all drinking our hot cocoa/milk/orange juice.
Don't we all look cute in the morning? For reals my mom and N* look good!

Then we got ready for church and headed over to hear the wonderful Christmas talks and I loved all the Christmas songs we sung!

I was getting ready for church while Mats was snoozing with Rookie. Of course!

This kid was sitting in front of us at church and we were getting such a hoot out of him! There was this duet that sung a Christmas song in church and they were pretty loud. They probably needed to turn off the microphone. But this kid from the beginning had his ears plugged the whole time! And during the real loud parts his face looked like this was the worst thing he had ever heard in his life! My family was laughing hysterically and people probably thought we were laughing at the singers but we weren't we were laughing at the little boy.

Church was wonderful and the fact it was an hour was kind of cool! We came straight home and got back in our PJ's to finish opening our gifts!

My dad's face=weird. But he loved the gloves we got him!

J* gave us some funny gifts! Matson loved the whoopee cushion. Oh no. He also gave Mats a sweatshirt!

J* gave me some funny socks. Along with nice shirt!

My sis, A*, made us these fun chalkboard mugs! Perfect for my hot cocoa obsession.

Matson opening this was the best! He has wanted this for years and he finally got it.
He was so surprised and loves it! He wears it even inside our house? Haha.

 We both gave each other Steve Madden boots! I love mine! And he is so pumped to have shoes that aren't canvas and get soaked in the snow. (I know you all love my saggy long john Christmas PJ's...attractive huh?). 

My Dad gave my mom a bunch of games. This one is super fun too! Blokus, I have already won the game a couple times. I love to block people!

You can really get to know my family in this family video my sister A* made. It's super cute. You will see a few appearances by me where I probably look super cute in my PJ's or sound super weird is it just me or do you hate to hear yourself speak on video/recordings?

After spending time with my family, we headed on over to Matson's family for Christmas time with them! We shared the afternoon with Matson's family by relaxing, watching some TV/YouTube videos, and eating treats/snacks! We then ate Christmas dinner...Matson's family's tradition is to eat homemade enchiladas on Christmas. So yummy. They are delish and it is such a fun meal! I probably ate two whole cans of olives to go with them though...oops! I didn't eat 2 whole cans but for sure 1 whole can alone. I love olives! Thanks to Pegasus. After din din we opened gifts with everyone.

Once again weird face. He must really hate pictures. Mats got a skinny tie from me!
And you can see the cool watch that T* and N* gave him. He has worn it every day this week!

Matson's bro J* gave me a new Kate Spade phone case! I love it!
In my other hand I am holding up my old one that is suppose to be white but is grey/blue. Yes, we stayed in our PJ's all day, what other day can you do that and it totally be ok?

Matson's parents have a cool tradition of giving everybody a book for Christmas.
This is my book...or  more like books! I am sooo excited to read them.
They are suppose to be similar to The Hunger Games. I will let you know what I think!

I had to share this with you (Sorry instagram friends). I opened this gift and was laughing so hard.
Matson didn't black out the price but rather CIRCLED it. It really wasn't 199 bucks for a shirt, that is in pesos.
It was like  $19. 

My bro and sis in law, C* and K*, gave me this super cute and soft scarf!
I have worn it 2 times already! So warm and big!

I am lucky enough to have a husband that is sentimental and truly enjoys thougthful gifts.
So, I took all the letters we wrote back and forth to each other over his mission
(not like they are love letters...they are more funny than anything)
and I put them in a book together back and forth! I will share it in a post once I totally finish it soon!

I love Christmas so much and love the Christmasy things and feelings! This Christmas was a wonderful Christmas and I already miss it even though our decorations still remain up (I think we will take them down today?). I honestly cannot believe that my most favorite holiday or I guess day of the year is already passed. 

My Thanksgiving List: 9 Things I am Grateful for in 2011

Since next week we will be in Cancun for Thanksgiving hallelujah this break is needed I will be presenting you all with my Thanksgiving Gratitude List for this year. We are so excited to go to Cancun tomorrow! And I haven't even packed...I usually am the week before kind of a packer not the night before. Anyway here is my gratitude list IN NO ORDER I have a hard time rating things or choosing anything really...ask me my favorite food and I will probably give you like 5 answers or ask me my favorite movie and I could maybe just maybe narrow it down to 8. I am grateful for all of these things. Warning: I may get emotional.

I am grateful for...

Family- I am so grateful for all my family. I would write something for each of them individually because they each deserve one, but that would just be boring for you. My husband, parents, siblings, in-laws, and all our family are the ones that make the biggest difference in my life on a day-to-day basis. They are the ones that make the good days even better and the bad days a little brighter. I seriously love all my family so much and all that they do for me.

Matson's Family - January 2011

My Family (@ My Brother's Wedding) - April 2011

Rookie - I know what you are all thinking..."Your dog really? She gets one whole list herself?" Yes, she does. She seriously brings me so much joy. I can be feeling so down and then I see Rookie dance to a musical greeting card or bury a bone in the dirt in an indoor plant and BAM! just like that I am so happy. She not only brings me joy but she brings it to so many others too. Like, watching Matson play with her is the best thing in the world. Rook loves Matson so much. And no matter how many times my mom says that she doesn't like cleaning up after her and I can't count how many times my mom has said, "She's YOUR dog, not mine!" But my mom loves her so much. I mean just look at those ears...

Friends - We have some of the greatest friends. I hope that we have been just as good of friends to them as they have been to us. Thankful for all the laughs, the advice, the times where they just let us vent, the text messages, the fun dates, the parties, and just everything. 

T*, C*, Matson, and I Skiing - January 2011

M* and Matson - April 2011

Me & J* - Her Wonderful Wedding Day August 2011

Matson & K* - July 2011

Halloween Party with Friends - October 2011

The Church and The Scriptures - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is such a blessing in my life. I am so thankful for the gospel, the scriptures, and that I am able to go to church every week and take the sacrament where I get to renew my covenants and pretty much start over again and again each week we just taught our sunbeams class about the Sacrament last week, it is fresh in my mind! I am thankful that I was raised an LDS member and I am thankful for my testimony. I know that with daily scripture study your life is strengthened daily. I know that Heavenly Father loves me and that he knows me personally. I also know that Jesus Christ is my savior and that he died for me. I know that I can be with my husband and family for eternity if I am obedient and keep my covenants with God. All in all, it may not be the strongest testimony but I am so thankful for it.  

Our Health - I am so thankful that I am healthy, Matson is healthy, and our family is healthy. My grandpa has had some health problems this year and I have cried multiple nights in fear that he will not be ok. I love him so much and I actually have some tears forming in my eyes now just thinking of him. Health is such an important thing. Matson and I try our best to go to the gym daily and eat as best as we can. Minus Matson's occasional Dr. Pepper and my horrible obsession with rolls and homemade sweets!

Vacations - This year we were lucky to go on a few vacations and like I said earlier, we are leaving to Cancun tomorrow! It was so much fun to see different sites, visit family, catch some sun, eat yummy foods, and spend time with each other all day long (instead of just a few hours). Traveling is something that we love and will always do. I am sure when we are old and retired I guarantee that is what we will be spending our money on. 

Seattle Pikes Place Market - May 2011

Caribbean Cruise - August 2011

Cancun Honeymoon - August 2010 (Going there in 24 hours)

Pillow Talks - Each night after our bedtime routine, we lay down, and instantly I start talking unless I am dead dog tired. Most nights Matson says something like, "Erica I have work at 6am. I have to be up in 4 or 5 hours" or "Erica...I am exhausted." BUT some nights Matson falls for my trap and we talk the night away. Those nights are the best. We talk about everything and usually laugh hysterically. These pillow talks are some of my most favorite memories with my husband and I am so thankful for them. 

Thanksgiving Break November 2010 - We were feeling chidlike so we made a fort, watched a movie in it, and pillow talked in it until we fell asleep!

 
Pinterest - This year I was introduced to Pinterest. I guess you could say I am a little addited, but I do not spend all my time on it. Only when class gets boring or Matson is doing homework and I am not. I love it and it provides me with great holiday decoration ideas, recipes, fashion tips, hair tips, and so much more! I may waste some of my time away on it, but I really do enjoy it! My new hobby...
 
Children - No, we are not pregnant, yet we look so forward to the day when we will have our own children. But I could not forget children in this list. They bring me so much happiness, laughter, and they are so dang funny when they aren't even trying to be funny which is even more funny (wow I just funny 3x in a sentence...did it even make sense?). From the kindergartners I volunteer for 2x a week (I wish so badly that I had a picture of this little girl in the class that talks just like my sister when she was little, she has the same haircut as my sister did at that age, and she is very independent like my sister was...she is so precious), to the boys and girls in our Sunbeam class, and to the children I nanny - they all bring me such happiness and daily I have a smile on my face from these children.

E* and his family white board drawing. I am the one in the yellow dress with the orange flower. Too cute.

H* and I both aren't too great at making fishy faces.

Our sunbeams dressed in our clothes on our "We are Thankful for Clothing" lesson.

I am sooo blessed and therefore need to be sooo thankful!

I hope you all have such a wonderful Thanksgiving!

My one Thanksgiving tip:

Let the Holiday eating start now.