Marley and Poppa (Grandpa)

Marley and Grandpa.... So cute. I just had to post this pictures, Marley and my Dad were playing in the backyard after the shower. She is so cute in her little easter dress.

Marley and Grandpa.... I think Gill calls Dad... Poppa instead of Grandpa

Weird he is going to be a grandpa soon all over again!

Playing on the Swings

Baby Shower....#2

While we were in California for our family visit, my mom threw us another baby shower. Baby shower #2.... I always recommend having more than one its lots of fun. It was great to see family and friends that I had not seen in years. We had the shower at Lindsy Riches home, this is where my sister lives and watches Lindsy's two little girls. It was all super cute and the food was fabulous. It was so good, I don't think I have ever been so stuffed! So thank you all who did so much to make it great, I really appreciated it. And Thanks MOM!

This was the house all decorated before the many guest arrived!

I just love PINK!

This was the dessert section... yummy chocolate fountain. My favorite, my Mom always knows how to make me smile. I think I ate enough for four when it came down to the chocolate dipped strawberries.

This was the cake... super yummy carrot cake. We also had this same cake at our wedding. My mom loves this lady! It says "Welcome Baby Girl Ivins" since well she doesn't have a name yet.

The party area... with me and all the guests!

This was the super gross "PooP" game! Seriously this game should never be allowed anywhere, it looks so disgusting, and well needless to say makes all the yummy candy bars incredibly unappetizing.

We also played other less disgusting games, you had to guess how many squares of toilet paper would fit around my belly. Gillian was measuring my belly with toilet paper it pick the winner. I think my belly was about 14 squares all around! Thats a ton! I hope this belly doesn't get any bigger than this.

Gill bought us this cool diaper bag and had filled it will little outfits.

One of the shirts said "I love my Auntie", how cute is that!

Me and Cory opening our last present, it was all so fun! Cory and I had a ton of stuff to cram into our car on the way home. It almost all didn't fit, glad I packed light!

Me and Dad.... after a crazy and amazingly awesome shower!

Thanks Again!

Why We Went To California In The First Place.

Here at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, one of the finest pieces of music I've ever heard was performed for the first time ever. It's called "Messiah in America," an oratorio composed and conducted by Brett Stewart. Truly this was a once in a lifetime chance to hear something so beautiful sung by such an amazing choir as the Orange County Mormon Choral Organization (of which Meygen's mother Jennifer is a major part of). The name may not be easy to remember (we know them as OCMCO), but you'll never forget them once you've heard their glorious voices praising our Father in Heaven in the best way I know how, through song.

The program began with many of the organization's youth and children's choirs singing the children's songs and hymns we all know and love. Then the "Messiah in America" program began. If you're wondering what the oratorio is all about, just read 3rd Nephi and you'll know exactly how special and important this music is and how deeply it touched our hearts. I left the concert hall that night feeling so much peace and happiness because I knew that the message in the music was true and that this message must be taught throughout the world. It was so much fun to see Jennifer in the midst of those angelic voices that make this wonderful choir and I hope the CD comes out soon so we can relive that moment over and over again. I've never heard such a wonderful performance in my life, and I'd venture to say that even Handel's Messiah would have to compete for its place as best oratorio ever written.

She Messed Up All My Settings...

This pretty little lady is a lover of buttons! We were all sitting in the Jeep waiting for some friends in Sandy Eggo to get some frozen yogurt and little Marley decided she wanted to drive, or listen to the raido, or play with the window, or mess with the lights or . . . you get the idea.

Babies Are Just Toys, Right?

I just had to post this. I'll let Meygen post the actual baby shower since, of course, it was her shower, but after the shower was over, we decided to play with little Marley a bit. Needless to say, it proved quite entertaining...

Volleyball, GO RB!

One of the first things we did during our trip to San Diego was finally see one of the Rancho Bernardo Volleyball games. Both Trey and Tarren are on the team and they (being the walking giants that they are) play very well! It was really fun to watch them battle it out and there were a few really awesome rallies that got the whole crowd riled up. Trey got most the game time since he was voted MVP this year and we are all hoping and praying he gets a scholarship to BYU so he can play up here and lay waste upon the other college teams!

Gettin' ready for a serve

Tarren on the bench

Got the shot just after a block

Go team go!

As you can tell, Marley really loved the game! What she really enjoyed though was me chasing her around the court and outside. I was just hoping she didn't get nailed by a big white ball.

She'd just keep running away...

Of course, who doesn't love a good chase?

Check out some of the in game action.

- Cory