12.27.2011

Christmas Day


 
Christmas morning started off with the stocking discoveries.  It was fun to do some Christmas things for my parents that they usually do for me.  I enjoyed giving them surprises, even if they were just small things like car air fresheners, mouthwash, travel toothbrush covers, lotion, soap, fruit, crackers and cream cheese, treats, etc.

  Mark discovered granola, racquetball gear, and other items and treats in his stocking.  I was given one of my favorite treats, Cadbury Eggs (saved from Easter in the freezer).  I thought that was pretty funny.  :)
Below is the display of the gifts right before opening them....we were spoiled again!  Mark's main gift was the game Kubb, which we look forward to playing once the weather warms up a bit.  My big gift was a ukelele that we bought in Hawaii while we were there.  I love it!  

It was such a treat this year to open gifts for a little person!  :)  Baby Jax received so many cute things--outfits, books, toys, picture frame, etc. This is a quilt that my mom made for the babe.  Adorable, isn't it!!??  We also had the Christmas mood set all day long with fire and music on the TV, a DVD given to us by Gma Cindy.   
My parents and I went to our ward in the morning.  I really enjoyed singing and listening to the Christmas music.  I felt like that added some Christ into our Christmas that sometimes is forgotten somewhat amongst all the gifts and excitement.  It was nice to go and enjoy the spirit.  

We did the trade off and Mark went to the other ward in the afternoon with his festive vest on.  We did fondue for dinner after church.  Everything was delicious but my favorite had to be the homemade french bread dipped in Fiesta cheese.  mmmm.  We topped off our holiday by doing video chat with Kimi's family, Mark's parents, and talking to Benj on his mission.  I loved being able to talk to all the sibs and even see some Christmas gifts via computer.  Even though it's not quite as good as being in person, it was still great to see their Christmas excitement.  We played Wits and Wager and ate some yummy Parmesan jalapeno dip with crackers that night.  It was a wonderful Christmas!!! Absolutely wonderful!

We have received many good gifts from Heavenly Father this year. We have been blessed beyond measure. We are thankful for good health, jobs, our marriage and relationship with each other, the healing power of the atonement, and supportive family and friends.  We are so thankful for our new baby and for the selfless miracle of adoption that made it possible for him to join our family.  

Christmas Eve 2011

Aww...isn't that just special?  
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 We had some very special visitors on Christmas Eve!  I know what you're thinking and NOPE, even more special than Santa or his elves!  It was.....Grandpa Ed and Grandma Cindy!  They made the looooonnnnngggg drive from Utah out to spend the holidays with us.  We are so grateful they came because our Christmas was just that much more special because they joined us. 


 They arrived just in time for dinner.  I found the idea on pinterest of making candy cane pizza and decided to try it out as our Christmas Eve dinner.  We threw together some dough in the bread maker and then made the festive candy cane design.  Easy and delicious! 

It was wonderful to have Grandma and Grandpa meet their newest grandson.  Even being exhausted after their long trek, they put on their happy faces and mustered plenty of energy for dinner, holding and feeding the baby, and the bible reading Christmas Eve festivities.  :)
 

Growing Baby

Baby Jax is growing!  At our doctors appointment on December 19, he weighed 8 lbs!  He loves to eat and does a great job of burping well and not spitting up very much.  We are enjoying our little guy!!!  This picture was taken on Christmas Eve morning. 

12.10.2011

He's Here!!!

Meet Baby Jax...

 Our sweet little Cayden Jax Tew arrived on
Monday, December 5th at 9:39 p.m.  
He came in at 7 lbs. 1 oz. and is 20 inches long.     

We were able to go into the delivery room shortly after he was born to hold him.  We were both smiling ear to ear as we saw him for the first time.  
 
 We brought him back to our hotel in this little ducky outfit.  This picture was taken at the hospital after the paperwork was signed and right before we strapped him in his seat to come with us.


We have been amazed at the entire adoption process.  It is truly a miracle!  The timing of us getting our paperwork in and being approved as an adoptive couple was truly miraculous as our birth mother saw our profile shortly after it had been up.  We know that Heavenly Father has had a hand in this entire process.  We are enjoying our little guy and think he's just the cutest little thing on the face of the planet! :)