He's Here!!!

I will get pictures posted hopefully tomorrow!!! But he's finally here!!!

Cason Bentley Swinn

Friday, December 28th, 6:51 pm

8 lbs. 1 oz. 20 inches

Merry Christmas!!!

I got this idea from my cousin Patti and her family...way too cute!!! Ella definitely got the moves of the family!

CHECK US OUT!!!

(http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1761279296)

Try this if it doesn't link!!!

We're the BIGGEST cheater!!!

Not only is it not Christmas Eve...we got it on camera!!! We couldn't help ourselves. We just came from Cason's dad's house and we got a little impatient and excited!!! Christmas P.J.'s are the best!!!

Hopefully the last prego shot until the baby!!! There's nothing like a hot husband in pajamas!!!

Christmas Sunday!!!

I'm all excited because for really the first time...Ella posed for a picture!!! Make that 2 in a row!!!CHEESE!!!

The fun of Christmas time!!!

On Saturday night we went to Ethel M. Chocolate Factory. The lights this year are great. It seems like they did a lot more than last. Crazy thing happened there though. You would think at a place for families, everyone would be happy and in the Christmas spirit...not in this case. Cason and a friend had to break up two grown men fighting. It was out of control. A dad was yelling and swearing at his kids, the other guy made a comment about that being inappropriate...they yelled at each other for a minute and then BAM they went at it. It was awful. The kids were screaming and crying and all upset. Needless to say they weren't asked to leave and the swearing dad ending up in front of us in line for Santa, trying to act like he was the greatest thing around! DUH!!!

So I am such a huge slacker. Here are some pictures from decorating our Christmas tree and outside. The last 3 years we haven't had our own house to decorate and I've been finding that I have a lot less stuff than I thought I had. It was kind of depressing. Now I'm just excited to start collecting!!!

Time Flies!!!

Being close to the 'teens in days left, I've had so many thoughts going through my head.

Biggest...I have nothing done!!! I feel like I still have tons of time and it will eventually get done...really I should just face reality and realize that it probably wont until our little guy gets here! I'm nervous for Ella. I'm already sad that I'm going to have to leave her to be at the hospital and then even more nervous that she'll feel like I'm neglecting her. She's my baby!!! I'm even struggling to get to the baby's room. I'll walk in there and fold blankets and hang up clothes but other than that...it's definitely a work in progress. I truly do feel so blessed for this new edition to our family and am told that these feelings are very natural. I can't wait to see Cason with a son! He's already so cute with Ella. Here are some pics from Ella's birth!!!

I'm a Princess!

How do they know how to play dress-up? Is it from watching mom or grandma? Maybe even an older sibling? All I know is that it cracks me up what a girlie girl I have!!!
I LOVE IT!!!

Thanksgiving Trip!!!

This year for Thanksgiving we went up to Salt Lake to be with Cason's mom. All of his sister's their families and his brother were there. It was tons of fun and loved being together with everyone. Although the weather was freezing it was a great jump start for the holiday season!!!

This was my first time seeing the lights at temple square. They are gorgeous!!! I couldn't believe how many were up.

At temple square before the lights came on!!!It was fun to have all the family together. This is the first picture besides Carli's wedding that we were able to get everyone together!!!

All the boys

The Thanksgiving Feast!!!
Ella was stealing everyone's Jell-O

I love this picture of Ella and Cason.

We stayed at the Marriott across from the temple. It was freezing. Luckily they had a huge fireplace in their lobby!

This video is hilarious!!! After Thanksgiving dinner all the family went BOARDING!!! (Cason really wanted to snow board but unfortunately...there was no snow). So a box and a steep hill had to do. All of us were laughing SO hard. Ella on the other hand cried because she thought that her daddy got hurt! (Sorry you'll have to watch it sideways)

I didn't know if I'd get a chance to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. I hope that it is full of good company, good food, and good times.

Peek-a-Boo!!!

One, Two, Three...JUMP!!!

Here I am!!!

Ella has been thinking that it's been funny hiding in her ball bin! It will be totally quiet (so of course I go looking for trouble) and pop! There she is!!!

Ella with Santa!!!

We tried to be really good this year and get Ella's picture with Santa done early...We prepped her by showing her Santa on Saturday when we were at the mall. She even gave him a high-five! I thought for sure she'd be o.k. (maybe I was a little nervous). This is the only picture I could get! I think I might have tramatized her forever!!! She was not happy. Needless to say, we left with this one picture on my camera, I didn't have to pay for a picture package (which is a very good thing), Ella with puffy red eyes, and of course "Hot Dog on a Stick" lemonade!!! I would say it all turned out O.K.!!!

Yard Work!!!

On Saturday...Aaron and Cason worked on our backyard!!! It really needed it. They were out early and got to work!!! The yard turned out really nice. They planted me some nice daisies and got everything trimmed. They did a great job!!!

My nice kitchen sissors!!!

Who do I look like?

I thought for sure she would look more like Cason!!!

She is totally her daddy's daughter!

Yay to my HONEY!!!

Yesterday Cason passed his Series 7 test. I'm so proud of him. He's been working and studying so hard. It's been very nerve wracking and he's lost a lot of sleep over it. Anything he does...it's done 110%. I'm so lucky to have him in my life. Last night we went to "The Melting Pot" to celebrate (thanks again Cami & Chris). Yummy food...especially the dessert... if you've never been there it's definitely a place you've got to try!

Before Cason got home Ella and I had some fun writing on her front and back. The writing would have been better but she kept squirming because it tickled. Ella was very proud at showing off her new "tatoos"

"Good job dad"

"I Love YOU"

I'm a winner!!!

We went to Peter Piper Pizza today with Missy and her kids. It's always tons of fun getting together. This picture seemed priceless. We stood in front of the same game...I pushed the button...Ella grabbed the tickets...and grabbed the tickets...and grabbed the tickets. She didn't care about anything else. Then it came time for the prizes. The only thing she wanted was a candy bracelet!!! How do girl's know these things?

Hard Day at Work!!!

This week I've been working at my dad's office. Today...after lunch, Ella decided she'd had enough. My dad keeps a bed here for his puppy and now...for Ella.

What's in a name!!!

I got this idea from a friend. I thought it was hilarious so I had to try it out!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME:(first pet & current car) Pepper Jeep
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME:(fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Vanilla Snickerdoodle

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME:(first initial of first name, first three letters ofyour last name) A. Swi
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME:(favorite color, favorite animal) Yellow Monkey

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME:(middle name, city where you were born) VerDon Las Vegas

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME:(the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) Swiam

7. SUPERHERO NAME:(”The” + your 2nd favorite color, your favorite drink) The Red Raspberry Limeaide

8. NASCAR NAME:(the first names of your grandfathers) Verdon Edward

9. STRIPPER NAME:(the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent,favorite candy) Vanilla Butterfinger

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME:(mother’s & father’s middle names ) Ann Gerard

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Vandinter Vancouver

12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) Spring Daisy

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) Strawberry Skirty

14. HIPPIE NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) Cereal Pine

15. YOUR ROCK STAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”) The Traveling Snow Tour

6 Interesting things about me!!!

Leesh...sorry this took me so long! I finally decided to do it after I was tagged again. O.k. so here goes!

1. I am sooooo anal when it comes to taking notes or jotting things down. If it doesn't look neat...I'll do them over and over again until it does.

2. I change furniture around constantly...(I get that from my mom)...it can be bedroms, furniture around the house, and I'm the worst with my classroom. My kids from last year can tell you!!!

3. I love reading the newspaper. Give me a magazine, I just look at the pictures...a newspaper...I'll read it from front to back!

4.When I paint my nails, I peel the polish off over and over and will just repaint them until I peel off the polish again.

5. I collect children's books! (I think that comes with teaching). I love it!!!

6. This probably goes along with all girls...I have "Girl's Just Want to Have Fun" memorized. I can never watch it enough!!!

K!!! So now I tag...Missy, Michelle K., Carla, Melinda, Carli, & Cherine

Halloween Fun!!!

Halloween seemed so much more fun this year! Ella was all into being the center of attention in her costume and roaming the neighborhood like she owned the place. Cason and I were really suprised. We went to our old 'hood and did the "Trunk or Treat" thing. It is such a great place for kids and families. She started to get pretty tired so we went home, put her to bed, and Cason (FINALLY...after being sick for the last few weeks) was able to play basketball with all the guys!!! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!My little witch!!!

She was mad that we disturbed her from getting candy...we are so rude!!!

Couldn't help it!!!

I thought it would be a nice little treat to get out of the house early this morning. So Ella and I made a trip to the Hollywood Park. It was tons of fun!!! I couldn't believe how gutsy she was. She had no fear. The bigger the slide the better!!!

A Little Out of Control!!!

On Saturday we went to a friend's Halloween Party. It was tons of fun...stressful getting there, but we got there! About a half hour before leaving, I went to put on my hula costume...and of course...it didn't fit. We quick ran to my mom's to go through some old show costumes and this is all I could fit into. A big nice wig from one of Melinda's old shows!!! DUH, I don't even know what I went as!!! I'm thinking next Halloween I'll hopefully be able to fit into a normal costume. Oh well. As for Cason, he was J.K. Edwards (he played for UNLV a few years ago). His guys always say he plays like him.

BOOTS AND HER BLANKET!!!

Ella is completely infatuated with her new black boots and of course her blanket. I was really trying to get a good shot with her strutting around with both. This is what I got!

AMAZING!!!

If any of you are way into pumpkin carving...my friend carved his pumpkin to look like Joseph Smith! It is unreal and amazing! He is very very talented!!!

Check it out...pumkin carving!!!

WOW!!!

Last night, one of my former students invited Cason and I to her birthday party...it was to go see the Cirque du Soleil show "KA". It was incredible. These are some of the pictures I found from google that showed some of my favorite parts. I was in "AH" with my mouth open throughout the entire show! There are speakers in your chair which makes you feel like you are right on stage with them. The set and lighting are unimaginable. And of course, the costumes...loved them!!! So, I'm off my go see "KA" soap box...but If you were wondering if it would be worth it to pay and go...it is!!!

Ella and Books!!!

Ella has the biggest fetish for books. I love it of course...but for some reason she feels the need to pull them all off the shelf until she finds the exact one she's looking for!!! Luckily for me she's also good about helping me put them back!!!

Family Home Evening!!!

So for family night we decided to carve the pumpkin that we got from the pumpkin patch last family night. Ella had a lot of fun especially when it came to being able to eat the inside of the pumpkin. Cason was such a sport...he's been sick with strep all weekend and is still trying to recoop. And of course, I held the camera...but did get my hands all messy when it came to cleaning it out!

Cason starting out the pumpkin!!! "Is that edible"
Thank heaven for measure cups to help in scooping out the brains of the pumpkin!!!

The pumpkin seeds were so slippery they kept sliding out of her fingers when she'd try putting them into her mouth!!!

The finished product!!!