California....Here we come!

This last weekened was a bit of an adventure for the three of us. We did something we really don't do very often...we were spontaneous!

A few months ago Joe's sister Miriam and her family moved from Illinois to Corona, California because her husband Matt graduated with his PhD and took a job as a professor at Chapman University. We were really excited that they would be so much closer. So all within a few days Joe's brother Jake and his son James, Joe's sister Rachel and her family, and Joe's parents all decided to go out and visit the McCarter family. Joe had a few day so off of school for fall break, I found a substitute for the three classes I had to teach, and we were off! I should also add that we were more than happy to leave behind the freezing temperatures of Utah and head for 93 degrees in Southern Cali.


Joe's parents were kind enough to let us hitch a ride with them. I was worried at first, just because I was thinking that Clara might be a little irritable after staying in her car seat so long. Much to my surprise, she was a champ! My happy little baby was either smiling or sleeping the entire 10 hour drive. It was wonderful! I even got to sleep a little myself.

One thing that I really enjoy about road trips is being able to see so many different things. It was so much fun looking at all the beautiful deserts and red rock of Southern Utah. The deserts through Nevada and California are a little less appealing to the eye, but still a nice change of scene. Our next family vacation should definitely be down to Zions or Bryce Canyon. It is so beautiful down there.

Being with Matt and Mir was awesome. They were so kind to be willing to host all of us at the same time. Hyrum and Gabe were in love with Clara. They kept saying, "Where's the baby giwol?" So cute.



On Saturday we went to the beach. I haven't been to the beach since Joe and I were engaged! It was wonderful. There was a cool mist blowing off the ocean that left the beach in haze. It wasn't too hot, but wasn't chilly either. We brought a long a pack-and-play for Clara, and while she snoozed I was able to go and jump in the water. It wasn't until I got in the water that I got chilly. I forgot how cold the Pacific Ocean is! Joe and Jake didn't seem to mind though...so much so that this is what happened when I pulled out the camera.
Haha...see how white we are?

Then Saturday night we stole the minivan and drove to Long Beach to go spend some time with my Grandma Smalley. We sprung it on her rather last minute that we were even in California, but she didn't seem to mind at all. We stayed at her house on Saturday night and went to church with her on Sunday morning. She was delighted to see Clara. It meant a lot to me that we were able to see her.


Then on Sunday night we headed back to Matt and Mir's for little Johnny's birthday party. He turned one! Happy Birthday Johnny! He was so cute and smiley. I don't think he realized what was going on, but he sure did love the attention and new toys he got!
We had a great time! Thanks Matt and Mir!

Cute Cousins

I almost forgot to post these! (Sorry Candis!) We had so much going on this past Saturday between two baptisms, a family barbeque, the BYU game, and trying to get our house clean that I spaced it. These pictures are just a quick update of Clara and Tom. These two are only three weeks apart, and are pretty close to the same size length-wise, but Clara's head is bigger and I think she weighs more (both differences manifested in their dads!). The two of them are so cute. Clara will just stare at Tom and break out into a grin when she sees him. I can't wait to see how they interact as they get a little bit older!

Tom, like his two older brothers, is looking very chic for the special occasion, while Clara, yet again, is in jammies (6 month PJs no less). She just had another growth spurt so we are back to trying to find clothes for this little one.

Life is good!

First Laugh

So I know the last video we posted was pretty close to a laugh, but last night Clara decided to go all out and put on a show for us. I love watching my Joe play with Clara! I love how excited he is to take on his role as Papa.

This is Joe. This was fun to see Clara laugh so much. To me, she is becoming more and more like her Gorgeous Mama. That makes me happy! I know there are more important things in life in store for our family, but seeing something as simple as my little girl laughing was incredible and surreal. I am not trying to be dramatic about a little two and half month old laughing, but it made me think about what else she will do in her life that will make her parents proud: getting baptized, converting herself to the Gospel, being successful, going through and worshipping in the Temple, sealing herself to a worthy man, having her own kids etc. But, it all made me think of the promise that if we keep our covenants, we may have joy in our posterity. I realize it means more than having a good laugh over an adorable baby. There is an eternal nature to having joy in your posterity. It is being sealed as a family of God to God; being bound to Him through covenants and the Priesthood power. It is an eternal increase. But, maybe it is also something as simple as being a pleased Papa at seeing his precious girl giggle at her goofy Daddy.

For Grandma, Grandpa, Aunts and Uncles...

We are starting to think that Clara is going to be a chatterbox. She loves to coo and smile. Last night we caught her being so cute on video, but we think she was a little delirious because she was up and down. Just had to share it so everyone (especially those in New Jersey who have never even seen her smile) could get a kick out of it.

Million Dollar Smile

This is what makes everything worth it!

Swiss Days and BYU I

So the last couple weeks have been a little crazy, but so much fun.

On the 5th of September we journeyed up to Midway for Swiss Days. It was always the highlight of the year when we lived up there. So, since McKay was here in Lehi, and Shannon and Travis back from their honeymoon, the 6 of us drove up there to have a little fun.

For some reason we decided to be INSANE and wake up early to drive up there for the chuckwagon breakfast which started at 7am. So when Clara woke up for her 5:30 feeding I just stayed awake and got things ready. The true challenge was trying to rouse my husband at the last possible second, but also give him enough time to gain full consciousness since he would be driving.

When we got up there it was raining. Fortunately, we were able to eat our delicious breakfast under some large tents. Joe really liked the fact that it was all you can eat pancakes:)

Then after a quick nap in the cars, the sky had cleared and we were able to watch the parade. We were also able to explore all the millions of booths that were there. Of course there are many cutsie things there...(who do you think their biggest spenders are?) but everytime Shannon and I would walk into a booth with girlie things, the boys would just roll their eyes and give us a look that said, "how long is this going to take?" Trying to appease them, I said there were plenty of things there that they would like to look at. Travis then protested that none of the things here were useful. I laughed and said that we would go and find a "man" booth. This was one of Travis and McKay's favorites.

I love Swiss Days!

Then on Labor Day we drove McKay up to BYU-I for his first semester of college. I was so sad to leave him there, but I was way excited for him to be able to have the experience before his mission. I can't believe he is in college! We miss you McKay!

Last but not least, Clara turns two months old tomorrow, none of her clothes are fitting because she is growing so fast, and so I whipped out a dress that I thought might fit. It is still a little big, but she looked so darn cute I snapped a bunch of pictures. Anyone know of any good baby clothes sales?

The New Ride

Yay! So a couple weeks ago we sold our little Nissan Sentra. It was a great little car and got 30mpg, but it didn't work too well with a car seat! So, we decided upgrade to a "klunker" and we love it. It is a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer, the LT edition, so it has leather seats, sunroof and power everything. We absolutely love it. We can't wait to break it in when we take it to Swiss Days up in Midway this weekend, and when we take McKay up to BYU-Idaho on Labor day!