Finally Introducting.......Will Jeffrey Jewell

My due date was April 17th. My mom had planned on coming out to be with Dawson and help out. I was stressing over when she should come because I didn't want her to come and then not have the baby while she was here. Luckily it worked out perfectly She came the 10th. I had a doctors appointment on the morning of the 11th and Will was born on the 12th. I was so glad it all worked out and we couldn't have done it without her. Dawson loves being a brother and always wants to hug and kiss him but, when he first met Will he for some reason did not want us to take the beanie off his head. He was a little nervous and for some reason he was not interested in seeing his hair. Everything went well and I was lucky to have my mom and Mike to take care of things for me. Now we are just busy loving our new little guy and enjoying our last couple weeks in California.

I know most people say babies only smile when they have gas before like a month old or something but, this little guy is always grinning right after he eats and I swear it's just because he is happy :)

Four Years Down.......Eternity to go!

Today is our four year anniversary. I can't believe it has been that long time seems to be flying by. A lot has happened these four years and in just a few short months Mike will be graduating law school. We are both excited and nervous to see where we will end up.




Last night we were able to do dinner and a movie. Our first date was to Olive Garden so we have had this tradition each year on our anniversary.

I am so glad I randomly saw Mike at a mission farewell in my home ward and that he decided to ask me out. I feel so lucky to have Mike, Dawson, and baby brother on the way.

A couple weeks ago we had our annual cookie decorating night. Dawson really got into it this year.






Showing how messy his hands got



Our Christmas PJ's






The garbage pile



We weren't able to make it home this year for Christmas. It was fun to start our own traditions this year and Dawson was so fun. He was so excited to open every present and kept saying "it's a fun day"





He looks a little sleepy (church at one) but so handsome. Mike found this suit a year ago and it was so cheap that he had to get it, we have been waiting for it to fit him and it worked out to be perfect for Christmas Sunday.





We had such a fun Christmas we missed seeing our families but are excited for their upcoming visits.

We were so lucky and excited to have my parents come for my dad's birthday on the 17th. We decided to go to Sea World and Disneyland. Both were so fun and decorated so cute for the holidays.




The holiday parade was so fun. My dad was wearing one of the Birthday pins and a performer gave him a birthday shout out during the parade. It was awesome.








I thought Dawson would be a little scared of this polar bear but he walked right up to him and gave him a hug.



My cute parents. We were so happy to have them here and always look forward to the next time we get to see them.

We are so lucky!

So, yesterday after sacrament we dropped Dawson off at nursery. He has started loving going and can't wait to see sister Rice every week. And then we headed to Sunday School. After church we went to pick him up and the teachers said we need to talk to you guys. I was like okay now what...apparently last week he hit a girl. She proceeded to tell us that Dawson was lost. The leaders reassured me that he was back and safe but that somehow he managed to get out and nobody knew he was missing. Apparently a random primary teacher happened to be in the hall, luckily, and saw him walking outside around the building and brought him back to the nursery. Now, at this point I am like totally freaking out thinking of all the terrible things that could have happened to my little buddy. It's a very big nursery and quite frankly there probably aren't enough leaders. I have no idea how he managed to get out. He was playing in the room on Saturday morning while we were cleaning the church and he couldn't get out so it's all really strange. Anyway the moral of the story is we are so lucky that nothing happened and that he is safe. And so grateful that he was protected. Funny side note I asked him where he was going after we got home and he said to the park. There is a park that is fairly close to the church and he is such an adventurous little guy. I feel so bad for the poor nursery leaders. I know they felt terrible. It was just kind of a crummy situation. However, we can now add Houdini to his resume. :)

Trunk or Treat

It was our first time going to a trunk or treat and it was so fun and perfect for Dawson. Since he was a pirate we decorated the trunk with a pirate theme. Dawson had fun walking around getting candy and we have enjoyed eating it :)

Carving Pumpkins

We had our annual pumpkin carving with our friends. We did it the week before Halloween since pumpkins here last a total of like 5 or 6 days before the humidity has made them a moldy mess. So, we enjoyed them for a couple days and threw them away first thing Tuesday morning. We probably waited too long because they were gross but we wanted them for Halloween. Dawson picked the small one and had a fun time going to town on the guts with a spoon.

Disneyland

We decided to go to Disneyland last weekend. We had so much fun watching Dawson get so excited.



He always asks to ride the horses first



Finally tall enough to ride the go-karts. He was SO excited



Giving Lightning a hug

Sea World Trick of Treating

We were able to go to Sea World a couple weeks ago and trick or treat and watch the Halloween inspired shows. So much fun.

FInally....an update!

A couple weeks ago we were able to spend the day at the Wild Animal Park. Pretty fun but the animals at the zoo seem more active.







Some friends gave us tickets to a Padres game. They were way good seats and we had so much fun. Dawson even loved cheering although it was usually for the other team.







We were finally able to have a bonfire on the beach with some friends. We got there early enough to find some sea shells and play in the water. It was so much fun and we will have to do a lot more.









We were able to celebrate Mike's birthday back in August we had dinner and cake and ice cream at home with Dawson and then were able to go bowling with some friends. It was so much fun and we were so glad that people were able to come.