Shields Stories: 2011

December 29, 2011

Merry Christmas

As you can see, Carson wasn't interested in Santa, we'll try again next year.

We had a lovely Christmas spent with family. We were able to spend Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas day with Jordan's, including talking to our missionaries Zack [for the last time] from Africa (bright and early at 6am) and Skype with Sam in Spokane later in the afternoon. It was so nice to go to sacrament meeting, and enjoy the spirit that was felt through music. I love Christmas music!

Carson was spoiled by all and it was really fun to experience the joy of Christmas with a little one. He was excited about unwrapping and playing, too bad he wanted to play with every toy after it was unwrapped before opening another ;).

I didn't take too many pictures, but managed to steal a few of Carson and his new truck, that he absolutely loves.

I went back and forth about sending out a Christmas card letter. I really wanted too, but by the time I actually had time to think about it (December was a busy month, especially with moving and then being put in charge of our new wards Christmas Party...) I just didn't get around to it, so I'll just include it on here:

2011 has brought many changes for our family and we're so excited for the new adventures in the coming year.

Jordan graduated from UNLV in Dec. 2010 with a BA in Communications. We were so proud of all his hard work, and glad that chapter for him is over. He still works in Mesquite for his dad's stucco company and really enjoys it, although this year's been slow. He also decided he wanted to open a little side business and started Legacy Home Inspections, doing property inspections for home buyers. Being small business owners has been a new thing for us, but so far it's going well. He loves serving in his church callings and is currently the Teacher's Quorum advisor.

Jenn quit her job at the law firm in September after six years to have more flexible hours and be home with Carson more. She started substitute teaching for the school district and enjoys the ability to plan out her own schedule. Now that Jordan's done with school, she's headed back to UNLV to finish her bachelor's in Criminal Justice. She enjoyed her time this year serving as the secretary in Young Women's and will miss it so much. For the new year, she was called to teach the 16-18 year old Sunday School class so she's anxiously nervous for that.

Carson turned 1 in March, and he's growing like a weed. He loves basketball, swimming in the pool, and anything to do with being outdoors. He loves spending time with the Grandmas' while Jenn is subbing. We were so excited to send him off to nursery at church in September, and are grateful he loves it as much as we do.

We are so grateful for the holiday season, and the time to reflect the blessings and hand the Savior has had in our lives this year. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

November 25, 2011

Our Turkey Feast

With most holidays we spend some time at both parents houses, but this year my parents and siblings were all celebrating elsewhere, so we were able to spend the whole day and night with Jordan's extended family. The feast was at his parents house, and it turned out so cute with name tags and even a kids table that Carson loved.

The Hafen Family, minus a few (or actually alot)... I love getting together at holidays with Jordan's extended family. Their growing leaps and bounds but I have so much fun chatting with his aunts & uncles, cousins and playing games. I really lucked out with his family all the way around.

The Shields Family (minus our missionaries, Zack & Sam)

Trisha, Garrett, Ian, Carson, Jordan, Jenn

Pete & Terri

I'm so grateful for my little family. I love Jordan so much. Last week was our 4th anniversary. It's hard to believe we've been married four years already and he still makes me the happiest girl in the world. He's the best dad to Carson. He loves to play with him and teach him to be his little helper. I couldn't have lucked out with a better parenting partner! This little boy keeps us laughing and smiling and always on our toes. I couldn't imagine life without him.

Happy Thanksgiving.

November 13, 2011

Eighty Years Young.

My Grandpa turned {80} so to celebrate, my aunt threw him a birthday bash at a local park. I'm so sad that I didn't take a picture with him.

Here's my twin sister Bekah, who was visiting from Boston with my Grandpa Marx.

To say that Carson loved the bounce house would be a HUGE understatement. We could absolutely not get him out of there. Jordan and I, were so exhausted from carrying him up the stairs and sending him down. He loved it. I'm glad we got there early enough that Carson could enjoy it without having the bigger kids trample him over.

Happy Birthday Grandpa.. we sure LOVE you lots and lots!!

Scotty + Ashley

My little brother Scotty was married to his sweetheart Ashley on the magical day 11.11.11. The wedding was really sweet, the luncheon my mom prepared was amazing, and the reception was to die for. So. Cute. As you can imagine, Jordan and I were busy chasing Carson around and I didn't take many pictures, but Ashley's mom did a cute recap post here.

Congrats lovebirds.

We're excited to officially have Ashley Noel a part of the family.

Now, doesn't Carson look so handsome in his 'big boy' outfit. I'm loving the tie - I think I'm going to buy more for church.

November 5, 2011

Disneyland

My parents planned a fun family vacation at Disneyland. We went with my parents, and my brother Matt's family. It was so much fun and the kids were great. The weather was perfect. It sprinkled a little hear and there, which was great because it kept the crowds away. We walked onto pretty much every ride or only waited a max 15 minutes, and with anxious kids and squirmy babies -- that is ideal. We rode every ride at least once, mostly twice and some favorites even more. Buzz, Autotopia, and Fanatasyland rides were all major hits.

Carson only had one major meltdown. But the reason for the meltdown is what makes me chuckle. We'd been on buzzlighter quite a few times. It was like the go-to ride when the babies couldn't go on the rides that Drew and Charlie could. Until this particular time we could just walk right into the entrance room and Carson could see the walls and the talking buzz, but this time the line was a little longer. It went passed the entrance door and curved around and came back. Carson saw the entrance, then realized we werent going in as we passed and went into complete meltdown mode. Kicking and screaming, arching the back, pointing. I would but him down to take a break from wrestling and he would B-line it for the door. It was 15 minutes of torture. The guests in line were probably thinking I was crazy for keeping him in line and not taking him out, but I knew what he wanted... he wanted to go inside and see buzz. So as soon as we walking into the door it was like turning off the faucet of tears. He started clapping and screaming and getting all excited about the ride. The smile on his face was ear-to-ear and the guests next to us in line that had endured the nightmare along with me were amazed that a kid so small actually knew what he wanted. And once on the ride, he gets his own guns and shoots it. We're creating a monster.

Mom & Dad

It was a great time, and I'm glad to got to spend some time with part of my family at Disneyland.

November 2, 2011

Snack time

I opened the backdoor to let Carson rome in and out as he played, while I was packing up the kitchen. My mom gave him some crackers to snack on... and I didn't notice that he'd ventured outside. When I couldn't hear him like normal my mom went to go check on him and this is what we found.

Carson was just chillin' on the lawnmower using it as his own little table to eat. This boy has quite the imagination, and he loves to be outside.

Are you moving?

Yes. We rented our house and moved a couple miles away. We now reside with Jordan's parents at Casa de Shields. It was a decision that took lots of thought and prayer and we're happy about it. We've been blessed as little things have just fallen into place along the way. So next year, we may move back to Mazeno Peak, or maybe we'll just keep our home as a rental, who knows. For now, Carson loves being spoiled by grandpa and grandma twenty-four-seven.

November 1, 2011

To Infinity and Beyond

Carson wasn't so in love with his costume at first. I don't think he liked the hood portion of the costume, but eventually he forgot about it and all was well.

We went to our ward trunk or treat on Halloween night with our little Buzzlighter. And it didn't take Carson long to get the hang of trunk or treating. He would walk from car to car and just hold up his bucket and shoot his gun.

October 22, 2011

Helping Hands

Our stake was involved in Helping Hands, a day of service cleaning up our community in the city of North Las Vegas. We had over 2,000 members of our stake participate at various locations. At our specific location, some professional landscaping had been done when a street was built by a developer, but had never been upkept when turned back over to the city. It looked like a jungle of craziness. We tackled the beast of over grown bush and weeds. It was great to make a difference in the very city we live. I am grateful for the opportunity we had to go out and serve those in our community. I know we were blessed from this experience.

Before

During

After

September 18, 2011

Nursery.

One day early, we dropped off Carson to Nursery, and I never turned back. For the past few weeks the nursery leaders told me I could bring him in if I stayed the entire time to watch him, which was awesome since we were walking/running the halls for both block hours anyway. He loves the toys, and enteracting/playing with the other kids. He even towers over most of them.

I was more than ready to say good-bye and sitting in Sunday School next to my husband, listening and participating has never felt better.

September 14, 2011

Birthday Treats

Mr. "low-key" didn't want a fuss for his [twenty-seventh] birthday. We had decorations, went to dinner and had ice cream cake and presents anyway. Jordan's my better half and I can't wait to celebrate many more birthdays together with him.

He even lets Carson help blow out the candles.

September 3, 2011

College Game Day!

That time has come. I will be husband-less every Thursday-Saturday for the next 4.5 months. Jordan is obsessed with College Football. No joke, we plan errands, lunch dinner and who knows what else around what time the BYU game starts. Today, it was 2pm. I thought perfect, we could go run some errands be back 1:30ish. Little did I know BYUtv now has a pre-game show. That meant we had to be home by 1 on the dot. I swear it's an addiction. And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one with a husband like this. Can I say I'm just really glad they won so I could go get my free meal at Cafe Rio with a happy husband :).

We made a special game day breakfast with BYU hand towels and all... haha!

This is how I entertained Carson after his nap while the other tv was being occupied by football.

I couldn't believe my eyes. Carson was whinning for the game chair. So Jordan turned on the xbox, set him up in the chair with a paddle and took off upstairs to watch some more football. I looked over and saw Carson actively engaged pushing buttons. I'm am in serious trouble.