Hoppy Easter!!!

This was the first year that Joshua really understood what was going on during Easter festivities, so that was quite fun. Here's a few pictures of our egg-dying yesterday:



Our silly-faced eggs:
The Easter bunny came while we were at church. He brought an awesome basket for Joshua:


We did our best to make sure we explained to Joshua the real reason we celebrate Easter, and I think he sort of got what we were saying. It was a wonderful day--I'm so grateful to my Savior for His life, His death, and His resurrection. I would not be who I am without that faith I have in Him.

I accompanied our church choir today while they sang "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," which is one of my favorite Easter songs. It expresses my feelings a lot more eloquently than I could, so here are the lyrics:

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Happy Resurrection Sunday, everyone!

It's a time tower!

This is the Alumni Center at BYU--or, according to Joshua, the "time tower" and "time castle." What goes on in that kid's head, I have no clue. I just love that he has a good, active imagination.

Welcome, Baby Maggie!

No, she's not mine! (obviously) She's my sister Kirsti's! Maggie (Margaret Anna) was born yesterday morning. She's so adorable and makes the cutest little baby grunts. I am one proud auntie. Congrats to the new parents!

Oh, and awesome new Joshua quote: Prior to visiting his new cousin last night, Mommy was trying to teach him a little bit about babies. When asked, "Where do babies come from?" he responded knowingly, "From Aunt Kirsti's tummy!" =P

Happy Love Day!!!

We had a quiet Valentine's Day around here, but it was just right for us. Dinner was Café Rio (I had black beans, fire-grilled chicken, and salsa...soooo yummy), and then we exchanged gifts after Joshua went to bed. First is the spread I made for Cody. That's sweet sushi on the left, made from twinkies, fruit roll-ups, and swedish fish, regular sushi in the middle, and red velvet cupcakes with peanut M&Ms on the right. Hey, if I can't have it, at least somebody in this house should get a little bit of the goodies that make up part of Valentine's Day tradition:
Close-up of the sweet sushi. I was pretty proud of myself:
Cody loved the sushi goodness:
And, of course, what Valentine's Day would be complete without flowers for the lady? :)
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!!!

Great news!

I fail at blogging. The last month has just flown by...we were in CA for about 10 days and had Christmas with my parents, then we came back and I got distracted by the next semester and all of the work that comes with that, plus needing to prepare myself for time off after my surgery (see my personal blog for more information about that)...anyway, now we're fully into January and I haven't even said anything about Christmas.

But we just got some good news that couldn't wait for catch-up. Cody got a job! And it's a paralegal job, too! He'll be working for a company called iMergent, and it's only about a mile from our house. We're just so excited that he'll finally be able to quit his night job and start working in his chosen career. He starts January 31st, so that gives us a little over two weeks to figure out what we're going to do as far as daycare for Joshua. While we don't relish the thought of both of us only seeing him for a few hours every day, I think it will be good for him and for us as well--he'll get stimulation and social interaction.

So HOORAY! Cody got a job! Sound it from the rooftops--Cody got a job!!!!

Joshua is 3!

Well, three years ago yesterday we welcomed little Joshua Logan Alleman to our family. He was 7 lbs, 14 oz, and 20 inches long. Now, three years later, he is more than five times that starting weight and over twice as tall--41 lbs and 41 inches tall, to be exact. No wonder my back starts hurting when he wants me to hold him for awhile. And what a bundle of energy he is! I don't know how he keeps it up!

We couldn't find our camera yesterday, so we relied on my sister Kirsti and her husband Rich's camera for pictures...and then we didn't upload them to our computer before they went home. So this will be a picture-less post, sadly. But we did have quite a full day of activities!

One of the highlights of the day that will live in infamy and probably be mentioned at every birthday party he ever has is this: Joshua made "pancakes" for Mommy and Daddy. How? By pouring water on the cake layers of his birthday cake, which were still in their pans, waiting to be frosted. Thank you, son, for requiring me to run to the local grocery store and buy your birthday cake. We did get an awesome Cookie Monster cake out of it, but still.

Uncle Rich and Aunt Kirsti came over and made enchiladas while we watched BYU kick the trash out of UTEP in the New Mexico Bowl, and then the birthday boy opened his presents. What did he get? A new potty seat and underwear! Oh boy...heaven help us as we embark on this exciting adventure of potty training. He also received the complete works of Curious George, which will make for some good bedtime stories.

Then we drove up to SLC to look at the lights on Temple Square. It wasn't too cold, which was nice, but the main battle was trying to keep Joshua from running away. He's so fast and has absolutely no fear in running really far away from us. Kind of scares me! But Daddy and Uncle Rich got pretty good at chasing after him while pregnant Kirsti and I strolled along behind them. We topped off the night with a visit to Leatherby's Family Creamery, which most of you reading this blog will understand why =)

It really was a good day. I'm glad to be his mama--I can't believe he's 3 already. He'll be a Sunbeam in just two weeks, and he's already the size of a 4-year-old. Guess he takes after both Mommy and Daddy. We love you so much, Joshua Logan!

Carina's on a Journey...

Just wanted to announce that I (Carina) have started a blog to document a big change coming up in my life in the next couple of months. If you're interested, I'd love your support and comments over there. I started it a month or so ago, so start from the very first post if you want to know what's going on. I've also decided not to make it private, at least for now, so if you know of anyone else that would be interested, feel free to send them the link. Thanks, everyone!