So many big events happened. One of the more exciting events was finding out the gender of the baby. Sam was hoping for a boy. I decided I would be happy either way. We went to the appointment anxiously excited to see our baby. It took a minute to recognize because our baby was being shy, but when the tech announced that our baby was a girl, I started crying. My beautiful baby girl! I looked over at Sam expecting him to look disappointed, but instead I saw a huge grin on his face and he looked at me and winked and I just KNEW that he would love our baby girl with all his heart!
Our Baby GIRL! The tech told us that she has hair and LOOONG eyelashes. :)
Our other big event was Sam's graduation! I am so proud of him! He studied hard for exams and went above and beyond to make sure he passed his classes so he could start supporting our family. On his graduation day, we met up with his family and went out to Lunch at a nice Italian restaurant called Paesanos. Sam's grandparents flew into town and his Aunt and Uncle, and two cousins (who live here in San Antonio) all joined us for lunch and gelato. Unfortunately Sam missed out on gelato because he was told to be at the graduation site 2 HOURS EARLY! After checking in, he had to wait (standing the entire time) until the ceremony started. Poor Sam. The ceremony was like most graduation ceremonies...Long...and boring. But UTSA is pretty cool in that it has a live Mariachi band that plays at the end. So that was fun :) Plus a couple of Sam's friends came to support him which I KNOW he appreciated!
Sam's friends that came out to his graduation. Such a sacrifice sitting through the ceremony. They must like him or something.
That's MY Sam!
The Hazen Clan
The day after Sam's graduation was Mothers day, We traveled up to Austin to spend time with Sam's mother and grandmother. I wasn't feeling to well at church so I came home to take a nap. Unfortunately I missed all of my favorite teachers and goodies in my In-laws ward. :( But I REALLY needed that nap! Following a delicious steak dinner (prepared by my father-in-law) we sat around as Connie and grandma Hazen opened gifts. Connie and Vince handed me an envelope with my name on it. I opened it and read a beautiful message and was so touched by their words. When I looked up and said thank you, they said "your gift is behind you". Shocked, I looked behind me and saw the most beautiful wooden rocking chair. My father-in-law had made it by hand! I'm sure it took a lot of time, effort, and patience to make and I felt so honored. This will be a beautiful family heirloom.
Oh and if any of you are wondering if Sam got me anything for mothers day, he did. That friday he took me to get a manicure AND pedicure. I felt so spoiled!!!
As fun as May was, I was anxiously awaiting for June because Sam and I would be traveling to Ohio. The day before our trip, Sam had been offered a full time position with Enterprise Rent A Car in their accounting department. (Where he had been interning). We had been a little stressed about his future career so we were SO relieved when he was offered this job.
Our trip to Ohio/Canada was EXACTLY what I needed. An escape from the everyday worries and stresses and being surrounded by loved ones. After a late night flight (due to delays) We spent a fun filled Saturday with the Hazen clan celebrating Grandpa Hazen's 80th birthday. Sam's Aunt Holly went above and beyond putting together the festivities. We even had matching T-shirts! We met at an airfield, so grandpa Hazen could be flown in an open airplane. We had bbq and icecream (from Youngs Dairy! yum!) and then I was given the opportunity to fly in the airplane. How could I say no?? This is a once in a lifetime experience for me! Ohio is so beautiful! We flew over beautiful, lush trees, lakes, and even over Holly and Helge's Ranch.
Later that evening, we got dressed up and went to the Golden Lamb for dinner. I had never been there before, but I had heard of it. Its one of those places with multiple courses. I had the BEST prime rib with yummy mashed potatoes. I also got to try pickled watermelon rind for the first time. My granny (great-grandmother on my maternal side used to talk about how much she like those as a kid). It tasted kind of like a sweet pickle to me.
The presidential room. 12 U.S. presidents have eaten/stayed here.
Hannah, sweet Kimber and I all wearing floral.
The next day, my nephew Copeland was blessed at church. I hadn't stepped foot in the church building I had grown up in in almost 5-6 years. I loved being able to take Sam ( and Sam's family who joined us) and show them a piece of my childhood. Since it was Copeland's blessing, ALL of my Ohio family was there. We took up most of the chapel :) I loved it! Following the blessing we had a birthday party for my 4 year old niece, Grace. It was well attended and there was such yummy food! The party was "Pinkalicious" themed so there was plenty of "pink". :)
Sisters. So. Much. Floral.
My cousin and I. Our babies are due 1 day apart. Although she is having twins so she will probably have her babies before mine.
On Monday, my sweet mother-in-law, Connie, threw me the loveliest baby shower. Seriously, everything about it was perfect. The location was at Holly and Helge's Ranch. The weather held during the event. The decorations were amazing. I absolutely ADORED the rose wreath that Sam's aunt Heather made. And the classical music that played in the background added such a nice touch. So fancy! However, my favorite part of the shower was being surrounded by women that I loved. My daughter is going to have such an amazing family on BOTH sides.
My daughter was gifted so many beautiful quilts and clothes. I burst into tears after opening my first gift. My aunt Jennifer gifted me an outfit she had saved (that my mom gave to her) from when I was a baby. Oh hormones! My mom also gave me a baby blanket from when I was a baby. So special!
That rose wreath!! <3
A few days later, Sam joined my family on our yearly excursion to Canada. My parents have a cabin on a lake and my dad's family has been going there for about 100 years. I was so excited to share this with Sam. A lot of my childhood memories revolved around our yearly road trip to Canada. My parents were great and made sure we stopped at all our "special stops" along the way so Sam could get the full experience.
One of the stops was Tony's. We stopped there on the way to Canada AND on the way home. Tony's is famous for serving 1000 lbs of bacon a DAY! crazy!
Look at that sundae!
I HAD to take Sam to one of my favorite stops along the way. Mackinaw. I made sure we walked around the shops, tried different kinds of fudge and walked along the beach of Lake Huron. This was Sam's first experience with one of the "Great Lakes".
Following a 12 hour car ride (mostly because of all our stops) We made it to my parents cabin in Canada. Our Cabin is kind of an "off the grid" kind of place. No wifi. No cell service. No worries. We spent most of the time relaxing and spending time with family. Sam played a lot of Magic, Settlers of Catan, and other assorted games with my family. Occasionally I would join in on the games, but mostly I napped and read my books :) Which is my favorite part of Canada. We also went on a long peaceful boat ride along the lake (where we got a bit sun burned...oops!). We couldn't have asked for better weather. It was in the mid-upper 70's the entire time.
Leisurely boat ride.
Samantha and I
My nieces gathered some wildflowers for me during their morning walk along the mountains.
So. Many. Games.
My dad's 3D version of Catan that he made.
Playing Magic.
We went out to dinner and tried "Poutine" for the first time. YUM!
Now back to real life...
Sam started working full time today. YAY!
Other Random Pictures...
Sam and I tried out a new movie theater with fully reclining seats. SO fancy!
"Twin Day" at work...I cheated.
That one time when we got to go to the temple with the Hazens <3
