A week of "First Times"

First College Graduate with a Master's Degree in the Hall Family

On Saturday May 7th, 2011, Jeff graduated with his Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction.  It was such a special day.  He had so many people come and support him both at the graduation ceremony and at the party we had afterwards.  I am so grateful that we have such great loving and supportive family and friends.  

Jeff has been working on this degree for the past 15 months.  He has done more homework than I have seen anyone do before.  He had to write an action research paper, that he was the first to accomplish in his class.  I can not tell you how happy I am that it is over!!  It has been very hard for him, me, and Lincoln.  Even when Jeff was doing fun things with us, you could always tell his mind was somewhere else.  I am so happy yo have him back all to myself!!  I am so proud of him and his hard work.  I admire his motivation and desire to keep learning.  He is a wonderful man and I love him!

My First Mother's Day

I had the best First Mother's Day and girl could ask for.  I woke up to Linc and Jeff handing me a diaper.  I opened it and it said "Check your Facebook".....I was a little scared.  So I got on FB and there was a video that Jeff had put together of pictures of Linc and I.  He put it to the song "Baby Mine" from Dumbo.....yes I was a sobbing mess.  It was such a thoughtful gift.  

Then I went downstairs to find some fun wrapped gifts.  

This is by far my favorite gift!  Jeff got me a locket with Linc's picture in it.

I LOVE it!!

(Don't mind the ugly freckles)

Then I got the coolest massager ever invented.  You throw it over your shoulders and it massages your neck. It has all sorts of settings and even a heat button.  It is so awesome!

I had a very special Mother's Day mainly because Lincoln was here to celebrate it with me.  I love that kid more and more each day.  I am so happy to be his Mom, again I am one lucky girl.

I also must say that I definitely have a new respect for my Mom.  I can tell now how much she sacrificed for our family and how much she does for me.  She's the best Mom ever and I love her!

My First Birthday with Lincoln

What better way to spend your birthday than at....wait for it......CHUCK-E-CHEESE!!  Yes, Jeff, Linc, and I went to Chuck-e-cheese for my birthday.  It was so much fun.  I think we will enjoy it more when Linc is a little bit older.  He loved to watch the puppets dance and sing on stage.  He loved to watch the tickets come out of the machines too.  Jeff and I played skee ball, air hockey, and all sorts of other fun games.  We had pizza and just had a great time!

Jeff once again spoiled me for my birthday.  He got me this handy laptop, a wireless mouse, and the second book in the series I am reading.  It was so fun to spend the day with our little family and made me so glad that we have the chance to do things like this.

Lincoln's First Steps

The best gift of all was that Lincoln took his first steps on my birthday of all days!  It was awesome!!!  He will be off and running soon.....I hope not too soon :)

Lincoln's First bike ride

For Jeff's graduation gift I got his bike, that he rode on his mission, fixed up.  It was a fun surprise I could hardly contain myself!  Then his family all went in on a fun seat to put on the back of the bike so Linc can ride around with us!  We went and got him a helmet and oh boy does he look adorable!  I am so excited to start riding our bikes this summer.  It will make for some fun family time!

Lincoln's First time at the Zoo!

I was so stinkin excited to finally get to use our Zoo passes that my parents gave us for Christmas.  The weather was so wonderful, I am glad we got to enjoy it.

It will be fun to take Linc throughout the year to the Zoo to see how different he acts with the animals.  This time he was only interested in the things that jumped and moved fast like the monkeys....well that and the cereal snacks in front of him, he was pretty fond of those too.  Funny how just taking him makes it so much funner.  The last time we went to the Zoo I was prego with him.....so I am glad he's here to enjoy it that's for sure!!

I think that's about all the "Firsts" that happened this week.  It's been a crazy, but wonderful week.