Grandma Kathy & Grandpa John

I know I say this all the time, but my kids are so spoiled and blessed to have so many people, especially grandparents, who adore them the way they do. Kathy & John weren't able to make it here before Christmas, so they came at the beginning of January, and my kids were doted on by them the whole time they were here. They woke up on Friday morning to Christmas presents from them, and they spent the morning playing.

And throughout the weekend they bought a balloon pump and balloons so John could make them balloon animals. He's been teaching Parker how to do it, and he's getting pretty good too. And, somehow on Saturday they convinced Grandpa to buy them this hotwheels track they found at Costco. It's awesome and they all play with it for hours. Brian and I were able to steel them away for the night and treat them to a delicious dinner at Flemmings. We really love it when they come, and can't wait for them to come again soon.

Warm Winter

It's been a very warm winter so far. Usually, the only way we're playing outside is in snow gear at this time of year, but we've actually had many days in the 50s. My kids are dying to play in the snow, but we're enjoying being able to play outside. One day we were outside, and when the sun started to go down and the kids started to glow with the light, I grabbed my camera. It'd been a while since I'd played around with my camera in that way...it felt good.

I gave Parker Heely's for Christmas. He really wanted them, but I had him convinced that it wasn't going to happen. He was thrilled when he opened them up, and he's had so much fun with them.

Our Week With 2 Year Old Twins

A few days after Christmas, Dave & Jill went to the Bahamas for a week, and we got to have Chace at our house. It really was so much fun. Dylan was constantly entertained, Parker and Natalie were super helpful with them, and Chace was such a good boy. I don't miss all the poopy diapers I changed that week, but I do miss having Chace around. We all really got used to having him here. I constantly found myself laughing at Chace and Dylan. I LOVE that they have each other.

I wish I had a picture of Parker on here too...he and Natalie were to great with these 2 little boys and so helpful when I needed them to be.

At one point they decided that spinning around until they fell down was pretty fun.

What Was Going On Around Here

It was so nice to have 2 weeks of relaxed fun at home over Christmas vacation. It was such a nice break from schedules and homework, and it was even better to stay in our PJ's as long as we wanted and have slow mornings and time to play with friends and family as much as we wanted.

There was a lot of coloring going on.

A few movie nights.

A lot of legos.

Lot's of playing with friends.

A lot of makeovers.

A lot of playing with cars.

A couple of ski days.

A lot of eating yummy (and not so good for you food.)

A few rounds of Uno.

An anniversary getaway for Brian and I.

A trip to BYU with Nana & Papa.

And, a lot of family fun.

They love me because...

The kids were begging for jelly belly's one night, and Brian told them they could have one for every reason they told me they loved me. This is what they said.

Parker:

you take us to cool places.

you give us treats sometimes.

you tell me what to do.

you tell me which jobs I need to do.

you take us to places.

you take us to the carnival.

you take us to cornbelly's.

buy stuff for me.

you make us do our jobs.

you get some new pajamas for me.

Natalie:

you give us dinner.

you let us have friends over.

you help me clean up my room.

give me breakfast.

you give us food that's healthy.

you take us to the car wash.

you let us get our faces painted.

you let us go to California.

you pick my clotheses.

you gave me my new doll that sucks her thumb.

A Year of Contentment

When I think back on this year, there were no major changes or obstacles or huge joys or sorrows that really stand out. There were definitely things I'll remember and think about often in all of those categories, but nothing that really rocked us much. We've had a lot of fun, and grown closer and closer as a family, and I look back at the year with happiness and real contentment.

JANUARY

Parker learned to ski, and we had so much fun doing it together pretty much every week for the whole winter and even into spring. We both really loved that one on one time with each other. Parker's one who really needs that time and attention, and I loved being able to give it to him. Once as we were waiting to get on the lift, I asked him what his favorite thing about skiing was, and he said, "Being with you, Mommy." I melted.

It was a bit of a rough month for Dylan. He seemed to have cold after cold, ear infection after ear infection, and was working on teeth all month. Though I didn't love watching him have a hard time sleeping or having to get up with him, I did love the extra snuggles.

FEBRUARY

No matter what's going on at our house, I've never doubted there is a lot of love around here. On Valentine's Day we started a new tradition, and it was so much fun! Brian took Natalie on a date, and I took the boys on a date, and we met for ice cream afterwards.

MARCH

Dylan turned 1, and gradually became more and more of a tornado as the year went on. He has always been and continues to be so happy, but the older he gets and the more his personality comes out the crazier and busier and messier he becomes. That little guy keeps me on my toes...that is for sure.

APRIL

Parker turned 5 and became such a big kid, seemingly overnight. He has become so capable and though always independent, he seems to be even more so now. There aren't very many things he still needs my help with anymore. He has become quite the social butterfly always asking to play with a friend and having a long list of friends he loves to play with. You can tell by how many friends he had at his birthday party...we just couldn't leave any of them out.

The kids and I also took a spontaneous trip to Las Vegas with some friends. We had such a great time, and we were all SO happy to get away from life for a few days.

MAY

The end of the school year, which meant parties, performances, and soccer and baseball games galore. I love being a part of all of these fun things with my kids and watching them with all of their friends and teachers. It seems those are some of my most proud moments.

JUNE

We took a fantastic family trip to California, and we lived it up complete with Disneyland, Sea World, and the beach.

JULY

It was full of swimming with friends, carnivals, rodeos, derby's, campouts, ziplines, and lots and lots of fun!

AUGUST

We finished up the summer with more fun and lots of pool days and golf dates. And, Parker was more than ready to start Kindergarten.

SEPTEMBER

Our little girl started preschool, turned 4, and reminded us how much fun she is.

OCTOBER

It was full of fun with things from soccer games, to girls trips for me, Legoland for Parker, daddy/daughter dates, and even the circus, multiple outings to cornbellies, and Halloween of course.

NOVEMBER

The passing of my Papa was bitter sweet. It was of course hard to say goodbye to him from this earthly life, and I'll miss him and his smile often. But, the reunion with so many family and friends was one that I'll never forget. I felt unbelievably grateful for the legacy he left and the close extended family I've been blessed with.

DECEMBER

It was all about enjoying the magic (and sometimes chaos) of the season, and enjoying the holiday with Nana, Papa,Brad, & Catherine.

It's been a wonderful, and dare I say, relatively easy year full of lots of family fun. And, I wouldn't have it any other way. The best part..my family of 5.