2014 Recap

I've been a terrible blogger this year so here's a quick recap of our 2014!

Kati and I made a quilt. it turned out super cute and is a favorite picnic blanket around here.

Hailey turned 5!

Aunt Tammy made this AMAZING Frozen cake complete with ice cream center!

Logan turned 8. Nicklecade was the order of the day. He got the stomach flu on his first party date, so we had to reschedule but it was still super fun!

Casey and I went on a cruise with our Besties! Catalina/ Ensenada

We spent a TON of time on the motorcycle this summer. We rode up to Bear lake, and around Monte Cristo. SO. MUCH. FUN.

Logan did his first Day camp for scouts. He had a BLAST.

We did some camping and fishing. This is at Lily Lake in the Uinta's. It's gorgeous there.

Logan is a super fisherman. He does it all mostly by himself now. He even went across the lake from us to find a good spot.

Hailey hates fishing and begs her dad to just leave the fish alone! :)

We had some fun with some new photography equipment. I seriously have the BEST friends!

Kati turned 10 and had a karaoke party.

We spent some time at the water park near our house. It's a great way to beat the heat. 

Amanda and Ryan moved in with us. I have loved having their girls so close and getting to know them better.

4th of July at Layton Park.

We started the basement remodel.

We now have a GORGEOUS master bedroom with walk in closet. Bathroom to come...

Ryan taught Logan how to handle water snakes while I held my breath and watched in horror.

I love that all the cousins get along so well.

We sent this little beauty to school! She loves it, but misses all her mommy time.

Weber county fair

Family bowling night

The fall was so nice this year we took advantage and did some fun hiking.

Love this guy! <3

Blake Shelton concert. It rained. And Lightning-ed. It was pretty amazing!

Kati started girl scouts. She has always wanted to do this, and is loving the girls in her troop. And she will be selling cookies, so...

We spent some time at the Porter's cabin. 4 wheelers and zip lines and squirrel feeding.

Hailey was really tired by time we left.

We had a really fun Halloween, complete with cute costumes. (pictures of which I seemed to have misplaced...) and we had Thanksgiving at our house this year. It was a first for us and hopefully not something we will repeat often. But it was fun and the food was delicious. I just missed all the family we usually hang with.

It's been a good year for us. I hope it's been kind to you as well. Here's wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year.

Adjusting

So I have been a stay at home mom for 10 years and I gotta say it's a pretty cush gig. I mean, Ya you trade adult conversation for the constant company of the toddler set, and that can be hard because they are needy and unpredictable and exhausting at times, but you never have to miss ANYTHING. First words, first steps, first lost tooth, whatever, you're there. Field trip, sign me up! School party, I'm there. I am constantly involved, constantly present. I never have to choose between my kids and my career. My hat goes off to mothers who hold down full time jobs, or even part time jobs. Deciding who is good enough to keep your kids while your away is gut wrenching. Telling your daughter you can't make it to her school play is heart breaking. And trying to fit it all in and find balance between work, home, mothering and wife-ing, and then trying to squeeze in a little time to take care of yourself is, well, impossible. I recently started working part time a few days a week and already my orderly-ish home is falling apart at the seams. My kids are more whiny and needy, my house is a mess and I've rescheduled piano lessons and shopping dates too many times. I'm looking for balance, and it's getting better but we're in an adjustment period. But one thing I have noticed, when I'm home with my kids I'm more patient, more attentive. I want my condensed time to be high quality. Maybe that's my silver lining.

You mess with one bean....

So... I have the MOST AMAZING family ever. I miss them terribly when I'm away for too long. So I was very excited to get to spend a week with them for my little brothers wedding. Even Stephen was there which is rare because he lives so far away. Adam's wedding was absolutely gorgeous. I am over joyed to have his wife, Michelle, as part of our family. They are truly perfect for each other.

 I also got to see my brand new niece, darling Ella. And of course, her mom whom I love dearly. :)

 

 

Her big sister is one of Chicky's best cousin friends and I love that they get along so well.

I love where I live. My neighborhood is absolutely perfect for me. But I love going home to visit. Ideally I could move everyone from down there to here. My family regenerates me. Maybe it's knowing that whatever I do, whoever I am, I'll always belong there. If I'm ever in a jam I know I'll find help there. These people will always have my back. I come from a line of wonderful, strong people and I want my kids to know that and feel the same confidence that they will always belong too. I draw strength from that confidence. It empowers me to go boldly into my future knowing that I'll always have a soft place to land if the worst should happen.

Chicky turns 4!!!

 We were in Vegas for Chicky's birthday this year so we got to celebrate with a different set of family than usual. It was nice and warm too, so we spent the day at the park with cousins. Even Uncle Stephen got to be there because Uncle Adam got married so he came for the wedding. It was so amazingly fun to get to spend some quality time with my family. And Chicky got everything she wanted from her birthday party; Suckers,balloons and sand. :)