Trip to AZ

In the beginning of January, our friends the LEES invited us to meet up with them for a few days in AZ at Russ' family's cabin. Wahoo! These guys are awesome. I don't really know why I busted out the finger paints when we had no running water, but ya know... 

 Adri & Sophia

Aspen is TWO

Aspen is busy and likes to be playing or talking or just silly. Many of her phrases are distinguishable and she loves to comment about everything. A while ago she had a bad habit of not chewing up her last bite in her mouth so after Daddy mostly broke her of that, she proudly announces when she's all done by opening her mouth wide to show it's truly all gone. She is very proud.

Waiting for blueberry muffin cupcakes for her birthday breakfast

 Super awesome farm set 

Couldn't wait to put the bubble bath to good use!

Christmas 2012

AT HOME:
Before traveling, we opened our family gifts at home...

IN IDAHO:
To break up our long drive, we did spend a night with Brian's G&G in Utah. The next day my brothers and their families joined us there for lunch before we headed to IDAHO! It was sure nice to see everyone.

New baby Easton (Shelly & Bryce's)

 Turkey Shoot (yes, the boys went to gather our Christmas turkey with bow and arrows)! This is Brian's dad. The turkeys feathers were so gorgeous. 

Christmas Sunday with the cousins 

 Crafts at Shelly's

 Christmas Eve together

 Briley & Avery - new PJs :)

 'Twas the night before Christmas

 She was fearless...

 Aspen and cousin Camden- stinkin' cute

 The big 4-wheeler

 Dancing with live band

 With Grandma :)

 With Grandpa :)

 Bowling for Bonnie's birthday!

 Helping aunt Jessi with birthday fruit pizza!

Celebrating Mommy's and Aspen's birthday :)

Thanksgiving & ABQ Zoo

THANKSGIVING:

For Thanksgiving, my sister Laura drove a ton of hours from CA to visit us! Here we are [below] with Avery in Santa Fe. This was the first Thanksgiving that we invited other families to join us for dinner (and games)- the Leiknesses and the Baumans. It was a lovely holiday.

ABQ ZOO:
In early December, Brian was gone to the UK on business and on his return trip we got to stay as a family in Albuquerque overnight. Before his plane arrived, I took the girls to ABQ Jump and McDonalds. They enjoyed McD's the best I think ;-)

 The next day we went to the Zoo as a family for the first time. It was a beautiful and surprisingly warm day for December! Too bad we forgot the strollers... everyone got a workout because of it (either us carrying or them walking). Avery's favorite animals were the elephants, zebras, and giraffes; Aspen liked feeding the ducks (but not getting bit by one!). I loved the gorillas and monkeys; Brian loved the Lion whom we saw ROAR! We also took a little joy ride on the zoo train. :)

For some reason

I've been feeling happier lately- more satisfied with each day. I enjoy just being. I feel more positive in general and have a pleasant feeling inside me. Life feels simple and good. I am proud of keeping my house in order, doing better at staying on top of dishes and other tasks. Not over-scheduling (not that I really did before), but going with the flow of the day. Spending the evenings catching up with projects or to-do's so I can focus more on my kids during the day and still feel accomplished and not behind. Making sure we eat our meal before we get hungry and ornery, and even when my kids do get ornery, or fussy, or clingy, or don't eat all their food, or don't eat any of their food, I am taking it in stride without becoming overly annoyed. I still get short with my kids but shortly find a way to just love them. I think they must just be too easy to love despite it all. They are so precious.

Ultrasound

Get ready for Blue!

We're having a BOY! Brian and I are totally siked. I think I go to bed at night with a smirk on my face as if I myself planned it this way, because I don't think it could be any better. We're so excited we get to have a boy this time. All the while, this knowledge makes me indulge in my two sweetest girls even more and makes me possessive over them as if I may not have any more darling girls. Gosh they're wonderful! I know having a boy will be just as wonderful!