Goodbye 2012! Hello 2013!

What a fantastic year it has been! I think that ever year of my life has somehow added something remarkable and this year was no exception.  Life gets better with age.  At least it does for me.

We started the year with a 2 month old baby, which kept us in town until February when we went to Vegas for a wedding! It was beautiful and it was Aspen's first trip.  She looked adorable and we had SO much fun seeing old friends.  At the end of February we went to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  It was a little chilly, but we still had an incredible time. We played by the pool and enjoyed the little town (and Brian's "Mexican driving."

March brought our first winter trip to Salt Lake City and Jackson Hole.  I got Brian up on skis for the first time in his entire life.  Hunter went to ski school and both of them loved the new experience! On top of that, we fell even more in love with Jackson and bought a timeshare so we could go 3X a year!  We went through the temple for the first time and were lucky to go through the Newport Temple and the Salt Lake City temple.

April was a blast with a Disney cruise.  You know the best thing about Disney cruises? Besides the great characters, fun food, and toddler themed everything, it is the only cruise line where you can put your kids in the kid's club (which they LOVE) and get off the boat! Brian and I LOVED dining alone, or with just 1 or 2 kids and going on several excursions off the boat.  Amazing. We also got to visit my aunts, cousins and grandparents and that is a great blessing to see them! My Papa was thrilled to meet his first great granddaughter.

May brought my aunt out for a SUPER quick trip to Hunter's 4th birthday party! We went to Arizona at the end of the month, as we always do.  It was really a great time!  We just love the pool there and the kids are so at home there since we've been going for 7 years now. This month also marked 11 years of dating for me and Brian! How does he put up with me?!

June was a relaxing month where we actually stayed home.  It was nice to get back into a routine and be at home and catch up on sleep.  We spent a lot of time at the beach and with our friends.  We were sealed together as a family, for time and eternity, in the Los Angeles Temple on June 9.  It is a day I will never forget.  Aspen and I also made a quick jaunt up to Portland to visit my brother and meet his new girlfriend.

In July my wonderful aunts came to handle the crazy kids (all 3 of them!) and Brian and I took off for 2 nights (breast pump in hand.)  We had a wonderful time in Newport Beach sitting by the pool, getting a massage and eating yummy food.  We even went to the movies! It was sensational.  When we came back we still had 4 fun days with my amazing aunts.  This week is possibly the highlight of my year every year.  I love time alone with my hubby and I adore spending time with my aunts.

August took us to San Diego for a week. We have our timeshare there and it is always fun to stay at the resort, play in the pool and relax.  Of course, we are too busy to relax: taking the train to downtown so we can eat at Ghirardelli, and going to Sea World and Legoland! We were only home for a short time before we left again for Jackson Hole.  We spent our 7th wedding anniversary whitewater rafting down the Snake river.  It was a phenomenal way to spend our day - enjoy one another and doing something adventurous like we used to back before kids.  We also spent that week going for our first huckleberry shake, horseback riding, fishing,  driving through the National Park, getting charged by a bear (seriously!) and visiting our photographer friend Tom Mangelsen.  Nate Hill, our missionary, stayed with us for 3 nights and the boys were out of their heads excited. It was a phenomenal trip! My brother and his girlfriend came out to visit and it was great to spend time in the pool with them.

September was here before we knew it and it was a BUSY month.  We went to Maui for a week, which was incredible.  We made friends by the pool, played at the beach and walked all over to eat good food and enjoy one another.  Brian and I always make a point of going out on dates, especially on vacation, and we got to enjoy Spago.  It is completely different from the Spago in Beverly Hills and I think it is about 10X better.  It's a must do if you are in Maui! 10 days after returning home from Maui we packed up for a completely opposite vacation! We went to Connecticut and Vermont to see the fall leaves turn and stay with our wonderful friends, the Paternas.  We stayed with them (unusual for us) at their house in Connecticut and then their house in Vermont.  It was a peaceful, relaxing trip, minus the 5 kids we had between the 2 families.  We love this family and are looking forward to a Disney cruise with them in 2013!

October came swiftly.  We were lucky to meet up with my Aunt and her husband, the honorable Michael Kaplan.  I think it's pretty cool that I'm related to a Judge.  Anyhow, we saw them just for a day in San Diego and it was a highlight for me, as seeing my aunt always is!  We were mostly home for the rest of the month and enjoy Halloween as members of Pooh's entourage.  I made my first costumes (thanks Megan for all of your help) and was super proud of my Tigger, Pooh and Piglet. Brian and I were Christopher Robin and I was Rabbit.

November brought my sweet little girl's first birthday.  I cannot believe she is 1 already! I am so in love with this little baby.  She had a Minnie Mouse themed birthday party and my brother came down to celebrate with us.  I'm never happier than when I am surrounded by family and I was thrilled to see him. We had a peaceful Thanksgiving with one other family and were happy to be together.

December was a blur.  It began with us leaving town (what else is new) to Punta Mita Mexico.  We had a free timeshare there and it was incredible.  We spent a week relaxing by the pool and on the beach.  They actually wanted us to get 2 babysitters to go out, so we didn't take any time by ourselves but when we got home we had several dates.  Before we knew it we were riding the Polar Express to see Santa and then company came to town.  The Hill family stayed for a week and spent 3 days with us.  The Calef family (Brian's sister and her family) were here for 10 days.  Christmas was fun and overwhelming, with Santa spoiling our children like crazy.  Now I sit here on New Year's Eve, reflecting on how very blessed we are.

Highlights for me this year included:
- The timeshare in Jackson because now I know we can go back there 2-3 times a year
- We implemented weekly date nights which has been a great blessing to the 2 of us
- Growing another year older with my sweet husband
- Going to the Temple 1-2 times a month
- Traveling and exploring together as a family
- Being with my extended family
- Watching my children grow into spunky, silly, sweet kids.  I adore these little people.
- Making and hanging out with some of the best friends of my life - The McPhies, Silitoes and Pulhams to name a few (very few.)

Wishes for 2013
- I pray for another healthy baby
- I pray that things continue to improve in areas of my life where there has been trouble in the past
- I pray that we can be better missionaries in the church
- I pray that we will continue to travel safely and smartly and have fun together as a family
- I pray that my family (immediate and extended) will be healthy and happy and that I will see them as much as possible this year! Life is short and family is the most important thing we have (along with the Gospel.)

Happy New Year to all!!!! I pray that everyone has a wonderful year ahead.

Twas the week(s) before Christmas

I'm writing this in the middle of the day while the boys bounce in their new bouncy house.  #bestgiftever

This is a picture of all the lovely gifts I got for my birthday.  There are 7.  I am spoiled.

 This was one of my gifts.  Brian framed our wedding photo of us "tying the knot" and our Sealing photo.  I cried when I opened them.  So thoughtful.

 The yummy birthday cake from my in-laws!

 We went to the Temple with a bunch of friends one day.  It was so beautiful to see the lights and to walk around and enjoy brownies and hot chocolate.

 It started out with 7 boys and 3 girls.  Excessive, no?  Then some more girls joined us and it was 7 to 5 I think.

 Brownies! Look at Aspen the brownie monster. So cute.

 A princess in her chariot, being escorted up the stairs at the Temple.

 Oh I had a cookie exchange! It was wonderful! The idea is that 12 people bake 12 dozen cookies and then you exchange and end up with 12 varieties.  It didn't work out exactly but we all had a great time.  And Tami came so we all got to hold her baby.  Life was good!

 Jasmine, Tami and Melissa

 We got our tree! It was very exciting.  We went to Costco and they loaded a tree in our car.  Party poopers.  It was a beautiful tree (and cheap) and I think it might be our new boring tradition.

 Cheryl and Katie at the cookie party

 I have no idea what happened to my pictures.  I had them rotated and in order but somehow it didn't translate.  Anyhow, this is Landon all dressed up for his Christmas recital at school.

 Landon and his class singing

 The next night Hunter had his recital at school.  Landon helped give Aspen her bottle.

 We built a temple out of boxes and President and Sister Hales dropped by with Angel Moroni to put on top! It was the perfect completion for our Temple.

 Andrew came with me to Landon's recital and Megan kept Aspen at home.  He may not look like he is having fun, but he said it was his favorite part of the day.

 All the girls at the cookie exchange.  I still am not used to seeing me with brown hair.

 The beautiful sisters and Rebecca!

 Landon's teacher, Ms. Mollgaard is as sweet as they come.

 Ms. Elvia and Ms. Mollgaard sure do love this little guy

 The Polar Express! I was SO excited to take the boys to do this.  Landon, as you know, is obsessed with trains.  We took them to Fillmore to ride a train.  They had a conductor who punched holes in our tickets, gave us chocolate milk and cookies.  Then they met Santa and got "the first gift of Christmas" - a bell.  This was a highlight and I hope we will do it for yrs to come.

 Guess who is here!!!!! Nate and his whole family (of 8) came to visit.  The boys were beyond excited to see him.

 Hunter's recital

 Mrs. Diy and Ms. Roberts

 Nate's sisters + me

 Ready to board the Polar Express

 Hunter and Aspen enjoying the ride with mommy

 Landon was a little groggy.

 After the recital Hunter saw Reese! His good buddy.

 She looooves her big brother (which only made him madder.)

 Daddy loving his little girl

 Landon got his bonefied ticket to ride

 Sharing her cookie with Mr. Grumps

 The Conductor

 Santa

 Her first piece of candy ever.  I love this face!

 The next day we met the Hills at Disneyland.  It was a beautiful day and we had a super time.

 Mini Minnie Mouse

 Oh back to Polar Express, meeting Santa.

 Brian took Aspen back to the car because it dropped into the 40s, but I promised the boys we could meet Santa, so we stayed.

 Me and my snuggle

 Landon beating Brother Hill at arm wrestling

 Aspen learning how to flirt with Nate

 Cousins! On Thursday the Calefs arrived from Boston.  Here are the 5 cousins on the couch.

 And that evening we had the Hills over for dessert again.

 6/8 Hills + 1 George

 Hill boys + Brian

 I love our Sister Missionaries.  They are so sweet and gentle and have a wonderful way of bringing the spirit.  Sadly, one of my favorite missionaries went home early for some personal reasons.  The night before she left, I spoiled her, George style.

 Sisters Bahr and Cox

 Me and Nate! I LOVE this guy.  He's the missionary who baptized Brian.

 Of course they got Christmas gifts!

 We will miss Sister Cox until she comes back to visit (cough cough next month cough cough).

 On Saturday we conducted Operation Candy Cane.  We brought candy canes to downtown Manhattan Beach and the boys gave them out to total strangers.  This month we have been trying to spread love and joy and peace n Earth.  Harder than one might expect with a 4, almost 3 and 1 yr old.  This was perfect.  Who couldn't smile at a little boy handing them a candy cane and saying "Mewwy Cwistmas?"  There was one woman who had been crying when we walked in but greeted us with a "hello".  As Landon walked up to her, she sat up and he handed her a candy cane and said "Happy Cwistmas." She actually wiped away a tear and smiled and said "Merry Christmas! Thank you!" It was a simple thing but it obviously made her day better.  That's the reason for the season, right? To bring love and joy to others just as Jesus did.

 And she's just So darn cute. How do you NOT smile at her?

 Giving out candy canes

 On Sunday we went to look at Christmas lights.  Some of them were beautiful.  Then we got lost.  We actually couldn't find our car for over an hour.  That's because we let the men go find it.  When I went looking we had found it within 10 minutes. It was an adventure and I thought it was great fun.

 The Calefs (Tessa was being onry and isn't in the photo.)

 Hunter and Tessa

 Aspen and Landon

 After Operation Candy Cane

 Hunter and Tessa

 Christmas lighting

 My cute backpack (with Vicki and Sawyer)

 Hunter learned how to use the whipped cream can at Christmas dinner. We are in trouble.

 Hunter loves his little sister.  A lot.

 Loving on Thor

 Christmas dinner!

 My man KNOWS meat. He made a delicious prime rib.

 Landon in my sweatshirt while the Dads were lost looking for the car.

 Nate helping Landon and Aspen with their presents

 Legos!

 The girl cousins.

 Big 5

 Sawyer in his new Lightning McQueen jacket

 The siblings.

 Opening the bouncy house!

 Sword fighting

 Ooooh a race track! Pretty cool!

 Cool! A cash register!

 Coming down the stairs on Christmas morning.

 BIKES!!!!!!

 I love seeing my angels sleep so peacefully.

 Cute little man

 Sweet sleepyhead

 The dogs keeping Santa's booty safe

 Oh wow!!!! It's mommy's car!

 Landon is in love

 Sister gets to go for a ride too

 I love the arm around Hunter. Too funny.

 Landon only wanted Aspen in it with him.

 The boys.

 Hunter is amazing on his 20 inch bike. We've been to the park with it twice since he got it yesterday.

 And we took the Escalade on a drive.  Hunter is getting better.  Landon should have a breathalyzer.

 Such a big boy.  I have a feeling that by the time he is 3.5 he will be riding without training wheels.

 And my love.

 Hunter on his bike! So proud of this big guy!

 Walking all around

 She wants Landon's bike.

 Landon was so tired after we went to the McPhie's on Christmas night that he fell asleep while sitting up, listening to Brian read stories. So sweet.

 Landon rescued my from the tallest tower where there were dragons.  My hero! Swoon.

 This may look like he's being kind, but he's actually telling her all about how it is his bike. Funny stuff.  She wants it.

We had an amazing Christmas.  The kids got everything they could have wanted.  They love their toys, they love sharing their toys with each other and they are definitely fried.  I think we need a few days to settle down and get over the high of all the new things in our house.  I also think that my new present should be throwing out old toys. I did get 2 beautiful pairs of boots.  Brian got a few little things + he gets to fly a G-5 (flight simulator) and he got a Raptor remote control airplane. The highlight of Christmas, for me, was watching the kids hand out candy canes and watching their faces light up on Christmas morning when they got the "car they could drive" and their bikes.  The low was definitely having a sick baby.  She's usually so happy and I hate seeing her sad.

Hunter says the best part of Christmas was when he saw he got a car that he could drive. Landon says the best part of Christmas was riding on his bike and going to Anderson park. I know this time with them is fleeting.  I hope we're creating great memories with them. I don't think I can say it enough - I love these little angels and my one and only partner in crime, Brian.  Merry Christmas!