This year in review

I just spent about two hours (I'm still in my pajamas - don't judge), looking through pictures from the year.  Wow did we have a lot of adventures!

January began as all good years do: we were in Jackson. We spent the first 9 days of the New Year skiing, tubing, ice skating and enjoying copious hot chocolates!  We returned home 2 weeks before our Little Landon turned 5! He had a blowout birthday party at Adventureplex with his 40 closest friends.

In February we hung around until ski week, when we jetted to Florida. We visited Great-Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles and then met the Paternas at the Mickey Boat! We boarded the Disney Fantasy and spent a week with these awesome friends.  Following that, we went to the Four Seasons in Orlando which is one of our absolute favorites at this point! Fun!


March is historically a laid back month for us. We spent some time at Terranea and visited the park a bit. The end of the month brought Maisy's first birthday! We were thrilled to celebrate with a bubble themed Minnie Mouse party. It was a hit.

The beginning of April brought Spring Break. We headed to the Four Seasons Costa Rica and loved watching howler monkeys from our windows and playing on the beautiful beach. Aspen really started swimming by then and had a fun week. At the end of the week we celebrated Brian's 35th! After we returned, I headed to Vegas with some of my girlfriends. This trip was epic. I had so much fun just being me and not dealing with the children for a long weekend.

In May my brother and Sarah got married up at Mt. Hood in Oregon. We went up for another long weekend and enjoyed seeing the kids all dressed in tuxes and big tutu dresses. The next weekend was Hunter's birthday party at Pump it up. He celebrated turning 7 with 40 of his closest friends. For Mother's Day I got an electric bike which has been really fun, although I haven't been able to enjoy it as much as I'd like! The end of May brought our annual Scottsdale trip and one and Brian's 14 year anniversary of being a couple. What a special thing!

June is busy. The end of the school year came, with Hunter finishing 1st grade strong and Landon completing preschool. Wow! We enjoyed our tradition of having the McPhies over for a pool and pizza party. After about a week of summer we left for Jackson, where we spent the majority of July.

The boys are getting old enough to do some of the more fun excursions in Jackson. We took them for dinner at a wild game restaurant and then we went to the rodeo. The boys LOVED it and Landon is convinced he wants to be a cowboy (although he wouldn't try to catch the flag off the sheep). We did some family hikes, a trip to Yellowstone and took the boys horseback riding and on a river cruise through the nation park. Besides that, we made new friends and spent a lot of time at our country club. Aunt Denise and Uncle Mike came up to stay with us for 5 days and we loved having them there.  Uncle Mike was THRILLED to go on the chuckwagon for dinner and on a special carriage ride through town square. We had to pull out all the stops for them.

In early August my aunts came to stay for a week. I always feel so spoiled during this time. They help with the kids and dinners and we get a lot of exercise. It is so much fun! We went to the beach, a water park and Terranea. It was amazing. After they left, Brian and I went to Hawaii alone to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary. We have never left the kids for more than 2 nights and we were gone for 10! We went to the big island and also to Maui. We enjoyed a beach dinner (the highlight for me), a helicopter ride, a tour to the top of Mauna Kea to watch the sunset and we drove the rode to Hana. Otherwise you could find us in a cabana by the adult pool or on a long walk around the property.  This will forever be one of the best vacations I've ever had. I love time to reconnect with my love.

September brought the start of school. We have a 2nd grader and a Kindergartener now. I can't believe the boys are so big! They both play soccer and I was team Mom for Landon's team. They did great and both scored a goal or two this year. Hunter's coach was incredibly encouraging of Landon and gave him the courage and confidence he needed to play well. Landon is a budding soccer star! I am also room mom for Kindergarten and have enjoyed getting to know the kids and parents alike. In addition, I volunteer in the rooms as much as I can. I was working on several charity projects and dedicating a bit of time to church.

By the time October hit, I was burnt out. Landon wasn't enjoying Kindergarten and made it difficult for us at home. This on top of all my responsibilities caused me to need a break - and fast! Brian was so sweet and whisked me away to Jackson Hole, where we spent 5 days. It was nice and so relaxing to spend time the 2 of us, going on walks and enjoying dinners away. At the end of October we celebrated Halloween as the cast of Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  Rachel and Peepaw joined us as Tick Tock Croc while Wendy made her appearance (guest starring Meema).

November started with a bang and sweet Aspen turned 4! We had a party at the hair place, where the little girls all dressed up and had hair and make up done. We followed the party with lunch at the Counter. Aspen has been doing dance and she LOVES ballet almost as much as she loves her sweet sister. Most of her gifts were centered on the ballet theme. Thanksgiving brought a small group, just us and Meema and Peepaw. It was enjoyable and quiet and we loved it. The day after Thanksgiving we boarded a plane to Jackson!

December began in Jackson. We skied the little bit of snow there was and enjoyed being in the nice cold weather. We saw friends and met with an architect about our house. We came home just in time to celebrate my birthday. I had different friends take me out every day for 8 days. That was really special and made me feel incredibly loved. Then came the beautiful holidays. We went to the temple for hot chocolate and treats with the McPhies, went to see Christmas lights with friends and had many playdates. Christmas was wonderful to us, with a big emphasis on experiences over things. We look forward to celebrating the birth of Christ all year long with monthly reminders of him and of Christmas. This year was one of the best yet.

Not listed: We enjoyed many many trips to Disneyland and Terranea. We also spent a lot of time without Daddy, as he travels about once a month for work. The boys are taking golf lessons and getting pretty good! Aspen is in dance class and enjoying her work at the Montessori. Maisy goes to My Gym and pals around with me all day, everyday. It's wonderful. Our life is blessed and we are SO happy.  We wish everyone the Happiest New Year!