A New Year

We decided with all the running around we have done that we would spend a quiet night at home with just the 6 of us for our New Year's celebration this year. It was exactly what we needed. We rented some movies, laid a blanket on the floor in front of the t.v. so we could have an indoor picnic, then we got pillows and blankets out so we could snuggle and watch our movies. We ended up with 4 out of the 6 of us still awake when the ball dropped. Can you guess who fell asleep? NO! not me. Fletcher and Gregor went down. We woke up to 9 o'clock church and then came home and watched Soul Surfer and had my Mom and Cameron over for Navajos. On Monday morning we went over to my Mom's for "brunch" and we ended up going to the lake. I haven't been out on the ice in years. The weather was great. It was about 50 degrees and all sun. We soaked up alot of Vitamin D today:)

I have thought about the previous year and about the year to come alot the last couple of days. Did last year go as I had planned? Absolutely not. Last New Year's we were celebrating at our home in Las Vegas that we had come to love. We had no idea what this year had in store. Little did I know that in almost 8 months I would have to say goodbye to my Dad and in 10 months we would be living back in northern Utah.

I have had a struggle the last couple of months wondering why things have happened the way they did. I don't have any answers. One thing I do know is that I don't have any regrets with my relationship with my Dad. #2 that I know, Vegas was without a doubt one of the best times in my life and I will always be thankful for the year I had there. I was the person I always wanted to be. I hope I find that person again soon. I met the most amazing people. I made lifelong friends. I learned that I could live outside of Utah and absolutely love it. I came to love the Gospel in a way I had never done before. I also know that there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about my family in Vegas. I never thought I would love Vegas. I don't know how it happened but I feel like I have 2 homes. I miss my Vegas home everyday. I have thought lately that maybe because of the loss of my Dad I wasn't thinking clearly or wasn't listening to the promptings correctly, but....as hard as it has been Ben and I both know we were supposed to come to Logan. That is one of the things, the other being family is the reason I have not packed up and headed back. Some things I have learned. Enjoy your loved ones everyday. Love everyday. Try new things. Remember who you are and Return with Honor. I have always had a problem with people who go to church on Sunday and they aren't the same person during the week. I lost faith in that living here before but Vegas showed me that there are people who are Christlike all week long. And finally don't ever give up.

So what's the plan for this year? No plan. I am going to try to be thankful for all that I have and live my life the best I can. I am going to take my kids to Disneyland (finally!). I am not going to let negative people and other peoples bad choices affect me. I am going to love Ben as much as possible and I am going to treasure my kids everyday. Happy New Year.

Christmas

Last year we had a quiet Christmas. No parties just us time. That was not the case this year. I feel like we were on the run most of the holiday. Which do I prefer? Maybe something in between. It was fun to be around family. The 23rd we had a little Christmas party with Ben's Dad and his brother Dillon and his wife Crystal. It was fun. We just had it at our house. Lots of food and lots of visiting. Then we went to Ben's moms on Christmas Eve. That was fun and great because we have never done anything like that with her before. Then it was on to Christmas. We got up at 7 am. I don't think Santa left our house until 2:30, but that was because we had 2 kids who could not go to sleep until about midnight. Ben's dad and grandpa came to breakfast and we got to speak to Ben's brother Daniel who is on a mission in Florida. It was great to hear his voice. We also had Dillon and Crystal there, it was so nice to get to spend so much time with them. Ben's mom and step dad came at the same time to see what Santa had brought. We had a full house for awhile. We headed to my mom's for her annual Christmas party. The thing I like about hers is because of the kids old and young we do presents first and then we get to enjoy the rest of the time together. We did her traditional fondue dinner. I think we all worried about how this Christmas would be since it is the 1st one with my Dad gone, but it went so good. Of course we missed him, but we had a peaceful happy time. As hard as it has been without him we know that his is at peace and happy.

It was such a great Christmas. Fletcher finally got it this year. He is so cute and fun. I am thankful everyday that we had an "oopsie".

Can you believe how big he is getting? Santa had a tough time with him this year because he didn't really want any toys. It was a little weird, but he was so excited about what he did get.

Holy Moly, this little boy changed his mind everyday up until Christmas Eve. I guess he was happy with what he got. I think he got a little overwhelmed with everything.

She was so excited this year. She got exactly what she wanted and a little more. She could tell that the elves had made her dolls clothes because they were special with no tags:) Thank you elves. She was very into how you know if it is the real Santa. She is her daddy's daughter, always thinking.

This is the kids in their new Christmas Jammies Christmas Eve just before they went to bed. It was such a great Christmas. I feel blessed with my family. I think I even picked the right gifts for Ben this year and that is a miracle in itself.