End of 2011

It's weird to be at the end of another year. It seems like the years are going faster and faster. What a great year this has been. We have now been in Idaho for one year, Jake going to school, me being a not always so fabulous homemaker but I did my best. Our biggest adventure was our family trip to Washington and Oregon. We also end the year with another baby on the way; I'm sure that will be our biggest adventure in 2012.
We were blessed to spend the holidays with our family in Utah. Here's a gaggle of pictures to showcase our last few weeks of 2011.
We headed South Thursday morning. Stopped to visit my beautiful grandma. I am grateful my kids will have some memory of their great-grandma's.

We spent a few days relaxing at my parents house; gearing up for non-stop holiday fun.
Jake's sister Hailey and her husband Cameron welcomed baby Carolina to their family on December 6th. They blessed her on Christmas Eve with all the family gathered around. It was wonderful to be there and to meet her.

Hannah holding Oakley-Peyton-Jesse-Kaleb-Alexander-Hailey holding Carolina

Jake's siblings, and their spouses:

Shawna-Hailey-Cameron-Kristen-Jake-Hannah-Daniel-Raygan

We enjoyed our usual party all night Christmas Eve at my parents house with all my siblings, their spouses, and their kids. Except my sister Laurel and her husband Klaus. They live in Austria and seem to always miss all the fun.
My mom was a great hostess and as usual, prepared enough to feed the army. I set the table for 25 people so I guess that counts as an army.

We had a lot of appetizers that filled us up before we even sat down to eat.

It worked out well though because we had to wait for dinner until 8pm. Waiting for certain family to be done with work and get to the house.

Jeff and his wife Mari and their baby Ana. Mari's mom now lives with them. It's nice to see her occasionally at some of our family gatherings.
Mari and thus her mom, is from Spain. Mari keeps telling her mom "Ni Besos" In Spain it is the tradition to kiss each cheek. We are all pretty affectionate so we throw all Mari's words out the window as we quickly greet mama with a double kiss.

The boys aren't used to all the chaos that comes with 15 cousins. It didn't take them long to escape to the basement for some quiet time. It was kind of nice having dinner so late. By then the boys were in bed. We enjoyed a somewhat peaceful dinner without wrangling our boys.

 Feeding the army:

Although I complained loudly about extreme exhaustion it didn't take much for my sisters to convince me to stay up; not only to fill the 30 some-odd stockings but also to help wrap presents. I really do look forward to our sister wrap party. I was a little sad so many of the siblings couldn't sleep over this year. It's getting too difficult with all their kids.

Our tree looked sparse the next morning with so few families contributing to the presents under the branches.

The tree is set up in the office, which has a deadbolt lockable door. I decided to confiscate the key when I was done Christmas Eve. It was kind of funny making everyone wait until after church when I finally relinquished the key.
It was a pretty relaxing morning having Christmas on Sunday. We woke up, got dressed and enjoyed breakfast before heading to 1 hour of church. I experimented and made great tasting pumpkin waffles. The night before I had made a pumpkin pie. I had the filling all prepared but had too much for my one pie crust. I used the prepared filling, added some mix and a few things. The syrup really enhanced the flavor.
After church we gathered to open presents:

The boys really enjoyed Christmas this year. Their favorite part was ripping the wrapping paper. They didn't care so much what was inside. They also didn't care who's name was on the present, they just wanted to rip.

 They got a good haul of presents this year. They got two movies: Lion King and Winnie the Pooh, each a regular Mr. Potato head,  a few Star Wars books, a kid size folding table, and other odds n' ends

 I think Jake really liked his present:

We headed North to Jake's parents for our second Christmas. Yeah, more paper to rip!

I think uncle Daniel and aunt Hannah gave them their favorite presents. A Buzz Lightyear and Woody Mr. Potato head set and the movie, Cars 2. They probably watched that movie 3 times on Christmas.

 All the big boys got a remote control car. It was a hit with the little guys as well:

We spent the rest of the week relaxing and unwinding.
Kaleb has a love for grandpa Stevens big truck. On Thanksgiving he was out in the street laying under the truck wishing he could go for a ride. It's always the first thing he asks about, going for a ride.
Shortly after arriving at my parents house Kaleb began to ask about going for a ride in the truck. My dad offered to take him in his little two door truck. Squealing and with an ear to ear grin Kaleb ran to the garage and stopped dead in his tracks; he let out a sigh and "oooh', obviously the little truck wouldn't satisfy. With a crest-fallen look he turned right around and went back in the house.
A few days later grandpa and grandma Stevens remedied his disappointment by taking all the boys for a ride in the big truck to see some horses:

The boys spent many hours on their Mr. Potato head creations. I'm sure there will be many more hours of fun to be had.

The boys love seeing all the holiday lights. We went downtown Salt Lake to show them lots of lights in one place.

 We decided to take the train a few stops back to our car, just for the fun on it.

We have a lot to celebrate the last few weeks of every year.
Christmas, my birthday on New Years and our Anniversary the day after. Jake promised me when we chose January 2nd to get married that I would still get a present for every event. He has held true to that promise and has always exceeded above and beyond. I sure am spoiled having him for a husband!
It has become tradition for our anniversary, usually New Years Eve, to leave the kids for a night with grandma and stay at a nice hotel. Thank you mom for dealing with the boys.
We celebrated a few days early since we needed to get home and prepare for the week to start.
Jake and I went to party in Salt Lake. We took the train downtown so we wouldn't have to worry about parking.
Dinner at a fabulous eatery called The Copper Onion. A random find that I highly recommend. Kind of artsy but reasonably priced. Very busy, make a reservation! Glad Jake did that. Jake had pork belly as an appetizer, I even loved the artichokes. Dinner was wagyu beef strogonof, I had steelhead salmon fish n' chips. Kind of wish I had gone for the meatloaf instead (it had beef, lamb and pork!) I for sure want to go again, I already know what I will order...I think.
Our next event was a concert at Abravanel Hall. It was called Video Games Live. It featured the Utah Symphony and I think the Snow College Singers. We figured with those three combinations we should dress up in our finest. Jake wore his cuff links and I donned my thankfully stretchy cocktail dress. We walked in and immediately knew we were beyond overdressed. Most were in jeans and t-shirts, a lot in video game character costumes. It was more like a rock concert, so awesome! Orchestral composition of some of the most popular video games in history; along with video of the games.

This is why I'm grateful my dress was stretchy. I woke up one morning this week and said "ack! I've got a growth!" I am almost 18 weeks and am just realizing I might need to dig out my maternity clothes.

Thank you Jake for such a fabulous evening! I also have to brag that he replaced my wedding band.
About 3 years ago I was making bread and stuck my rings in my pocket. I forgot about them and took Kaleb to the park. When I got home I realized one of my rings was missing. A band of 10 diamonds. I raced back quick as I could and searched frantically, to no avail.  I will never again put my rings in my pocket!
We don't have any plans to celebrate my actual birthday or our anniversary. But I wanted to take a few more paragraphs to share some of my feelings regarding 8 years of marriage.

On the day we first met I knew there was something different about Jake. It didn't take us long to know we were meant to be together forever. We met when I was doing an internship at Walt Disney World. Jake was living in the Salt Lake area. He flew out to visit me twice...I knew I should pay some serious attention to any guy who was that crazy! I still remember the 2nd time he flew to Florida to see me. By this point we had only actually hung out maybe 5 days. We had talked endless hours on the phone but hadn't had much in the way of a physical date. We had spent a day together; as we said goodnight, we hugged tight and he whispered, "I love you" without hesitation I replied "I love you too" Then we both went our separate ways screaming inside "What? What did I just say? Did that really just come out? Did he/she really respond in the affirmative?" We both knew from the beginning it really was love.
8 years in, married life has settled into the daily routine of housework, school, and kids. I want you to know, my love, that I don't take our marriage and love for granted. Every now and then, in a moment of reflection, I'll smile as I remind myself that this person who I first met almost 9 years ago, who is so clever, generous, handsome and warm, is now my husband. Sometimes I still can't believe it's all worked out and that I am actually your wife. I love you so much.
Our life together isn’t always easy. I know that may not be what you were expecting to hear on our anniversary, but it’s true! We've weathered many storms, and we've shared many trials. Each one bringing us closer as we walk hand in hand along the miles. Too often, you and I get so caught up in the little everyday moments of life that before long we seem to lose sight of “us”…the one thing that’s lasting and true. I seem to lose focus on the basics; you, me, and our love. Because after all, that’s where we started, and that’s where we should always be.
I don't know what the future holds, or when the next storm shall put our love to the test. But, I know that as long as we remain together, and with God's help, all things shall turn out for the best. The love I have in my heart for you today, is different than that upon our wedding day; it's stronger. I am praying it will ever grow stronger as the days go by.
With all my love on our anniversary, and always; I love you.

Goodbye 2011! The end of the year isn't an end or a beginning but a going on...bring it on 2012!
Cheers to a new year, and another chance to try again, to do better step by step.