First Date!

Ten years ago TODAY, Doug and I went on our first date, I can't believe it has been ten years. We went to Family Home evening at the Bishop's house and then went to Perkins, we stayed so long the waitress paid for our hot chocolate. To celebrate we went back to that very Perkins (which we try to do every year although we haven't been in the same town we met the last couple of years, we would just go to any Perkins) it just so happens today we were sat in the very booth we sat in ten years ago. We had hot chocolate and reminisced the passing of ten years and all that we have done, faced, achieved, failed to do, and loved doing together. Here are a few, we have lived in 8 different homes/apt's in two different towns, we have been to 12 different temples together besides the one we were married in, we faced 6 years of infertility, had two kids, built 2.5 houses (one is under construction) We have between the two of us had 7 official jobs we were paid to do, spent a total of less then 4 weeks apart from each other (all of which were mandated time away due to our jobs or callings) and spent everyday thankful for each other and all that we have brought to our life together.(there are about a hundred other things I could add to this list, we came up with quite a few, but we will stop here) When we met we were always together, whenever we could be, I guess it is true some things never change, we still love spending every possible minute together no matter the compromise to do it. Here's to the Year of 10 for us! (as we will also be celebrating our ten year anniversary this year) I think we might just celebrate all year! I can't believe how fast time goes, and how much has happened in ten years, and for the next ten years we talked about those too, our goals, hopes, fears and dreams, I won't list those out here though... but, words just can't describe How I love the Man I married and Met ten years ago today....

SNOW DAY!!!!

We finally got some snow to play in! Addy and I tried and tried to make a snowman out of it but it just would not work, we did manage to get three piles of snow on top of each other and some rocks in a ring around it and we called it good! Before we made our snow mess we shoveled the drive way, Addy was in charge of the little piles my shovel left behind, her shovel was one of those little guys that comes with a sand bucket, but she did great and flicked the snow as fast as she could, (I noted next time we are out about I will get her a bigger shovel I had seen some but thought, HA we don't need that there hasn't been much snow here, then of course we get some, she is dying to help and well it would be like me giving you a serving spoon and saying hop to it, shovel the drive way, perhaps a bit frustrating, although she didn't mind she was so HAPPY to be playing in the snow!)

 Sporting her snow pants and cool hat her Aunt made her! We did end up finding some different gloves the mittens were just NOT working....(Jimmy missed the fun as he was sleeping, by design we did it then as I don't think I could have kept him out of the street, but if it isn't too cold he will get his snow time in the back yard where there is a gate to well contain him)

We had a great Snow day, the next day the first thing she asked, snow day today? 

Randoms....

 Until today, we have unusual weather for winter, it has been lovely outside most days, sometimes even getting as warm as 70 degrees out, we have been taking advantage of that! One of the days it was 70 out Addy asked me if we could get the pool out, we haven't quite gone that far, but most of the other summer toys are out and being enjoyed, the kids LOVE LOVE LOVE the backyard! Above Addy is sporting Jimmy's new winter hat, He hasn't worn it as there wasn't a need, and she thought it needed to be used since grandma put so much love into making it...

 Playing together, I LOVE that!

 Jimmy sporting his sweater vest Grandma made him, all ready for church after just having had his morning nap! He loves that he too gets to sometimes go to primary and singing time is also his favorite, he comes with me to my class when Doug has to teach.

 

A little alone time, playing hungry hippo in the Laundry room, When the toy room gets to crazy James will go in grab a toy and then go find somewhere else to play with it, this particular day he got in the laundry basket and was having a good ole time, I was a little surprised to find him there....

New Year....

 I know, it is like 2 weeks into the new year, but here is my New Year's post! I seem to be just that, two weeks behind myself, Someday I will catch up, I think?  We hope you all had a wonderful new year! We sure did! We got to spend some time around New Years with some of our dearest Friends that came in for the holiday and after as well as some time with family, It was great! For New Years Eve we made the good luck cake, pictured above, you put a little extra luck in the cake then bake it, decorate it and serve, the person who gets the piece with the extra luck baked into it gets just that extra luck heading into the new year! I baked a thin mint into the lovely chocolate raspberry cake!

 We also had pumpkin soup, a favorite at our house, and below our new favorite kind of bread, it is SO GOOD and so easy to make! Our sister-in-law made some while we were in Utah last, and I knew I had to try it, YUM, is all I have to say, we also made one that was raspberry white chocolate chip (thanks Mom for letting me borrow your pan)

 We spent the evening playing games, laughing and watching movies, it was a lovely time! I by the way was the cake winner, NO it wasn't rigged, the rest of the group chimed in on what they thought my good fortune heading into this year might be?  Any guesses? I don't have any, but I am always in need of some good luck, so I will take what comes....

 The kids celebrated new years at 7:30ish, WOOT WOOT, then went to bed and were as well behaved as could be expected the next day, for all the changes and holidays, fun and whatnot's going on around this time of the year. Jimmy decided since his hair was long to wear it spiky for church, it has since been cut...

 And below, OUR SUNBEAM!!! Addy went to her first day of Sunbeams on New Years day,(yes I cried) she was a little confused, but she went with the flow, we had talked about it all week, but she was still a little unsure, then it was time for singing time and sharing time, our ward does them combined so all the kids are in there for singing and sharing time since we are so small, but mind you to a 3 year old, sitting in the front row she looked quite alarmed at all the people behind her. She is the youngest kid in our primary, and it shows, the only other sunbeam in the ward is 10 months older then her and well hasn't made it through all of primary yet, so I guess we are just counting our blessings. She is a darling sunbeam, showing everyone her new CTR ring and clutching her scriptures as tight as can be, and now it's been three weeks, her new thing is to plead with us for church to not be over when it is done. She really loves singing time and it is last, I think she just doesn't want it to end....

 Mommy and her Sunbeam!

 On Monday more friends arrived, and we crammed as much as we could into the days they were here, which is most likely why we were sick for a few days after they left, we had SO MUCH FUN with everyone, we went swimming, played outside and at the house, went to chuck e cheese and the olive garden it was crammed with good times..

 Hopefully the below picture won't show up on some dad's dart wall in like 15 years when he is dating age....

 Addy and her friend Kady in the rocket, Addy wanted to do everything with kady and Carter She always does, she had so much fun with them here...

 Um, can I get one of these for home? These two were in LOVE, they would just ride the horses over and over only getting off for others to have a turn, we were on them so much I felt they should be named! The kids were thoroughly entertained! (jimmy doesn't look all that excited but that is just because he is WAY tired)

 Jimmy and Addy in the rocket, I love that Jimmy is running the controls, so how things are he runs the show and she goes along for the ride! HILARIOUS!!!

  

We were kind of sad to get back into the swing of life after having so much fun bringing in the New Year, and we had Loved having Doug around so much more even though he was still gone a lot, if that makes sense. Alas the holiday ended, our friends all went home,  we were sick for a week and now we are back in the game , Happy 2012!