Reflection

2011 was an interesting year. Ups & Downs. Well a lot of personal downs. New Experiences. Different Challenges. Amazing Experiences. Not what I expected at all. I'm still waiting to find out where this year went though. While I went through frustrations and disappointments I managed to squeeze in a lot this year.

1) Playing in Champaign, IL with Scott and Amber

2) Completing my first 5 mile run and first Half Marathon

3) Getting Lost with Mark out in the Middle of No Where

4) Learned to Experience Life, to not sit on the sidelines but to jump in and do what I can in life.

5) I ate sushi--yeah still not a fan of seafood

6) Watched little sister grow up into Little Woman going to High School Dances and the drauma of High School

7) Experimenting with Photography and getting better at it.

8) Learning and still learning to Appreciate the simple moments and little things in life.

9) My Grandpa turning 80

10) Mark Marrying Heather

11) Discovering the Joys of Chocolate Fountains

12) Rocking with U2

13) Taking on More Challenges at Work--including planning and hosting a Huge Summer Party

14) Road Trip up to Rexburg to explore my old stomping grounds

15) Celebrating All decked out for the Last Harry Potter Movie

16) Greatest Vacation with the ELMER girls in Maui for a week--one of my best Vacations Ever.

17) Branching out and camping with Emily's Singles Ward--a HUGE out of comfort Zone experience

18) Watching Kristi Grown up more while doing Jr. Miss

19)  Having a Childhood friend marry her best friend.

20) Hiking Through Arches with Amberly

21) Kalli Turned 16--yeah and has been dating up a storm ever since

22) Kevin Came HOME!!

23) Weekend Trips to California for Homecomings and Boy Parties

24) Tragic events at work and moments that will always make me laugh

25) Giant Family basketball games

26) Hiked to Timp with my Bros

27) Fall Leaves--Nothing More

28) Halloween in the ER--my co-workers have the best costumes

29) Shooting guns for 4 days straight with my Dad and Brothers

30) Going through the Temple for my Own Endowments

31) 2 weeks of Family time.

32) Came to the realization that I really have no control over things. 

33) Learned to Enjoy, well mostly enjoy, the small moments. To stop worrying about the BIG things and appreciate the daily small moments :D. (yeah its still a work in progress)

I learned That I need to be more patient. To sometimes accept life and enjoy it for what it is. My attitude is huge. Also to keep things in perspective. I frequently get tunnel visioned and often need to take a step back and enjoy if for what life is. 

Testimony

I don't often stand up to bear my testimony. Crowds scare me.  Plus, I'm better at writing my thoughts down anyway. 

I know my Savior lives. Without a doubt I know He loves me and will continued to strengthen me in every step of my journey.  He suffered and died for me so that I could have a choice in this life. My Heavenly Father loves me and is aware of my individual desires, disappointments, hopes, fears, joys, and needs. Lets face it even more then I do. I'm still learning how to be patient and trust in His timing. A work in progress for sure. 

Though I still have a lot to learn, my love and testimony of the Temple has grown. Going through this month was incredible. So much to learn but I have a deeper love for who I am as woman and the comfort/peace the Temple has.

I know the Book of Mormon is another Testament of Jesus Christ. I know the words are powerful and can guide me in my life. I always seem to find answers when I need them most. I know Joseph Smith is prophet and restored the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. I know we are guided today by a living prophet and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I know the Priesthood is Gods power. It has blessed my life and will continued to bless me. 

I know that while I may not be perfect the Atonement is there to allow me to grow. The Atonement allows me to change to be forgiven. The Atonement allows me to try again and again and again. I know families are forever. I know this life is not the end. I know I am a Daughter of God destined to become more than that if I want. 

I know this gospel is true. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

Christmas

Christmas seems to always be better with little kids around. Even if some of the adults act like kids on Christmas morning. Some of the adults may or may not have opened their stockings and checked out the presents at 0300. *cough*cough*

The party actually began Christmas Eve with a family story. I looked around and realized this was the first time my whole family had all been sitting together in a LONG time. My mom read a story about the tree who gave up being perfect for being like the Savior. A great reminder to focus what really matters all year round. With the warm fuzzy moments over :) we broke out the chocolate fountain. Catherine and Weston just went to town. Chocolate was EVERYWHERE. We all gathered around dipping marshmallows, pineapple, pretzels, cookies, fingers, and anything else we could find. I stuffed myself full and enjoyed every bit of it. You can not go wrong with a chocolate fountain. 

I love how Her eyes got bigger after she took a bite. 

Yeah she is all girl and LOVES chocolate

With the kids put down we started a game of catch phrase in the basement. That game is always the best with people you know extremely well.  Phrases such as, "naked twister" and "forceful winds" will be brought up for years to come. Our ab muscles got a serious workout that night.  Christmas Eve was wrapped up the way it should be, with Muppet Christmas Carol. A crucial Tradition in my family--especially while drinking eggnog. 

Eventually everyone woke up and the joyous present opening began. Weston and Catherine had the biggest pile and were overjoyed to open each box. Kalli and Kristi were hysterical to watch open their Kindle and IPOD touch. Acting more excited then Weston and Catherine. Piles of wrapping paper and boxes were everywhere.  Santa dropped off some really nice chocolate for me with some jewelry. Kalli gave me some gorgeous shiny, cookie sheets, and my parents gave me a hand mixer! Now I just HAVE to bake. 

Kevin the Morning Person

Yeah Love This

So Cute

The Kola Bear Exhausted--it was a rough day ;)

One Brief Moment of our Hip Shaking Actions

We rushed to get ready for church. The music is always my favorite part. After our little spiritual uplift, we had a family dinner with everyone. The best part was changing back into our PJs watching Christmas movies and having a Just Dance competition. Kevin surprisingly came out on top with his hip moving actions. Well besides Kalli--but we didn't count her.  What a great way to end the Holiday. 

Family

Taking a 2 week vacation was probably the best thing for me. With ALL my family together and my coping mechanisms at work shot, it was time.  Lets face it Weston and Catherine provided most of the entertainment. 

Catherine no offense is the cutest little girl out there. With her big brown eyes and super curly hair she will charm anyone in a heartbeat. She has the sweetest little voice she uses to her advantage. One night we found her--2 hours after putting her to sleep--sitting up playing on the IPOD touch. who knew what she was playing but she just sat there taping away. The funny part was watching her duck and cover the IPOD with her "guggy" when she heard a noise. Man that little girly is smart. She has been trained to see me giggle and run as fast as she can the opposite direction. She says my name now and I just melt. She can also down an entire thing of ice cream if you let me. She and I painted our Toenails, "petty TOes." She wiggles them when you ask her. Love this Girl's giggles.

 

Pretty Toes!

She Modeled for us

Weston is such a smart little kid. He seriously shot up a foot since I last saw him. He wants to be one of the big kids and woke up every morning at 0630 searching for someone to play with. He would wake me up asking for food, the IPOD, cartoons, and anything else. Weston and I had routine where he would track me down we would watch some kids cartoon--man they are scary these days--eat some breakfast ans wait for everyone to wake up. I should point out he usually woke me up by saying my name with his face an inch away from mine. New Year's morning we woke up and he helped me make waffles. Such a good helper. He and Kristi played tennis while he was here. Such focus and concentration. This kid makes the best concentration faces.

I've missed just hanging out with Scott and Amber.  We might all be adults at this point but when we get together its still like we are kids. The boys spent hours playing their video games. Catch Phrase is now full inside jokes. Movies were watched. Games were played. Nothing stressing at all. I LOVED IT!

We are all such morning people

In addition to my the immediate family, the second family joined us this week. At some point we had 30 people crammed into my parents house. There were bodies and bags everywhere. But hey the chaos was worth it. Even more games were played. More inside jokes--involved naked twister--were created. 

Somehow the idea began at this get together that we should have a nerf gun war. Various nerf guns were purchased and practice targets created. Weston even got on board and would practice shooting the Santa Clause on the door. He got pretty good at chasing us and reloading quickly. At any point a random green disc would be seen flying through the house as Mark, Kevin, Scott, Weston, and I got in practice rounds. The official war took place at Highland Elementary School. Girls vs Boys of course. The girls kicked butt winning 3-0.  SOOO much fun. Luckily the weather was record breaking warm fo this time of year. we still froze though. I should point out that 90% of the people were adults. My family rocks.

Armed and Dangerous

The Champions

In addition to the massive nerf war, we went to Extreme air sports and took turns launching each other into blue foam pits. Bouncing on tramps and flying through the air is fun at any age. At one point all of the adults were on the rock wall getting ready to jump off. The boys competed to see who could do the weirdest flip or jump. The highlight was watching Cate book it down the tramp and face plant it into the pad. Weston also became a hero when the boys launched him 10ft into the air before he hit the foam pit. The first time he had a look of pure horror on his face. The rest of the time he just flew and ran over and over down that tramp.  After 90min we were all exhausted. Climbing out of those foam pits is not the easiest thing in the world. Sometimes its great to pretend to be a kid. 

LOVE our faces

Launching Weston. The Kid got some serious Air

Creative Ways of getting Weston out of the Foam

 

   

Various movies and games happend. Mostly we just chilled and enjoyed goofing off. Yeah my family pretty much rocks. Sometimes it is all about time. Guess we will have to do again in 2 years. 

With everyone together we needed a family picture. 

To accomplish this we bribed with marshmallows, gold fish, promises of ice cream, and anything else we could think of. The funny part was listening to 10 adults sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and ABC's.