January's Instagrams

Only one workout in the last 10 days. Not doing so hot on that resolution. But I am trying to eat something besides the usual mac n cheese, or pb & j for lunch, and that resolution is going much better. #joshuastoleitfromme  #hadtomakethreebowls

A little lunch date with me, myself, and I. Sometimes is good to reconnect with her. 

Hair cuts. I was giving Austin and Joshua one, and Audrey decided she wanted one too. I may or may not have had any idea what I was doing.  I even did layers.  It only looks mildly ridiculous.  #twobrownsandoneveryblonde

We signed.  I cried.  And they handed us the keys to our very first home. #longlonglongtimecoming #wearefinallyhomeowners #itsabouttime 

Sweet dreams little man. #wishicouldnapeveryday #whydidntiappreciateitwhenidid

In our 11 years of marriage, this is our 10th move. This time, it's for good. #tenthtimeisacharm #movingday #hurryandsetupthebedssowecansleep

Getting paid to play. #collegefund #sweetlittlefriends 

So much to do, but this babe wants a post nap  snuggle. So quiet down cobwebs, dust to go sleep, I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep. 

Hair and makeup. It takes a village.  #bridalshow

Show and after party. #itsalwaysfunbeingabride

"Mom and Dad are holding hands." A picture from my favorite four year old. 

I have been tagged several times times and I am having anxiety trying to thing of 5 random things people may not know about me. It has taken me a few days to come up with these bad boys. Mostly because 1) I am an open book. There is nothing I won't tell you. And most likely I have asked you a question that is too personnel/inappropriate (sorry).  I have been called "an open book, and a book opener". 2) I hate the word "sure". It is "yes please" or "no thank you" in our house. 3) My real crush was on Joey from NKOTB. I only pretended to like Jonathan bc no one else did, and I felt sorry for him. 4) I love to SCUBA dive, but snorkeling gives me anxiety. 5) My fingernails feel claustrophobic when painted. 

My mom has complete celebrity status when she comes to visit. Her biggest fan, Austin, will not let her put him down for one minute.  Not even when Dave is on the floor to play with him. #lotsofloveforhisgrandma #herarmswillbesorefordays Now that she is gone, we are all missing our celebrity. Wish me luck tomorrow.  I will need it. 

 

Moving Day

January 15, 2013.
It's a good thing I love our new house so much because moving makes me cringe.  Third time moving in 15 months.  Third times a charm.
My job was to be out of the house (both houses, old and new) all day so Dave and the movers could load up the old house and then unpack less than three miles away.
Austin's first snoozer at the new house, in a pack and play.

My sweet friend Megan was such a help and she made the yummiest chocolate muffins that I love. Austin loved them too. 

All the kids playing at Megan's house after school while Dave was with the movers at the new house. 

I was very impressed with myself that I knew where the soap was, and a cup.  I can't remember if I used a towel or not.  Probably not.  But he was a clean babe, just how I like them. 

 

Joshua

First time playing basketball. January 2013.  He wasn't very good at the beginning, but we bought a hoop for our backyard and he improved a lot after that.

First day of CTR 4. January 2013. 

This boy melts my heart. 

Closing

Friday, January 7, 2013
I met Dave after he finished work at the real estate office. We signed our life away, and they handed us the keys to our very first home.  I was kinda emotional.  I had gone to the house earlier that day for the final walkthrough and shed a few tears.  It just represented so much to me.  We were settling our roots.  We were buying our dream home.  Such a long road was finally paying off.

That night we had Chrissy, Pete & kids, and Megan, Jeff & kids over for some celebration pizza.  On the floor.  :) 

 

 

We moved in the next Tuesday, Jan 15. 

Bridal Show

Besides modeling with my kids, bridal is my favorite thing to do.  Who doesn't like to get all dressed up in fun wedding dresses?
Bridal show, Jan. 7, 2013
 

 

 

 

 

Attempted pano picture of some backstage dancing! 

Bertille. Clancey. Me. Emoly.

 

 

 

I did another bridal show at the end of January and here are some pictures from that from a professional photographer. They let us stay for the after party and it was so much fun. The food was amazing and they had a dance off...hilarious.

 

 

 

 

Offer Accepted

On December 7, 2012 I was standing in my family room (right by where Dave is in the first picture) and I got a call from our real estate agent saying they had accepted our offer on the house.  I was SO excited! I tried to call Dave but he didn't answer, and he finally called me back when I was driving carpool.  I was so excited to tell him the good news! I waited to tell the kids until Dave got home and we could tell them together.  Audrey loved the house, and was very excited about our good news!

 

 

That night Audrey and I went to the ward Christmas party.  It was fun to see our friends and tell them the good news! And Audrey loved the Oreo on your face game. 

 

December's Instagrams

Audrey's voive recital today.  Singing "Castle On A Cloud" She was so nervous but pulled it off beautifully.  Thank you Chrissy for teacher all she knows.  We know she didn't get her skills from me.

Watching Elf and getting Christmas up. Feeling festive even though we spent all afternoon at the park. 

Santa. Gingerbread. Nutcracker. Candles. Elf. #myfouryearoldboymeltsmyheart

Joshua was complaining that the sugar bugs were hurting his teeth.  So off to Dad's office we went. And anything Joshua does, Austin wants to do too. #bigbrotheradmiration #cavityfree #ihaveacrushonthemaninblack

Rudy's BBQ.  Twice in four days.  It's that good. 

Christmas kisses. 

Chistmas parade.  Complete with fake snow and firewroks set to Christmas music.  That was a first for me, watching fireworks while listening to Hark the Herald, Angels Sing. My heart is heavy for all those suffering and it makes me enjoy the little things and not take things for granted.  (Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting)

Glory to the Newborn King nativity display.  There were over 600 nativities from all over the world. Audrey got to sing and there was even a nativity to keep Austin entertained.  

My very own Rudolph. 

Oppan AJA sytle

Austin's first movie.  And it only took $40 worth of popcorn and slushies to keep him occupied. And his memor.  #whengrandmaisheremomischoppedliver
(We saw Rise Of the Guardians) 

My very favorite Christmas gift. Priceless and nonreturnable.  He's mine forever. 

And since we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. #snowmakesagoodsnack

Over 12 years ago, Dave surprised me and took me to see Les Miserable in San Francisco as one of our first dates.  So it only made sense to go see the movie together. #thistimewithababysitterathome #thistimewithpopcorn #russellcrowecanactbutnotsing #hewasbetteringladiator

 

New Year's Eve

We welcomed in 2013 at our friends Megan & Jeff's house, with Chrissy & Pete, and Felisha and Tim. We only planned on staying until 10 or so, but then we started playing games (The Newlywed Game), and then Jeff put on an amazing fireworks show.  We stayed until way after midnight.

Most of the kids.  They were deep into their play and would not break character for this picture.  Which makes me love it even more.
Hannah, Austie, McKay, Vivien, Audrey & Riley.

Happy 2013!