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!

 

Christmas Visitors

Memor, Fafa, and Aunt Ritz came to celebrate Christmas with us! And being the crazy festive people we are, we picked them up at the airport like this:
 

We went straight to our new house so they could see it.  Walls weren't painted yet the color they are now. Memor and her new little sidekick. 

We ate at Rudys, (picture is turned and I too lazy to go fix it)

saw some awesome Christmas lights, 

 

 

 

Dave was on call and had to go in for an emergency and I got to go assist (in my church clothes), 

cleaned up for church, 

smashed in Austin's car seat so we could drive around and see more lights, 

(worth being smashed)

 

saw a movie (Rise of the Guardians), 

decorated gingerbread houses/trains, 

(the girls...hearts)

(the boys...fire)

had our first annual Christmas Eve talent show (Joshua and Fafa did magic tricks), 

(these lovely ladies played the hand bells)

(and then Austin wanted in on the fun)

and then Dave and I did our "Feats of Flexibility" act.  I accidentally kicked him in the face.  Whoops. 

We had our nativity and Audrey made such a sweet Mary.

 

 

 

We started our new tradition of Christmas Eve sweat suits instead of pajamas.  

and then read books with Auntie Ritz.

 

On Christmas morning, the excitement was palpable. Audrey read the letter from Santa, 

and Austin could barely contain his excitement. 

 

We did some Christmas dancing, 

 

played in the snow, 

 

and were so sad when Aunt Ritz had to leave Christmas night. 

We had fun playing with Memor and Fafa the next day. Thanks for coming! We loved having you!