2008

Can you believe that it really is going to be another year? I look at how I started this year, and am so proud of how I finished it.

In January my friend Kerstin started my blog for me. It was one of the BEST things for me. I have a love for pictures, and I love telling stories. Seems like blogging is the perfect fit for me.

In February we celebrated Valentine's day. Paul surprised me with a dozen beautiful red roses, and of course candy. I had my first REAL Idaho vending day, and realized how hard Paul really does work. I loved him more after that day.

In March I realized Savannah's imagination. I was able to take her on a Mommy/Daughter date that I will never forget. It was this month that we started to buy furniture for our empty house, and actually started to love my house. We celebrated Easter, and started to plan our BIG trip to Disneyland.

In April we celebrated our 9th year of wedded bliss, and I turned the ripe old age of 27. I finally admitted to my Dooney and Bourke addiction. =) I hated West Jordan, because of all of the WIND. We started flyin' kites, and enjoying our yard.

In May I got to celebrate being a Mother. It is a privilege to be Savannah's Mom. I am a lucky girl. I "trained" to run a 5k with all my friends. It was fun, and wouldn't have made it without someone running next to me! I started to really work with Savannah on her colors, and we had all of our fun "color days"!

In June we FINALLY get to Disneyland. It was one of the BEST weeks of my whole year. We continue with all of our home improvements. I admit to my cleaning product addiction, and make a few new friends in the process.

In July we cut Savannah's hair (gasp!). I still regret it. I love it, but it was SO MUCH easier to do when it was long. We enjoy summer activities like parades and the zoo. I bought "the dyson" that ruined my carpet, and made the next 3 months HARD! We had the firework show to remember, and one that I hope we can top next year. We bought the silver bullet(my car), and of course continued to do home improvements.

In August Paul and I figured out how much we really do LOVE each other. It was the start to one of our biggest trials. We got lots of hot dates, and I finally decided to cut back my hours at work so that I could be with the two most important people in my life. We cried, we held each other tight, and we endured.In September our trial continued. It was hard. We had Wally come stay for a couple of weeks. We went on more hot dates, and rekindled our flame. I took 10 days off work, and loved being a wife and Mom. I made huge decisions, and never looked back. I realized Paul loves me for better and for worse, and I love him the same.

In October we realized that being together and getting to know each other again was what the Dr. ordered. Paul celebrated 30 years and Savannah celebrated 4 years. We started making new traditions, and making fun memories with just the 3 of us.

In November I got in the Christmas spirit early. We shopped, wrapped all of our presents, and enjoyed Thanksgiving. Savannah also got to enjoy her first hot date with Uncle Shane.

December has been wonderful and stress free. It was a perfect way to end the year. I've learned a lot about myself, my marriage, my family, and I made BIG changes. Paul and I have talked at length about our new year. It is going to be full of goals, achievements, a vacation or 2, and maybe even a bun in the oven to end our 2009.

Happy New Year!

Fun, Food, and Family...

We have had Paul's family with us since Christmas day. We have thoroughly enjoyed every moment. Most people complain about having "the in laws" over, but really I have amazing in laws. I couldn't have asked to marry in to a better family.

Wally (FIL) will shovel our snow for hours. Jake (BIL) will play with Savannah, so the adults can go to the temple. Debbie (MIL) will take care of me when I get violently sick from Coke withdrawals. Jill (SIL) will help stir all the food for me, when I have 3 things going at once. Shane (BIL) will make sure Savannah gets the exact present that she asked for. These people are wonderful.

We shopped. We went to the movies, and stayed home and watched movies. We went to Famous Dave's. We went the temple. We went to the pet store. The boys went to Jazz games. We played Candy Land. We worked, a little. We went to Chick Fil A, of course. There was at least 3 snow ball fights. I cooked, shocking I know. We went bowling. AND the best part of it all, we talked, we enjoyed each other, and we relaxed. I love spending time with the people that I love, and the people that love me.

Are you ready for pictures?

Our Christmas was the BEST yet!

Santa made it safely to our home even with all of the snow. Savannah got the "cleaning caddy". It is equipped with a vacuum, dust pan, and all of the things necessary to help Mommy.

You wouldn't know that Savannah got anything else, because that really is the ONLY thing that she has really played with NON STOP! She was extremely thankful, which was nice to see. She said thank you, gave lots of hugs, and kisses!So, remember when I blogged about my present here. The presents I should have been wondering about were these.

Paul SPOILED me. I got a new gorgeous diamond ring, diamond necklace, and diamond earings. Oh, and I still got what was in that other box...this baby is gorgeous too!Good thing I bought him that surprise I talked about here. It was an IPOD, and boy was he surprised! Yeah for Evonne. Paul looked around the room wondering who got it for him. lol. It was BLISS. I even teared up to watch his shock.

As soon as we were done opening presents our power went out. I was starting to worry if all my food was even going to get cooked. It was only off for an hour or so...phew, 3 hours before they expected. My mismatched table turned out cute, and I didn't ruin ANY food! All of it turned out delicious, and I gave myself a BIG pat on the back. =)

If it hadn't been a BLIZZARD most of the day...we would have went outside to take some family pictures. Instead we settled for the fireplace, christmas tree, and couch!

I am thankful that we have family here for the holidays. It has been so much fun already. I hope that it stops snowing so that we can enjoy some Christmas lights @ temple square, Gardner Village, and maybe a carriage ride.

santa, pjs, and oh so much fun!

If I could have had this on video...you would laugh and tear up all at the same time. We love Savannah and her innocence. This is what Christmas is ALL about! Believing in something that you have never seen. It is so SIMPLE for a child.

We started the tradition last year that Santa will bring new pj's on Christmas Eve. This year Santa left them on the front door, instead of on the fire place. We got to see Santa's BIG foot prints in the snow, but we barely missed the reindeer. Daddy and Uncle Shane are still outside looking for them. ;)

Savannah was in amazement that Santa knew her size, and that she got the EXACT one's that she wanted. She has been twirling, and has a permanent smile on her face. Talk about BLISS for me to watch!

When I told her that he was going to come back later, and bring more presents, she couldn't believe what she was hearing. So easy to please, and so happy with just ONE present.

This is Savannah telling Shane all about what just happened!Thank you Santa!

psssst, can you keep a secret?

I can't! That is why I have to turn to blogville to tell all of my little secrets.
Last year was the first year that I gave Paul a surprise gift on Christmas day. It was bliss. I loved the feeling, because it never happens.
This year I thought that I had picked out the PERFECT gift for Paul. I even had it wrapped under the tree, and then he got this crazy idea to go shopping. Paul loves shopping. That is why it is so hard to buy for him. When he wants something, anything, he buys it! Paul called me this week, and asked me if I had bought him a tie rack for Christmas, because he was in line buying one. He takes all the ideas that could have been presents.
Back to my PERFECT gift...he went to RC Willey, and bought him a DVD player. Can you guess what was already wrapped under the tree? A DVD player!! Grrr! I was sad. I actually even shed a few tears. I got over it, but I was back to square one, again!
Little does he know that the DVD player that HE picked out isn't his only gift. =) I went shopping, and boy is he goin' be excited!!!! So, here is where I should tell you what the present is...but I'm going to refrain so that I can have that blissful feeling on Christmas day 2 years in a row.
Paul if you are reading this...I love you! Merry Christmas, and I can't wait to spend another year with you. 2009 is going to be our best year yet...I can feel it!

a little e & e

nothin' can cheer me up more than taking random photos with my bff in target.

nothin' can cheer me up more than a coke icee, and walking through the snow to get it.

nothin' can cheer me up more than an old navy trip. (I should have bought the bright orange sweater!)

i love spending time with emily to get a little e & e time.

t.h.a.n.k.f.u.l

I am thankful for babies...especially my killer cute baby.I'm thankful that Paul and I could make this baby together. =)I am thankful that we were able to get to know her little personality before she even came into the world. I am thankful that I am her Mommy.BECAUSE...Van has changed us forever.

wordless wednesday!