Update

So, I guess I should do an update.  We all survived the holidays!  We traveled to Utah to enjoy Christmas with the families.  It's the first time since Justin was 1.  Originally, Aaron was on 24 hour call starting Christmas even through New Years Eve. That was changed so Aaron was able to be with us for the first week.  We enjoyed our time with family and love that the kids were able to make memories with the cousins and good friends while we were there.  We weren't able to see everyone, but did enjoy those we were able to see!

We got together with a few of Aaron's friends from High School.  We laughed quite a bit.  Brian is Aaron's best friend and we haven't seen him since his wedding in February 2006.  It was great to see Brian and Amy as well as Alicia, Brett & Debbie, Sarah and Becky.  A little bit of food and a lot of catching up happened!

We decided to hit Temple Square with some good friends.  First we did dinner and catch-up at Melissa's house and then Sharon, mom & Dad and our family headed to Temple Square.  It was cold and Aaron and the boys spent the entire day on the mountain skiing.  I don't think they even thawed out before braving the cold.  We lasted about a half an hour, but glad that we were able to see the beauty that they call Christmas at Temple Square!

New Year's Eve we spent at my Mom & Dad's.  We spent a good majority of the night watching slides on the wall from when my dad was a baby.  Old school, right?  The kids had a blast though.  We played our new favorite game "Telestrations" until 2 minutes before midnight when we rushed to get the bubbly ready.  We barely made it.  The kids loved it!  We slept in until almost 10 the next morning.  Enjoyed Grandpa's famous omelets and then went about our crazy day!!

Happy 2013!!

Books for 2013

To go along with my 2013, I will be reading a handful of books.  They will include:

Women of the Book of Mormon
Mary the Mother of Jesus
The Continuous Atonement
Christs Gifts to Women
The Miracle of Forgiveness

Do you have any other must reads that will correlate with Mercy/Forgiveness?

2013 Theme

My 2013 Theme has been decided.  I'll try and keep the blog updated with my monthly quotes.  I am really enjoying all the prep for this one!!  It's been a while since I was this excited!!

If you are ever interested in any of the images, please e-mail me and I would be happy to e-mail you a copy of the images. They are great quality and I have them printed at Costco and frame them.  I make them in my digital scrapbooking software   

Nana & Papa Wixom

Being in the military and only passing through every few years makes it hard to keep in contact with all the family and friends we have.  Facebook, blogs and texting definetly make it a bit easier, but there is nothing better than just plain getting together fun!  We decided it would be better do get together at a resteraunt, so we met Bret & Terri {Aunt & Uncle}, Zach & Becca {Cousin & his wife} and Nana & Papa at Johnny Carino's.  Good food {that I didn't have to make or clean up}, good company and good clean fun!! 

 

 

Dinner!

 

 

Zach & Becca {Good Clean Fun!}

 

 

Nana & Papa with the kids!

 

 

Group Shot!

 

 

Zach {can you tell the kids loved him?}

 

 

Our famiy with Bret, Terri, Zach & Becca

 

 

All the adults {We'll count Zach as an adult in this one because he was on his best behaviour!}

 

It's wierd seeing my younger cousins all growing up {and having kids of their own}.  I feel so old!!  Thanks Zach!  :)  It was great to see you guys! 

 

 

 



Blackfoot, Idaho

We spent a few days in Blackfoot, Idaho.  We rode horses, played with cousins and caught up with family we haven't been able to see for a while.

 

Bless Rick & Michelle for putting up with us!!  The kids LOVED every minute of it!

 

 

 

All the kids with Rick & Michelle!

 

 

Aricca was my Maid of Honor.  Here she is with her little man!

 

 

Blackfoot wouldn't be complete without a trip to the cemetery.  Justin is named after my brother Justin who died when I was 7 {he was 8.}  This is the first time Justin was really old enough to understand the significance.  Justin was my best friend.  I will forever miss him.

 



Victor, Idaho!

For as far back as I can remember, my family has always gone to Victor, Idaho for Memorial Day.  My dad's dad died when my dad was 6 and our tradition was going to his grave with the whole family.  Over the years fewer and fewer of the family continue to go, but if we are close and are able to go, we go. 

Grandpa Burnside & Grandma Morgan's headstone's. 

{Grandma Morgan isn't buried here.}

Justin is named after Grandpa Burnside.

{His middle name is Wesley.}

{Cold & Rainy!!}

{The girls agree!}

Thanks Victor for making me feel right at home.  You can NEVER predict the weather in Victor.  It's been super hot one year and snowing the next.  I sure miss this place when I am away!

Nana Schwendiman

We drove to Montana and stayed there Friday Night {May 25th} and arrived late Saturday afternoon at Grandma Schwendiman's house.  The kids were so excited to see her.  We stayed with her for two nights.  My highlight of staying with Grandma is playing cards.  I love staying up late and being silly.  Everyone acts silly when playing cards with Grandma!  Sadly, I only got a few pictures while staying with Grandma.

The kids in PJ's and ready for prayer.

Quick stop in Seattle

We finally got off the boat!  As one who gets sick on the water, I was sure happy to get off the boat!  We drove off the boat and were on our way.  We were headed to a park to meet some friends for a quick catch up.  Trey grew up near the Seattle Temple so we did lunch at a park near the temple.  One of my good friends Sarah drove North and it was SO good to see her.  It had been since my wedding night that I was able to see Sarah.  Her oldest, Dalton was just a baby then.  So much has happened.  We had a blast catching up and our boys sure hit it off!!  I was sad to go.  If Aaron wasn't there, we probably would have chatted all day! 

Our family in front of the Seattle Temple.

Sarah and I.

Sarah, Trey & My kids.

It sure was good to see her!!!

Alaska Marine Highway Boat Fun!

We packed games and activities to keep us busy while on the boat.  Here are just a few pictures of us killing our time on the boat.

Trey playing Go Fish with the kids.  We played lots of games with the kids.

The adults put together a couple of bigger puzzles.  We met a couple other really cool families on the ship.  This family was LDS and in the Coast Guard. 

Justin lost his very first tooth.  He was pretty excited that the Tooth Fairy was able to find him on the boat!

We did stop in Ketchican, but I must have left my camera on the boat.  I can't seem to find any pictures from there.  I will be moving off the boat and on to the rest of the trip so I can try and catch up to present day!  So much has happened!