Happy New Year

With the start of a new year I decided it was time to start blogging again.  For now, the thought of trying to get all the posts done that I have gotten behind on is overwhelming to me and will not get me caught up for some time, so we're going to start with today and as I have time I'll add in the blogs I wanted to do, but didn't find time for when they "happened".
Not much happened today; it was a pretty typical Sunday.  I was blessed with staying home from work today on under time and able to spend the day with the 3 most important people to me.  Since not much happened today I decided instead I'd journal about some of our biggest blessings from 2011.  I should probably grab the calendar so I don't forget anything, but here we go from what I can off the top of my head (which should mean they were the ones that really stuck out, right?).  Evan had a wonderful year at the shop and continues to enjoy his job and ownership in the company.  We made time for lots of boating and camping trips this spring, summer, AND fall that created memories for us as a family forever.  Our house went on the market the end of May and we had a successful closing in December (while that sounds like a long time and trust me, it was to me, it truly was a blessing to sell it that fast in this market).  With a successful closing brought us a new house to call home and you can ask any one of us and I'm pretty sure you'd get some form of "we couldn't be happier with our new house".  Our new home puts us closer to all of our daily lives which has helped more than one could imagine.  Besides those significant happenings we were also blessed with health, family, and friends and time together which is priceless.

I know there are many people anxiously awaiting to see pictures of our new home.  I have to say its been a little trying to get pictures done as I don't want clutter pictures and we're still working on getting organized, but I was able to get most of what I wanted, but please forgive me for what I haven't gotten organized (aka my pantry), and the fact we still have empty walls.  If Evan got his way the walls would stay empty, but I win and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of our latest family picture on a canvas and then will start tastefully filling my walls, thanks to my latest addiction, Pinterest.

The outside of our new home.

Coincidentally, the outside looks very similar to our last house.

My kitchen...



The pantry I've been waiting for!!

Our dining room.

Our living room, or family room, depending what you call it.

All open to the kitchen (the bottom of the picture is my kitchen countertop).

When we first started house shopping we would walk in a house and if it was all open from the kitchen to the living room, etc I was ready to walk back out so I have to kind of chuckle when I think about my "attitude" now, BUT there's a reason....the beautiful french doors lead to another family room which has been called the fireplace room as there is a fireplace in it.  Having this made it so I was okay with the open'ness as there was a room off where the doors could be closed to help with noise and I have to admit I LOVE having the kitchen, dining, and living room so open and having what we call the "bar" there so some one (typically me) can be working in the kitchen, but not be "left out" or not be able to see what's going on.

First down the hall is Denver's room (sorry its a little dark the sun was shinning in too bright at the time)

Makenna's room

...and more of her room, including her closet.

The kids' and main bathroom.

And the master bedroom...I love my coffered ceiling!

Our master bathroom.

...and our walk in shower.

Lastly, our giant covered deck...can't wait to spend my summer out there, but I may have to enjoy it yet this week with our gorgeous forecasted January weather.

I left a couple pictures out so you'll have to come visit us!

Family Trip to Arizona

We made our first big trip, on an airplane, as a family of 4 the beginning of March.  We flew to Phoenix to visit Evan's grandparents (who live there during the winter months) and his aunt, uncle, and cousins.  We had a great time and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

We left Friday evening.  Waiting to board the plane.

Yes, he's licking the window.  This was Denver's 2nd plane trip (5th plane ride).

Kenna's first plane ride and she loved it.

Neither of the kids slept, even though we boarded AFTER Makenna's bedtime!

Denver watching movies on the way there.

Our first look around Grandpa and Grandm's yard in the day light.

Kenna was sooo happy to be outside in the warm sunshine!

Picking an orange from the tree.

Grandma Lu brought Kenna a basket to put her oranges in.

Denver woke up a little later than the rest of us.

He was so excited to see everything and the nice weather!

All dressed and picking oranges!

Attempting to pick a giant grapefruit!

Looking up inside the grapefruit tree.

Always has to have her blankie!

Grandpa and Grandma's little cactus.

Other kinds of cactus in the back walkway.

The top of the cactus pictured above with Denver...it was too tall to fit on one picture!

Playing at the park.

Dad's on vacation! :)

Reading Papa Lloyd the map.

The kids basket full of all their pickings; Arizona sweets, oranges, and tangelos.

The neighbors dog, the kids loved watching him.

Kenna riding in the car.

We rented a car and carseats which worked out nicely.

Kenna's favorite place to walk at Auntie Dawn and Uncle Joel's.

The narrowest area past the pool!

Denver reading the map to cousin Alethea.

Eating ice cream with CHOCOLATE!

Playing with Winchester!

This was PERFECT as Denver loves to "bear fight".

Different shots of the pretty birds outside Grandpa and Grandma's window.

Setting a trap for "thumper"

(Denver's favorite movie at the time was "Bambi")

Feeling a little guilty I didn't go find Kenna for a family picture here, but my original intent was a picture of Evan and I, but Denver wanted in and then for some reason I never thought of a family picture later.

Mommy and Kenna soaking up the sun!

We drove out to a dairy farm before going to the airport Monday afternoon.

Unfortunately (or fortunately) the kids fell asleep so they didn't get to see it, but brought back some good memories for me.

The Mesa Airport has a nice outside area in the center of it so we soaked up a few more rays and let the kids play until it was time to load our plane.

One last orange in Arizona, or...maybe not.  He never ate it. 

Only continue reading IF you care for some "gross" info that maybe my kids will not be pleased with when they are old enough to read, but its part of the trip, so its part of the memories, right?
Anyway, Kenna (who had been about completely potty trained) had a huge accident, diarrhea.  Denver had thrown up earlier that morning, along with G&G's septic system backing up; so we were afraid of what the plane ride home would bring, but it was uneventful, instead we came home to SNOW!