New Years Eve 2009

Tyler's sisters like to give themes for each New Years Eve celebration. This year was Asian. We cooked all day making homemade egg rolls, Korean Jopchee, orange chicken, and wan-tons. We had a TON of food. The girls all dressed up in Asian garb. Can you tell which one was told she was adopted growing up? She actually looks Asian (the one with the short black hair and dimples just like Jocelyn's). Carson, Troy and Jana's "little" guy was all decked out too. The girls also dressed up Jocelyn as Kung-Fu's Tigress and Samuel as the Karate Kid. He's sporting the blond wig and looks almost identical to his cousin Olivia. We played Euchre after we ate and I was in the "championship" game but blundered it with a stupid pepper. sigh. Euchre, by the way, is a mid-western 6-handed face-card game. Often compared to sheephead, hearts or rook. It's complicated to learn but soooo fun.

Fun times for the close of the year!

Jocelyn's 3rd Birthday

Jocelyn totally relished in opening so many gifts this season. She was spoiled by all.

Her first present, to herself, was a new haircut. She's given herself this three times now. Fortunately, they've never been so bad that we had to cut her hair totally butch. You can see in this photo that she cut her bangs (which I've worked all year to grow out), and layered both sides, leaving a bit of a mullet. Luckily, Tyler's aunt Sherrie came to town and was able to mend it. I still miss her long hair. Oh well, now I don't have to do it as often.

Before fix:

After: these cool special shiny M&M's matched her shirt perfectly, don't mind the white-trash chocolate smeared teeth.

A little about Joc in the past year.

I called her a tumor once this summer because she is so attached to me. Tyler thought that was unaffectionate. He's probably right. He reminded me that she won't want to tag on my leg and cry when I leave her for much longer and that I should be grateful she loves me so much now.

I've been thinking of what I DO appreciate about my little 3 old sidekick. And I've noticed some habits that she's developed already.

• She's not afraid of bugs.
• Everything is "cute" or "pretty."
  
• She's a little obsessive. Case in point: she wore her green froggy boots almost daily, and put up a a fuss when she couldn't. She has to have her blankie with her during all sleep times. When her hair is done, she has to feel it "move", in other words, she likes the feeling of it brushing against her neck while in a ponytail. She feel prettier that way, I guess. Who doesn't? How can you teach that to a 2 year old though? And lastly, she wears my garage sale found "princess" dress almost every day. I have to tear it off of her during nap and mealtimes.
  
• She has the vocabulary of a 4 year old.
  
• She can cross her eyes. And when she gets very excited about something, she'll shake and cross her eyes at the same time. I hope that doesn't stick :)
• Samuel is still her very best friend, even if he doesn't think so.
  
• She makes the funniest facial expressions, naturally. It makes me laugh daily.
  
• She does this "underwear" dance every time she's pantless. It's like this little hip moving cheer thing. Makes me laugh every time (except when we're in a hurry to get dressed).
  
• She loves "reading" books. We can hear her reading herself to sleep.
  

We love our little Jocie. or should it be Jossie, Jossy, Jocey????

Tyler made her a triple chocolate cake that I embellished with pink cream. I topped it with three clothespin dolls (tutorial found here) each holding a candle. I made a pink and purple pennant bunting banner to hang with the "springy" banner (she wanted a pink birthday). She was in heaven opening all of her presents. Happy Birthday Joc!

I blogged about making these here.

Christmas 2009

I'll start by showing a few snow shots that we took in Utah before our Christmas trip. Samuel wanted to re-enact a snowball fight in slow motion but I'll spare you those pictures.

Oh, and no newsletter or card this year. I don't think I sent one out last year either. I am trying to set a precedence of not being consistent so people don't expect every year or every other year and if I need to skip a year it doesn't throw people off. You know what I mean? Less pressure for me.







Christmas was spent at Tyler's parent's home in Colorado this year. One nice thing about being a student is that you get the holiday breaks so we were able to stay for a whole 2 weeks!!

My favorite part of the whole trip? Not having to do dishes, cook or clean. I was admittedly (and maybe rightfully so?) lazy. I sat on my tail as much as I could. The first two days I was more swollen than ever (a combination of running around the week previously getting everything ready for the flight, holiday, etc) and the elevation from flying turned me into a balloon. Luckily, all the sitting around and resting brought my ankles back. Then Samuel got sick the night before we left, Jocelyn 3 days later and me 2 days later. I've never puked so much in one sickness ever. I was hoping it would have helped me dilate, but no luck there.

Oh, and how were we able to fly? Luckily, Tyler got bumped on one of his Southwest flights this summer and received vouchers enough for Joc and I to fly. Then we had B1G1free with Delta so Tyler and Samuel flew together. We were able to fly 4 for the price of 1. However, my flight was delayed for 3 hours so I spent as much time in travel with the plane than we would have in a car. Oh, well.

Holiday activities included Avatar, cookies (of which I ate 2/3 myself!), tanks on the Wii with Papa every morning, snow, Christmas scones, way too much eating, movies, games, sickness, visiting with Jennie and Grant, playing with Aunties, and relaxation!

Favorite presents?

Mine: Dyson DC24

Tyler: black socks without holes

Samuel: Diesel 10 train

Jocelyn: 2 Princess dresses, shoes and a wand

Summer fun 2009

I know, this happened like 6 months ago but I am trying to catch up. Part of the whole nesting thing.

5 weeks spent in Colorado (already posted about). 5 weeks spent in Mt. Pleasant. Swimming, Tyler fishing in Alaska, parades, visiting cousins in Richfield, playing in Grandpa's studio, morning sickness.

Lake P 2009

Lake Powell, Utah. The whole family. August 2009.

Swimming, heat, Euchre, eating, tubing, skiing, relaxation, seashells, sea doos, hand painted T-shirts, fishing, yucky hair, sweaty faces, no editing :)

T-Day 2009

Mt. Pleasant, UT. The whole family.

Shooting clay pigeons, cookie turkeys, food, Boursin, Tyler's pumpkin pies, eating, late dinner (silly convection oven), scratches, sickness, way too much Martinelli's, loudness, laughing, late night discussions, home-grown potatoes and carrots, BYU/Utah game, New Moon, cousins, Euchre, Agricola and FUN!!!







The Drapers came down for the day too. These photos are compliments of Liz :)

Side note: the band aid is a battle wound from a battle of cousins. Olivia and Samuel normally get along the best, but sometimes temperaments get in the way, see how they are hugging down below like best friends.

Samuel loved hanging out with Thomas, my first cousin.

Samuel learned this sign from Wii Guitar Hero

Best friends again

(Eva and Warren are MIA in this photo)

A tribute to Grandma Stum

My Grandma Stum passed away on December 4th due to old age. She was nearly 93. The photo was taken at her 90th birthday party.

She's always been in good health. I will always remember this about her. Her water aerobics classes, "green" drinks, whole wheat anything, hiking, etc always kept her strong. My grandfather passed away 9 years ago this month and now they can finally be together again. I am grateful for the Plan of Salvation that gives me the comfort and knowledge of this principle. I know that I will see them both again.

My grandparents served 2 missions to Africa, paving way for the priesthood there. My grandmother generously let Tyler and I live her in basement for the first two years of our marriage. She was ready to let us live there again with two children but this summer she decided, due to slowing mental and physical health, that she needed to move to a more assisted living situation. That was just a few short months ago.

She is an example to me of righteousness, perseverance, charity, love and kindness. She had 5 children, 28 grandchildren, and too many great-grand children to count. I am grateful I was able to be with her in her angelic state a few days before her passing. She had snow white hair, fair skin and a smile on her face.

Goodbye Grandma! I know you are loving where you are now and I know the hosts of angels that greeted you are grateful for your lifelong service!