Christmas 2011/New Years Eve

Christmas

Super Long...Sorry

Starting at about Thanksgiving, I was really dreading Christmas this year.  Don't get me wrong, I was excited because I knew Jordyn was excited and I was looking forward to seeing Aspyn's reaction to everything. I was dreading it because this year was going to be the 1st year since Cody and I first got married that we would be having Christmas alone and away from our families.  We've always had Christmas at my mom's house or like last year they came here.  Since my parents and Amberlee came here last year, it was time for them to spend it with Ashley's family.

We didn't want to stray too far from the traditions that we usually do Christmas Eve, so we had planned to still do the big dinner Christmas Eve with all the things we usually have and still just keep with the usual.  One day I had been talking to Audrey Reedy, who is Jordyn's soccer coach and friends' mom. She asked us if we were going to be going home for Christmas and if not what we were doing Christmas Eve.  When I told her we were staying here this year and that we weren't going to be doing much, she invited us over for dinner on the 24th.  She said every year their family gets together (about 12-15 of them) for dinner and then shortly after Santa comes with a gift for the girls. Audrey said it was pretty low key and that they would love to have us!

We decided Why Not! It actually turned out to be so much fun.  It really was low key and very comfortable.  For dinner we had Tri tip, twice baked potatoes, rolls, salads, green beans, desserts. It was so so good!  Mike's (Audrey's husband) grandparents have been here in Paonia for 55+ years. They are amazing & good hearted people.  Very down to earth and easy to get along with! 

About 1/2 hour after dinner there was a knock on the door and in walked Santa Claus! He did have a gift for all the girls. He visited for a little bit and told them that he would be back once they all were asleep.  Jordyn loved seeing him!

Abby, Aspyn, Jordyn, Emily

We returned home later that evening. Jordyn set out her Rice Krispie treats that she had made for Santa, sprinkled the reindeer food out on the snow and everyone went to bed!

Christmas morning we got up around 7am. Aspyn wasn't sure where to start. She ended up trying to bring everyone their gifts.  Jordyn got exactly what she wanted from Santa. Aspyn had a great time with everyone's gifts. Cody and I were spoiled by our families as well!

Some of the Christmas morning aftermath

The rest of the day we just hung around the house and played with the new toys. We did our "traditional" Christmas dinner that night. It turned out awesome! Monday my parents came for a visit for a few days.  Once they came it was like Christmas morning all over again!  Jordyn loved hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa. It didn't take Aspyn too long to warm up to Grandpa this time! By the end of their trip they were the best of buds!

Cody and my dad went out to Crawford Reservoir a couple different days to do a little ice fishing.  They didn't catch anything, but still had a great time!  It was hard having my parents go home, as it always is.  We did make a "kind of" plan to have my mom and Amberlee come back in March!

Even though it wasn't our typical Christmas, it actually turned out to be great. We are now getting to be pretty good friends with the Reedy's and their girls. I'm sure we've started a few traditions of our own and I can now look forward to doing other things with just my little family!

New Years

Cody saw online that Aspen was having a big bonfire and fireworks for NYE.  We thought that it sounded like a lot of fun.  Something that we could do as a family, but not have to stay home.  We went up around 4 o'clock, walked around Aspen for a little bit, and got a bite to eat.  Then we checked into our room and hung out there for a few hours.  At around 10pm we went out to the bonfire that they had going in the center of the park. 

There was DJ who was playing some great music! It was so random, but so awesome.  The firefighters that were keeping the fire in control were really getting down. 

We enjoyed the fire for quite some time and then decided to do a little Celebrity Hunting around town.  We didn't find any and it was so cold just walking around, so we went back to the fire.  Jordyn didn't quite make it much past 11, but Aspyn was wide awake and making friends with EVERYONE!  She's quite the party animal.

 At midnight, we woke Jordyn up just in time to watch the fireworks.  Aspyn loved them, even though by then she was ready to drop too.  Once they were finished we loaded up and made it back to our motel and all of us crashed!

Even though it was so cold, we did have a great time.  I don't know if it's something we will do again with the girls, but it was a fun experience!

2011 was great! We had a good year getting to know so many people here in town.  We've all found new interests and are getting & staying active and healthy.  We've had a lot of Ups a few Downs, but it really was a great learning year!  I can't wait to see what 2012 brings.  There are already a few things we have planned or that we know are going to take place that are going to be amazing!

So goodbye 2011, hello 2012!! Can't wait!!

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving this year was in St. George with the Hone Family.  It was so much fun! We actually had a pretty good turn out.  My Grandpa and Jodell came from Wyoming. Chris, JoNell & all of the boys were there.  My Grandma and Ken came up from Vegas, and of course everyone in my family was there (except Brieanna of course)!

It's pretty much tradition to go out to the desert and do a little shooting.  I think everyone really looks forward to it.  We turn it into a "friendly" competition having an Annie Oakley shoot off! It's really is a blast! 

Amberlee and her "Christmas Present"

Armed and Awesome

One of the A.O finals

 We even took Aspyn out. I thought she might get a little freaked out with the all the guns firing, but it didn't bother her at all.  While we were out there, she tripped and did a little nose dive. She ended up with her 1st bloody nose.  I think she was more mad that I was trying to wipe her bloody nose than she was hurt.  After a few minutes she was fine and she was up and running around again!

 My dad taught Jordyn how to shoot the pistol. She absolutely loved it!  All she could talk about was when she was going to shoot again.  I love the fact that she's learning how to handle a gun responsibly at such a young age.  Guns and hunting are such a big part of our family, so it just makes sense to start this young!

Cody wasn't really into the shotguns, but absolutely loved shooting my Uncle's 9mm.  I think that I've found the next toy that I would like to have!

After we went through a ton of shells, & skeets we went back to my parents house and ate some A.May.Zing dinner!  I am never disappointed with any dinner with my family.  We all ate too much, but it was so worth it!  We really enjoyed seeing the Hone family again.  It's been awhile since we've seen everyone.  Everyone looked great! I can't wait until the next Hone get together.

The next day we went down to Mesquite to see Cody's family.  We went out to dinner with everyone and ended up back at Danie'l and Chad's house. We saw a couple other good friends that we haven't seen in awhile, it was great!  Aspyn and Jadon played together really well. Jordyn ended up staying at Grandma Sharon's.  I know Jordyn misses her Grandma and Grandpa Survis so it was great that she spent some time with them.  We really miss seeing Chad and Danie'l as well, but it's always so nice when we are all able to hangout again. 

We ended up in Cedar City for 1 night on the way back home. We stayed with Alan, Taliah and Lyli.  Jordyn loves Lyli, and Aspyn just loves playing with anyone.  We miss them a lot too!
Our Thanksgiving getaway was just what we all needed.  We haven't spent that much time in St. George for a long time!

Aspyn's 1st Birthday

Aspyn's 1st Birthday was November 12th! We kept it small, but she had a good time! Uncle Terry and Aunt Bonnie came over for cake, ice cream and to open a few presents.

Yes, I made her awesome cake! It was a double layer chocolate cake, with strawberry frosting in the middle. The outside is just plain ol' vanilla! Yeah, yeah I know, not the most creative, but it was super yummy and Jordyn loved to help me decorate it!

Aspyn got right in there when it came time to open her gifts. She loved it!

 I found this ball pit and thought Aspyn would love playing in it. Little did I know that Jordyn would love it too, maybe even more than Aspyn! I did end up having to buy more balls, but it was still a hit empty.

 We all know that Aspyn LOVES to eat...anything.  As soon as I put the cake down on her tray she went to town on it. Yes, she ended up eating the ENTIRE piece of cake. 

The aftermath

 I can't believe that she has been in our family for a year! This last year went so fast. She's such a good little girl! She is so smart. She loves to read books, loves her sister and her dad.  She still loves the outside and the dogs! It really has been great having her in our family.  She's just such a joy. Happy 98% of the time, but she does have a stubborn streak with a HUGE attitude.  She's definitely going to give us a hard time when she hits the Terrible Two's!

At her 1 year checkup she weighed 21 lb 3 oz and was 29.5 inches tall. Dr Moore noticed that her weight had dropped off since her last visit and that she wasn't following her curve like she had been. She's pretty sure that it's just because she was walking and was a lot more active than before.  She does want to see her again in February for a weight check. Other than that, her 1 year appointment was great!

It's going to be a great year watching her learn new things and explore the world around her.  I know that the bond between Jordyn and Aspyn will just continue to grow stronger!

Happy 1st Birthday Beebs, We love You!