Holidays have come and gone

So, since the last time I wrote, a lot has happened. We were able to go to my sister's home for a wonderful dinner and some family time, I decided 2 days before Christmas to send cards, we had a wonderful Christmas, New years just kind of happened, and we have made some wonderful discoveries and goals for our family. Here is a little more on everything.

Dinner at my sister's was great. We always love going to her house, and this time I had the chance to see some wonderful newly finished rooms in the basement, and Savannah had the time of her life with the large amount of Little People her little boys have. It was good prep for Savannah's presents, because she got a lot of Little People. It was wonderful to sit down with family, and though there are often little disagreements between loved ones, It made me more and more grateful for my siblings, their spouses, and my wonderful nephews Eli, and Kaden.

Monday before Christmas I decided that since we never have gotten around to sending Christmas cards in the 2 years and now 3 Christmases we have been married, it was about time. In 20 minutes I dressed Savannah, took her outside for some pictures, and submitted them for printing on the Costco website. I was proud of myself for getting them out on Tuesday. Sorry to everyone that did not get one, our address list needs a good update.

Christmas was wonderful. My sister and her family came over Christmas eve to help us eat the 10 lbs ham Noah insisted we needed (we still have at least 3 lbs). Savannah had a great time playing with her cousins, and once again it was so wonderful seeing family around the Holidays. Christmas Morning, Savannah opened every present. She had been trying to get at them for days and was very happy to even open the presents to Noah and me. We played and stayed in our pajamas all day, until I went to work later that night. Thank you everyone for your wonderful gifts and thinking of us!

New Years just kind of came and went. We did not celebrate really, but it was nice to make some new goals for our family. We have been reading the scriptures and making sure we have family prayers together every night since. Hopefully we can keep it up and do better than the occasional times we remembered last year. We want to be a closer family, and especially be better examples and role models as Savannah begins to learn more and more this year. We are so very grateful to be parents and have such a wonderful and smart toddler. Hopefully we will be good enough for the job of teaching her and someday her siblings.

San Diego trip

We had a great little trip to San Diego last week. From the 9th to the 16th we were able to escape wintery Utah and visit a place we could wear shorts. We stayed at Noah's Grandma Joyce's home and had a wonderful time spending time with her.



After we flew in we visited Noah's mom and a family he is friends with. Since the sun was setting and it was nice and warm we decided to stop by Ocean Beach too. Savannah loved it. She headed straight for the water after falling once in the sand.











Wednesday we went to Sea World and had so much fun. Their little kid area was all redone with Sesame street and we spent hours there before exploring the rest of the park. Savannah loved everything there, especially the flamingos that walked in front of us and the sea lions that made her laugh really hard.





















Thursday we walked around Balboa park and met with Noah's Grandma Joyce where she works at the art musuem. There was a beautiful exibit with large kimonos that we really enjoyed. We also looked for Coy fish in the pond, which Savannah could not get enough of. Then we went to Noah's brother Spencer's place and went out to eat with him and his girlfriend to Moe's. It used to be Hamburger Mary's. Same place, just a new name. Look it up online. Its a really fun place, and the waitress kept taking Savannah to the dance floor.



Friday we went to the zoo. I had wanted to go here since I was little, and was not dissappointed. It was no Animal Kingdom, but it was really fun and I fell in love with the new baby Koala with its mom. The pandas were really awesome too. I had never had the chance to see one before. After the zoo we went to Hodad's in OB. Its featured on Diners, Drive ins and Dives.. a favorite show in our family.





Saturday we did a little shopping and visited Noah's great grandpa George before going to dinner at Great grandpa Tom and Great grandma Rita's. Savannah opened up some Christmas presents and we had such a great time



Sunday we went to church were Noah was converted. His mom met us there and after we went to brunch at Tom and Rita's, then Dinner at his Aunt Bridget's. It was a day of seeing lots of family and we loved it. Savannah loved chasing around the other kids at Bridget's house and got lots of really cute hand me downs from the very well dressed little Emily (Bridget's daughter). It was such a great day and Savannah got a few more really cute Christmas presents.



Monday was super rainy and not very typical weather. We met Noah's mom Gale and Aunt Jenny for lunch before Savannah was shown off to a few friends of Gale's. We finally relaxed before heading off for some goodbyes.


Overall we had a wonderful time. it was not much fun to come back to lots of snow, but it is nice to get back to life and normal sleeping patterns. We are so grateful for family, and I am especially happy with the one I married into.

Little Flashback

I just sat down to look at some pictures and began to tear up. Its been almost 15 months since Savannah came into our lives and the time has flown by so fast that its hard to believe how much she has grown and changed. I was looking at pictures from the first 2 weeks of her life and so many feelings came back to me. I remember feeling lost, unworthy, and scared. Most of all I remember when I held her those first few weeks and was so worried I wouldn't be a good mom to this little person I didn't really know.

Oh how things have changed. I still feel scared, especially since she is so much like me. I don't feel as lost, but I still feel unworthy to have her. I still have a hard time believing I am a mom, and that I helped create her, because she is so amazing. She talks all the time, runs everywhere, loves to explore, and seems to always have these little tasks she sets her mind to and will not be bothered until she is done. I remember worrying about what she was going to be like, and if she would like me. That first day we held her was like meeting a little stranger you cant help but love. I remember looking at her and wondering who she was going to be and what she was going to be like. I have a feeling she is only going to become more and more amazing, and full of surprises.

Getting ready for Christmas!

Noah and I are very excited to have a camera again. Well, I think I am more than Noah, but now I will not bug him about how we have not been able to capture 2 months of our child's life. It's a plum colored camera too! I think its very pretty. We got it just in time for our trip next week to San Diego, but until then, we decided to play with it a little at home. Savannah would not stop posing with cheesy smiles.

We got our Christmas decorations up and I love it! There is something about having a tree, and little lights and a nativity that just makes a home even more comfortable. I have always been very into the holidays, and have actually been watching Christmas movies and taking decorations inventory for almost 2 months. I have my playmobil nativity up, which I have loved since I was 16. Savannah now gets my pink Barbie tree in her room, which I still love, but am happy to share. I love our fake tree, and though it only has ornaments on the top half to not tempt Savannah, its perfect! With the table decor, lighted garland down the stairs, stockings hung on the wall, and a candy cane message board I made for Christmas cards, we love the feeling of the season in our home.

Amazing people

I am constantly amazed at how much other people love and help me. I am not one to ever ask for help, but when I am desperate there is always someone there. I have been proven time and time again that people are not always out for themselves in the world. I grew up with many fair wether friends, but in the past few years have met some truly amazing people.

Last night my car broke down on the way to work and without hesitation they guy at work said it was not problem if he had to wait a little longer, Noah came to rescue me, and my neighbors came over (even though they are teachers and up and out of the house very early) to be close to my sleeping baby. I hate feeling out of control, but its so wonderful to know there will always be people there for you... just like last week when my friend Elise said it was no problem watching Savannah at 6am, when her own baby would still be sleeping. I don't feel worthy enough to be around such amazing people.

This weekend my wonderful friend Amy coming into town, and she is one of those amazing people. Someone who was one of the first to prove to me what a true friend is. I am so excited to continue to have the opportunity to surround myself with greatness. I hate to think what the world would be like without these people.

Just another quick example. Noah and I have been talking about ways to strengthen our marriage, because there is always room for improvement. I just got home after working all night and getting the car fixed, to find a dry erase board he bought and wrote on. He split it into 8 boxes and wrote the days of the week and upcoming events. In each square were goals and things we had talked about. Its so wonderful to know that we are both in this full hearted and that little things, like being better at brushing our teeth at least twice a day and saying family prayers more often, written on a board can show how much we want this to work forever.

Not too much to report... but I can always leave a little

Life is pretty much the same as always. We are loving our time together and really excited that we will be taking a short drive to Park City, UT this weekend. My very generous parents have given all their kids a week to divide at a resort there. Noah and I will be the first to stay a few nights. I think I am most excited for the change of scenery and to spend some time together. I have been very emotional since weening Savannah and I think my hormones are all out of balance. Poor Noah has to deal with the slightest things making me cry... just like the entire time I was pregnant, so I think this weekend with fresh air and quality time will be very good for us.

Its crazy to think we have been married for 2 years now. So much has happened since then and its so wonderful how much better life can get. For the first time in our marriage I really feel like we are home. That may sound odd, but it feels like we are finally in the right place, at the right time. I know we wont be here forever, and someday I would love to not be renting, but for right now we seem to just fit. I love the friends that we have here and the close family. It will only get better when my parents move out here. Noah and I have for the first time in our marriage actually made friends together. We love all our friends, but there is something different about those you knew before and your spouse met, and people you meet as a couple and decide to spend time with. Savannah is making friends too! Noah and I had work schedule conflicts last week and luckily my friend Elise saved us by watching Savannah for two mornings. Savannah and her little boy played so well together and Savannah was so excited to see him again yesterday. I love this state more than I ever thought I would and am so grateful for the opportunities that brought us here.

Hopefully we will get a camera, or get ours fixed so we can have pictures from this weekend. Its amazing how much Savannah has grown up. She is 14 months now! Crazy!

Voting Day!

Today we are going to teach Savannah about being politically aware and civic responsibility. Who knows how long the lines will be, but when Noah gets home from work any time now, we will be heading to the Elementary School to vote. I am excited as this is only my second presidential election I can vote in, and the first Savannah is alive for.

Everything else is going well. Savannah loved Halloween. She got the concept of holding out her bag for candy quite quickly. Sadly our camera is broken so I did not get pictures, but it was fun. There is nothing else really going on, other than going to cornbelly's with my sister and my nephews. Savannah liked the train ride, but the kids were a bit to young for the David Archuleta corn maze... wow, you don't hear that too often.

Life is good. We are excited to see family and friends in the coming months and I am looking forward to black friday to buy a camera. Hope everyone goes out to vote!