New Seasons

It's never a proud moment in life when you look back and have regrets on things you may or may not have accomplished.  Or just flat out feel disappointed about something. Life does change and I thing with change there comes new priorities and things we used to love evolves into new obsessions or passions.  Blogging used to be something I was so good at and yet loved as well.  I enjoyed the connection with the people I made while staying home being a mom with my littles. I made sure that I took time out of my day to document the things that was often self talk in my brain or just on my mind.  Now that my children are self sufficient and are all in school I find myself staying home less and less. I don't make it my priority to document our family and truthfully, that has made me sad, not to mention guilty.  Time is so precious in our busy lives, and blogging has definitely taken a back seat and shelved for,.....and entire year! It dawned on my while looking through old photographs on my computer how many adventures we had in the past 6 months alone and not a single documentation of any of it.... Gasp! At this point it is what it is and there is really nothing I can do about past mistakes or regrets.  So I am choosing to move forward the best I can. Each photo really could be a post within itself, but realistically that isn't going to happen.  After all, I am only human. Truth be known I do sense a bit of giddiness as I type in blogger, I really miss it....

At the end of LAST July we broke ground on our back yard.  It was 3 months of pulling out hair, but we survived and I am thrilled with the end result.  We LOVE spending time back there and it beats playing in the dirt and mud.

We rang in the new year with our friends and neighbors.  Set a few goals, mainly to get out of debt, but I have a feeling that will be the new years resolution for a long time.

We decided to throw a huge Super Bowl party with prizes and all.  Lots of good grub, laughs and good friends.  We feel blessed to be surrounded by so many good people.

Jared received the Aaronic priesthood and turned 12.  He now passes the sacrament.  It's a proud mom moment when you see your boy reverently pass the sacrament in church.  We are so proud of Jared!

Dad took him on a father son trip to celebrate his big birthday. Skiing in Utah.

Took the boys up to Sunrise, AZ with Jill and Mitch for the day for snow board and ski lessons

 I tagged along with Doug to the orthopedic conference in San Fransisco, CA.  It was such a blast. We biked, ran the streets of the city and ate delicious food.

 We even managed to hook up with some old dear friends in Walnut Creek, the Wises.

Went to my first political rally to support Mitt Romney.

 Ran a half marathon in March with my first running buddy Tiffany.

Had a big scare with Weston.  He rode home on his bike and had a terrible fall causing a bad concussion.  Luckily his MRI showed no damage and was sent home with a terrible golf ball sized bump on the side of his head.  Lesson learned, wear a helmet!

Spring break was full of excitement, 5 of us (Wahlin's, Hatch's, Mann's, and Braswell's) decided it would be a great idea to rent a beach house for a few days, did I mention there were 17 children (only 5 were girls)?!!  It really was a fun trip filled with rambunctious boys and a trip to Knotts Berry Farm.

Doug met up with us after the beach house to spend the remainder of the week in San Diego,  

we ended with a trip to Disneyland

Doug decided to grow a beard to appear mountain mannish for scout camp.  As you can see it was a success.

 Ogden, UT Marathon I trained with Marisol and Courtney, the course was beautiful.

I ran my 4th marathon.  Of course because I am highly competitive about my time, I didn't get the PR I wanted but it was a great sense of accomplishment to have finished all four under 4 hours.

Here I am with my friend Jill and boot camp instructor, Julie.  I was roped into a bootcamp with my friends, dieted for the first time in my life.  Yes I lost some inches, but walked away not fully wanting to change my horrible eating habits.  I just love crap food too much for me to give it up.  Lame yes, but enjoying life is important too right?? Don't even ask about the costumes....

Taylor has been working super hard on personal progress.  Yes, we are mean parents and won't allow her to get her permit until this task is accomplished.  She spent several hours making her quilt, and it turned our darling.

Weston turned 7 and he is as active as ever.  I can't seem to keep this boy busy enough with all of his energy.  Hmmm I wonder where he gets that from.

Luke received his first official cub scout award and is now a wolf.

Luke also celebrated birthday number 9 this year.  He was lucky enough to spend it in Utah, yes once again.  He reminded me this is the 4th year in a row we were on a road trip for his actual birthday.

 Jared did his first over night basketball camp at BYU for a week

 Taylor did her 2nd year at EFY at BYU and loved it!

For our summer vacation this year we decided to take the plunge and rent a house boat for a week with some good friends from our days in New Orleans.  The Matern's, Dahl's, and us had a great week playing in the sun, eating to our hearts content, and soaking up the beauty around us.  We had a few minor hiccups with the boat, but over all it was a success and we are booked for next summer!

The whole crew

Since we live in Chandler, summer break only lasts for six weeks.  The kids started school this year in the middle of July, which seems so crazy.  Taylor started her sophomore year in high school.

Luke 4th grade, Weston 2nd, and Jared 7th grade.

At the end of July we took a trip to Carlsbad, which happened to be our last hurrah in a mini van.  I know Doug wasn't at all sad to get rid of it, but I have to say I miss the gas mileage and trunk space.

Rode 37 miles Carlsbad to Torrey Pines and back in honor of my birthday.

Claim jumpers for my 37th birthday.

These two continue to be inseparable, I love that they are so close.

 A few weeks ago Jared made the soccer team at his school.  Jared discovered he enjoys soccer and tried it for the first time last year.  And finally my life feels some what caught up or at least I am at the end of any recent photo documentation.  Stay tuned for more soccer reports and Taylor's new adventure in club swim team. It's uncertain when I will actually discipline myself to sit and update. I can't promise a time or date, but I know that I will make a better effort, I am at a new season in life, a good one at that.