Resolutions

I have never once in my life set a New Year's resolution that I have kept. I usually don't set any. In 2011 I set one goal, exercise four times every week. I just have to brag for this one tiny second and say that I completed this and thus my first New Year's resolution. I am so proud and so sick of exercising that much. Sometimes it was fun, like in the summer when I could bike and I would sometimes bike more than four days in the week. Sometimes it was torture, like when I was sick or had parent-teacher conferences. 

This year Stephen and I wrote a whole list of things we'd like to do this year, either alone or together. The biggest ones for me are to learn to play the piano and to complete a 100 mile bike race. I am starting piano lessons this week and I am planning to sign up for the 100 mile stretch of the Goldilocks women's only ride in South Salt Lake that takes place in May. I would love a riding buddy if anyone is looking for a New Year's resolution of their own!

The Happiest Place on Earth

For Christmas with my family this year we went to Disneyland! My family LOVES Disneyland. I am not excluded from that but Stephen definitely got his fill after our three twelve-hour days between the two parks. I would go back today if I could! We had a great time.

The park was all decorated for Christmas, which made it even more magical.

We went on SO many rides. Despite what Stephen might think, we still didn't go on every ride but that could be a good goal for next time.

We met some of our favorite characters. I didn't get to see sleeping beauty this time except in the parade so that is sad. At least I got my picture next to Heimlich and my mom even had a candy corn handy for me.


Stephen and I both got our favorite Disneyland treats. Both of them were a little too bit to finish comfortably. Stephen muscled through his but I had to have some help on mine.

All of the boys wanted to share in eating a turkey leg together.

We had mostly good weather. This was the best and most sunny afternoon.

Later that day it rained and Stephen and I sat on the Main Street curb for an hour that night trying to get premium spots for the parade. They canceled it due to the rain. We were still happy because we had one more night and the next night we got front row seats on benches for the parade.

This was my new FAVORITE ride. It was so much fun and we rode it at least five times.

Merry Christmas from the happiest place on earth!

Merry Christmas

We had such a great Christmas. We were in Logan for the weekend with the Champlin family.

The Christmas Eve program was a little wild this year. We had a doughnut eating contest (Spencer won), Stephen's face got painted like Santa, we built gingerbread houses (Spencer's and mine was the best but Zac and Lyndsay won), we ate Elf spaghetti, and much more.

The whole family on Christmas Eve...plus McCrary

We got great gifts. Ashley got dreamy shampoo and conditioner, I got Modern Family season 2, Kamie got the best pj's ever, Spencer got some special Christmas shoes (it's his favorite Christmas song), Zac got a custom robe, and mom got a Christmas miracle coat that fit like a glove and she won't even return.

Stephen got the other best pajamas in the world and he and Kamie were pj besties.

Christmas morning, just looking so great.

Church was great on Christmas day and Stephen looked the cutest in his new Christmas suit. Spencer looked the second cutest in his Christmas sweater.

Young Family Photos

Over Thanksgiving we got family pictures taken with the Youngs. They turned out great!

The whole family:

 My favorite of Stephen and I:

Stephen's favorite:

'Tis The Season

Merry Christmas! It's been a busy holiday season for our family. We had a get-together for Spencer's "homecoming" just before Thanksgiving in Logan. The whole Robinson extended family came up (from Las Vegas) for the occasion. The house was full and crazy and so much fun.

We got to spend Thanksgiving with the Youngs. It was so fun to have Chris and Nicole there from Denver and we LOVED having the new nephews around. Family pictures to come soon.

Right after Thanksgiving Stephen and I picked up our tree. We strapped this beauty right on to the top of the Passat. Who needs a truck anyhow? It smelled amazing and was a little bit bigger in our house than we thought it was going to be when we picked it outside.

I actually managed to purchase ornaments this year, I am pretty pleased with the tree but Tai Pan Trading was a little intense for me and Stephen.

Santa came early for us this week when he dropped this on to our door step. Stephen did a fantastic job assembling it. Thank you Santa!

Stephen gave me my first gift today. It was a truly selfless gift, this year's Michael Buble Christmas CD. I just can't help it, his voice is so wonderful. Stephen didn't even mind listening to it with me...or at least he didn't say anything.

Tonight we finally made it downtown to look at the lights at Temple Square. They were impressive as always and unfortunately it was freezing as ever. There are only two days left but we are keeping our fingers crossed for a white Christmas to come along with this cold.

Happy Holidays!

Marcel

Stephen found this video on youtube and we thought of our friends Adrienne and Heather, this one goes out to you two. Marcel The Shell With Shoes On, Two:

Welcome Home Elder Champlin!

Spencer FINALLY got home from his mission in Buenos Aires Argentina this past weekend. It actually didn't feel like he had been gone for two years but I didn't like him being gone at all. It was a joyous reunion.

Three of Spencer's best friends/companions from his mission came to the airport with us. They were the designated sign-holders. My fourth graders helped me make these signs. Yes, we were shameless in the airport to Stephen's chagrin. He is in the airport with obnoxious people like us a little bit too often I guess.

Lyndsay and Kamie with...yes...balloons.

The whole group waiting...

Spencer and his lovely sisters.

This is now the only family picture that we have with everyone in it besides my wedding photos. It's so great to be all together again! Check out Ashley's baby bump, the first grandchild is due in May!

In true missionary style he's sporting his ripped shirt and shoes with the soles barely hanging on.

It was such a fun weekend. We watched both of the Harry Potter 7 movies, ate delicious cheesecake (his first food request, can you tell that he grew up with all sisters?), went to the temple, and just had such a great time together. Welcome home Spencer!

Two Weeks

Thats right folks, only two weeks until this greatest, cutest, most wonderful brother gets home from his mission in Argentina.

It's going to be great...

We're going to hug mom...

We're going to take some (more) great family photos...

We're going to catch up on the Harry Potter movies...

We're going to get Spencer ready for the rest of his life as a real man...

We're going to see the sights...

We're going to watch some sports (sadly not the Red Sox this year, next year though)...

I can hardly wait!

It's Fall and It's Busy

This will be a mega update post. It appears that I have less time to do things like blogging when I am actually working.

School Update:

My class is doing a lot better, or at least I am used to them and they are used to me. I have one particularly...interesting child (I have many actually but this is one of them) who likes to make very strange comments to me. I am trying to write them down so I don't forget. Here are a couple:

Boy, stroking his face: Mrs. Young! I feel like I'm in second grade again!

Me: Why do you feel like that?

Boy, still stoking his face: Because my skin is so soft.

another...

Boy: Mrs. Young, I just have to admit, you look SO beautiful today. 

And when he isn't sharing his musing thoughts, he is usually humming songs very loudly and dancing in his chair, no matter what myself or the rest of the class is doing and regardless of his spot on the front row (strategic spot on the front row). 

Another school highlight that just occurred this week, or at least I found out about it this week, is that I have a child in my class who's had ringworm for the past month or more. Lovely. He was promptly send home and we all promptly sanitized "everything that a child might touch" in my room. So far I don't think any of the other kids know, which is good. I don't want him to be shunned by the other students even if I might feel like shunning him. 

Family Update:

Jessica (Stephen's sister) had her baby! His name is Miles Morris and he is so precious. Stephen and I are now an aunt and uncle two times over. 

We now have two little nephews and they are just the greatest. Thomas looks like a tank next to miles. I am so excited to have them both around for Thanksgiving this year!

Stephen and Jayme's Life Update:

It's fall and we are loving it at our house. Over Conference weekend we too full advantage of the lazy Sunday and made some of my favorite fall foods. Apple Pie, amazing and fall-like for obvious reasons, and Peach Fluff. I love fresh peaches in the fall and besides just eating them straight, this is my favorite way to enjoy them. It's like peaches and cream and it's amazing. In case you're interested in trying it:

34 large marshmallows

1 cup milk

pinch of salt

1 1/2 c whipping cream

4-6 cups of cubed peaches

Heat the milk and marshmallows until melted. Add salt and cool in the fridge for one hour. Whip the cream and fold in the marshmallow mixture. Add the peaches and refrigerate until serving. It's not exactly health food but it is delicious. 

Stephen and I ran the Dirty Dash at Soldier's Hollow a while back with some friends. We got a before picture...

As for during, it went a little something like this...

It was hilarious and so much fun and I would do it again in a second. I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance. 

And last of all in this marathon post, Stephen and I had the greatest Sunday today. We took off right after church (Primary program today! I am now teaching the four-year-olds in the primary, such a stark change from being in the young womens. Not going to lie, it's been tough but I am getting to be more ok with it) and headed up to have a picnic in American Fork Canyon. It is SO beautiful in the fall and I have to say that I think this weekend was the prime time for a lot of the areas we went to. 

We LOVE living in Utah, beautiful things like this are just a quick drive away. 

Real Salt Lake and One Republic

After being gone for much too long on business trips, I told Stephen that he could feel free to plan a great date for us last weekend. Did he ever! I love going to Real Salt Lake games and this game that he took me to had a concert after. One Republic was actually better than I thought they'd be. The game was still my favorite part but the whole night was wonderful.

A blurry bad camera phone picture to document the evening: