One Crazy Year

Andrew and I were talking the other day about how we couldn't believe Asher is already a year old. Then we started naming all the things that have happened since we welcomed Asher into our family. It started right after he was born with his seeming inability to sleep for longer than an hour for the first 6 + months of his life. You may think I am over exaggerating. I'm not. To me it was a miracle that I could even get through the day every day. I have never been so incredibly tired, spent, exhausted...you name it. Oh, the hopelessness I felt. I read all the books, tried all the tips. Nothing helped. Just thinking about it even now makes me want to cry. Well, enough said. I am happy to report that he is now only waking up 2 times a night on average. My other boys were sleeping through the night at this point, but with him, I will take what I can get.
Okay, so we were super sleep deprived starting off the beginning of the year. Then Andrew started working like a madman to finish up his dissertation and all his PhD work. He officially graduated in August but worked up to the day we moved to a new state in September. Literally, he worked on the day we packed up the moving truck. Then started his new job in Arizona almost immediately. I started homeschooling the boys for the first time which is an adventure in and of itself. And even though we have only been settled in this house for about 4 months, we just recently found out that an offer we put in on a house has been accepted and we are on our way to becoming first time home buyers! Which means yet another move is in the very near future. We have had quite the eventful year, and we are so glad that Asher was here with us to enjoy the ride.

So, in case you haven't guessed, all these pictures are of our sweet little Asher on his first birthday!

It really goes without saying that I love, love, love this boy. He has stolen my heart, with his sweet kisses, his super cheesy grin, his love for his brothers, his happy disposition, his beautiful blue eyes, and his cute love handles. He truly has a special spirit about him. It's funny, because when I got pregnant I really wanted to have a girl, but now that he is here I would not change a thing. I actually love that we have 4 boys. When people stop me in the grocery store and say, "Oh, wow! All boys, huh?" I am proud to say, "That's right!" I look forward to so many adventures with my house full of boys while still enjoying the time I have with them now. Heavenly Father really did know what he was doing when he sent Asher to our family, and I am grateful for it every day.

Family Pictures 2011

I had to start off with the above picture because this pretty much sums up how pleasant taking family pictures is with little kids. Parker is smiling though, as always. He is such a happy kid. :)
We decided last minute to get some family pictures. People have been asking for updated pictures and we haven't had any family pictures taken in three years, and of course that was before we had Asher, so we thought it was time. We were rushing around the house on Saturday trying to scrounge up some outfits that we thought might work and get the boys dressed and ready before the sun went down. Of course, if I was prepared I would have bought new outfits for the everybody, given all the boys much needed haircuts and had them dressed and ready in plenty of time. But that is not how things worked out. All things considered though, I think we got some decent shots.

Glen Canyon

Andrew and I have lived in three different places outside of Utah since we were married, and have driven to Utah from all of them. On our drive home to Arizona after Thanksgiving last week we decided this drive is by far the prettiest. What was the ugliest you ask? The drive from Northern California to Utah. Hands down. For those of you who have driven that route, you know what I mean. Okay, Okay, I must admit there are a few pretty parts once you get into California, but the whole drive before that is harsh.

Graham Cracker Houses

After making these, Parker said to me, "Will you please take a picture of our houses and put them on the computer so our Grandma's can see?"
So, by request, here are their beautiful creations.
The above house is Carter's.

Parker's

Tristan's

And Asher's (he had a little help with his).

Since I didn't get a picture of Asher with his house I thought I would throw one in of him by himself. He is a cutie. Love that boy!

FHE at the Mesa Temple

Last week we took the kids to see the lights at the Mesa temple. I must say I was pleasantly surprised at what a good job they do. I mean it's no temple square, but they have a decent sized visitors center and they have a ton of lights and displays to look at. And the best part is you don't freeze like you do in Salt Lake! We were in light jackets and we were perfectly warm.

I can never get Tristan to look at the camera. It drives me crazy. This was the closest I got.