New Years Eve

 Finishing up the holidays with New Year's Eve at GMA's house!

 We played Cranium for hours...I loved ending 2011 with these two kids!  Tanner was off with his friends.  Jordan and Hans spent it with their friends at EVE downtown.

 I love this man!  I am ready for the new adventures, challenges and laughter as long as I have him by my side!

 Chris and Missy ready to celebrate their second anniversary!

Hans and Jordan downtown at EVE.

It's been another successful year with it's challenges and disappointments along with it's pure moments of joy and great accomplishments.

JASON

Jason started a new job and is no longer working from home.  He continues to amaze me with his energy.  I knew I found an incredible father for my children but I didn't realize until this past year how I found an amazing companion to spend the rest of my life with.  We have made many adjustments this past year and oh how I enjoy my new found time with Jason!  Growing old with him is going to be fantastic!

TIFFANY

I received a promotion working as a coordinator for Salt Lake County.  I manage an ice rink and swimming pool (more like an amusement park)!  It's been a whirlwind of meetings, planning, organizing and learning.  I love every minute and there has many millions of minutes spend in my new position!  I continue to serve with the Young Women and love my time with the youth!

TAYLOR AND JASMINE

Taylor is becoming an amazing young man.  He has turned his life around and become my hero.  He has fallen to the very bottom and figured out how to make a better life.  I love our conversations and I see so much of his dad in him.  He and Jasmine are a beautiful couple and I anticipate great events in their future!  Jasmine works at Starbucks and started college.  Taylor continues to work full time at Ortho Development.

TANNER

Tanner's year was not fair.  He set goals and was constantly challenged with accomplishing them.  He was discharged from the Army and later withdrew from college due to the ACL and tumor surgeries.  Jason and I recognize the blessings and the prayers our family has received on behalf of Tanner's surgeries but it's been difficult for any 18 year old to understand.  Last month, he took the big step and moved out.  He has registered for the spring semester at the junior college and I anticipate the upcoming year will be much better! 

JORDAN

Jordan had a challenging year with her skating injuries and learned lessons on patience and perseverance.  Despite the limited training, she qualified to Sectionals and finished 8th.  For the first time in 9 years, she is taking a two month break and healing her back.  She has enjoyed her time off!  She is busy with her boyfriend and plans to get her license in a few weeks.  She is becoming a beautiful young lady. 

Three goals I want to accomplish in 2012...

Read the Book of Mormon (again).

Spend more time blogging detailing my thoughts and experiences.

Print my blog into books.

Of course I have many other goals but these three will keep me going month by month as we face the adventures, blessing and challenges in our home!

The Snuggy Gift

 Mom gave each family member a snuggy!  It's the inside joke about how cold mom's house is...so now she gave us each a snuggy!

Santa's Gift

 Santa left four little boxes...each box had 4-5 pieces to a puzzle!

Yeap...it's time for a trip to Disneyland!  We are planning to leave in May.  Last time we took the family was over 10 years ago!

Christmas Morning

 We woke up and QUICKLY packed our car with the gifts and headed to GMA's house!  The kids stockings were waiting...along with Max and Tegan's stockings too!

 Santa left each child a special small box...

Christmas Eve Night

 All my kids, including Mini Horse Dog stayed the night.  They opened their one present of pajama's and we all cuddled in the livingroom to watch "Four Christmas's".  This was after I made them watch a special message about the Savior and the true meaning of Christmas.  It was a wonderful time to just relax and talk with each of them.  I love them so much...

They may not make the choices I would prefer but they are really turning out to be incredible young adults.  I love this phase of life...I love being their mother!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve dinner was at our house.  Another great evening spent with family and loved ones!

 I loved being surprised by Nate! 

This is our second year in a row spending Christmas in Utah.  It was wonderful to spend it with mom and her brothers!!!

Remember Cordero???

Cordero is all grown up!  We had our farewell dinner serving his favorite meal...tostado's!  Cordero is spending a month in Alaska (his home) and an intership in KOREA!!!  We won't see him until June 2012.  We will miss him so much!!!

Family Fun Nights - Zoo Lights

 ZOO LIGHTS! 

 Another fun evening with the trippy glasses and spending with family!  I seached the web for the glasses and watch out next year I am getting the variety pack that includes reindeer, santa, elfs and candy canes!  I am also selling them at work for our public skate nights...

Family Fun Night - Temple Square

 We were planning to ice skate but it was closing!  So we adventured out with our trippy glasses and walked to Temple Square.  We were missing Tanner who was busy with his new roommates.

 I love growing old with this man!!!

 They couldn't be any cuter!  I love spending time with Jasmine and Taylor. 

 Another cute couple!  Hans and Jordan spending their first Christmas season together.

 Jasmine brought her sister, Diana who is expecting a baby next year!!!  The glasses create snowmen or snowflakes with each light bulb.  They are fun to wear!

 Jason and Taylor

 My sweet Taylor!

Hans and Jordan

 Winter Formal

Jordan dragged Hans back to high school to escort her to Winter Formal at East High.  Hans graduated in June from East. 

 Hans and Jordan have dated off and on for the past year.  However, lately its been more on than off.  After the summer of drama, it's wonderful to find them figuring this whole relationship out.

 September 2010 Homcoming

May 2011 Han's Senior Prom

Mo Graduates from Weber!

 Today was a very special day for me!  I am so proud of Mo!  It amazes me how a few great choices lead to many incredible opportunities.  I remember the first time I met Mo at work.  He was shy but looked mean.  It was his second year at University of Utah.  He hit a rough time and so much was uncertain.

 I remember looking straight into his eyes.  I saw someone great!  Fortunately, others did to and playing football at Weber became a new opportunity.

 Our family opened our hearts and soon Mo became part of our family.  He has accomplished so much the past two years.  He has grown into an amazing young man!

And now he moved out and took Tan Man with him!!!  I got a two for one deal! Mo decided to move to Salt Lake City.  His brothers from Oakland moved here too and all four of them now live together!  They call Tanner "White Boy on the Couch!"

Smurf Night

 Family Smurf Night at GMA's.

 Family Fun Nights continued with Smurf Night.  We of course watched it on BLUE ray and ate blue smashed potatoes, blue jello and meat!

We then watched Smurf's!  Did I mention how much I LOVE having my mom in Utah!