Birthday Month

It's been a busy but fun month. I think back to last year and how I had a new little baby just a few days old. She has grown up so much since that day and I think my love has grown a 100 times more for her. Normally my birthday is a BIG DEAL to me and I can't wait for the day to arrive but this year was completely different. All I could think and plan for was Kambree's birthday. I put together a DVD of the last year and decorated the house. I had her cake planned months in advance and jake and I stayed up the night before making it. It turned out so cute and I was so proud that I was able to make something so adorable. Thanks Betty Crocker for the help :) My birthday was still a blast. My wonderful Melvy stayed home for a couple hours to let me sleep in and to make breakfast for me. I got to go to lunch and shopping with my good friend Heather. And our friend Shlya watched Kambree for the night while jake and I went to a play and dinner. I didn't quite make it to my goal of being back to my pre-pregnancy weight by her birthday. I curse those last 5 pounds. O well, it was worth all the weight gain to have such a beautiful little stinker to make me smile everyday. I love you Bree Bug, Happy first Birthday!

Getting the house all cleaned up for the party and making the cute birthday cake.




It took her awhile but she finally shoved it into her mouth. Jake had dreamt about this day the entire year.

I'm just like a little kid excited to go to Disneyland!

We got these BEAUTIFUL pictures done by a girl in our old ward named Skye Johansen. She is amazing and did such a great job. I have been anxiously checking her website every morning to see if they are done. She had told me that she would be able to do them on Tuesday which was yesterday. I didn't sleep at all Monday night and then last night woke up several times checking to see if they had been posted yet. At 5:45 AM I checked and there they were! I was in love. I couldn't believe how big she looked and how she is looking so much more like a little girl then a baby. I was sort of sad about it. Poor Jake was woken up at 6 o'clock so I could show him and then I drove to her house that early to get the CD that was waiting in a little box on her front porch. I know I'm crazy. I really was so excited like when you are little and can't wait to go to Disneyland or when you can't wait to open your presents on Christmas morning. I know I'm a proud Mama, but what can I say, I think we all adore our kids. I hope you enjoy them as much as us.

BLESSED

That is the only word to describe how I feel right now. I have to admit earlier today that I was overwhelmed with everything going on in our lives right now. I just got called to do scouts at church and have felt so busy with that and piano and preschool that I just didn't enjoy every little moment of the day. I have been feeling so stressed about my business, my church calling, being a good mom, and a good wife that keeps the house clean and makes dinner. I think about the future and doing InVitro again and it just makes me sick thinking about all the money it will cost again. Then as I was driving home from the store a moment ago I had the most overwhelming feeling come over me. I realized just how blessed I am. I am blessed to have a beautiful daughter who makes me smile every moment. I am blessed to have a husband that has a great job. I am blessed to be able to stay at home with Kambree and still be able to teach and enjoy children in my life. I am blessed to have a wonderful Heavenly Father who knows everything I need and takes care of me every day. As I felt this the tears started to stream and realized that money and time spent on callings and work really aren't a big deal at all. I just wanted to share this so that I can always remember how much I have and to never take it for granted.

2009 at a glance

2009 was a wonderful year! We enjoyed many great and new events in our lives. We waited a long time to be parents and that day finally arrived. We have enjoyed every moment of our little girl and love watching her fun personality come alive each day. Here are some pictures of our year at a glance.

I know this doesn't look at all like me, but that's what gaining 60 pounds and spending 26 hours in labor will do to you!
Kambree was so beat up from the delivery. We were so scared when she wasn't breathing but thank our Heavenly Father for letting her be able to live and experience this life with us.


Jake graduated from Weber State in Vascular-Interventional Radiography in May.

It is so nice to have him done with school (for now). We'll see what the future holds.
We celebrated our 5th anniversary in Washington and visited Olympic National Park. It was so green and beautiful.

Jake finished our rock path in the backyard. It took him 35 hours to do and was exhausting. He said he never wants to do it again.

We went to Spring City in the summer and took Kambree to her first rodeo.

Jake and I ran our first 5k together. I don't know if we'll do another one because my knee has been bad ever since.
I finished my year teaching at Willow Springs Elementary and enjoyed a fun work party with everyone and took Kambree swimming for her first time.

I started up JuJuBee preschool and have loved every single minute of it! Well maybe not the planning but everything else.

Jake attempted to hike Mt. Nebo for a goal he made at work. He went on the wrong trail which ended up being longer than Nebo. Poor Sequoia tore her paws apart from the 17 miles that were hiked. I guess he will have to try again this year.
We visited Mike and Sue a couple times this summer in Idaho and had fun having a picnic in the mountains.
Jake backpacked to Lake Ostler in the Uintahs. I am so jealous. Just look at that view.
We had the best 8 course dinner for Lance's 21st birthday.
We took Bree Bug hiking a couple of times. She was either sleeping or crying most the time. Hopefully she likes it a little more this summer.
We went camping with my dad in Heber. We got the best campground ever!
We celebrated a fun Halloween and had a great time coordinating our costumes.
We had a blast going to Hogle Zoo.
One of the doctors Jake works with let us stay in his condo in St. George. We visited the St. George temple and went to Zion's National Park.


We had so much fun watching our little girl enjoy her first Christmas, even though she looks a little worried in this picture.
It was a great year and we are so grateful to have such wonderful friends and family to share it with. Thank you for sharing this memorable year with us. We wish every one a Happy New Year and look forward to the new memories this year will bring.