Random December....

So as I have been going through my pictures, I am sad to say that I did not take any pictures on Christmas with my camera! I took a few and a video on my i-pod, but that does not count. I can only think that it must have been too early for me and I was too excited to pause to get the camera. But I have found a few random pictures from the month that I thought were fun.


Porter and Marin reading. Porter is so good with her, best big brother ever. I love when I find them doing things like this together.


She loves this book, there is a finger puppet in the back that she thinks is so funny.


We also had another white elephant party this year which was hilarious as usual. Some crazy gifts were given such as a tic tac throw, a snuggie and inflatable chair (ours), Easy Feet (google it), scary clowns and sanitizer, reindeer poop, and crazy candy and some quality movies. It was great fun.


We got some great packages in the mail this year. This is a picture of the kids sporting all of their things my my parents in Montana. The kids wore the reindeer antlers everywhere!

And at the end of the month Andy and I got to go out on a date for our anniversary. It was so fun, I love just being together being able to talk without any interruption. I truly married my best friend.




10 years baby!

So that is all for December, it was a super busy month and a great way to end the year!

1/3 of my life with the most amazing man.....

Today is our 10 year wedding anniversary!!!! I cannot believe how the years have flown by! I have spent so much time the past few days reflecting on the past 10 years of my life and on all of the amazing things that Andy and I have done together. I thought it would only be appropriate for this occasion to post 10 pictures for our 10 years. It was so hard to choose only ten and extremely time consuming to go through all of our albums and look at all of our memories. So I will begin with a picture from when we were dating...

This picture was from one of our first dates, he took me spelunking, which I so did not want to do, I am so claustrophobic, but when you are in love you will do pretty much anything!!



The next picture I chose is the proposal picture, oh the proposal picture.....it is just a little less than totally romantic. Andy chose to propose to me immediately following my tonsillectomy surgery. To sum that moment up, basically what happened is I came out of surgery, the nurse asked me how my IV was, I was not responding because I was not even fully awake yet, the nurse asked me again a little more sternly this time, I still did not respond, then finally she said "Shay! Look at your hand!!!!" So I looked at my hand, and there it was a Mongolian wedding ring on my finger. I looked up to see Andy standing there with roses and I think that is when he proposed, I don't fully remember. He made up for it a few weeks later when my real ring arrived with a proposal at the Bountiful temple, where we were getting married.



My wedding day was the most perfect day! We had the best reception with dinner and dancing, it was so fun. I don't have much more to say about that day or event because it was AMAZING!




Next I chose a picture of us at Zion National Park in Utah. This is one of my favorite pictures of us. Our first two years of marriage were filled with many camping and fishing trips, well, just trips in general. Looking at our pictures it was so cool to see us at Disneyland, on the Jay Leno set, swimming with Dolphins, in Vegas, in Montana, Yellowstone National Park, Moab, Ennis, Bozeman, and it goes on and on.



When I didn't think things could get any more amazing....they did. We had our first baby, Porter! That was an amazing experience that I will never forget and it changed my life in so many ways. The emotion that lies in this picture is something that I cannot describe. Having a baby early and in the NICU is something most new parents are not prepared for. We made it through that together and now almost 8 years later I could not have asked for a more perfect son.



Then came Carlee, oh, our sweet Carlee girl, named after Andy's grandfather Carl who had passed away. Thinking of having her brings back a flood of memories, mostly at the hospital, before and after. I love this picture of Carlee and I, the joy I felt that day was so great. And what more could I ask for we had a perfect and healthy baby girl!



The next few pictures are all around the same time, but were so huge and life changing, I had to share them. First came Andy's medical school graduation. Medical school was such a long haul, but brought great experiences and memories on the beach of Maine that forever changed my love and appreciation for the sun. We got through medical school with the great support of each other and our families, me staying home with the two kids, living off of student loans. His graduation in Maine was a big sigh of relief that we were moving on to the next big stage in our life.



Buying our first home was something we had waited for so long to do and when the day came it was unbelievable. We pulled up to the house after a long drive from Maine to Ohio and we were all literally running around like crazy people from room to room, backyard to front yard. It was so comforting to know that for the next few years we had a place to call home and to raise our two soon to be three children.



After being in Ohio for just a few weeks we welcomed baby number 3 into our family. Having Tessa made everything about being in Ohio that much better. It also meant that we had three children all born in different states!



The last picture in this "10 of 10" series is a picture of Andy holding Marin at the hospital. It was just Andy and I there and I was brushing my teeth and getting dressed so he was just holding Marin. I sat down on the bed and got comfortable, and when I looked up I saw Andy holding our sweet new bundle by the window just adoring her. I grabbed the camera and took the picture that captured that moment perfectly.



So there it is, a quick summary of our past ten years. I know how truly lucky I am to have married Andy. I do not know any father or husband and wonderful as he is. Our life together has been so wonderful and I am so grateful for the life experiences that I have shared with this incredible man. I get so excited when I think about the next 10 years and where we will be then, especially when I don't even know where we are going to be living in 6 months when Andy finished residency! I love knowing that for all time and eternity I will have the best companion by my side. I love you so much Andy, Happy Anniversary!

Surprise Attack!

I have been so lucky throughout my life to have met amazing people and to have made some great friends. Each person has touched me in such a way that I will never forget. Andy and I have been away from family for so long that I truly find friends that become like family to me, that is how it has been my whole life (shout out to my Cali peeps and Utah peeps!!).

So I have a few friends here who I don't hang with a ton, but we talk on the phone, see each other at church, and in passing for pre-school carpool. It had been a while since we all got the chance to get together and just talk and catch up, so Kim organized a little breakfast (BWC style). It was great, she made crepes that were to die for! As were sitting there at her table she says "So Shay, do you know why we are really here?" I was of course totally confused and said "no, well, yes, for breakfast." Kim just laughed and said "nope, we are taking you to get your ears pierced! Are you scared??" And off we went to Claires, well after I went home to get Carlee and Tessa.


Kim, Kari and her sweet baby Sophia, myself (the victim), and Sara.


The location of the event.


Me signing my life away holding the Calire bear for comfort.


My big supporters.


And here I am, such a big girl with her ears pierced! Glad that is over with.

Thanks gals for such a fun morning! Love ya.

Did you know Santa's Workshop is in Ohio?

If you didn't know that before, you do now! We had the awesome opportunity of heading to Kirtland for the Lake Metroparks Farmpark Santa's Workshop with our friends the Stelter's. It was the most amazing Christmas experience ever. When we first arrived we headed right into visit Santa, we needed to be sure he knew what the kids were crossing their fingers for to be under the tree (Porter asked for a Lego thing, Carlee and Tessa both asked for a DS, and we spared Marin the fear this year.)


Porter with Santa


Tessa and Carlee with Santa

After our visit with Santa we went outside to get in line for the carriage ride. It was a little rainy that night but nothing bad enough to stop us from seeing the amazing light display.


Here are the kids waiting in line.


Our family on the wagon ride. It was so pretty out there with all of the lights. I just kept wondering who took all of the time to set it up! I think the kids favorite part was going through the rainbow tunnel, even I said WOW!


The Stelter's, love you guys!

After the wagon/carriage ride, we headed into the barn to see all of the animals and to watch a Christmas horse show.


I could not believe this momma pig and cute little babies. For some reason when I saw her I could totally relate.


Marin and Carlee waiting for the horse show. They were performing The Grinch and A Christmas Carol.


Another family picture in front of this cool wagon.

After the horse show we headed back to the main building to go to Santa's Workshop where the kids were going to make a toy. While we were waiting in line, I took the girls in to see the cow's and they actually got to milk one! Porter was not interested in this at all.


Carlee had no fear and was a professional at this, and Tessa did a great job too.

Finally it was our turn to make a toy! Before you enter the workshop you get to choose from a hundred different toys what you would like to make and then you are assigned your very own elf! Tessa and Carlee chose to make a unicorn, Porter made a army tank, and Marin made a butterfly.


Here is Tessa getting started on her unicorn. I love that they give each child a set of safety glasses.


Porter and Carlee at their station.


Tessa doing the drilling, she felt so big!


Another one of the girls and the elf, they were in heaven.

I just can't say enough about what a cool night this was. There was so much to do and see, it was a lot to take in. We were so lucky to get tickets, this event sells out every year! Thanks Stelter family for a great night and for the funnel cake!

November wrap up....

The last half of the month started with the fun arrival of Grandpa Matthew and Grandma KayLee. The night they arrived we went to Buffalo Wild Wings, just to start off the trip right. Early the next morning I took KayLee to the fresh wreath making activity at our church that Sara and I planned. That was a fun to do together and I love having a fresh wreath that I made hanging on my porch.


KayLee and I in the wreath making festivities.


Some of the ladies at our table, love these gals.

On Monday Andy and his Dad went shopping in preparation for their many hunting excursions here. KayLee and I were somewhere, I cannot remember, but I do remember walking in the door and seeing this....



Yes, this is Andy hanging from the pull up bar in a tree stand harness. I guess it is something you would want to test out before being in a tree. This is why I love Andy, he is always making me laugh.

Tuesday was our hot chocolate stand similar to what we did last year, where we sell hot cocoa, wreaths, and jewelry, and donate the money to the cystic fibrosis foundation. Porter and his friend JP are "in charge" of it, but this year Carlee and Wes got to be more involved and also handed out flyer's in their classes, they were so excited. Our friend Ally Zappe who has cystic fibrosis came to support us, it was great to see her and her daughter Olivia. This year we raised more money than last year, the kids were so excited!! It is such a cool thing to see your kids being excited about helping others, especially this time of year. I have to give some serious props to Sara, she gives so much of her own time and money to do this for the kids, you are amazing girl!


Our little stand.

I think I forgot to mention that it was pouring down rain this day! The weather could not have been worse. Andy and his dad spent so much time setting up a great protection for us so that the sell could go on. I was so impressed that people still came despite the weather, although I bet we would have had more if it were not raining.


Wes, Mrs. Brax, and Carlee (their Kindergarten teacher).


Andy and Matthew doing manly things in our garage.

So overall the sale was successful! Thanks to everyone that came and supported us, the kids, and most of all, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

That night, before the kids went to bed, Matthew spent so much time with them making a marble run that went all the way down the stairs. It was awesome. Porter worked on it later and had it start at his bed going all the way down the stairs. It was great while it lasted.......Marin attacked it the next day!



Our Thanksgiving was great, crazy, but great. My friends and I started out the morning with our own little 5 mile turkey trot, which I loved, there was less guilt in all of my over indulgence of the amazing food we had at my house this year.


Hillary, myself, and Mamie (yes I made Andy get out of bed to get a picture of us post run).

Andy went and played football with the guys like always which was good. Then it was time to get down to business, we were hosting a few families, with Andy's parents, an intern Andy works with from CA, and we invited the missionaries, so needless to say we were a full house this year. The food was spectacular, I could not believe how much we had, and there was a great variety of food, it was so fun. The kids loved having their friends here too. It was so cute to hear them singing Christmas songs while they were eating! I love the Thanksgiving holiday, this whole time of year, it's just fun, despite the chaos.


Some of the gang at the dinner table.


I think Carlee had the camera and was taking pictures and that is why we are all laughing.

The day could not have been any better, it went so well. After everyone had gone and things settled down, Andy and I decided to try out the black Friday thing, but that was a no go, too many people. I don't like how they started it at midnight this year, it just wasn't the same.

The next morning, we got up and got ready to go and cut down our tree (I love traditions). It was the most beautiful day and warm, it could not have been better.


On the tractor out to find the tree.




Matthew showing me how tall a tree was, could it be the one??? Nope.


After a while the kids needed a break.


This is the one.


My boys cutting down the tree.


Porter is getting so big.


I think this is my favorite picture from their trip, Matthew and KayLee are so cute!

While we were waiting for the tractor to come and pick us up the kids were jumping to Andy off a big pile of something, they are just crazy.....


Tessa is just cute.


Carlee's turn.


Leave it to P-man to go all out.


The whole crew riding the tractor back to the lot.


When we got back to the lot, our good friends the Stelter's were there waiting to get on...funny!

So that sums it up....we had a great and very busy last half of November. I cannot believe that we are in the last month of 2011! I am trying to soak in as much of our remiaining Ohio time as I can. And, I love this time of year, it is so fun, busy, but fun, so bring it on holidays.