The Holidays

We had a very eventful holiday season. Christmas greeted us with a massive snow storm this year. The weather man announced that we would be getting anywhere from 12-21 inches. WOW!! Snow started in on Christmas eve and didn't stop until about the day after Christmas. We were a little worried about making it to all of our holiday stops but hey..we are from Minnesota. We can handle a little snow, right? Although we didn't make it to Ben's parents for the Christmas Eve dinner we did make it over for Christmas Day and to my aunt's house for my side of the families Christmas. Christmas eve was quiet for us this year. We all stayed home and watched Christmas movies and prepared the arrival of Santa. Tayah was well aware that Santa would be coming down the chimney and bringing her toys. We left Santa a cookie and some milk (Although Bella almost ate the cookie and I had to pry it out her her slimy dog mouth). Tayah went to bed that night with no complaints and excuses. Tayah was greeted in the morning with a big green tractor, a dragon castle, a doll, and a horse. She was pretty happy with Santa this year since those were all the things that she had been asking for the weeks previous.
New Years we were all in bed and asleep by 10:30. I guess we are past our prime of the days where we enjoyed staying out late and partying for New Years until late in the morning.
New Years day Tayah and I were hit with a terrible stomache bug spending all night and into the early morning battling that. Tayah and I took over my bedroom that weekend and kicked Ben onto the couch. He really did take good care of us and even came home early from his coyote hunting outing that night to take care of us. Luckily he didn't get sick.
Well, being my birthday is the day after New Years I sorta skipped my birthday this year since I was still not feeling well and had no energy to do anything fun. However, being that my brothers' birthday is the day after mine, and Tayah and I were finally feeling better, we were able to have a fabulous brunch with them, my parents, and my grandparents and all celebrate together. Watch out next year because I will be making up for this year celebrating the bit 3-0!!

Wedding and Chicago

Well my last two weekends have been filled with FUN!!. 2 weeks ago my little, (not so little), brother Justin got married. It was a beautiful wedding and the photos turned out beautiful...good job Ben!! It's a little weird to picture my brother married but I could not have picked a better bride for him. Jason too, my other brother, is getting married in July and Katie is a really great girl too. They both fit into our family very nicely. Tayah had a blast at the wedding as flower girl. She made it down the aisle with no problem and had a great time at the dance.Last week I went on a mini trip to Chicago with my mother in law, Val, and two sister in laws, Emily and Abby. My sister in law, Abby, moved out there recently and is a teacher in the area there. We definitely will be making many trips to visit when we can. We all had such a great time. It was a great girls weekend. We shopped, ate, went to a musical, went to the 103rd floor at the Willis Tower (aka: Sears Tower), and walked the city to see the sites. It was a great weekend. No...I didn't see Oprah. But this was as close as I got to her.

4 more days!!

Well, we are officially to wedding week for Justin and Holly. I'm a bridesmaid in the wedding, Tayah is the flowergirl and can't wait to wear her "wedding dress". Ben is doing the photography for the wedding so is preparing by practicing with his new flash. I have to say he is being really professional for all this. He is quite the perfectionist when it comes to his photos so I know he is going to do a great job. Here are a few photos just for fun. Next time I'm on here I will update with how the day went. Thanks for reading and check back soon!

Trick or Treat and on to November

We ended October with Halloween and Tayah had so much FUN!! She woke up November 1st and asked if she could go trick or treating again. Tayah dressed up as Snow White this year and we just happened to get the movie a couple days before Halloween so she was really able to watch it and really understand who this Snow White lady is all about. She liked the movie, and we know that because we must have watched the movie 20 times already. After trick or treating to all of the grandparents houses on Saturday we went over to our friends Levi, Stephanie, James and Cole's house. Tayah and James are the same age and were really starting to get the concept of dressing up and getting candy. They were really cute. Well, we are onto November already which means it is Holly and Justin's wedding month. That day is going to be here before you know it and we are all looking forward to it. Stay tuned for that!!

The Hard September

September was a difficult one for our family this year. We had the unfortunate loss of my mom's sister, my aunt Laurie. She lost her life to addiction at the age of 50. We all knew about her addiction and thought that maybe she would get a good scare that would make her change her life for good. Unfortunately that scare came too late when she found out her liver was failing, which never did regain itself. Eventually it led to her kidneys failing. I was fortunate to spend her final days with her which I am glad now that I had gotten a chance to do. When I knew that her end was near she was all that I thought about so it felt good to be by her side and with my family during all this. We will miss her greatly. I'm also sad to share that I lost an early pregnancy as well this month. It came during a difficult time as we were all dealing with the fact that my aunt was dying. I truly feel that my body was just too exhausted during this time and could not handle carrying such a delicate life. I debated even sharing this news with anyone but decided that it is nothing to be ashamed of and I've accepted the fact that it happened for a reason. It was meant to be and I know we will be blessed again with another beautiful baby again when the time is more right. This month was definitely a lesson on how fragile life can really be.

Also, on a much happier note Tayah started gymnastics this month and she LOVES it!!! Here are some pics taken by her biggest fan, her dad.

Sorry August

Well...I try and get on here to post something, anything at least once a month. Well, sadly it is already SEPTEMBER and I completely missed out on August. The weather is getting cooler at night which feels great for sleeping but it is sad to think that fall is around the corner. Ben is THRILLED as his favorite season starts this weekend, HUNTING. Another year of being a hunting widow. It's okay, after 10 years, I am used to it. I will try and post something later this month as we are getting ready for someones big 3rd birthday...I wonder who that could be?

Photos from July