One of the closest relationships I had growing up as a kid was the one I had with my brother Kendall. We were two peas in a pod, and inseparable to the point that we practically spoke our own language (driving everyone around us nuts!). It was a friendship that I cherish to this day, and I think these two might be the same way...
I'm never much a fan of January. It's kind of a let down month after all of the wonderful friends, family and food of the holidays. It's also still freezing and everyone is stuck inside. BUT, having said that, this month has actually been a really nice one for our little family. Coming home from vacation was definitely sad, and the first week home was lonely, but it was also really nice to be back in our own space and burrow back into our routine, which I feel like the kids have done really nicely. Jayda is happy to be back in preschool and is learning more and more everyday. We've been working together on learning to spell her name and know her letters. It's coming along slowly, but I love how excited she is to learn. Skyler is starting to talk so much more and is at such a fun age. His favorite word is "no" and even if you ask him if he wants candy, or juice (which he goes bonkers for), he will look at you, nod his head and say "nooooo!" Glenn is really busy in school and comes home a lot later in the evenings than I'm used to. It was a little tough adjusting at first, but we've gotten the hang of it. He does love school right now though, even the cadavers (he's a tougher person than I!), but we are very much looking forward to a nice summer break! So anyway, here are some pictures of what we've been up to this month.
The last time I went to Target I found these little cubes and tubes on clearance and couldn't stop myself from snagging them. They take up a lot of room in the house, but my kids love them and use them at forts, beds and even building blocks.
Where would we be without good old Dora? Skyler just discovered the magic and wonder of Dora, and usually wakes up first thing in the morning begging for Do-wa/boot! Jayda LOVES that Skyler will sit next to her and watch a show with her, and gets sad when he has to go down for a nap. Notice the face, she knew I was taking her picture, but didn't care enough to actually look at the camera. 
I got the "spring cleaning" bug a bit early this year and did a bit of organizing, with Glenn's much needed help. We cleaned out and de-junked quite a bit. It's amazing at what a difference it makes even knowing that the pantry isn't a holy disaster anymore! 
Jayda just started a little reward chart. As you can see there is nothing fancy about it. Do something good=get a star. When she fills up a row, she gets a small prize, and when she can fill the whole grid, she gets a bigger prize. So far it's been working pretty well, and I've already seen a lot of positive changes in her behavoir. But, lazy mom as I am, I need to be sure to keep up on it. It's so easy to slip back into old habits!
Last week Jayda got to take her dad to Dads and Donuts night at her preschool. It was her chance to show daddy her classroom and some of the cool things she gets to do everyday. They had a lot of fun and enjoyed sharing donuts together!
One of my New Year's Resolutions was to become thriftier, shop the sales and learn to walk away when I knew I didn't need something. So I subscribed to the Sunday paper and started clipping coupons! I also found the website thegrocerygame.com, and got on a trial membership to see if I could save money on groceries that way as well. So far I've saved quite a bit, and I've been able to stay within our budget. However, as I've mentioned before, I am a L-A-Z-Y person, and this system is a bit more demanding than I'm used to, so we'll see how long I can keep it up!
We took this picture the other night because, as you can see, our kids are both using their left hands to eat. I don't know why this strikes me as significant, and I don't even know if it will stick, but Glenn and I are both right handed, so it would be kind of funny if both of our kids came out as lefties. I wonder if our mailman was a lefty...I JOKE!
So when I print off my blog book, this will be my very last post!
I actually really enjoy the start of the New Year. It offers a chance to reflect on the year that just passed, and provides a clean slate for the year ahead. It's a fresh start and a whole twelve months to set goals and perhaps accomplish things we never thought possible.
As corny as it sounds, at the end of every year I like to give it a title that best describes the overall theme of the year. It took about two seconds to come up with the Year of Change. This has probably been one of the most significant and life altering years that Glenn and I have experienced as a couple, and as a family. It's going to be very exciting and interesting to see the path our lives continue to take several years from now.
So here are some, but not all, of the highlights of this year...
Anna's husband DJ with Gigi. The kids, especially Skyler really love that dog.
Anna and Boston
My old Bannock House friend April, with her daughter Jordyn and my daughter Jayda. We were pregnant and had our babies only months apart from each other. They were fun to watch play now that they are older and the same age.
April, Jordyn, and Jason, who also worked at the Bannock House with us, good times. Lots of late night therapy sessions at Denny's together back in those days!
My friend Suzanne and I at Texas Roadhouse (we were supposed to be at the movies, but we wanted to be able to chat much more!). I actually met Suzanne through her husband who was a fellow student and coworker. We hit it off really well and all four of us became great friends.
Jacob and Suzanne on New Year's Eve, just seconds before midnight! This was our third time spending New Year's with each other. We always have so much fun!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Jacob and Gavin
Me and Gavin. Suzanne had just barely had him before we left, so it was so nice to get to see him again now that he's a bigger boy.
Suzanne and Jayda reading Fancy Nancy
On our way to shop for New Year's treats!
Jayda and Ellie. Ellie is Kristine's daughter, another friend that was pregnant the same time I was. Her daughter is only a month older and they are so cute together. I love how they are both in princess dresses! 
Tea party
Me and Kristine, a friend since we were twelve!
Me, Janna, Audrey and Jayda. Janna is another old friend. They used to live right across the street from us, and if we needed anything, we literally could shout out the window at each other and help was on the way. We really miss being their neighbors. Luckily, they moved out of the neighborhood too and now have a sweet new house in the old neighborhood I grew up in.
Cliff, Janna and Audrey
Glenn, Audrey and Jayda
Me and Heather, another Jr High friend and partner in many of our HS shenanigans! They live in Layton now and fortunately we were able to stop by their place for dinner on our way to the airport. It was so fun to see them again, we hadn't seen their family in a long time.
Jayda, Carter and Ashton playing a gameboy. They got along really well.
Heather and Jaron
Lily, isn't she adorable!
Heather and Jaron's daughter Emmaline. Heather tells me that her and Jayda were very similar at the same age (sweet, but uh, very busy and independent!). Now she is an absolute angel...which gives me hope!Okay, let's not make any mistake, I love every member of my family equally. Having said that, my mom, sister and sister-in-law are definitely my favorites, oh I joke, see sentence number one. Seriously though, we have so much fun together and being able to spend time with them again made me realize just how much I miss them. There were a few evenings and days dedicated to the girls, and these are the photos...
One of our nights in Jackson Jackie, Deanna and I spent a night out on the town. We jumped around to a few different places where we ate some great food, listened to some live music and enjoyed each other's company.
The Monday after getting back from Jackson, my mom, Jackie, Deanna and I took a shotgun day trip to SLC for a girl's day. It was such a blast and we always laugh so hard when we're together. I realize that pretty much all of our pictures consist of us sitting around food, but at least I'm being accurate in my representation!
Getting ready to play!
Snow Angel
We were pretty proud of "Frosty," named by Jayda. Unfortunately the storms came later that night and Frosty took a quick leave back to the North Pole!
Yeah, get me out of this crap... 
My parent's backyard, so pretty.
I'm as wide as I am tall, don't you love the mansized gloves, we couldn't find any mittons his size!
Glenn standing on the back patio, yes the snow really did come waist deep!
Jackie and I decided to brave the insane snow on Christmas day and go on a walk. It was so fun and wasn't cold at all. It was also the only exercise I got the entire two weeks, ahem.
In case you're wondering where Jayda gets it...
Jackie running free in the snow!
