Disneyland

The last time I went to Disneyland I was 19 (so 8 years ago...ah!!) I was so excited when my dad told me he was planning on going while we were in Palm Springs. Not only was it Brinsleys 1st time but it had been a long time for everyone else as well. Disneyland did not disappoint!! It was so much fun to be there with my niece. You forget how magical Disney is until you see it through the eyes of a child and it was so much fun watching the pure joy on her face as she ran around exploring, riding the rides, and seeing the characters (especially Mickey). I had so much fun and always enjoy a day where you can be somewhat of a child again :) I LOVE DISNEY!!!

Let the Memories Begin....

The Family in front of the Castle!

Me and Cute little Brinsley with her stylish Minnie Glasses

Isn't she the CUTEST Disney girl ever!!!

Getting soaked on Splash Mountain

Poise everyone :)

Brinsley excited for the ride (but sick of pictures)

Winnie the Pooh

Thunder Mountain!!!! Probably my favorite ride :)

Bo, Me, Brinsley and Amy waiting to get on Its a Small World

So cute!!! They have disney characters through out Its a Small World. Its one of my favorite rides now :)

Calling our Disney Friends :)

Dumbo!!!!!

Me and Bo!!

Palm Springs

Palm Springs is one of my favorite places in the whole world!!! Its beautiful. Its calming and relaxing. I just enjoy sitting around, laying at the pool, eating yummy food and just enjoying a slow paced life. I love seeing my grandparents and spending time with them. I only got a few days but I loved every minute of it. I can't wait to go back next winter!!!

Beauty!!!

The whole family at the pool

Hot tubing

Celebrating Pam and Gregs Birthdays

Eating cake on the grass!!!

Yummy cake huh Brinsley...

Im the lucky aunt of these two BEAUTIFUL GIRLS!!!
LOVE YOU TWO!!!

Bo is HOME!!!

I have been waiting 2 years for Bo to come home :) I don't care what people say missions do not go fast... and 2 years is a really long time!!! But Im so glad that his 2 years have come and gone because Im so happy to finally have my brother home. I have missed him so much and its so nice to have a complete family home together. Plus missionaries are all done in my family!!! yeah :)

Brinsley getting excited to see uncle Bo!!!
(she was 6 weeks when he left)

Finally coming down the escalator

So happy

I think he was excited to finally be home too!!!

The Family together again!!! (minus Pam and Gwen)

So glad to have him home!!!!!!!!!

Baby Gwen is here!!!

Baby Gwen has finally made it here :)
My brother Greg and his wife Pam welcomed their beautiful little girl on 2/6/12 at 1:06 p.m. she is a little thing weighing in at 6.9 lb and 19.5 in!! Im so excited that she is finally here!!! I have been waiting for Pam and Greg to have a baby for a really long time and Im so happy that they finally gave me a beautiful niece that I am beyond thrilled to have in the family :) Its amazing how fast you can fall in love!!! Im so excited I get to be your aunt!!! I love you so much Gwen!!

Life Happens...

Martina McBride says it perfectly "Cancer don't discriminate" It doesn't care if your a single mother, a CEO of a huge company, an actress, a king, a child or an adult. It can happen to anyone. I remember the first time cancer showed up in my life. I was 20 years old and found out my friend Ashley had cancer. I remember thinking it was impossible, she was only 21 years old!! She was too young. But like I found out the hard way your never too young. I lost my dear friend only but a few short years later and it was one of the hardest things I have ever watched. Years of fighting and many many prayers couldn't beat it and the cancer finally took her life. I remember her upbeat attitude and her beautiful outlook on life. I remember thinking I could never be that brave. Since then cancer has popped up here and there. Neighborhood friends, My parents friends, and acquaintances. Some have survived and moved on in life while others weren't able to beat it and have passed on from this life. Each time I couldn't help but think about how hard it would be and I couldn't even begin to imagine "what it must be like" to go through that as a family. But this last December I got a little taste of "what it might be like" when it hit a little too close to home. When my dad told me he had cancer I remember going totally cold and numb. I had never felt so empty. I will never forget that feeling. The cancer is called Hairy Cell Leukemia which is cancer of the blood. Luckily for him and our family it is the cancer you want to get if you have to get cancer. After researching it a bit my nerves were calmed a little. But its still never an easy thing to hear and go through. My dad was put on Chemo over Christmas. We were hopeful that the one treatment would work but it didn't. He had been put on the wrong dosage and for an entire week he only got a day dosage of the chemo in his system. So he just recently finished his second round which we are hoping will do the trick. But hoping is about all you can do. Hearing the word cancer in my family is something I didn't think I would ever have to deal with. We are really optimistic that the chemo will kill all the cancer and he will beat this. Don't take life for granted and don't let a day pass you by without being grateful for your health. Because our health is what gives us life and life is what gives us meaning :) I love you all!!!

2012-Start of a New Year...

There is something exciting about starting a new year. New goals, New Adventures, and a New Year to write about. I am most excited for this year because my favorite number is 12 and its finally 2012!!! So lets hope that things go great :) This year I already have my brother coming home from his mission in Peru and a new niece coming all in the same week!!! I have some fun trips to look forward to as well!! I'm really excited for 2012!!! It better treat me right :)

Christmas

I love Christmas time. I love spending time with the family, eating lots of yummy traditional food and just the feeling you get that comes with Christmas. I loved having Christmas on a sunday this year. It made church even more special and really brought out the true meaning of Christmas.Im grateful for the service that comes with Christmas and the lives that can be blessed with service from others. Im so grateful for everything that I am blessed with. Im grateful for my family and the joy it brings to have them in my life. This is the last and final Christmas with a missionary and I can't tell you how happy I am that its over!!! Next year we will finally all be together as a family :) LOVE YOU BO!!!

For Christmas this year I got a hot pink KitchenAid!!! I was so stoked!!! I have been wanting a KitchenAid forever and the hot pink is right up my alley!!! I also go yummy perfume. Camera/memory card adaptors for iPad ski pass, coat, and great stocking stuffers.

The Family all together for Christmas!!

I hope that everyone had a great Christmas!!!!!!!!!