Christmas & News Years 2014

Grandma Anderton passed away right before Christmas and had her funeral the Saturday before.  I drove down with the girls and spent the weekend with family and soaking in every minute.  It was a very spiritual day and full of love.  My heart just aches for my mom & grandpa and pray that they are comforted.  Dathan flew in for the funeral and I hadn't seen him since we moved 2 1/2 years ago so I wanted to spend as much time as I could with him.  So whatever he wanted to do, I did.  Even shopping at Winco so he could get bridge mix.  Hadi grew a quick bond with him and calls him Uncle Buddy.  I sure miss my brother and his family!  I hope one day soon that they'll move back west. 
We did get to sneak in some fun of game nights, Dad's concert, lights in SLC with Aimee & some shopping for the week.  It was a relaxing & fun few days. 

Jaycee all ready to go to her Polar Express party at school.  She was looking forward to this party since we moved to Boise.  I was glad we could leave right after

It was a beautful, peaceful day up by the mountains

 Dad cracks me up.  He had to stop to pick up a bungee cord

 Jason was feeling a little left out from the group picture

 This picture cracked me up and had to send to Craig.  She was using double utensils like her daddy

Craig came down Christmas Eve as planned and we spent the night with his family.  I had woken up with the start of a bad cold and by about 8pm I was miserable!  I just about cried sitting in his mom's chair because I just wanted to go back to Aimes & sleep.  Hadi and Jaycee also had fevers & colds going through lots of motrin & cold medicine.  It was rough!  I felt bad to end the night so soon with his family but glad that Craig was so caring.  ***AND*** I warned him when he kissed me that night before we knew how sick I actually was!  That night we went back to Aimes and layed around, wrapped gifts and watched shows.  I FELT BABY KICK THIS NIGHT!  It was so special to me and especially since I felt horrible. 

Christmas morning was fun with the girls and once again---sickness!  We opened gifts, ate breakfast and headed to mom's.  Aimee & I were so sick, Jaycee took meds quick after we got there and slept nearly the whole night, Hadi was doped up on meds.  Needless to say, the whole trip I just remember lots of meds & sleeping & feeling Ick!  Craig then woke up with it a few days later.  On Friday, I remember all of us sleeping in until noon!!!  We did get time with family and tried our best despite sickness.  I loved being with Aimee & her family but I also was glad to get home in my own house and rest.  The sickness lasted 3 whole weeks!!!  From feeling so weak, lots of coughing nights, meds, mucus, lots of sleeping....it was miserable!!!  I'm glad the girls didn't get the extent that Craig and I did.  I'm convinced it was some form of Flu or Bronchitis or a mix.  I have never felt so horrible in my life!!!  Dang Utah!!!!

 New Years we tried our best to have fun despite feeling sick.  We went to Zurchers to get some party items and mostly had a movie night until midnight.  It was funny to watch The Potato Drop. haha---no joke!  Right after Craig and I were so ready to sleep. 
All I know is, I'm thankful for a decent immune system to fight off whatever it was, meds to ease the pain, and my body for helping baby stay strong.  I hope the girls at least had a fun few weeks. 

Life Lately!

I have majorly slacked off in my blogging and have so much to update.

Life in Boise has been...interesting.  I've had days of boredom with no friends.  Days of stress with SO much to deal with ON TOP of being pregnant.  Stir craziness but I think that's more being winter time.  Days of fun exploring of Boise & Meridian area.  Trips to Utah and how AMAZING it is that it's only a quick, 4 hour drive.  Mostly, I feel so blessed that we are where we are.  I feel the Lord has blessed our family in so many ways and truly am humble for his graciousness.

Since moving we had our bout of sickness.  Mostly Jaycee & Hadi back and forth from colds, fevers, ear infections, puking.   It's been really taxing.  I don't know if it's new germs or maybe just winter germs.

Hadi had her 3rd birthday.  It was such a fun weekend with gma & gpa Parker & Aunt Dana and her family coming up to celebrate.  A week before I had asked Hadi what kind of cake and she decided on a barbie cake.  She LOVES to watch Barbie on Netflix so it seemed like the obvious.  For dinner we made an assortment of Hadi's favorite foods.  We had corn dogs, little smokies for the adults, some chips & lots of vegetables.  She loves carrots, tomatoes, peppers & cucumbers.  After dinner we opened presents and then did cake.  It was so fun to celebrate with family and to see the spotlight on the little miss.  She got some fun toys and is so good to play with all her toys.  Saturday, we spent the day with family.  Craig made breakfast for everyone and then we went to Pojo's.  It's kinda like Chuck-e-Cheese with lots of games, play area, but also has a Merry Go Round & Bumper cars.  Jaycee wouldn't leave Parker and Kaila's side the whole weekend.  She really flocks to her cousins. After playing we all went to Golden Corral for dinner, back to our house to play games and chat, then to Wal-Mart to get things for lunch the next day.  I loved being with Dana and her family.  They are so much fun and hope we can make more time to spend time together.  Sunday we all went to church, which was really spiritually fullfilling.  Then we came back to eat lunch and visit before they headed back home.

After our family left, Craig and I had an interview at church and got called to be team teachers in Primary.  We were sooo excited!  After Ogden (Craig in bishopric & I was primary secretary) then to the Branch in Maine (we had multiple callings and even more than one at a time) then to WA (I was 1st counselor in YW and Craig Sunday School Pres)  pretty much we were relieved to have a calling less demanding.  And I'm pretty partial to primary.  I love Primary! 

Another weekend Aaron and his family came up to visit.  His work has a Boise office so they came up for a work party.  It was a fun couple days of the kids playing, visiting and talking.  I just feel so blessed to have amazing family on both sides!  When it was time for them to leave, Jaycee once again cried that her cousins were leaving.  She's been through a lot with the move and leaving all her friends in Washington.  She really has such a soft heart.  Hadi loved playing with the boys and Breklyn.  And...the girls wouldn't leave Bryson's side.  Poor kid.  All-in-all was a great visit and excited for them to come again.

Craig had a few work trips in December and the perdium is nice for extra money.  He seems to really be liking his job.  He seems WAY less stressed and the extra time with him is really making an impact on us all.  He usually goes in at 7 and gets off at 3:30.  He's making friends and it's fun to hear some of the things he is working on.  He is traveling nearly the whole month of February but he's gotta do trainings and trying to cram a lot in before the end of April and May.
We both feel so blessed and content in our hearts that this is the place for our family.  We know the Lord directed this move and especially hearing all that applied for the job.  Just is amazing Craig got it with no federal background.  I don't think it's convenience we got this job closer to Utah and better for our family.  Also shows to me that money doesn't buy happiness!  How blessed we are!