Recap of 2014

With 2014 now behind me, I am eagerly looking forward to this year and all it can bring.  Last year had some great, new adventures and some definite times of struggle, but it taught me new things about myself and my family.

I am truly sorry if you stumbled upon my blog over the past few months to find it growing with cobwebs.  Truth be told, I was trying to focus more on spending time with family, work on a book I am writing, build my small business, and just balance out my home life.  I would rather add to the blog when I can add new and fresh content rather than recycled tutorials making the blogosphere rounds.  

With that, I would love to share some of the highlights from this past year.  Enjoy!

January brought us some time to cuddle in during cold weather and build blanket forts in the living room.  Little Miss B was learning to sit up and Brydon was preparing for baseball season.

 

February brought the annual Super Bowl party with the Upton's, Tahoe turned 11 and we celebrated with a sleepover with video game brackets reminiscent of a March Madness playoff series, and family time on the trails.  Bliss enjoyed her first time in the swing!

By March we were full in to baseball season with Brydon improving every game.  Miss B was a squirrely girl as she was getting more mobile and not wanting to sit and watch games.   As my time in youth ministries at church was coming to a close, I helped chalk the wall for the high school room. I also dyed my hair pink!  What color will I do for 2015?!

April was super busy with Miss B's first Easter which we spent with my parents over a lovely brunch and did an egg hunt at my stepmom's home with my sister.  Tahoe ran his first 5k and did pretty well in the cold morning air.  We did a bit of traveling too; Miss B and I went to our first MommyCon in San Francisco where we modeled the newest Ergo, met Badass Breastfeeder, Abby, made new friends with ladies in my babywearing group, and overcame the fear of public nursing.  While at MommyCon, I was able to stay with my friend Cynthia and Miss B loved snuggling up on her dog, Hope.  The following weekend, the whole family took a trip to Nevada to visit with my in-laws and Miss B got up close to some pretty horses.  She had just been diagnosed with Bronchiolitis at this time too and had started breathing treatments.  Our little peanut lost several pounds during this month which made us nervous.  I am happy to say she recovered beautifully, but has stayed a peanut ever since.

May brought my first Mother's Day with three kids!  It was also a time of goodbyes.  Brydon finished his fourth baseball season with great praises from his coaches.  What we didn't know at the time, was that would be his last baseball season as he chose a new sport.  I also said goodbye to the high school ministry I had been volunteering in for the past 7 years.  I had been with "my girls" from their 7th grade year till high school graduation.  Maybe someday soon, the doors to youth ministry will open again and I will have the time to work with cool kids again.

In June we stayed busy with swim lessons for Miss B, Tahoe graduating to middle school, a mini family reunion to celebrate my husband's grandpa's 80th birthday, trips to many baseball games, and hikes out on the trails.  We were making the most of the nice weather!

July is one of my favorite months because it brings my birthday!  We had a great time celebrating Miss B's first Fourth of July at the local parade and fireworks show (complete with fire from the local drought conditions).  A few days later we sent the boys off to summer camp in the mountains and Miss B and I boarded a plane with Christina and Simon for Hawaii!  Christina won a trip to Disney's Aulani for a week and her husband could not go, so we took the kiddos and had a great week.  We were there for my 32nd birthday and spent the morning at Pearl Harbor.  It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me!

Before we knew it, August had arrived and Miss B turned 1 and the boys started school (hooray!)

In September we celebrated Brydon's 10th birthday and started up with soccer for both boys.  Talk about busy!  Four practices a week and two games on Saturdays...phew!  

In October I ran the Hot Pink 5K (my first one since Little Miss) with my friend Sarah.  Earl and I also celebrated 8 years of marriage and his 33rd birthday!  We spent our anniversary in San Francisco having a delicious lunch at Boudin's and exploring the aquarium on Pier 39.  After dreaming about this costume for years, I sewed a Twink costume for Little Miss B and dressed as Rainbow Brite for Halloween.  She was so cute!  We went to the Snow's Castle for an entertaining Halloween party and for trick-or-treating and Miss B quickly learned about candy-hording.

November was soon here and I tried my sewing skills out on some dresses for Miss B - she was a great sport!  Speaking of sports, the boys wrapped up rec soccer for the season, but Brydon's team continued with indoor soccer.  He has found a new passion as goalie and wants to keep playing.  

Finally, we arrived to December where we surprised the kids with a Christmastime trip to Disneyland!  We spent three magical days in the park and Miss B loved the rides, especially Dumbo.  The kids and I joined our babywearing group for a festive walk around a local street that goes all out for Christmas. To cap off the season, we celebrated Christmas with dinner at home, joined by my parents. 

Looking back, we spent a lot of time together as a family this past year.  I hope to continue that as we enter in to 2015.  Even now, my boys are playing video games together while being coached by dad as Little Miss adds her "two cents."  I am looking forward to my annual ladies-only trip to Disneyland next month and a road trip up the Pacific Northwest this summer with my family.  With any luck, good things are in store for us this year!  Happy New Year!