a get together

Some pictures of a friendly, Christmas get-together. Since half of this group lives out of state, it's always a pleasure to be reunited. Thanks to Melissa for hosting!

Rachel holding her sweet little newborn, Lauren. This was just after we put these two under a marriage compact.....or at least buddies for life.

Passing around babies...

We were so excited to hear that Lesley is expecting a little bundle of her own! She's already a natural. Can't wait to meet their little boy this spring!

Reading our predictions from last year's get together.

The men folk.

Love you girls!

Note: We did not mean for our clothes to coordinate so well. We must think alike.

lights

First off, I want to apologize for that last post. Debbie Downer somehow got ahold of my computer. No but really, I probably shouldn't write when I'm feeling sad or frustrated like that because it always passes, and on the whole I'm VERY happy with my life. I really appreciate those who left comments of advice and encouragement though, it was very much appreciated. For now, we're putting our cares away and enjoying the holiday season. I can't believe Christmas is already a week away! It always comes and goes so quickly. It's been an extra fun year having both Ethan here and Bret around so much. Last week our little family made a trip to see the lights at Temple Square. We decided to go just before dusk in order to get good parking, avoid crowds and get back in time for Ethan's bedtime. It all worked out perfectly except for the freezing temps! Still, there's no better place than Temple Square to get in the holiday spirit. The next night I went with my sister and parents to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert featuring David Archuleta; a great show indeed. I love Christmas.

We waited inside the visitor's center for a bit to stay warm 'til the lights came on.

I love to see the temple.

long time no see

Hey. So I haven't blogged in a while. I don't really know why. Well, I guess I do. You see, life is pretty up in the air for us right now (update for those who haven't heard: we're not going to Brazil anymore, long story) and I guess I've been waiting to have something substantial to report, but that hasn't happened yet. Since our return from New York we've just been laying low, playing the waiting game while living with my ever-gracious parents in Salt Lake. I'm so thankful to them but I can't help feeling like we're in a bit of a rut. Why is it that our lives seem to be perpetually on hold? Sometimes I feel like an exciting life is out there and I'm just standing by and watching it pass. It doesn't help when I look at other friend's blogs or blogs of friend's of friends and see these incredible people living amazing lives that I can't help but envy (this includes those just simply living a happy, normal day-to-day lifestyle). And I wonder, what do I possibly have to blog about that could interest anyone?

Being in this position of ours has brought a wave of emotions. I go from feeling like, "why isn't life what I want it to be right now? why can't life be easier sometimes?" to the next minute - while holding precious Ethan in my arms or seeing a big grin on his face -feeling like life couldn't get any better than this. Thank goodness for that little baby who makes our lives such a joy, who keeps us going and helps us focus on what matters most and why we're really here; I have to remind myself that it's not necessarily to travel the world, to have a fun job or to live in an amazing city - although I've had the opportunity to do those types of things in the past and I really hope to do more in the future. But being a mother has truly brought to me a happiness that has surpassed all of those other things. And although it's not a trip to Europe or a new house, I get to witness special moments like this everyday:

I'm really sorry for venting on this blog. I didn't intend to when I started this post or to get so personal. I recognize I'm not alone in feeling this way and that everyone has lows their in life in one form or another. I know how blessed I am. Having Bret as my companion and best friend, is much more than I could ever deserve. I'm so thankful for the amazing man and husband he is. I look forward to continuing through life's adventures, in its many shapes and forms, with both him and my children. They say life isn't a race and I believe that's true, but I do sometimes feel like it's a marathon. That each day, though simple and mundane as it may be at times, is a step towards something bigger and more wonderful that I hope to attain at the end of it all. It sure helps having cute little friends like this, too.

walk in the park

nyc

Bret went to New York for a couple of weeks and Ethan and I decided last minute to come out and see him for the last five days of his trip. I'm always a fan of that city (especially in the fall) and of seeing our friends, the Wheelers, who graciously let us crash at their place. But this trip was different, having baby with us and all. I was a little worried about the flight but also about how he would handle a big city. Luckily, he just went with the flow and slept most of the time we were out and about. So glad we did it.

Unfortunately I was there mostly during the work week so we didn't spend a whole lot of time with the Wheelers except at night for dinner when they got off work. We also went to this cool thing with Jordan. Still, what time we had together was quality.

Ethan helping Candice manage her busy schedule.

The night I got to New York was Candice's birthday. Bret made his famous Chicken Tikka Masala to celebrate the occasion. Not to be outdone by his dad, Ethan had a pee-out on their couch. I think he wanted to give the expecting parents something to look forward to.

Candice is famous for her high kicks, even with the baby bump. I tried to capture one but my camera kept barely missing it. She did a few and all I got was this picture of her preparing for it (I would have made her continue until we got it but, ya know, she's pregnant). You can tell from the determination in her eyes here that it was a good one, though.

My friend Jessica and her husband Jake just moved to New York while she gets her masters at Columbia in Italian Art (she's living my dream) so we met up with them for brunch. It was great seeing them. We're both short girls that married tall guys apparently.

I just realized that the majority of our pictures from the trip were of us at restaurants eating food. That just shows you where our priorities are. I would move to that city for the food alone.

Good old Gray's.

Candice showed us her favorite cookie place, Levain Bakery. They make a mean cookie. Speaking of cookies, there was a guy on the subway asking for money that sounded just like the cookie monster. I wished I had bought an extra cookie for him.

Waiting for food at the Shake Shack. We went there for both lunch and dinner one day. This is saying a lot for me because I don't like hamburgers that much, but the Shake Shack is in another realm altogether, delicious beyond compare.

I took this picture knowing it would torture us later.

It was perfect weather to enjoy my favorite part of the city, Central Park. It seemed like we were a week behind the peak of fall leaves but it was still gorgeous. So we went on long walks two days in a row. I'll do another post of those pictures but here are a couple....

All tuckered out.

cousins

You may have noticed from my last post that my sister Sarah Jane and her family (the zombies) came in town for Halloween, bringing with them their new baby (the banana). Which meant that Ethan and his new cousin James finally met for the first time!

So, what do you do when you have two babies only three weeks apart together on Halloween? Dress them up as cuddly bears of course!

I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.