2013 The Best of the Best!

#1 Our Sweet Croix was born March 18, 2013.  Of course, it was crazy and complicated getting him here.  For some reason labor and me don't mix, but we are sure glad he is with us.  We have enjoyed him so much.  It is too bad it takes the 3rd kid to make you absolutely appreciate and love every stage.  

#2 On the very same day that Croix was born, Jagger traveled to Snow College for the Region History Fair and WON!!!  It was wonderful.  He said it was the best day ever to get a brother and win, too!

#3 The last of April, Jagger was playing basketball outside for recess and broke his foot.  He was so tough and didn't even cry.  In fact, the teachers didn't even believe he did and neither did I.  I was in the middle of an evaluation with Mr. Fails when the office called and said he was hurt.  I told them to call his Dad.  LOL!  As soon as my observation was over and it was lunch I called Joe to see if Jag was just being a big baby and he said that he broke it and they were just waiting to get the cast on!!  UGGH!!  Mother of the Year right here!!  The first week was HE**!  But we made it through.  He had the cast on for 6 weeks and we went to have it rechecked and it still was not healed.  We  babied it and hope that it is better now :)

#4 In June, Joe was able to go to Buffalo, New York for work.  It was his first time every flying.  He had a good time. He was able to check out the falls before heading home.   What a great experience for him!

#5 In July, Joe and I took a mini weekend vacation to Denver.  We had so much fun.  The best part, was the Cubs and Rockies baseball game.  We wished that we would have went every night we were there.  We have big plans to go, again!  Joe says that we can go somewhere every summer and watch the cubs play and that is how we can sight see.  I LOVE THIS IDEA!!   

#6 Our kids are growing up!  Briggs entered Kindergarten in Mrs. Amy Jo Beaumont's class.  Jagger is in 5th grade!!  He rotates between Tess Jensen, Jaden Edwards, and Brad Harris!  

#7 I would say that Joe had a fairly successful hunting year.  He loves hunting and is so good at it :)  Very few years does he not have success.  Now, Joe thinks he will have 2 new hunting partners this next year since Jag and I passed Hunter's Safety this year (BTW I shot pretty good so you better watch out ;) )  But he will just have to take Jagger and I will go along for the ride.  I have no desire.  He did go out and buy me an elk tag this year and we went out a few times, but I wasn't go to shoot anything even if I saw it.  Jag would say that passing his Hunter's Safety was in the top 10 best things in his life.

#8 We finished the basement!  We finally buckled down and got it done.  It is so nice having the extra space.  We did have some furniture problems, but I don't feel bad that I am now getting new for upstairs and down.  The upstairs furniture is here and we are waiting on the downstairs.

 

#9 Jagger did awesome this month in the Geography Bee.  He along with 12 other kids made it to the cold round.  He got one answer right in the cold round.  We are so proud of him.  I think it was Jagger's spotlight year.  He has had so much success this year! 

 

We have had another wonderful year.  I feel so blessed.  I am sure that 2014 will have its challenges, but its own wonderful blessing too and we are ready.  

I Know, 1 1/2 YEARS LATER

I realize that I haven't blogged in forever, but I might try this thing out again.
I am going to start with the unforgettable of 2012 for our family. 

#1- Mexican Cruise

Joe and I spent 7 nights cruising the Mexican Riveria.  We didn't love the cruise itself, but absolutely loved Mexico.  We had so much fun in Cabo sight seeing and ziplining in Puerta Vallarta.  It was unforgettable that is for sure!  

#2 Finding out our family of 4 will soon be a family of 5!

Our little baby boy will be here around the mid-end of March.  We are so excited, but I (Natalie) am extremely nervous about having 3 kids!!! YIKES!

#3 Joe's Dad's Passing

We are too young for this!!  Joe's Dad passed away in July of this year after several weeks of misery.  It was such a blessing not to see him suffer anymore, but like I said before WE ARE TOO YOUNG FOR THIS!  Joe was able to do the dedication of his grave and he did an amazing job.  His father would be proud!

#4  Our Eternal Family

On September 22, of this year, our family entered into the St. George LDS Temple to become and Eternal Family.  What an amazing experience and what peace this brings to me.  

#5 My Parents Moving Away :(

This last summer, my parents moved to Lehi.  What a change for our family!  There have been some tough times, but I honestly feel that I have had peace and comfort brought upon me to get through this.  I cherish every time they are around now!

#6 Jag's Lamb

Jag had the opportunity to raise and sell a lamb this year.  What a fun experience for him!

#7  Trip to Idaho with my family.

All of us sisters and our kids, except Briar :( .  Traveled to Idaho the end of the July to attend a family reunion.  What great past memories I have of this place and what fun new memories we made this year!  The best:  Huckleberry Hunting!

#8 Joe's Hunts

Joe had 2 successful deer hunts this year.  One in Colorado and one here in Utah.  These are for sure unforgettables for him.

Well that is basically our 2012.  What an amazing year!   We are so blessed.  Here's to 2013!

Three

Happy 3rd Birthday Briggs!

We would have liked to have had a Max and Ruby or Thomas cake, but Bob is 3rd best.

He couldn't help it he had to dig in. I told him we needed to wait until his party, but he was so excited. He wanted to take the cake everywhere we went today.

His new BIG WHEEL. We were going to get him a regular bike with training wheels, but Joe thought that he needed a Big Wheel like when he was younger.

Blowing out the candles!

He got this tent from my Mom and Dad. He called it his clubhouse.

Jagger and Briggs had a camp out in the living room. Briggs cried this morning when put the tent away. We'll get it out again, soon!

Family Fun

Brooke-The Graduate

On Saturday night, we went out to Briar's Family Camp and ate dinner. I love spending time with my family and this was a different setting than usual. It was good for a change.

Briggs dug into the Doritos!

Briggs loved this tent.

Saturday morning Joe, Jagger, and I went to Quail lake to try out our new boat. I spent the day basking in the sun as Joe and Jag caught the fish. Jag caught the very first fish on our new boat at a weight of 3.3 pounds. "It was the biggest fish he has ever caught" and then the competition was on. Joe ended up catching two nice ones after Jag. It was a fun filled morning!

Look at that monster!