Good bye 2016

Good bye 2016 #dontletthedoorhityouonthewayout

Wow! What a year it has been. A rough year, one that I don't want to repeat, but a good one, none-the-less. I would say 2016 was probably one of the hardest, most stressful years we have experienced as a family. I haven't mentioned it too much on the blog, but Tyler has had a really rough year at work. It became so hard that he started looking for a different job around March. He had a few interviews in Nevada and Arizona, but nothing seemed right, and we really didn't want to move our family. In June there were some pretty significant changes in the organization of Tyler's work that seemed promising, so we decided to give it some more time. In some ways things have gotten better at work, but there has been a lot more responsibility put on Tyler's shoulders. He travels a lot more, and has to work long hours, but we're hoping we made the right decision by deciding to stick it out for a while longer. 

I've also really come to appreciate my health and my family's health more this year. We've seen a lot of family members struggle with health problems, and it really makes me appreciate my rambunctious, crazy, inquisitive, healthy kids.  

2016 has had some great parts to it as well. It has definitely been a growing year for both Tyler and me. We've become closer as a couple, became stronger as parents, and tried to become better as individuals. I am excited to see what the future holds for us and our family. I know the rough times just make us appreciate the good times even more, and make us better people in the end. 

I tell ya, though, I couldn't have made it through all of the ups and downs of this year without this guy by my side. There are not enough ways to express how great of a husband and father he is. He makes me laugh everyday and is right there by my side through the good and the bad. Tyler is the most honest, ethical, and level headed person you will  ever meet and is always trying to better himself.  He works so hard to provide for our family and definitely has his priorities figured out. I really lucked out marrying him. 

And these kids. They make our life complete. They worry us, make us want to scream in frustration, and force us to hide in the pantry to eat Oreos, but they are also the best kids around. They are so loving, innocent, forgiving, funny, sweet, helpful, and honest. They are healthy and happy, and we couldn't imagine our lives without our Kay Bugs, Cader Mater, and Brynnie Bear. 

We are so excited for 2017. We have set some pretty lofty goals for ourselves and our family this year, but I know we can meet every single one of them. I know this year won't be easy, but I am so ready for it to begin.

New Years Eve

We headed up to Hanna Land for New Years Eve again this year. Brynn was super excited. 

 I didn't take a whole lot of pictures, but we had a lot of fun going down the sledding hill and going for sledding rides behind the side by side.

 Camden and Caden are so cute together. They spent the whole time together playing. Caden took some time to read Camden his new book.

 I sure am glad our kids don't know how to tell time yet. The clock was an hour ahead, but yes we did have our kids count down to midnight at 8:00, and put them to bed right after.

Then all of the adults played a game and went to bed before 11:30. I think I was the only one who was actually awake to ring in the new year, with Tyler by my side snoring. So romantic! Happy New Year! We are so excited to start a new year!

Temple Square

Things were a little crazy this year and we didn't make it to see the temple lights before Christmas, so we decided to go the week after. It ended up being so much better because it wasn't as crowded. We might have to make that our new tradition!

We stopped and had dinner at Zupas before we went to Temple Square. These three sure do make us happy. 

 We played around City Creek for a little bit.

 Then we got to Temple Square. Because it was not as crowded, we took the time to see a couple of things that we normally don't have time to do. We stopped by the original conference center.

 And went to see Christus. Brynnli kept saying the whole time, "It's Jesus!"

 We walked around the Visitors Center and learned some pretty cool things about the construction of the Salt Lake Temple. It is pretty amazing the faith, determination, and labor it took to build the temple.

Then it was off to see the lights. They were beautiful!

 We stopped to put on Brynn's gloves and I remembered we had a picture of Makayla about Brynn's age, wearing the same coat, hair in piggies, in about the same spot, so of course I took a picture.

Here's the picture taken in 2012

Aww... They're just all grown up now. 

 Of course we had to take the iconic picture in front of the temple.

I loved being with my family at Temple Square and being reminded of the true reason for the season.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

Christmas Eve and Day were magical. I think that's the only way to describe it. Our kids made it purely magical!

Before we left for our party we made sure to set out milk and cookies for Santa. 

 Then I made the kids pose and take a lot of pictures, because 1) that's what I do, and 2) how cute are they in their Christmas outfits?

 This year we had Christmas Eve with the Collard family. We played games and had snacks

 Brynnli tried to stuff all of the candy in her shirt.

 Then we had the talent show. Caden sand "You're welcome" from Moana

 Carson played the recorder

 And Makayla danced.

 This handsome guy provided the Christmas carol music.

 Then he played Nuerdeuliean and we all danced in the street. It was starting to snow and freezing outside, so we didn't last long.

 Once we were back in the house we had a very stressful $5 game and then exchanged presents. Brynnli got a baby and a stroller, Caden got Legos, and Makayla got Shopkins. After dessert we were all pooped, and finally made it back home.

Christmas morning we woke up to....

A WHITE CHRISTMAS! 

The kids were so excited to go down stairs. I made them take the stair picture and then they ran to see their presents.

 Well.. Makayla and Caden ran to see their presents. Brynn had a major meltdown and ran back upstairs. A few minutes later we were able to coax her back downstairs to see what Santa brought them. They must have been really good kids because check out their presents!

All three kids got very much needed (and asked for) new bikes!! If you can't tell from these pictures, they were pretty stoked!

 We opened more presents. Brynnli got a Cabbage Patch doll whose name is also Brynn.

 Daddy practiced his selfie.

 Caden got the Zurg he asked for...

 And Makayla got Shopkins and Belle Legos that she asked for. The look on her face says it all.

 Like I always say, you can tell we had a good Christmas by the after picture.

 Then it was off to my parents house for dinner, and sadly I forgot to take pictures there. The kids were spoiled with more Legos, race tracks, and Belle dress up.

After spending a few hours with my parents we headed over to Terry and Craig's again to spend some time with the Evans side. The kids did their talent show again.

 Then we spent hours playing Heads Up.

 By the end of the night we all felt like this.

Christmas was so great this year. We feel so lucky we get to spend the day with our family.

Merry Christmas!