April

April was full of  great activities like field days for the kids, field trips, family fun time, and of course Easter!

 I am still laughing at some of the Easter photos below. My sister was hiding a couple eggs by her elbows in her sweater and it was funny how no one noticed...(Looks so natural!) And the photo of Brian and I makes me smile because we were both supposed to be making goofy faces, but this is the only photo we took where he smiled so cute! I wish I would have been smiling with him! (It kind of sums up our personalities though!)

March

March was a busy month with lots of school and church activities!

We had the Pinewood Derby, a field trip to the Capital, a hand chimes concert, a choir concert, a school market day, and many projects to make. Love seeing each and every thing that my kids are involved in!

February

February was a fun month! Evan turned 8 and got baptized! We are so proud of him! Isn't he just the cutest 8 year old? I love him to the moon and back! We also had park days, the kids helped with the cooking, and Courtney fell in love with a little puppy at the pet store. (No, we didn't buy him....)

January

I have felt so terribly bad for not keeping up with my family blog, so I am going to try to recap just a little first and then hopefully not fall so far behind again.

Starting where I left on from my last post in early January this year, we had a great rest of the month! Courtney celebrated her birthday at school, we played in the snow, Dillon became quite good at shooting his bow and arrow, Evan's did terrific at his showcase, and Brian had his birthday!

 Love the picture of Jacob eating a huge slice of homemade pizza! And Courtney and I made some little owls together that turned out super cute!

The year in review

What a year 2013 has been! It seems that part of it has flown by, and others have lasted longer than they should. I am going to do a quick recap of some highlights first...

January: Kids making treats in their Easy Bake Ovens, Jacob's feet grew bigger than mine (and I wear an 11!), Grandma Alexander and Aunt Amy came for a visit, Celebrated Brian's birthday, and Dillon went to the temple for the first time.

February: Evan from heaven turned seven, Courtney made her first batch of caramel cinnamon rolls by herself, and geese took over the world. (Okay, it just felt like it!)

March: Family trip to Estes with the Lowrys, Bowling party hosted by my mom and step-dad, Kite flying, Lots of school concerts, Sledding, and a great Easter!

April: Disney on Ice with Grandma Kittler, 14 inches of snow, New kitchen floor, Grandpa and Grandma Means came to visit, and Field days at school.

May: Family bike rides, Cinco de Mayo pinata party, Scout sleepover, Field trip to Centennial Village with Courtney, Rocket launching, Field trip to Eliches with Jacob, trip to Utah, Jumped off the roof onto the trampoline (and will never do it again! LOL), Last day of school.

June: Sprinkler + Trampoline = FUN!, Dillon shoots a 22, Fun trip to Estes with friends, Played in the Lyons river, I went to Girls Camp for the first time!

July: Parade, Fireworks, Movies, Slip n' Slide, Lego exhibit, swimming, Rockies game, and lots of time with friends!

August: Family camping and fishing trip, Carriage ride, Drive-in movies, Back to school, and corn picking.

September: Flood, Cleaning, Crying, Friends who amaze me, Maroon 5/Kelly Clarkson concert

October: Birthday parties, Trip to Iowa, Jumping in the leaves, Roller skating, and Halloween.

November: Jacob's birthday, Volunteering, Thanksgiving, and Christmas shopping.

December: Ornament parties, Christmas concerts, Christmas, Courtney's birthday, and New Years with the Lowrys.

 

This year has caused me to reflect on things and what matters most. I highlighted a lot of events that happened this year because I didn't want it to become the year of the "flood". That was only part of it. I have heard so many people say that they are glad 2013 is over and they would never want to relive it. Even though I can see where they are coming from, I disagree. I think we are given trials to strengthen us and grow from even though they seem unbearable at the time. I watched alot of my friends go through much harder trials than a flood, and yet they are strong and I see them leaning on Heavenly Father and knowing that He has a plan. The thing I want to take away most from this past year is this quote: "God doesn't give us what we can handle, but instead helps us handle what we are given." I have leaned on Heavenly Father to pull me through the trials in my life and he has never disappointed me. He bears our burdens with us. He sent people into our lives this past year that made our trials lighter, that showed us Christ-like service, and that were truly answers to prayers. I cannot think about this past year without being thankful to my Heavenly Father.