2012

I am writing this at the end of 2012.  We have had a great year and a year that I wasn't expecting.  At the beginning of this year we were just living our life and enjoying it.

 Around March, Mike and I started having feelings that we needed to move.  We started looking but, never found a house we liked or wanted to build.  We found JCraft Homes and looked at some lots they had but, didn't like any of them.  Josh then said they had a lot in Herriman we could look at.  When we saw the lot we fell in love and knew this was where we wanted to settle.

Moving from Saratoga Springs was harder than we thought.  We had so many friends and good neighbors.  It was hard for the kids also.  They have had so much courage throughout this year.  Changing schools, leaving friends, and starting a new ward are big changes.  They have enjoyed being closer to cousins which now have become their close friends.  We love our new home and have already made some great memories here.

Mike had knee surgery had the beginning of this year which has been a huge blessing to him.  He is better able to exercise with no pain.

We were so happy to celebrate Grandma and Grandpa Schwitzer coming home from Russia.  It has been so nice to have them around again.  A huge blessing was being able to live with them while our home was being built.  It was fun to be with them a daily.

We went on two trips this year one up to Bear Lake with the Youngs and another with the Cowley's down to St. George.  Both trips were good breaks from daily life.  We are grateful for family and friends!

We went through the normal routine of basketball camps, scout camps, dance recitals and classes, swimming lessons, family parties, and school.

I feel that Heavenly Father has watched over us this year.  He has been involved in the most small details of our lives.  My testimony of his love and character has grown so much year.  He truly loves us and is aware of our family.

I love all of you so much.  I keep this blog for my kids and future readers!   Happy 2012!

Random

 We found these pictures on Mike phone and I wanted to add them to this year.  Mike had the chance to sit in a box with his Dad at the BYU/ Utah State game.  Mike said the food was awesome!

 Mike and I had the chance to go the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert.  It was amazing and the music was beautiful.

 Mike caught this bad boy gopher in our yard!  Isn't he gross?!   These gophers have no idea what has hit them.

 I made some curtains for our back doors.

 Grandma Young had us over for a fancy dinner at Christmas time.  We each got our own Cornish Hen. It was good!

The Cowley's were nice enough to give us their tickets to a Utah Basketball game.  We had fun cheering on the Utes and we even got to meet swoop!

Merry Christmas!

 On Christmas morning I actually woke up the kids.  I am crazy but, I was ready for them to open their presents.  We lined them up youngest to oldest and they were happy to see what Santa had brought for them.  We had a Christmas breakfast and then opened presents under the tree from Mom and Dad.

 Jason got a pogo stick, Legos, clothes, a wii game, and some Laser pegs.

 Anne got a pogo stick, 2 sets of Legos, Clothes, and a box full of stuff to play school with!

 Eliza got a swivel car, a new camera, a doll, clothes, and some art work supplies.

 Lucy got a swivel car, clothes, a doll, a doll stroller, and a Minnie Mouse vacuum.

 The two girls on their swivel cars!

Santa brought Mike and I an iPad.  We were very happy to get this!

We were home in the morning and Grandma and Grandpa Young came to see what everyone got for Christmas.  In the afternoon we headed to Grandma and Grandpa Schwitzers for Christmas dinner and opening gifts with them.  We had a wonderful Christmas and it was a white Christmas!  It doesn't get better than that!

Christmas Eve

 Christmas Eve was with the Young side this year.  We enjoy many traditions together so we got started early so we could fit them all in.  We started out with the Chimes.  I have to say the kids did a great job this year.  Every Christmas our family is sounding better and better!

 We had a Christmas talent show.  Anne and I played a Christmas duet.

 Jason played Silent Night

 Eliza sang Jingle Bells with some of the cousins.

 Uncle Joe did his famous song "Only one more sleep till Christmas" in his Kermit the Frog voice!

 All the Young cousins minus Ryan's kids.   They are ready to open presents.  We had a nice Christmas dinner and then headed home in the snow.

We came home from Grandma and Grandpa's and got on our new Christmas pajamas so, Santa could come.

 Here is what Santa brought for the kids:  Lucy

 Eliza

 Anne

Jason

I love Christmas Eve and the excitement the kids feel that night.  The kids were good and went right to bed.  I have to say on Christmas morning I was the first one awake because I was so excited!  It's nice to know the Christmas spirit never ends.

A Family Tradition

 We had our annual family tradition of having a fancy dinner, and opening our family gift.  We do the Swedish tradition of hiding an almond in a cup of Christmas pudding.  Whoever ends up with the almond in their pudding is granted a wonderful up coming year and gets to open the family gift.  Eliza got the almond this year!  I have a feeling it will be a great year for Eliza!

 She opened the family gift to find a treasure hunt note with the first clue on where to go to find their gift.

 The first clue led to Lucy's gift a Minnie Mouse.  She couldn't be happier!

 The second clue led us to Eliza's gift a Belle doll.

 The third clue led us to Anne's gift having in the storage room!

 She received a Rapunzel doll.

 The fourth clue led us to Jason's gift a Phineas and Ferb guy!

The fifth clue led the kids upstairs to a gift labeled to everyone.  They opened it up to find this note:  We are going to Disneyland!!!  They were so excited!!  Mike and I are so excited!!  So, watch out Disneyland here come the Schwitzers!!

Christmas Sunday Photo

 I love getting the kids dressed up the Sunday before Christmas.  Here they are Christmas 2012!  These are the best wonderful children and Mike and I are so grateful they are ours!

All my girls have worn this fancy Christmas coat at Christmas time.  It's Lucy's turn and she was so happy to wear it.

Eliza Christmas Dance Recital

 Eliza loves dance!  Every week we count down the days until she gets to go to dance.  I am so happy she is doing something that she enjoys and loves.  Leah was in the same show as Eliza so, we had to get a picture.

 Eliza's first dance was her tap class.  Eliza has loved tap and she enjoys doing the shuffle step.  She has  it down to perfection!

 Waving good bye at the end of her dance.

 Her second dance was her ballet class.  They danced to It's Beginning to Look A lot Like Christmas.  She did a beautiful job!

 Eliza's biggest accomplishment this season was learning to skip.  We would practice at home and it really is a big thing to learn at the age of 5.  She is now the skipping queen!