New Year

Seeing as today is the last day of 2014, I’ve obviously been reflecting over the year and my first thought is “2014 has been the best year yet!” But when I look closer, it was actually a pretty crappy year since I spent most of it over the toilet throwing up! However, 2014 did produce the best result I could ever dream of! Our baby Mason has improved our lives beyond words. Yes, we are tired. Yes, there are moments every day that are really hard. But I’ve never felt more fulfilled. I truly believe this is what I am meant to do.

Enough of the sappy stuff! Here’s to wrapping up a year full of vomit and welcoming a year full of firsts (with a baby there is a new first almost every day and it’s so fun to watch Mason discover the world!)

Here’s my year in review via my iPhone:

January– We started the year on a cruise to the Caribbean with our friends Jenn & Scott. We had so much fun!

February- We met up with my cousin Natasha and her husband Wes in the city before they moved to NYC. This was also the night we found out we were pregnant!

March- We celebrated our 25th birthdays (I was sick as a dog) and we announced we were pregnant.

April- We went to a Giants game and they went on to win the World Series!

May- We found out that we were having a boy. Also, my college roommate, Glenna, and her husband Ioua came to visit! I unfortunately don’t have any pictures of all of us, Glenna took them on her camera. Hopefully one day I can get some of those pictures, but she just had a baby girl!! So I can wait 🙂

June- We were invited to Scott & Jenn’s family cabin in Tahoe and had a wonderful time paddle boarding around lake Angora and playing games in the cabin. Thank you so much for inviting us Blatters!

We also had the privilege to go back to Rexburg, ID for Chris & Cambry’s wedding!

July- We went to the Warren’s cabin one last time for the 4th of July before it was sold. We also got to go visit Seattle! We love traveling, especially together, so it was fun to explore a new city together.

August- This summer was full of travels before the baby came. We went to Hawaii and I spent all my time on the beach tanning my large, round belly. I got lots of stares but I didn’t care!

September- I was spoiled rotten and was thrown beautiful baby showers! Thank you so much to those that hosted and those that came, I love you all!

October- The month I had been waiting so long for finally came and we got to meet our sweet baby boy that changed our lives! No words will ever adequately describe that experience.

We celebrated our first Halloween with a baby. He did not enjoy dressing up…

We also went on our first date post-baby and my dad watched Mason for us when he was just 17 days old! Grandpa was Mason’s first babysitter and he did a fantastic job! Thanks dad!

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November- We blessed Mason the Sunday following Thanksgiving. It was so special to have so many family members there for it, including Mason’s 100 year old Great-great grandfather.

December- Christmas was so magical with a baby this year and I can’t wait for the coming years when Mason can open presents and get excited and understand Christmas a little more.

I’m not sure what 2015 has in store for us, but with Mark & Mason by my side, and the love and support of our families, I know it will be a great year and I’m excited to see what lies ahead! I’m excited for my sister Rachel to get home from her mission in Spain at the end of January and meet Mason!

I love to look back over the past year at New Years and see all the blessings that have unfolded during that year. I can never just pick one highlight of each month so sorry there are multiple pictures for some months!

January- we started 2013 at the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl. It was so much fun and something we will always remember! We also went to Kauai with the Warrens!

February-we added sweet little Leo to our family! He makes us smile and laugh every day.

March- Rachel got her Mission call to Spain! Mark and I celebrated our 24th birthdays and lots of other family birthdays.

April- we got to go to the temple with Rachel, it was a great experience. I love my family 🙂

May- we got to meet our newest niece Coraline! Taylor turned sweet 16!

June- our family said goodbye to middle school and went to Courtney’s promotion.

July- this was a busy month for our family. My mom, Rachel and me went to southern California for my cousin Natasha’s wedding. While we were there we hit up Disneyland. It was a blast! We then said goodbye to Rachel for 18 months and our family headed to Utah for a Barker family reunion. It was great to be with family and especially my 99 year old great-grandfather! While there I got to catch up with my favorite roommates and their husbands! It was definitely a highlight of the year.

August- Mark and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary with a getaway to beautiful Jenner, CA. Mark is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I’m so blessed to share my life with this cute boy.

September- I went shooting with my little sister Courtney.

October- We were very fortunate to get to go to Hawaii for a 2nd time this year! This time we went to Oahu. I got to check paddle boarding off my bucket list, I loved it! We also threw a Murder Mystery Halloween party.

November- we celebrated my wonderful dad’s 50th birthday!

December- it has been a very busy month for us, per usual. We started the month off by going down to southern California for our niece Belle’s baptism. We obviously couldn’t pass up an opportunity to go Disneyland and see the Christmas Decorations. It was the BEST!

We also got to spend LOTS of time with family.

My dad took us to the Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park to watch BYU & Washington State. We love going and especially love the perks of my dad’s job! Thanks Dad!

December was a tough month for our little kitty. He turned 1 this month! We had to take him to the vet a couple of times and also thought we were going to have to put him down a couple of time. It was emotionally exhausting but we are happy we get to have him longer. Hopefully 2014 is a little easier on him.

2013 was a good year, we were so blessed to have the opportunity to go to Hawaii twice, adopt Leo, send off the cutest little missionary, and spend lots of time with family and friends. I’m so grateful for everyone in my life. I’m excited to see what 2014 holds! Happy New Year!