Barr Lake

Last Friday we decided to go on a little jaunt around Barr Lake.  It was a BEAUTIFUL, crisp winter day - we are so glad we went out and enjoyed it!

We had gone to Barr Lake before, when Jacob was only about six weeks old and it was August so this trip was a little different.  Jacob was a trooper, as always, and liked looking around.  Plus I think it is pretty relaxing being snuggled up next to Dad in the backpack!

We walked down this boardwalk that takes you down to a gazebo on the lake.  The lake was frozen around the edges and out to the gazebo which was kind of fun.  Once we walked down there we let Jacob run free and he was LOVING it.  I just couldn't get over how big he is getting and how he is becoming less and less "my baby" and more "my little boy."  I feel like I am having so many of those moments lately.  

It was a perfect family day!

I Am a Child of God

I decided that once Jacob started going to nursery that it was time to get him more engaged in our family home evening.  I am ALL over the resources the Church has to offer!  I got the nursery manual a while back and decided that I would put together little lessons from the manual.  I also got this book from Deseret Book that has little supplemental activities that go with the nursery lessons and I love them!  

Obviously, Jacob is still in la-la land a little bit but I hope that some of what we are saying is sticking.  I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love that he recognizes who Jesus is when we look at pictures whether its at home or at Church.  Children are such sweet and tender spirits.  

So I am loving it.  I love that Mark and I have tried to make family home evening a priority from the beginning and see how it's now changing with our changing family.  It definitely gives me a warm fuzzy.  

The first lesson is about being a child of God.  So after we talked for a minute or two we colored these crowns.  We each colored one and Jacob walked around with it on his head the whole rest of the night.  Oh and the next day, don't worry, he had it back on.  

I loved it.  I really loved it.  Just look at these two cute boys - 

can it get better than this?!

Goals

I love New Years.  I think it is a great fresh start.  I love reflecting on the year before and dreaming about the year to come.  And I love writing "2014" I don't know why but it's just feels really great right now!

On New Years Eve we sat down to eat this insanely yummy dinner with my parents in Draper and my Dad suggested that we go around the table and talk about some of the memorable parts of our last year and our hopes for the year to come.  I thought it was great.  I loved hearing from different members of my family and what stood out to them and what they are looking forward to for next year.  

When it got to me I jokingly but actually very seriously said that for 2014 I just hope we survive.  This year is going to be CRAZY!  We have so many "I don't knows" for the next year it is a little ridiculous.  The biggest thing on our minds right now is where are we going to be this year.  Come May, Mark will have finished all of his classes (WOOT WOOT!!!) and will begin his year of rotations.  This last week we went and put our preferences for these rotations into the giant pharmacy database and now we are just waiting.  We should know in about a month.  I used to be incredibly stressed about this.  And there is still a measure of stress, but mostly I am just ready to know.  Ready to know and start planning.  We should know in about a month - cross your fingers with us!

But in all seriousness, we really do have a lot of positive things we are looking forward to in 2014.  We have our hopes and dreams for the next year that we are excited about.  Even though I know it is going to be hard, we are excited to get going and see what happens!

New Years Day

Today we went sledding up Big Cottonwood Canyon.  We found this perfect spot and had a BLAST! 

We also found the perfect hill for Jacob.  He was loving going down the hill on the lap of whoever was willing to take him.  It was so much fun watching him enjoy this new experience.  It was a picture perfect winter day!

Grandma Clegg

Grandma Clegg

Aunt Melina

Aunt Melina and Aunt Megan

Grandpa Clegg

New Years Eve

We spent the New Years with MORE food and games!  We ate a yummy Asian dinner and each talked about our last year and what we hope for for the upcoming year.  We then played a game of Disney Monopoly which lasted us till midnight!  It was a great night and a great way to end 2013!

First Time in Snow

I was so anxious for Jacob to play in the snow.  The only bummer was that by the time we got around to doing it the snow was pretty old and crusty.  So Jacob's first experience in the snow wasn't too exciting.  But we had to capture the moment nonetheless.  

Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas.

We spent our Christmas in North Ogden with Grandpa and Grandma Berning and Uncle Brian.  For Christmas Eve we ate a yummy dinner and then opened our "Special Delivery" from Santa.  We each got new pajamas and a new Christmas book, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."  We read our new book and the Christmas story from the Bible.  

After we put Jacob to bed we played Ticket to Ride and waited for Santa to come.  And sure enough, Santa found us!  We woke up and ate some breakfast casserole and opened presents.  It was a wonderful Christmas morning.  

Then in the afternoon, Uncle Todd and his friend Kevin came up for Christmas dinner.  Kevin's sister, Jamie, came up too.  It was great to be able to spend some time with them and catch up.  

We then hurried and packed up to go down to Draper.  We came down and were able to have another yummy Christmas dinner with Grandpa and Grandma Clegg, Aunt Melina and Aunt Megan.  Then we opened presents with them that night.  

We were so abundantly blessed and are grateful for all that we were given.  Mark's favorites were new "business" clothes to wear to work and new movies (like the complete Star Wars collection, The Hobbit and Monsters University).  Some of my favorites were a creche for my nativity, some new family history software and lots of new books (including our family scrapbook and a book on canning).  Jacob got lots of new toys like a giant railroad set, some pretty incredible felt quiet books (made by Grandma Clegg) and a new quilt. 

We are thankful for the Christmas season and the opportunity it gives us to spend time with family and friends and reflect on the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

--sorry for the lack of pictures, we will have to get some from Grandma Berning!--