2010 Highlights

2010 has been a year of change for me.  It has taught me much about patience, prayer, faith, and the importance of family.  I have been blessed with many experience that have given me strength and hope.  It has been incredible to have Tyson by my side.  Here are a few of the highlights that took place in 2010.

I was able to take Tyson to Arizona with me, to meet my Brown side of the family.  It was so neat to have him meet my aunts, uncles, cousins, and especially my Grandmother.  She is the only grandparent that I have that is still living.  Tyson learned how to make fry bread and was there to hear me tell my grandma that I graduated college, a promise that I made to her at my fathers funeral.

We became humbled as always as we felt of the generosity and love for us.  I was so happy Tyson was able to see a part of my life that no one else has.

A couple of weeks before we were married Tyson and I were able to take a trip to Tennessee with his family.  It was absolutely gorgeous.  It is also the place where my father served his mission.  Tyson rented us this awesome car.  We couldn't stop laughing every time we got into it.  We also both got our first pair of cowboy boots while visiting here.

Cortney and I planned a 50th Birthday party for my mom.  It was so neat to have her be surrounded by all of her loved ones and friends.  I loved having a day just for her to know how special she is to all of us.

One of the best and most life changing moments of this year was getting married on May 19th to my best friend.  

 

The Draper Temple will forever be one of my favorite places.  

Tyson took me to Hawaii.  This has always been on my wish list of places to visit. 

We swam with sharks, rode horses on the beach, ate the best snow cone and pancakes ever, and started our life together.

I don't have any pictures but one of the hardest changes I made this year was moving to California.  Words can't describe how my heart ached at times to be in Utah.  I missed my family and friends.  But as the year went by I have learned to love California.

Another trip that I loved was visiting San Francisco.  The food was amazing.

I can't wait to go back and visit.

I was able to attend the Parker/Cleveland Reunion at New Port Beach.

I had a blast and was able to really bond with Tyson's family.

I will never forget the moment my mom called me and Tyson to tell us that Kiersten had been in a roll over accident.  I immediately got on a plane and spent five days in the hospital by my sisters side.

Watching her walk brought tears to my eyes.  She taught me how to be strong and to never give up, no matter what happens.  This experience taught me how fragile life is and to never take any day or anyone for granted. 

Tyson made the ultimate sacrifice and took me camping not once but twice this summer.

We made tinfoil dinners and talked by the campfire.

A huge moment for us was purchasing our first home.  There is nothing like having our own little home sweet home.

I loved having my mom and brother Tate came down for a visit.  It was wonderful having my family in California with us.

Last but not least coming home to Utah to spend Christmas with my family and meeting our new nephew.

I will never forget 2010 and the memories that were made.

Happy New Years!

Winter Wonderland

Tyson woke me up this morning to look out the window.  To my surprise there was oodles of snow.   The snow continued to fall throughout the day.  In fact it still has not stopped snowing.  It was so much fun to play in the snow with Tyson.  Being from California he hasn't had much experience playing in the snow. 

We got a call from Jordan's aunt to come rescue her from being stuck in the snow.

With a few pushes we were able to get her out. 

I felt like a kid again playing in the snow for hours. 

We had a blast playing with my little brother Josh.  He built a ramp that leads to a rail.  You better believe he had Tyson strapped into his board.... keep in mind Tyson has never snwoboarded.  He did awesome!  He even went half way down the rail on accident.  

I was so happy we could be in Utah for the big storm.  We have been snowed in all day and I have loved every minute of it.  We have almost made it through the entire first season of Modern Family and Kiersten and I have been cooking up a storm.  I love the SNOW I don't care what people say, it's amazing.

Our First Christmas

This Christmas season has been super busy.  I have been working three jobs and Tyson has been working hard at the office and on the house.  Some how we managed to squeeze in a little holiday cheer.

We attended two ugly sweater parties.  It was so much fun to dress up in our hideous attire.  Tyson did a great job of picking out our sweaters at the one and only Walmart.  

I attended my first Parker Christmas progressive dinner.  Each aunt and uncle host one course at their home.  It was beyond delicious.  We started out the night with appetizers and meeting our new cousins baby.  I was stuffed after the first house.

I of course had to document the night in front of each houses Christmas Tree.  They were all so beautiful.  

The salads were incredibly tasty. 

 The main course was yummy white chili soup.

Dessert was delicious.  We had our favorite crepes smothered in Nutella and strawberries.  

While I was at work on Christmas Eve I received the best Christmas present I could have asked for, I was not on the schedule for the following week!  I immediately called Tyson while he was golfing.  I yelled, "We can go home to Utah for Christmas." Previous to this incident we did not think this was going to be possible as I was hired for seasonal help.  The rest of my day I was on cloud nine.  
Later that evening we attended Grandpa and Nanny Parkers home.  We had a delicious prime rib dinner, sang Christmas carols, and opened gifts.  

Christmas morning was better than I could have ever imagined.  It was special to have our first Christmas together and in our new home.  We opened gifts and then went over to my sister-in-law Jana's house for breakfast.  

We then proceeded to get beyond spoiled by Tyson's parents.  One of my favorite parts of the day was when we exchanged sibling gifts and had to say something nice about each other.  I of course was in tears.  Tyson's family is so amazing and I feel so blessed to be part of their family.  

We all went in on this canvas painting of us at Newport Beach for the parentals.  They loved it!

We then Skyped my family.  They had no idea we were coming to Utah.  We watched my mom open her gifts from us and then told the entire family to get together because we wanted to tell them about their last gift.  I told them no we are not having a baby, but we are coming to Utah today.  A couple of us were in tears.  We were so EXCITED!  
We arrived late Christmas night and to our surprise everyone was awake waiting for us.  We stayed awake till three in the morning catching up.  This is very unlike my family.
The best was meeting our new nephew!

It has been the best Christmas.  I was spoiled by my sweet husband and family.  There is no better gift than being together as a family.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Surprise

I came home Saturday evening, after a long days work, to see my house looking like this

and this!

Tyson and his dad worked hard all day long to have this ready for me when I got home.  

THANK YOU!!!!

Mi Casa Su Casa

HOME SWEET HOME

Here are a few pics from the new Casa, however do not judge there is much decorating to do.  I will post more pics once I get some more decorating done.

Everyone told me how difficult it was going to be once I got a house, to not want to decorate every nock and cranny.  This is my next great struggle.