Temple Lights

This was the longest trip of my life but so worth the memories we made.  Everything that could've went wrong that day pretty much did.  Lol.  It all started when Dom and Losi misplaced their keys so they missed the train, Robin had to pick them up so he missed it as well, I left our blanket on the train when we got off, my Mom had to ride the FrontRunner alone because Lemoto got off work late and had to meet us there, and we spent 4 hours too long browsing the City Creek Mall.  We planned to walk Temple Square at 5pm when the sun set and didn't get there until 9pm!  Lol oh, and I forgot the kids jackets at home so we had to buy them new one's because it was freezing cold that night.  I'm telling you people, it was not a easy breezy day.  Lol!  But honestlly I would do it all over again.  Love my crazy family and the crazier memories we make.

This was our first time riding the FrontRunner and our first time taking the kids to see the lights.  

Elina has asked everyday since when we are going again.  They had a BLAST!

She thinks it's funny to make ugly faces.  

I think it's funnier to post the ugly pictures for her to see when she's older.

Cruising City Creek

Bundled up and ready for to see the lights for the very first time!

Well, Elina anyway.

 Our reflective stroller hoods are so distracting.  Lol

By far my favorite picture of the night :)

On the Trax.

Robin playing hide and seek with Elina.

Waiting for the FrontRunner

 Headed home and Talanoa decided to make a bed in the middle of nowhere.

26 Years Young ;)

We kept it really low key this year for my birthday since I already had my birthday breakfast AND my inlaws, Lamu and Moli, took us all out to eat at Tucanos the night before my birthday since they wouldn't be here.  They are the bomb!  On my birthday, Vili woke up and picked up Kneaders for breakfast.  One of my favorite places so he couldn't go wrong.  We just hung out at home all day until it was time for dinner.  We ended up trying a new place out called Wild Mustang and we ended up taking the kids unlike we planned but I'm glad we brought them along.  I still thinkTexas Roadhouse is better though.  After dinner we headed for WalMart to grab some cake so the kids could sing to me.  Elina was so excited to pick out my cake (cupcakes).  She kept singing "Happy Birthday for Mamaaaa" the whole time we were at the store.  Hahaha!  I love how excited she gets for simple things.  The best part of my birthday was when we came home and the girls and Vili sang Happy Birthday to me, off-key and all.  Lol.  I loved it and couldn't have asked for a better ending to my day :)

Molly's is ONE!

My niece Molly turned one on December 17th and we got to party with her.  Can't believe how much she's grown this past year.  She even started walking!  She is the cutest happiest baby around and I am so glad to have her in my life.

One of my favorite facial expressions of hers.

Molly thinking, "Who invited you?!? And get away from my gifts!"  Hahahaha 

This picture seriously cracks me up!

Omg this cake was delish! Can't go wrong with Cold Stone!

Dom got each of the kids their own ice cream cupcakes.  They were in heaven!

Until I took it away :/  Oh, Talanoa.  Can't wait until you're out of this phase.  Lol 

And I wonder why....

I never get any blogging done because when I go to blog I get caught up with everyone else's instead.  FAAAAIIILLLL!  Why do your lives have to be so much more interesting than writing about my own?  Lol!  Maybe I'll blog tonight at work.

Funny Girl

Talanoa says the darndest things.  This morning she told me, "I hunkry mama" a few times in a row and then when I asked what for she said "dinner" and laughed.  What a fatty!  Just got done with breakfast (10:30am) because I can't peel myself out of bed before 10am.  I really need to stop taking naps because they are killing my bedtimes.  The kids are playing in their room as I sit on the computer to blog.  I hope this lasts at least 20 more minutes.  Yeah right! But I'll play blog catch up for as long as it lasts!

Reflecting on 2012

I'm happy to announce that I actually reached one of my goals of 2012.....to not get pregnant :)  Lol!  I know that may sound horrible to some but it's been a blessing in more ways than one.  Not only does my body have time to recover  and bounce back (ha!) but the biggest blessing has been that Vili and I finally had time to focus on our marriage.  It's been a really trying year for us, marriage wise, and we've hit a few more bumps this year than in the past mainly with parenting, school, and finances.  We were in a huge marital rut and I honestly don't think we could have gotten out of that rut had I gotten pregnant.  It makes me realize just how mindful the Lord is of each of us.

Funny thing is I didn't realize just how big the rut was until now that we are out of it.  No, we didn't cheat on each other or abuse each other if you're thinking crazy things like that.  Things just weren't like they used to be.  We had just gone too long without putting any work into our marriage that all the flaws were starting to appear slowly but surely.  We didn't appreciate each other.  Our "I love you's" were just empty words.  We fought like crazy.  We said the worst things to each other even in front of our kids.  We even brought up divorce, which we agreed never to do when we got married and have kept our word until this year.  We were tired and worn out.  I could go on forever about all the things that were going wrong but I won't.

After months of making a conscious effort to make time for each other, our marriage is now stronger than ever.  I'm not saying the fights disappeared and we're all of a sudden all dandy but there is a noticeable difference.  I feel like strengthening our marriage has allowed us to be better parents and examples to our children, and most importantly it's radiated into all other aspects of our lives.  It's brought us closer each other and in turn closer to our Savior.  Funny how that works.  I feel happy for the first time in a long time.  Maybe that's why I've been gaining weight?  Lol!  I can't wait to see what this new year has in store for my little family and look forward to all the memories we have yet to make.