To Blog, or not to Blog?

It has been a few months since my last post, and a few more months before that since the previous post.  It seems like the # of posts I create corresponds conversely with how crazy my life is.  I decided that I probably do have time to post on this blog every now and then if I don't waste so much time on Pinterest and other sites when I sit on this computer to take a break from my work & home life.

I enjoy reading other peoples' blogs and seeing updated pictures of their kids.  I have thought in the past, what is the point of my blog? but I guess even if I am the only person who reads it, it is a place to record our family history and I can look back and see what we have been up to.  Also, now that we have moved from Northern Utah, we don't see as much family as often and a blog is a great way to feel close, even though you are far away.

We have really enjoyed living in St. George - the weather is great and the kids have made great friends.  I am staying busy helping Paul with his new franchise of Corporate Alliance as well as continuing to do accounting part-time for Bryan's company.

I will include some pictures to summarize the past few months here in St. George:  (It still bugs me that there was over a year that I did not blog about - I don't know why but I feel like I can't blog anything new w/o blogging everything prior).

Arizona - New Year's 2012 - It was fun to go to Suz's house and enjoy the nice weather.  We also got together with Rob & Eva's family.  We had really incredible food - I don't have any pictures, though.  Rob treated us to lobster, Suz made a prime rib roast, we also made lots of Mexican food and homemade tamales. 

the kids hiking on the desert preserve

 Timothy, Austin, & Luke - these 3-year old cousins are quite the mischievous little posse. 

 Obsessing over running:  I found a group of great runners down here that I have become friends with and run with a few times a week. - here I am running the St. George Half Marathon - I felt great and improved my time thanks to these new training partners.

Christmas Morning

 Anthony w/ Santa

Christmas Eve Dinner 

We had Paul's parents, Tyson, and Aunt & Uncle over on Christmas Eve

Our nativity pageant - We are not used being with such a small group on Christmas, so I actually had to step in and play the angel.

 Celebrating with Tyson at the Army's Christmas party.

 We made gingerbread houses when the Brown kids were over for the weekend.

Dec - Trip to Las Vegas - we went on a 1-night trip to Vegas.  Fun, but not the best place for kids overall.  Here are Paul and Alex at the Spring Nature Preserve. 

M&M World - this picture was taken right before the big fit the kids threw because I didn't want to pay $14/ lb for the M&Ms (We did get some at a local grocery store right after)

Bellagio at Christmas 

Obsessing over Cookies:  Suz convinced me to try making cookies w/ royal icing at Halloween and so I made a few batches.  We made some more at Christmas and even went out to LA to make cookies with Gemina, Suz, and Bina.  Suz's cookies are amazing and she now is starting to sell them:  check out her new blog:  Sweets by Suz.

Thanksgiving in AZ:

 A very happy baker!

Suz & Scott were great hosts - we made tons of yummy food.  We also had fun seeing Bina and her cute little family. 

 Black Friday Shopping - what a crazy night!  We did get most of our Christmas shopping done, though.  Here is Scott studying new flat-screens.

Here are the girls getting pedicures - their Aunt Bina took them all out to do this - Abby was so excited since she has never had a professional pedicure before.

Alex - the little raccoon always getting into the recycling bin.

On the new Bridge over-looking the Hoover Dam 

Anthony & Phillip collecting shiny rocks at "the glitter hole"(in AZ- about 30 minutes from our house)

Another trip to "the glitter hole" with Suz's family

Pete's birthday - rainbow party

Happy Halloween!

October 2011: Our trip out to Oregon:  We had a great time going to visit Ashlee and her family.

 It's been a while since we flew w/ the kids - they were excited.

At the beautiful Portland Zoo w/ Ashlee & her girls 

 Greg & the kids on a hike.

 We all spent a few days at this house on the Oregon Coast in Licoln City.  What a beautiful view.

 We also made a stop and saw the Roloffs at the Little People Big World farm.