2011 in review

We have had an amazing 2011 and hope 2012 will be equally great! We were lucky to be able to go on lots of vacations (that part won't happen again this year), spend time with family, and have fun with friends. We are so grateful for each other, our family, and our friends.

Memories from 2011...

January

We spent a fun night in Park City going to dinner and laughing til our cheeks hurt to Jason Hewlett.

February

The romantic husband I have surprised me with white popcorn and candlelight chicken alfredo for Valentines mmm

March
We had the time of our lives on a Carribbean cruise with my family. The cruise included lots of laughing, eating, snorkeling, scuba diving for the guys, and lots of strawberry daquiris! We were able to watch March madness on the top of a cruise ship (hence the excitement in the picture below).

Matt really did have fun even though his face doesn't show it.

Labadee Haiti before we went on the waverunners. Absolutely love the water in the Carribbean!

Formal dinner

April

We had a great Easter and watching General Conference with both families.

May

Drew graduated from the U in Exercise and Sports Science. Drew also turned a quarter of a century old. We spent Mother's Day, Drew and Clarissa's birthday with his family and then headed to Hawaii to celebrate (and because we were suckered into a vacation club). We had a blast staying 2 days in Waikiki (I like the hustle and bustle) and then 6 days in a resort on the beach in the middle of nowhere (Drew's liking). Our favorite parts were snorkeling with sea turtles outside our hotel, trying new restaurants, the PCC, diamond head, golfing, and snowcones of course.

Drew's family

My family... Matt and Natalie were there too but had to leave before pictures.

June

Matt graduated first in his class from medical school in Arizona! He wanted it a secret he was graduating first and had to speak so Erin and I tried to keep it a secret we knew and were going to be there. Jason, Erin, Drew, and I got to know each other too well on the 24 hour trip to Arizona and back but had a blast. Matt figured we were coming so it wasn't a surprise but it was still fun. We are so proud of my brother! After this my parents and Matt's family drove back to PA where he will do his residency for the next 5 years.

We just survived our first Christmas with out Matt's family.. we miss them lots.

July

We went to the Oakley rodeo and stayed at the cabin with my dad's brother's family and my mom's sister's family. This is always one of my favorite weeks.

We were also able to go to Redfish Lake Idaho with Drew's family for the second year. It is so gorgeous up there and we get to spend our time on paddle boards, paddle boats, trying to kayak (Clarissa and I learned upstream is a bad idea), having campfires, and getting to know Drew's family better. We were just told we get to go again this summer and can't wait!

August

My parents took Brynley and I out to PA to visit Matt's family. It was so much fun going to amusement parks, Omish towns, gettysburg, and getting to see their new house. I have never really been back east, unless Florida counts, it is so pretty and full of history. I told my mom if I lived back here I would have done better in history.. I think I learned more about the civil war in one day visiting gettysburg than I ever did in school.

An omish buggy ride to a tour of their farms.

Also in August.. Drew got a job! He is working for Rehab Specialists selling durable medical equipment. The learning process has been hard at times but he is becoming a very good medical sales rep. He tried balancing his new job, Texas Roadhouse, and me and it wasn't working very well so he gave up Texas Roadhouse in October. We miss the discount but are excited with all the experience he can gain at this company.

September

During September we had a lot of fun with friends boating, having a friends cabin trip, and throwing Jannali a baby shower.

October

We spent time carving pumpkins with friends and watching scary movies. Drew and I dressed up as lamps last minute and went trick or treating with Erin's kids.

We also went to Muldoons with Drew's family and got to know Dave better (Danielle's fiance). It's kinda scary how similar Drew and Dave are. We spent time four wheeling, shooting, and watching movies.

November

My dad turned 60! We had a fun dinner on Sunday and went out with our family friends the Verno's to Olive Garden that week. We had a good Thanksgiving with Drew's family and spent time at the cabin with my brother and his family who came to visit. We also had family pictures taken.

December

We had an event filled December with lots of family activities. We also spent time with friends at girls/guys night out and having an "ugly sweater" party. We were able to go to festival of trees, a Christmas carol, and the temple square lights. Drew spoiled me with a fun birthday and I turned 24! We spent Christmas with both of our families and I enjoyed not having to work :).

Christmas Eve with all of my girl cousins.

We have been so blessed this year!

We already have lots to look forward to in 2012. Drew's sister Danielle is getting married this month, gaining another nephew in March from Matt and Nats, more of our friends are having babies, I am graduating (again) in April, and we're hopefully buying a house!

We put an offer on a house in Draper about four months ago and are still waiting but crossing our fingers.

I am still working as a nurse in the NICU at Primary Children's. I will graduate in April with my BSN from Byu-Idaho. I have been doing school straight through this year and although I have been drowning in homework and very stressed feeling like I can't keep up with school, work, and our house I have gained a huge respect for women who work, go to school, and have kids! I am grateful for my husband who has put up with a dirty house and a moody wife this year.

This summer we get to continue our traditions in going to the cabin, Montana, and Redfish lake. My goal this year is to blog more consistantly :). Phew that was a long post!