Peace Out 2010

 I know. This post is awfully late. But I have been busy keeping up with my resolutions!! One of them being to spend less time "social networking" and use free time more wisely. But, seeing as how this blog is for my own personal family journal, it doesn't really matter if things get posted in a timely manner, now does it? :) But, since the magic of the whole event has kind of been lost, since we are two weeks past, this post is a MAJOR PICTURE OVERLOAD. You asked for it. ;)

       We were fortunate to be able to spend our last couple of weeks of 2010 at home with our families. I could not have wished for anything better. Thankfully, the long drive induced a lot of this: 

(which it usually does)

 The unfortunate part was almost immediately upon arrival in Idaho, my little family each individually caught a stomach bug. Thank heavens we were with family, so willing to help us. I don't know if I have ever been that sick before. Needless to say, our time in Idaho was spent very laid back, seeing as how there was much puking, time spent in the bathroom, and lots of hot baths. Luckily, Evan was feeling much better just in time for his 1st birthday! Unfortunately again, his parents still weren't quite up to par. So we took it easy and it was perfect. 

 Evan immediately taught himself how to climb the stairs at Grandma Fuller's house. I forget about stairs living in The Ridge where there are none in the whole town! I was impressed he just went for it like it was no big deal and he had been doing it his whole life.

 Nate and I took Evan (really, it was just for ourselves, but he happened to be there :) to Subway for lunch and he was just so excited to eat out for his birthday he couldn't sit still!

 He had a blast being the center of attention, of course, and LOVED the balloon Grandma Fuller got him for the highchair.

 I'd had enough puking for the week and didn't want to risk dealing with anymore, so this was his "cake". And he was only allowed to eat half. I know, I'm such a mean mom. Well, guess what? He loved it anyways and I don't feel the least bit bad about it. :)

 We also took him bowling! What 1 year old wouldn't want to do that for his birthday?! Ok, it was mostly just because it's kind of the only thing to do in Preston. But we all really enjoyed ourselves! And Evan was a pro.

 Christmas morning was a lot fun with this little ham. He was thrilled by everything. So thrilled, in fact, I had to let Nate go wake him up at 9am, because the rest of us were nearly done with Christmas morning, but decided we should let Evan join the fun. :)

 He is the best little Christmas Elf that ever was!

 After a week and Christmas morning in Idaho, we headed down to Utah spend another week at Grandma Susan's and Grandpa Dan's. Evan REALLY loved the limes my sister sent to my mom from her lime tree! :)

 Again, he was fascinated by all of his gifts, and the tree, and baby Jesus, and the ornaments, and all of the singing Christmas toys. It is so fun to watch the world through his eyes!!

 Grandma Susan spent a lot of time trying to teach him to stand up, so he would start walking. He thought it was a great game, but is still no where near wanting to walk.

 Naughty little reindeer...

 We got to have another birthday party in Utah! What a lucky boy!!

 The best part of this party was when he cried when I blew the candle out. It was so dang funny.

 In Utah, my entire family took turns going through the same stomach bug we got in Idaho. So even though we weren't sick, it was another very laid back week, taking care of others. So again, we just went simple with a cupcake. But I did let him have at the whole thing this time. :)

 Happy 1st birthday, little man!

 All done!

 He really wanted to share his chocolate with everyone, especially Aunt Mandy.

 He really started to get the hang of opening gifts after a week full of presents!

 So excited about the little walker from Grandpa Dan and Grandma Susan!

 And he absolutely adores the rocking horse rubber ducky from Aunt Stacey.

 Several weeks later, he still takes this little guy with him everywhere. From room to room, and in his crib to bed, he never lets go.

 Doin' a monkey dance in his new monkey jammies!

 Evan seriously LOVES reading books. He would sit and read all day if you let him. (Notice the horse duck in his hand! And those totally cute crossed feet!)

 He likes to brush his own hair before going to bed.

 But his favorite part about bedtime is brushing his teeth with his cute Eeyore toothbrush.

Practicing on Grandma's walker.

 Since we were sick, we missed out on seeing SO many people. We were really bummed about that. The day before we left, we did manage to visit with our friend's Zach and Callie and their daughter Berkeley, who was born a month after Evan. It was fun to see them play together, because Evan doesn't play with anyone his own age. Here he is saying, "Mom! Look! A girl!!!! Can you believe it?!"

 "Now must be when I'm supposed to show off for her, right?"

 Berkeley is either saying, "Gross, boy cooties!" or "Those lips are mine." We may or may not like to think that they are boyfriend and girlfriend. ;)

 Ah, as always, my beautiful mountain.

 Thanks to my sister, Nate made it to his annual Jazz game, just in time before the year ended.

 Evan was pretty spoiled spending so much time with his Aunties that love him so much. He pretty much got to do whatever he wanted, like sit in the middle of the kitchen table :) We had a rough time adjusting to life as we know it in The Ridge, without so many people to play with everyday, and  having to follow rules again.

 We had quite the surprise the day after we got back to Cali. Snow! For the second year in a row!!!!

 And an even bigger surprise when it kept going all night long and we woke up to this! What a BEAUTIFUL sight to see snow in the desert!!

 It was unbelievable. The whole town didn't know what to do with themselves, so there was a snow day, of course!! School was canceled for the day and the Base delayed opening their gates for 2 hours. It was ridiculous, really. A first, that's for sure!

 See all that snow on the road? Oh wait, nope cause there really isn't any! I laughed so hard when I went to the post office to retrieve our mail and they said, "woah, you braved the storm just for your mail?!" What storm?! The sun is out and the streets are clear! It was pretty hysterical for this Utah girl.

 There's our house, "covered" in snow. A day I will never forget, that's for sure!

And yes, OF COURSE, Evan and I immediately went and played in it. :)

Here is a little clip of Evan first learning to use the walker. My sister says it looks like he is being rehabilitated. :) It melts my heart to see him be such a big boy!

Talk about melt your heart!!!!!! I think he was three days old here. The last year has certainly zoomed by! Here's to hoping 2011 is just as wonderful! Thank you 2010 for being one of the best years ever!