Our Christmas Card/ 2016 Summary

~Our 2016 Family Christmas Card~

This year for us has flown by incredibly fast. On the one hand, I feel like we just barely left New York, and on the other hand I have a hard time remembering that the first half of our year we still lived there! 

For Travis, 2016 was a BIG year; he finally graduated Medical School. On top of that, all his hard work was rewarded with receiving a 3yr residency position here in Iowa; this means we officially made it, and the risk is gone! Travis traded in his 30min walk through Brooklyn for a 7 min walk in the small town of Mason City. He has done an exceptional job balancing extreme work loads with enough family time that we don't feel left behind. He had 5 weeks off (first break in 4years) where we hiked, boated, camped, partied, played, barbecued, played ball and vacationed with all his friends and family. In residency he is constantly a favorite no matter what rotation he is on, sweet talked his way into a helicopter ride, has already received some job offers, and continues to fulfill his callings at church.  Next year hopes: That it goes by quickly. To Sign on with a job. Buy a House. Buy a jeep. 

For me, 2016 afforded me the opportunity to play to different parts of my personality; in New York I got to dress up every day and always participate in some new event! I felt very cultured and blessed with everything around me. Here, I have the incredible opportunity to watch my kids grow, I mean truly grow. I Love the daily routine we are in, from going to the gym each morning, to snuggles/singing the boys to bed each night. I love the simplicity of raising a family in the midwest and I love leaving behind all the politically corrects ways you should live back in New York. Next year hopes: To push myself to a new level of fitness. Become a more patient and kind mother. Hopeful expand our family(Not an announcement, just a want:) 

This year Maddix has learned to swim. He can officially ride his bike anywhere without help. Mastered tying his shoes. Loved the subway rides, museums, and ballgames. LOVES having a large group of friends. Is really liking kindergarten. Loved Football. Never wants to leave. Loves Pokemon and Star wars, and although he is so sassy and moody (like his mom), he has a kind heart and feels deeply for those around him. Next year hopes: Wants to get Mrs. Carper for 1st grade. No other thoughts for the new year.

Little Aaron Falco, or the Goof as he is affectionately called around here has turned from my toddler into a little boy. He does everything his brother does, and wants to be bigger! He loves classical music, going to the gym with me, baking in the kitchen, tackling people, teasing, and anything that involves mischief. He started Homeschool Preschool and has finally learned 1/2 his alphabet. He loves Paw Patrol and legos. He has a killer "Charlie Brown" dance that he does anytime he has to go to the bathroom. He no longer calls Maddix "Buddy," but does call him "Brudder" half the time. He is tough and tender all at the same time. We just registered him for a sports class, as well as for preschool in the fall!!! Why is he so big now?!?!?! Hopes for the New Year: Go back to New York. Go visit all our Grandma's. Play on sports teams. And to Love mommy! 

And our Nala, she loved the dog park back in New York, and now loves the field behind Maddix's school. She's getting older and it shows from her not wanting to play in the cold, her sleeping so deep she doesn't wake up to greet us at the door, and all the way to her constant need for cuddles and tummy rubs; she's still Travis's baby though, to the point that it's annoying!! 

~MoNtHlY HiGhLiGhTs~

January: Started the New Year off taking our friends around the City. Experiencing Storm Jonas! And going to Jimmy Fallon!

February: Going to WICKED for my birthday!! "Travis Week" in Chicago. And Valentines Day as a family.

March: Made it back to the beach, All out celebrated St. Patty's Day, Biggest thing of the month ...Found out we Matched/Where! Went to D.C., Virginia, and all over.

April: Had the in-laws out to visit and took them ALL around New York (including a Yankee's and Mets' Game!). Took a Hipster Family photo shoot. We said goodbye to our home and ward in New York:(

May: Travis GRADUATED Medical School! We visited our Utah family, vacationed in St. George, Visited our California family, and made it to Disneyland and the Beach! Picked up shifts at Chuck-a-rama. And Bought a New car!

June:  Travis's Brother Hike, lots of family time. Moved to Iowa!

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July: Moved into our home, visited The Mall of America, found peace at our "beach" over in Clear Lake. Residency began for Travis

August: Simpler days of bike riding, playing in the water, swim lessons, sports in the front yard, and running around with loads of new friends and camping in the backyard; this month was quintessential in making me feel like "real life" was starting. Also, Travis got to ride in a helicopter!

September: Maddix started Kindergarten! Aaron began homeschool Preschool. BYU Football season kicked off. Maddix had his first season of flag football:) Annual Apple Day. Annual I.T.L. A Pirate Day.

October: Began individual dates with the boys. Travis's residency hosted a festival. Maddix had a Pokemon Birthday. One Killer Halloween like when I was a kid! Beginning of a gorgeous fall.

November: The prettiest part of Fall! Tons of playing in the leaves! Went to Utah for Thanksgiving!

December: Took our letters to Santa out the Clear Lake Christmas Festival. Decorated our new home for our First Christmas in Iowa. Really felt centered on Christ this Christmas season; special thanks for LightTheWorld (a church sponsored project focusing on service). Coldest Winter we've ever experienced (currently -25 degrees F., but feels like -45)! Attended two of the Ritziest parties ever!

~Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree~

This past week was so much fun just focusing on Christmas in so many different ways. And we feel so blessed that the weather held out as long as it did, but man the snow is pretty! I love all the untouched fields covered in a sheet of sparkling white snow. I wish my front yard still looked that way... however, I have lovely little boys who've enjoyed more than just looking at the snow from inside:) And that's good too. 

Last Sunday is when the snow started and it was already melting. The boys were distraught and kept begging to play; I was torn as it was a Sunday and we don't really play outside. I could definitely tell this was very important though, so we made a compromise: they could play outside IF they picked a character from the scriptures to build as their snowman; they built Snow-Lehi and he led them into a snowy wilderness. 

We've also enjoyed our hot chocolate bar, cookies, had Christmas themed school activities, received Christmas cards (which we love), a ward Christmas party, Christmas movies, a Christmas party with Trav's work, and two very ritzy Christmas parties that I just wondered how on earth we'd even been invited too... It was pretty fun to see how the other half lives ;) 

Snow Lehi

His reindeer donut

 Ward Christmas program

The boys LOVE homemade hot choc. 

 My little helper! 

Received a Christmas package we could open early!

I was sneaking around the corner to take a picture, as
Travis was sneaking up to pummel me with a dodgeball
And this was the result! 

This was at one of our parties... These gentlemen
spent $7,000 on this tree... and that was a sign to what
the rest of the house was like! 

2nd Ritzy party of the night; definitely an amazing night! 

Maddix: "Mom can we please go play in the snow with dad?"
me: he is just shoveling the driveway, not playing.
Maddix: "Mom, can we please go out and give service with dad??" 

Annual Christmas book reading with Grandpa Vaughn, even
if we can't be there in person.

I love Christmas time. I'm so grateful to our Lord for coming to this earth and giving us the greatest gift of all. I'm grateful for the daily opportunities I have to try and serve those around me, and that my  children are learning to serve. And I'm truly grateful that when I make mistakes and need to start over I can because of the Gift the Lord gave me. 

~Remember the True Meaning of Christmas~

Part 2: Decking the Halls and striking a chorus!

Part 2

~Decking the halls~

We are so extremely excited for Christmas; words cannot describe. 

School work? No thanks. Finals? Rushed through them. 

Now that school is done we've dove in 

and we're ready for Christmas!!

All our family sent home their presents with us so each day the boys stare at their gifts sitting under the tree. They're good to leave them alone, but as the lights twinkling from the tree reflect in their eyes, you can just see the anticipation; we're definitely counting down the days. 

This weekend the boys and I went to Clear Lake to see Santa! After an hour in line, we gave Santa our Christmas cards, and were out in about 30seconds. That night Travis wanted to drive to this town "next to us" to see the festival of lights... about 15 mins outside of town we lost service. We drove an hour into the middle of nowhere before stumbling into this little town with its lights; it took us all of 2 1/2mins to drive through the whole lights area.... it was just a few stands in a park! The boys started crying as soon as they realized it was already done and time to drive home ha ha ha; despite it all, it ended up being such a fun day and made for a funny family memory! 

This year I'm extra excited because I feel like our hearts are truly in the right place: centered on the Lord. 

 I really want my boys to grow up with a heart of service. After finding it hard to serve in New York, this year the flood gates have opened and service opportunities are ripe for the taking! I'm also grateful for the emphasis the church as put on #LightingtheWorld;

( if you haven't checked this out, visit lds.org and you'll find it on their main page )

On top of Feeling Christ's love this Holiday season, every 1st of December we are blessed to celebrate Travis's birthday. We love that hard working man, and just think the world of him. 

(For his crazy birthday story, you can read it at the bottom; it's long, so it's optional;)

Catching the first snowflakes of the season

Getting their letters ready for Santa

For his birthday this year Maddix and I took a date to pick out Daddy's presents. 

Aaron and I spent the day cooking/baking.

By the time Travis got home and we were just sitting down to dinner, the doorbell ran; it was a young (sales)man whom I'd agreed to have come over and clean our little area rug as a promotion for their vacuum and so he could earn points for a trip (he was supposed to come at 4pm and showed up at 7pm)... 

... BIG GIGANTIC MISTAKE...

He listens and commented within our conversations over dinner. With the start and stop vacuuming we couldn't really talk. He continually asked questions and pulled me away from the table to look at the vacuum no matter how many times I reiterated he was only their to earn his points, not sell me a vacuum. He used my phone to "call for a ride," but instead called his boss to negotiate a "best deal ever," and now they have my number. When I finally thought he was leaving because he'd wrapped the vacuum all up... he went into my hall and asked where the nearest mattress was so he could show me what the vacuum could REALLY do!! 

I told him to call for a ride and leave. 

When the boss (also a kid) showed up, he made himself at home; they had no intention on leaving, even though i'd excused myself to put the boys to bed, and I told them to leave... 

... I flat out told them no, and to leave, and somehow they thought it would be good to say this, 

"Look I know you're just a stay-at-home mom, and you probably don't like asking your husband for more of his money than you have too, but let's face it, you probably do all the cleaning around here cuz it's YOUR job, so don't you think you deserve this vacuum; I'm sure he'll let you spent a little extra...." 

I WAS SO MAD! 

I once again said "You need to leave, it's my husband's birthday and we get little to no time with him and you can wait on the curb for your ride; i'm throwing you out." They laughed. I text Travis. 

He came. They went to the curb. 

His birthday was ruined. No candles or birthday song. No birthday movie. Just bed. Because it was now 9:30pm. 

Morons. 

And that's the story of how trying to give service can go horribly wrong!! HA, but don't be discouraged. Just don't help out the salesman;)

So we celebrated his birthday the next day and it was MUCH more successful and birthday-ish!!!!