The past 6 weeks in a nutshell--a very large nutshell.
We had some family and friends over to our new house for the Byu v. Utah game. Here is some history behind these pictures:
Pirate's cove:
We got to spend the week of Thanksgiving in Pirates Cove with all of Austin's extended family. It was a ton of fun however it ended in disaster. Austin and I got a call from his little sister while we were at the vegas airport who frantically told us that Jordan was in the ER due to an arm injury from getting tangled in the rope swing during a flip trick into the pool. We learned that he had been admitted to cardiac IC (he was there for about a week) where they were trying to learn the extent of the damage to his arm. We waited in anticipation and I will admit in tears and anguish during the cruise until we got home to hear more about his condition. Basically every muscle, nerve and aterie was damaged in his upper arm. I guess everything was pulled down around his elbow so imagine a popeye elbow with only skin and bone showing in the upper arm. Although in the beginning he was completely paralyzed he did regain some movement back in his hand after a few days in the hospital. They also did some nerve transplants during his stay. He has gained a little bit of movement back in his tricep (the rest of the muscle in that region died) he also has movement in the shoulder. As for now, he is still doing testing and physical therapy to see how much movement he can regain. Overall his arm is paralyzed and numb but they hope that other muscles lower in the arm will eventually take over functions and through nerve surgery he may be able to regain the lost feeling.
Even though this was a tragic accident, jordan has been nothing but hope and smiles. He is an amazing kid. This incident has brought all of our family and friends together in love, fasting, and prayer. We are so grateful that he didn't sustain other injuries from this accident and that we have so many dear friends and family waiting in the wings of our life to appear when they are needed. We love all of you!
A glimpse of Pirates Cove:
Thanksgiving Day was fabulous. It was a little bit sad for me though because it was my first Thanksgiving without my family! Every year for the past few years we have gone to the Grand America buffet with my family. I missed the wonderful food at Grand America but mostly I missed my family!
We took some Overman family pictures on Thanksgiving day for their Christmas cards.
Austin's birthday! My poor Austin was so kind to make a trip with me up to Logan the morning of his birthday during a snow storm to go to my sisters graduation. It wasn't too long or too boring (but I know Austin would have rather skiied the morning of his birthday). It was so fabulous having lunch and chatting with my family and sister's friends after the graduation. My sweet grandma and grandpa were in town and so was my sister Autumn. It is so great to be able to spend time with my grandparents. All the time I get to spend with them is valuable. (pictures to come).
Austin's dad is an avid Byu fan and Austin went to school and stunted at the U. Austin will pretty much do anything to egg his dad on. In the world of sports that means to cheer for the opposite team. As for me, I grew up a BYU fan but got my masters degree at the U. So I pretty much decided I would be be happy with which ever team won. Unfortunately that stuck me right in the middle between the two rivals. Despite their efforts (and bribes) I chose to stay out of it and just enjoy the game.
Pirate's cove:
We got to spend the week of Thanksgiving in Pirates Cove with all of Austin's extended family. It was a ton of fun however it ended in disaster. Austin and I got a call from his little sister while we were at the vegas airport who frantically told us that Jordan was in the ER due to an arm injury from getting tangled in the rope swing during a flip trick into the pool. We learned that he had been admitted to cardiac IC (he was there for about a week) where they were trying to learn the extent of the damage to his arm. We waited in anticipation and I will admit in tears and anguish during the cruise until we got home to hear more about his condition. Basically every muscle, nerve and aterie was damaged in his upper arm. I guess everything was pulled down around his elbow so imagine a popeye elbow with only skin and bone showing in the upper arm. Although in the beginning he was completely paralyzed he did regain some movement back in his hand after a few days in the hospital. They also did some nerve transplants during his stay. He has gained a little bit of movement back in his tricep (the rest of the muscle in that region died) he also has movement in the shoulder. As for now, he is still doing testing and physical therapy to see how much movement he can regain. Overall his arm is paralyzed and numb but they hope that other muscles lower in the arm will eventually take over functions and through nerve surgery he may be able to regain the lost feeling.
Even though this was a tragic accident, jordan has been nothing but hope and smiles. He is an amazing kid. This incident has brought all of our family and friends together in love, fasting, and prayer. We are so grateful that he didn't sustain other injuries from this accident and that we have so many dear friends and family waiting in the wings of our life to appear when they are needed. We love all of you!A glimpse of Pirates Cove:
Thanksgiving Day was fabulous. It was a little bit sad for me though because it was my first Thanksgiving without my family! Every year for the past few years we have gone to the Grand America buffet with my family. I missed the wonderful food at Grand America but mostly I missed my family!
We took some Overman family pictures on Thanksgiving day for their Christmas cards.
Shake Face picture. Only in this family would this picture be featured on their christmas card. Yep, this little beaute was sent out to all their friends and family.
Austin's birthday! My poor Austin was so kind to make a trip with me up to Logan the morning of his birthday during a snow storm to go to my sisters graduation. It wasn't too long or too boring (but I know Austin would have rather skiied the morning of his birthday). It was so fabulous having lunch and chatting with my family and sister's friends after the graduation. My sweet grandma and grandpa were in town and so was my sister Autumn. It is so great to be able to spend time with my grandparents. All the time I get to spend with them is valuable. (pictures to come).
By the time we drove home, still in a snow storm, I could tell that Austin wasn't having one of those "this is the best birthday ever moments". So I offered to take him to the mall to get some clothes. After hours of shopping we came home empty handed. I could tell he was exhausted from the day and not a happy camper. We went to best buy and got him a new x box game and that helped a little bit but I am so glad I had planned (with the help of Alyse and Jordan) a surprise party for him that night! I tried with all my might to get him to leave the house (dinner was the plan but he was "too full" from our seriously humongous lunch earlier). I finally used our wonderful neighbors/friends Missy and Jason as the decoy. They invited us over for cake and icecream so that everyone could come to our house and set up for the party. They really were my lifesavers that night. However, when we got home someone was parked in our driveway (duh! When a guest to a surprise party do not park in the birthday boy's driveway) and I thought the secret was blown but Austin didn't think anything of it except for "why would someone park in our driveway? I am going to knock on the neighbors door and see what's up". However, after some coaxing I did get him into the house were he was pleasantly surprised to find a bunch of friends, co workers, and his family there to greet him (after I finally found the light switch!). We missed all of you who couldn't come because of the snow storm! But thank you to all of his friends who did come because YOU MADE HIS DAY! It was an awesome party with cake and presents and fun and good friends! I got him singing lessons (he is a wonderful singer and has always wanted to get professional lessons) he was VERY surprised (he usually knows what he is getting for his birthday because he feels the need to give me his stamp of approval on gifts) and he LOVED it! After all the chaos his birthday was a success! YAY!
Danica and Mel threw a splendid ugly sweater party. Thanks to missy's shopping skills she found Austin and I the perfect ugly sweaters. Boy were we ugly. The party was so fun and the food was amazing! We spent the night admiring Danica and Jeremy's house (which is incredibly beautiful. The decorations were gorgeous. I will give Danica all of the credit, sorry Jer), chatting, laughing, taking pictures, and EATING! Austin, Missy, Jason, and Katie won prizes for their sweaters. Missy's played music. Jason's had a built in turtle neck (sick!), Austin's was defnitely a woman sweater and it was a wee bit tight, and Katie wore a christmas vest, need I say more? Thank you Danica and Mel for throwing such a rockin party. You are wonderful hostesses!
Austin and I had our annual christmas party a few days before Christmas. Unfortunately it snowed all day! We had invited about 30 couples but only half of them came. Which was fine because my house isn't huge and we probably would have been a little crowded but we sure missed all of our friends who couldn't make it! We ate lots of soup and treats, decorated cookies, and played some games. We played our white elephant game a little bit different...aka "austin's rules". After trading we had 5 minutes to just go around the circle and frantically steal, and steal back, gifts. When the time was up the gift you had in your hands was the gift you kept. It was hilarious and fun and I will admit a little bit of fighting broke out, but it was all in good cheer. We had a fabulous night hanging out with our dearest friends and enjoying some christmas cheer together! Thank you all for coming, even though the weather was horrible and our roads weren't plowed!
OH I love Christmas. I am a christmas procrastinator. I have all of my gift ideas neatly written on paper but I don't get out shopping until just days before the big day. This year I was (and still am) really sick with bronchitis so I had an excuse but seriously when will I figure out that the people who finish their christmas shopping in November or even better, in October, are not crazy but SMART! Thanks to Jennica's help and company I spent the whole day (10 hours) shopping and enjoyed it. I was only left with one or two gifts to pick up on chrstimas eve and I consider that a success. I spent the rest of chrstmas eve at the overman's wrapping, wrapping, wrapping. It only took...7 hours, but I did it and it was fun. I drank wassil and watched christmas movies. Later that night my sister in laws joined me to finish their wrapping and we deemed it a great wrapping party. Other highlights were Scott's fabulous homeade chili and the christmas elves! See, Malinda always gives us a christmas eve present and Austin and I give each other a christmas eve present but this year Austin and I were approached by some of Santa's elves (they were the "coolest", "naughtiest" and "best looking" christmas elves out there) who gave us gifts for the rest of the family. Funny gifts. It was a riot and needless to say I think those christmas elves will be back every year. We also started 2 more traditions which I found to be really neat. 1. Read a christmas story about the savior. 2. Write on pieces of paper our gift to Christ for the year, fold them up and put them in a fancy box to be opened the next year so we can evaluate how well we fulfilled our gift. We all went to bed at 3 am or later and woke up at 6 am on the dot because Jordan was leaving for Mexico around 8 am. We didn't get done with all of our gift opening but it was fun and crazy. We were all exhausted and a little bit delirious but I felt like a little kid again, waking up before it was even light outside to run downstairs and open stockings and gifts. I sure love my in-laws.
Most of the wonderful people who came to surprise Austin on his birthday!
Every year his friend gets him a "t-shirt". I think this is the epitome of that collection of shirts.
Some of his friends put this plate cover on his new car...he didn't find out until weeks later!
Danica and Mel threw a splendid ugly sweater party. Thanks to missy's shopping skills she found Austin and I the perfect ugly sweaters. Boy were we ugly. The party was so fun and the food was amazing! We spent the night admiring Danica and Jeremy's house (which is incredibly beautiful. The decorations were gorgeous. I will give Danica all of the credit, sorry Jer), chatting, laughing, taking pictures, and EATING! Austin, Missy, Jason, and Katie won prizes for their sweaters. Missy's played music. Jason's had a built in turtle neck (sick!), Austin's was defnitely a woman sweater and it was a wee bit tight, and Katie wore a christmas vest, need I say more? Thank you Danica and Mel for throwing such a rockin party. You are wonderful hostesses!
Love their dickies
Don't you just love his ensemble?
This picture is a little bit scary.
Austin and I had our annual christmas party a few days before Christmas. Unfortunately it snowed all day! We had invited about 30 couples but only half of them came. Which was fine because my house isn't huge and we probably would have been a little crowded but we sure missed all of our friends who couldn't make it! We ate lots of soup and treats, decorated cookies, and played some games. We played our white elephant game a little bit different...aka "austin's rules". After trading we had 5 minutes to just go around the circle and frantically steal, and steal back, gifts. When the time was up the gift you had in your hands was the gift you kept. It was hilarious and fun and I will admit a little bit of fighting broke out, but it was all in good cheer. We had a fabulous night hanging out with our dearest friends and enjoying some christmas cheer together! Thank you all for coming, even though the weather was horrible and our roads weren't plowed!
Wearing "the party in a bag" gift.
I still haven't figured out what this is? A paper mache paul bunyon?
The barbie looked so pretty and innocent at first. Emery loved it. We couldn't quite figure out why shaving cream and a razor came with it...then someone looked closer...
Introducing "European Barbie". Look closely she is covered in hair. Emery kept saying "Eww. Pet it." Tara's face in this picture describes all of our feelings towards this barbie.
We figured James needed this because he lives in D.C.
You can tell I'm not accustomed to wearing mustaches--I have it on upside down!
Thanks to Jason and Missy (who re-gifted the jock strap Austin and I got at Platinums white elephant gift exchange and left on their doorstep) our normal gift exchange was pretty funny too. The funniest part was that Chance (who brought the jock strap to previous mentioned party) got the jockstrap back! Chance with the infamous jockstrap.
Most of the people who came to the party (and didn't ditch out early...ha ha ha just kidding).
The winning cookie.
Honorable mentions.
Brotherly love. Landon and Brandon are adorable!
OH I love Christmas. I am a christmas procrastinator. I have all of my gift ideas neatly written on paper but I don't get out shopping until just days before the big day. This year I was (and still am) really sick with bronchitis so I had an excuse but seriously when will I figure out that the people who finish their christmas shopping in November or even better, in October, are not crazy but SMART! Thanks to Jennica's help and company I spent the whole day (10 hours) shopping and enjoyed it. I was only left with one or two gifts to pick up on chrstimas eve and I consider that a success. I spent the rest of chrstmas eve at the overman's wrapping, wrapping, wrapping. It only took...7 hours, but I did it and it was fun. I drank wassil and watched christmas movies. Later that night my sister in laws joined me to finish their wrapping and we deemed it a great wrapping party. Other highlights were Scott's fabulous homeade chili and the christmas elves! See, Malinda always gives us a christmas eve present and Austin and I give each other a christmas eve present but this year Austin and I were approached by some of Santa's elves (they were the "coolest", "naughtiest" and "best looking" christmas elves out there) who gave us gifts for the rest of the family. Funny gifts. It was a riot and needless to say I think those christmas elves will be back every year. We also started 2 more traditions which I found to be really neat. 1. Read a christmas story about the savior. 2. Write on pieces of paper our gift to Christ for the year, fold them up and put them in a fancy box to be opened the next year so we can evaluate how well we fulfilled our gift. We all went to bed at 3 am or later and woke up at 6 am on the dot because Jordan was leaving for Mexico around 8 am. We didn't get done with all of our gift opening but it was fun and crazy. We were all exhausted and a little bit delirious but I felt like a little kid again, waking up before it was even light outside to run downstairs and open stockings and gifts. I sure love my in-laws.
Our tree this year. Isn't it just a cute little thing.
Gifts from Santa's elves:
Christmas eve dinner.
Christmas Morning.
This was Austin and Jordan's gift to their dad.
They made him carefully eat a piece of chocolate and he was given a clue as to where his gift was hidden.
He found the gift under his bed!
New skis!
It stormed and stormed and stormed the rest of the day. Austin and I were supposed to head up to my parents around 9 am but after several calls from my parents who were very worried about our safety while driving in the storm, we decided to wait until the next day to visit them. However, around 3 (after a nap) we decided to brave the storm and head up to my parents anyway. I am glad we did because the road conditions weren't too bad until we got to the canyon. The first thing we did was visited my dad's treatment centers and opened gifts with the girls (they sang a funny, witty and surprisingly beautiful song about their stay at uinta to the tune"12 days of christmas") It was neat to see how they have a "home away from home" during the holiday. Later than night we ate the amazing duck a la orange that my mother the gourmet cook made and we opened gifts and chatted. Followed by lots of junk food and movie watching. We ended up getting snowed in and decided to stay the night. We woke up at noon (no joke) and my parents had been up for hours shoveling snow. It had snowed over 10 inches. My mom made delicious huckleberry pancakes (yes, huckleberries do exist but it is an excruciatingly tedious and slow experience to pick them but my parents still do it every summer) and then we were on our way home. Christmas was over! But we always have next year--I think I'll start my shopping now.
Gran & Grandpa's Christmas party: On the Sunday before Christmas everyone on Austin's mom's side gets together for a party/gift exchange. How lucky am I to be part of such a fun and loving family.
Morton family christmas party. Every year gran's (austin's grandma) side of the family gets together at the good old family roller rink for food and skating. Every year I get bumps and bruises and every year I love it. It was just as grand this year and other than a couple of good spills I skated pretty well. I did have two awesome and cute 8 year olds as teachers and "helpers". Austin and I even "danced" while on skates. Don't ask how we did it or how I didn't fall but it was nice especially because it ended with a big fat kiss!
That same day we went to Body worlds with Tara and Braun. It was really cool, especially the part with the baby embryos. We also went to dinner and just spent some quality time with the awesome thuesons before they had baby Anisten. She was supposed to be born the next morning but after some drama at the hopsital she wasn't born until the day after that.
I visited them in the hospital and boy was she beautiful. Even for being just a day old she really was just so cute. I adore her. Tara also looked beautiful and not like she just had a baby at all. Not fair. I can't wait to see little Anisten again! And of course, I can't wait to see you again too Tara, I just love ya! Seeing little Anisten really made me realize that I want one!
New years: We relaxed the majority of the day but then had a couple of friends over for food and games. We were going to go see the fireworks from the top of the wells fargo building but when it came time to go no one wanted to except for me. I was bummed but they definitely out numbered me. It ended up being nice to just stay home and watch dick clark, drink bubbly, and play apples to apples.
HAPPY 2009!
Gran & Grandpa's Christmas party: On the Sunday before Christmas everyone on Austin's mom's side gets together for a party/gift exchange. How lucky am I to be part of such a fun and loving family.
Morton family christmas party. Every year gran's (austin's grandma) side of the family gets together at the good old family roller rink for food and skating. Every year I get bumps and bruises and every year I love it. It was just as grand this year and other than a couple of good spills I skated pretty well. I did have two awesome and cute 8 year olds as teachers and "helpers". Austin and I even "danced" while on skates. Don't ask how we did it or how I didn't fall but it was nice especially because it ended with a big fat kiss!
These 2 cuties were my teachers.
Check out our hot roller skates.
They don't just skate...they do it with "style".
Dancing on skates. I wouldn't call it graceful.
Austin's face shows it all.
That same day we went to Body worlds with Tara and Braun. It was really cool, especially the part with the baby embryos. We also went to dinner and just spent some quality time with the awesome thuesons before they had baby Anisten. She was supposed to be born the next morning but after some drama at the hopsital she wasn't born until the day after that.
I visited them in the hospital and boy was she beautiful. Even for being just a day old she really was just so cute. I adore her. Tara also looked beautiful and not like she just had a baby at all. Not fair. I can't wait to see little Anisten again! And of course, I can't wait to see you again too Tara, I just love ya! Seeing little Anisten really made me realize that I want one!
Em just loves her. It is so sweet.
New years: We relaxed the majority of the day but then had a couple of friends over for food and games. We were going to go see the fireworks from the top of the wells fargo building but when it came time to go no one wanted to except for me. I was bummed but they definitely out numbered me. It ended up being nice to just stay home and watch dick clark, drink bubbly, and play apples to apples.
HAPPY 2009!
3 comments:
IT'S ABOUT TIME WOMAN! Longest post ever...and I loved every minute of it. Good job! love the pics! Ok life has settled down a bit so maybe let's get together soon??????
Looks like you guys had an awesome holiday!!!! We are so sorry we missed your party. Crae s b day ended up takin alot longer. It looked like you all had a blast. We will have to get together soon and make up for it :-)
Holy smokes Layla!! Did that post take you all day? It totally would of if I was writing it!! I love all of the pictures. Blogs are the best! : ) And you can come over anytime! I hope your anniversary was great yesterday! Did Austin like his blanket? I bet he did!
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