Ice Castles

I hardly left my house last week and I needed OUT. Thankfully Saturday ended up being an adventure. My friend Alicia came over to hang out. We were all going to go ice skating since June's been asking to. So we went to the rink in Provo. We walked in and there was calming, magical Disney music playing and a small group of people calmly gliding across the ice. The girls were instantly entranced. But then I noticed all the people had name tags... then the sign “Class sign up” and sure enough, open skate time was 2 hours away. Hazel cried big crocodile tears as we pulled them out the doors and I felt awful for not doing more research. 

So we tried to find another rink. There were a few up north but they were just as far away as Midway, Utah so somehow I talked Buck and Alicia into going to Midway, the small Swiss settled town on the other side of the mountains.

The drive through the canyon was calming though. It was like driving through a snow globe with pine trees covered in powder sugar. 

We saw a photo online of the ice rink near the ice castles so we went there once we got into Midway. The ice castles are a crowded, popular attraction so once we were in the parking lot we were kind of stuck and we discovered the ice rink was no longer nearby... so we decided to just go to the ice castles instead. And it ended up being 18 freaking dollars a person! But what were we to do after coming all that way?

So we paid and went in. The girls thought it was magical. We explored, Hazel tried to lick the ice, we took some photos (sadly I wasn't prepared with my nice camera,) Buck held Rose packaged in five blankets, and then June got cold and we left. Haha! But it was very cool to see. It's been a few years since we've gone and they made a much larger ice castle. I say it was worth it.

We stopped and got burgers and fries on the way home and that felt right. It was an accidental and expensive adventure, but isn't that how those always go?

Celebrate a Country Day- Tahiti

It's that time of year again where January hits and we all need a pick me up. That's why I decided to have a made up holiday this month and it's become one of our favorite traditions.  (Which is funny because I originally invented two other holidays and this one was an after thought, yet the other two have only happened once while this one has happened every year! HERE is the old post about it from forever ago!)

This year we celebrated Tahiti/French Polynesia. I had tropical fruits and flowers. Jade and I made a banana pudding, baked in banana leaves, Bri made sweet Tahitian bread, Chelsea brought pork and rice. We had seared tuna that was marinated in coconut milk and lime juice. We had a platter of shrimp, mussels, squid and octopus and that was funny for everyone to try. We all drank orange/banana/coconut mock-tails. We also had a fresh green coconut to drink the milk from. WE had banana leaves everywhere for decoration as well and added them to the fancy paper plates. I wore a flower dress and a green leaf wreath on my head. We had Tahiti music. We watched some Tahitian dancing and the kids had a little dance off. I presented on Tahiti, telling about the culture, history, and traditions. Over all it went well! Other than we spent too much money....Whatever- viva Tahiti! ;)
(and I never get very many great photos when I do these parties so... yeah. Sorry.)

And some Tahiti photos from Google ;)

Past years:

Italy

Laos

Botswana

Paraguay

Oman 

Greenland

Hibernation

I had postpartum depression after giving birth to my first, June. Except I didn't know much about it, I don't even know if I believed it was real or not. But it blind-sighted me and rocked me to my core. It provided me with some of the darkest shadows that still lurk around my heart. 

In the whirl of confusing emotions I found myself on a jet ski two weeks after giving birth and four weeks later on roller coasters at Lagoon. Of all the horrible ways to celebrate our one year wedding anniversary! We could have gotten massages and taken naps but no- roller coasters and corn dogs. It was a sweltering August day and Buck and I walked around the amusement park like the tired new parent zombies (technical term) that we were. When I had to go to the car to pump my engorged and painful breasts, we called it a day.

No surprise, it took me a lot longer to heal. And don't even ask me how I survived the postpartum depression. I'm still not sure. But I learned my lesson. 

After Hazel was born I vowed to stay on the couch taking naps while holding my baby for  weeks on end. She was born mid February and so after a few weeks of taking it slow, the weather was starting to shine and glisten in early spring tones and I was able to make my way back out into the world gently. Yes, there were hard and tiring days, as can be expected, but the scary depression stayed away! 

And why on earth am I writing about any of this? 

Because. 

It's back. 

But this time I know what it is and a lot of ways to combat it. I have good people I am able to go for it, to talk to. I was prepared in case it happened. 

And while the statistics tell me, "You're not the only one, it's so common to have postpartum depression!" I have found that, over the years of trying to talk about it, most women I know didn't have it, or maybe they just didn't want to talk about it. Either way, maybe I am somewhat alone in this. 

One thing I know for sure: having a baby at the beginning of winter is not ideal. At least not for me. The lack of light, the idea of going out in the cold and slush with three little girls is not appetizing. But normally I am one to get out, a lot. I like to explore and adventure. Not sit in my little home. (but it's totally fine if anyone reading this does like to sit at home! We're all different and that's wonderful.) But you guys, I also don't want my baby to get RSV. I don't want to crash on the slick roads. And, well, some days it takes all my energy to fight what's in my head. 

SO! I feel like I have truly been hibernating. I tried the whole hygge thing. But sometimes I feel more trapped than comfy cozy. Like, I'm in a cave. So, I think I'm hibernating. And that's why I haven't had much of anything to say here, no photos to really post. I just let my kids play in their room. We eat dinner. Go to bed. Feels the same every day. It's kind of killer but I've also learned that it's okay to take a break; to curl up in a ball and slumber, even if it's mentally (since you know, I'm awake more than asleep due to a newborn.)

None of this is to complain or a cry for help. It's actually a bit terrifying to put this out there since I normally hold personal things like this locked deep, but I feel like exposing it pokes a hole in the distorted reality I experience otherwise. And I'm okay. I'll be fine! I will. I always am. And I've had such amazing friends and family rally around and help, it's been amazing and taught me how to be better person. 

At least once spring hits. 

Until then, I'll be living for the Zzzz's. 

2016 Year Reveiw!

It's a new year! And as cliche as it is, I love to look back on the year before and make goals for the one ahead. Time can be depressing if it passes by and nothing was done to remember it, OR, in contrast, it can be a wonderful gift that continues to fold on top of itself, stringing together memories and propelling us into new ones. I love what time has given me- a never ending scroll of canvas to paint, to change, grow, and continually become who I am to be. 

And now, after that dramatic intro, a look at our 2016.

2016 FAMILY ADVENTURES

 We had the good fortune of two amazing vacations with our families: 

One to Myrtle Beach, NC (Posts ONE, TWO, THREE)

and the other to Lake Tahoe, CA. (Posts ONE, TWO, THREE and FOUR)

We made a goal and went on a hike nearly every week during the summer and fall.

Some favorites HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE

We toured a new temple, had bon-fires, attempted backyard camping, took a few Boise trips, went to the tulip, scarecrow, hot air balloon, harvest, and Christmas light festivals, went swimming (a lot,) trick or treated, went boating, had an old fashioned photo taken, saw the salt flats, drove hours, flew in airplanes, rode roller coasters, played with fireworks, went to a dinosaur park, picked raspberries, made apple pies, carved pumpkins, played in the snow, met Santa, welcomed a new baby niece/cousin into the family, and a new baby sister/daughter into our family!

The girls and I went to the dinosaur and curiosity museums, the animal farm, corn bellies, the aviary, the zoo, the planetarium, an exotic petting zoo, the gardens, rode a train, picked apples, did lots of crafts, got chased by pigs, took countless trips to our 'secret spot' in the mountains, and spent many afternoons in our own backyard. 

Also, this year we purchased and paid off our new car! 

And we bought a plot of dirt that we will call home later this year when we build our new home on it! (more on that later.)

Needless to say, it's been another full year with memories we're grateful to have.

Also worth it's own photo college is to note how many plays we attended this year with the girls. We saw Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, Little Mermaid, Alice in Wonderland, Willy Wonka, and the most special was Fiddler on the Roof, as my mom and dad were the leads in that one! We have loved starting to raise our girls with the culture of the theater.

2016 JUNE ADVENTURES

June had a big year! She:

Got admitted to the ER (for a 105 fever from croup, strep throat, AND pneumonia all at once)

Graduated Preschool

Had a dance recital

Got her hair cut

Learned to swim

Turned five

Started Kindergarten(!)

Moved to a booster seat in the car

Moved to the top bunk of the bed

Maybe a little bit too much of the whole growing up thing. *sob*

2016 HAZEL ADVENTURES:

Hazel also had an exciting year! She:

Grew double the amount of copper curly hair

Had a dance recital

Took swimming lessons

Turned Two

Became potty trained

Attended a library story time every week

And started her favorite and beloved tumbling class

Became a big sister while still getting to be a little sister! 

2016 ROSE ADVENTURES:

Rose also had the biggest year of her life because she:

 was BORN. 

Came in at 5 pounds

Ended the year weighting over 6 pounds. 

Became daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and the cutest baby.

2016 ANNA ADVENTURES:

I had one of the biggest years of my life! I:

Dyed my hair a few times

Went back to Armenia!

Attended a photo workshop in Armenia with my photographer hero and National Geographic photographer, John Stanmeyer!

Started my non profit!

Went to girls camp! (I love getting to serve in the youth group of my church with these girls)
Got a pretty new photography website HERE

Met my non profit hero, Tim Ballard, the founder of O.U.R and got to take his head shots!

GOT PREGNANT!

and

HAD A BABY!

and turned 31..... 

It was a crazy year! To read more on my thoughts about it all click HERE

2016 BUCK ADVENTURES:

Buck had an important year as well! He:

Turned 32

Took on single parent life for a few weeks while I was gone

Took a few wood working classes

Became a father again!

 Got his fourth promotion at work!

Reached some huge goals with paying off student loan debt

And I'm going to do something a little different for Buck's section here. I want to always remember how supportive he was this year- he always is, but this year, as you can see, I took on a lot of new things. Leaving the country, making a non profit, growing in my photography, becoming a pregnant and hormonal woman with demands- and through it all he not only supported me but he also helped make and create, he pushed me, advised me, loved me, gave me massages, listened, took work off, made websites, stayed up late, ate only burritos for dinner for months(because I was sick and pregnant ha), and never complained. He spent countless hours trying to find the perfect place for us to move this year because I had such a complicated list of requirements. He spent his year bathing and dressing crazy little girls, feeding them, taking them to school, attending every single performance, reading stories, and wrestling - even when he's so tired. He wakes up every time with me and baby Rose in the night. I added that photo in the bottom of him sitting in one of the doctor appointments with me, when the pregnancy got complicated. It was during work hours, but he was there. He's always there. Buck spent his year better than anyone, he spent it serving his family and giving of himself. I really hope to pay it back to him and always support him in his dreams and stresses! I LOVE YOU BUCK! Let's get your wood shop up and running this year! ;)

2016 DATE ADVENTURES:

We always try and make it a goal to go on, at minimum, a date a month. Some favorites this past year were:

Over night stay in Park City

Book Store

The Symphony 

Secluded bowling

Over night getaway to Zion National Park and hiking

Crazy horse show, Cavalia

Drives and drinks

Shakespeare Festival- 12th Night

 Cooking class

Overnight stay in Old Mansion- SLC (6th anniversary)

Sushi Making Class

and

Attending the temple together every month!

2016 PET ADVENTURES:

 UM, this was a sad year because every time I dyed my hair it somehow correlated with our pets being sold that week. Our bearded dragon, Whiskey, was impulsive but a choice I made because I couldn't handle buying live crickets ANYMORE. My hair was pink.

Abe, our dog of several years, was a much harder and sadder choice that we had to make for him. My hair was purple. We miss Abe!

But don't worry, the cat is still around.

 And I don't plan on dying my hair a crazy color ever again....  

And that's a wrap on 2016! 

This new year, so far, we are looking forward to:

Figuring out life with three little girls

Building a home and moving (if it all even happens this year...)

Going to Italy for Buck's brother's wedding! (gasp!)

A little trip to Disneyland (hopefully) 

Enjoying new season tickets to the children's plays at Hale Center Theater

Continuing the non profit! There are some exciting ideas already being planned out.

And of course, Buck's wood shop. :) 

Lately- Drowsy December

Well, aside from, you know, adjusting to a new baby, I guess there were other things that happened last month. You will see a lot of selfies with baby Rose. You will also see many photos of my mom visiting and being awesome. She came from Idaho for a whole week and took care of us. She made us dinners, took the girls out on adventures and played with them at home. She went shopping for me, made Christmas gift crafts with the girls, and took June to and from school.  She even got us some new butter knives because apparently we don't have enough and she also got us new drawers for our fridge since the others were broken. 

We were also completely spoiled with other wonderful family members and friends! So many dinners and gifts. Buck's dad came and held Rose all night one time so that we could sleep, his mom took a day off work to be with the girls while we were in the hospital. Friends came and got the girls out of the house. Others helped with taking June to school. Visits from friends, diapers as gifts. The list goes on and on and I couldn't believe how fortunate we were to be surrounded by so many good people. I became completely silent for like a whole day because I was in awe at how kind so many people were and I learned so much about how I can become a better person like all of them. So to any of you reading this who helped, you know who you are, THANK YOU a million times over!

So to start this month photo purge, here's one that represents the majority of our time:

And now to the random: Apparently ordering four bread bowls with online groceries leads to instead getting four BAGS of bread bowls. Bread bowls for dayzzzzz.

Yummy gift from Buck's co workers.

I just really like how June added stripes to all of the tiger's legs. Also, she discovered that she could spell her name two ways and it still sounds right so she keeps doing that.

My aunt and uncle took the girls to the library craft time and then out to eat! It was so nice!

Buck did everything for me while I healed and nursed a baby. Like vacuumed. So sexy.

Buck took Hazel on a date to mini golf and arcade and during that time June talked me into making a rocket ship-fort. We had the star light in there and everything. And she also insisted on roasting tiny marshmallows over the gas stove.

I instructed Buck to take photos on his date but I guess he was having too much fun to do that so he took this one of her with her sucker once they got home.

Then Buck took June on a date the next night and she also wanted to go mini golfing so they went to the same place. He, once again, forgot to take any photos so an after party photo it was again!

This meme really speaks to my soul.

And this:

I made a little comparison photo of my lake spot. One mid day photo I took a couple years ago and one sunrise photo from November. Now I just need a sunset one. I'm such an exciting person, I know.

Cuddles with my middle child

And my cat!

Nutella mustache

Grandma snuggles. And a baby Rose that looks like she is going to roll off.

Introducing the Christmas lights.

And the wrap. She's so freaking cute.

June got to make this treat at school and she was proud, (despite her unsure face in this photo...) but mostly just excited to eat it.

Making cupcakes with grandma! And Hazel's amazing hair! haha

Baby's first movie theater experience. We made sure it was a good movie. :) (and a loud one...oops)

Meanwhile the girls got spoiled and went to see the nutcracker ballet with BOTH of their grandmas!

Cute letter and crafts from her pen pal!

A white hot chocolate "tea" party with grandma!

Aaaand, more of this

Good old snap chat filters can turn any boring moment into a party.  And any boring person into a reindeer...

I guess I like to take photos of Rose in the wrap. She just looks so tiny and cute and I want to remember it forever! 

Neither June nor Hazel took a pacifier but Rose seems to like it so we got her this one and it's the size of her face.

I title this photo: "Desperate to nap despite the 'Hazel blanket'"

June's school Christmas program.

Oh. Here I am again, holding a cute baby.

And how do we survive the first month with a baby? The iPads!

Cousins born exactly one month apart!

Visiting their great grandparents for Christmas!

I don't know, I think I just wanted to remember her crazy bed head.

Bed time stories with grandma. And okay, looking back now I really should have put all the grandma photos together in one spot. She was here for a week, not the whole month.

A dear Armenian friend made this for me!

And what better way to end this than with one last Rose snuggle? (and a stray broom!) I'd say that sums up the month.