2017 Year In Review

Keeping strong w/ the tradition that I started in 2008 of doing a year in review of the highlights. There have been A LOT of BIG highlights this year.

January 2017:
*Picked my One Little Word for the year ... BEGIN
*Nick & Savi told Mom & Dad they're PREGNANT!
*Autumn turned TEN & we had 3 of her friends over for a party to make & decorate cookies
*Donald Trump was sworn in as the President Of The United States
*Went & saw The Fiddler On The Roof play w/ Papa & Mimi for Autumn's birthday
*I fed the Stake Leaders between their back to back meetings
*25th ~ Frank & I started talking on the phone
*Went & saw Once Upon A Mattress play for Autumn's birthday

February 2017:
*Olivia turned 3
*03rd ~ Frank & Spencer came down to visit for the first time!!!
*Frank & Spencer & Autumn & I went and made meals for the homeless together
*Frank & Spencer came to church with us & I was released as Young Women's President
*The YW heart attacked my door, and this was the first Wed in a long time I didn't have YW
*09th ~ Autumn had an orthodontist apt, and we met up w/ Frank & Spencer for dinner in Atoka
*11th ~ I got a package from Frank in the mail w/ a bluetooth speaker & a super sweet note
*I've lost SIXTY pounds since April 2016
*13th ~ Frank & Spencer came down to surprise us as an early Valentine's gift
*17th ~ Frank & Spencer came down to spend the weekend with us
*Nate took a hockey puck to the face & got a horrible cut that Dad stitched up on the back porch
*20th ~ Frank & I went on our first official date tonight. He drove down 3 hours, we went to a Chinese restaurant, and then he drove 3 hours home!!!
*Mom & Dad stopped in to visit Frank's parents unexpectedly
*Pizza Picnic Party at the Park w/ Liz & Liberty
*25th ~ Frank & his parents & 4 boys came down to visit
*I was called to be a Relief Society teacher & also the Relief Society Secretary
*There was a silver screw in one of my tires!

March 2017:
*Dinner out w/ Liz & Liberty
*05th ~ Liz straightened my hair & Frank came down & went to church with us
*11th ~ Autumn & I went to Oklahoma to see where Frank lives & spend time there
*13th - 17th ~ FAMILY VACATION TO GALVESTON
*Sis. M & her family came to stay overnight
*19th ~ Frank had "the talk" with Dad, got his permission, & PROPOSED TO ME!!!
*Autumn started volleyball again
*Mom & Dad signed the cars over to me (Chevy Trax), & Nate (the truck)
*Autumn & I went to Oklahoma to spend time w/ Frank & his family & celebrate Easter
*I took bluebonnet pictures of Autumn
*I got highlights in my hair
*Liz & Eila came to my work for visiting teaching & I got stuck driving the forklift
*Lori & crew moved to their new office, and I'm so sad
*Mom & Dad left for Utah to spend time w/ family

April 2017:
*Frank came to visit & watch General Conference. Mom & Dad saw Jones's at General Conference
*03rd ~ Frank & I got engagement pictures taken
*04th ~ Frank & I had our official 2nd date night
*05th ~ Frank & I went on a date to the temple
*Frank & the boys came down & we went to the Renaissance Festival
*10th ~ Mom & Dad reported to the MTC today to start their 2nd mission
*Easter at the Farm w/ Frank & Spencer
*17th ~ Frank & I got our marriage license!!!
*The Starbucks Sour Unicorn Frappuccino was all the rage ... MEH
*21st ~ Mom & Dad left for South Africa, I had a girls night w/ Karri & crew
*Savi's sister, Sofia, came to visit so we picked her up at the airport
*Fun Family Home Evening w/ Frank & Grant at the bowling alley
*Autumn had her first pediatrician visit in 10 years
*Autumn & I went and saw the Legally Blonde Jr. play
*29th ~ Autumn & I drove to OK and I surprised Frank at work
*30th ~ Frank & I both gave talks in his branch at church

May 2017:
*Autumn started her ADD medicine & we went on a Mommy/Daughter date
*I got food poisioning
*07th ~ We met Frank in OK & went to church there, and then Frank gave me a new engagement ring
*09th ~ Frank interviewed for a new job here in DFW & has his final interview for our temple clearance letter w/ the Stake President
*Dinner w/ Donna & the kids
*Neighborhood pool party
*Frank came down to celebrate Mother's Day with me
*Autumn got a huge chigger bite that got infected on the back of her knee
*"This Little Piggy" Relief Society activity
*Autumn & I started cleaning out "the scary office"
*Frank & I went on a date to the temple
*20th ~ Surprise bridal shower and Frank & I found out we have permission to be sealed!!!
*Autumn's recorder concert at school
*Autumn's school picnic
*Set up for the wedding reception
*27th ~ FRANK & I WERE SEALED FOR TIME & ETERNITY IN THE DALLAS TEMPLE!!!
*Mini honeymoon & Medieval Times
*Memorial Day swim party
*30th ~ Autumn started sleeping in "the scary office"

June 2017:
*Frank started his new job today
*05th ~ Frank had his first side handyman job & we bought him a some new tools
*I got to give a spiritual thought up at YW Girl's Camp
*Went & saw Wonder Woman w/ GrannyMom & Grampsy
*Sounds Of The Summer free concert & In-N-Out food
*Baseball game in Tulsa w/ Marissa & Grant
*18th ~ Father's Day in Oklahoma w/ Grampsy & Frank
*RS activity about emergency car preparedness
*Susan started taking the missionary discussions at our house
*We babysat the cutest little dog named Georgia
*My TWENTY YEAR HIGH SCHOOL REUNION
*1 month anniversary ~ went to breakfast & then out for a pedicure & out to dinner

July 2017:
*Frank got new contacts & we took the kids to Dave & Busters and a movie
*Had the Lee's over for FHE to swim
*Happy 4th of July ~ Swim & BBQ party over at Mom & Dad's
*We got to dogsit Emma
*Autumn's first cheer practice of the season
*Pest Control swim party
*I surprised Frank at work w/ lunch
*Spontaneous date night w/ Frank
*Impromptu lunch date w/ Frank
*Lexie & family came up to visit
*80's free rock band concert w/ Frank
*Autumn went to stay w/ Lexie & family for a week
*I had jury duty but didn't get picked
*Frank & I went on a Goodwill Date night
*Final Sounds of Summer concert & Frank won a contest
*Took the kids to Medieval Times

August 2017:
*Date night to the movies w/ Mason b/c everyone was a friend's house but him
*Babysitting Spencer & Olivia while Nate & Riannon went to South Africa w/ Curt & Mary
*Frank ♥ Lisa license plate
*Playing outside in the rain
*12th ~ Savi's baby shower & Frank took the kids to Chuck E Cheese
*We had to replace the transmission in Frank's truck
*16th ~ Spencer officially moved in with us full time
*Meet The Teacher night
*Super Saturday for Spencer & Cheer Camp for Autumn
*Father's Blessing from Frank before school starts
*21st ~ First Day of 10th grade for Spencer & 5th grade for Autumn
*D - 23rd ~ Frank quit his job b/c it was not a good thing to work there
*25th ~ We found out WE'RE PREGNANT!!!
*3 month anniversary ~ "This is what ditto feels like ..." sign
*Frank helped Nate w/ his broken hot water heater
*Frank interviewed for a new job & got it on the spot!!!
*Gas shortage due to the hurricane in Houston

September 2017:
*01st ~ BABY MATTHEW WAS BORN
*02nd ~ Grant officially moved in with us
*Started our self reliance class
*Labor Day ~ took the boys back to Oklahoma and it was so sad
*Sis. W fixed Autumn's cheer uniform
*06th ~ Frank started his new job!!!
*First local high school football game
*09th ~ Autumn's first cheer game of the season & Frank was security for Jake Paul
*14th ~ Papa came to visit for a few days b/c he had to escort a missionary home
*Big family swim party w/ everyone (except Mimi) since Papa was home
*18th ~ First baby ultrasound & we announced on social media that we're pregnant
*Frank had a heart checkup & everything is good
*To celebrate our 4th anniversary, Frank & I went to the temple & were sealed for his paternal grandparents
*Got to work for Becky Higgins at the Pinterest Conference & the boys helped pack it all up

October 2017:
*Liz & Lisa night out
*National Night Out w/ Nate
*Surprise birthday party for Lane w/ the Almond Joy cake from our wedding
*Started a new chore chart
*11th ~ AUTUMN GOT BRACES
*Frank got a shot in his shoulder to help w/ the pain
*Specialist OBGYN appointment
*Hunting trip to Oklahoma w/ Nate & Riannon
*2 new tires for my car (BOO) & a lunch date w/ Frank (YAY)
*Autumn went to her 5th grade overnight Adventure Camp
*Ward Trunk-Or-Treat
*21st ~ Frank found out that his sister, Mary, passed away today while I was getting my hair done
*24th ~ My 38th birthday & Frank and the kids spoiled me
*25th ~ We announced on social media that we are having a GIRL
*26th ~ Mary's funeral
*D - 28th ~ Autumn's Cheer Showcase
*A car plowed into the back of Nate's police vehicle
*Uncle Rich & Aunt Cassie came to visit
*Halloween party

November 2017:
*Dinner w/ Donna & Abbey
*Self Reliance class service project
*Frank got a free new grill
*I had to drive the forklift at work in the cold & pouring rain
*08th ~ Fall Out Boy concert
*Relief Society Gratitude Dinner
*End of the year Cheer Dance/Party
*12th ~ Savi's birthday
*ICE! treat w/ the kids
*City Council meeting to support the policemen
*D - 14th ~ Autumn had to have FIVE broken brace brackets replaced
*End of the year cheer party w/ the football players
*Finished our self reliance 12 week class
*Autumn came to work with me
*Autumn & I went and saw Coco
*Thanksgiving in Oklahoma & GrannyMom's 79th birthday

December 2017:
*Tree lighting at City Hall & the nativity at church
*Julian's Grease play in Oklahoma
*04th ~ Frank's 44th birthday & we went to a good BBQ place for dinner
*Halfway through the pregnancy
*Single Adult Fireside w/ Frank
*11th ~ Hot date night to the Forgotten Carols as part of Frank's birthday present
*Frank & I spontaneously went & saw the new Star Wars movie
*Ward Christmas Party
*Baby Matthew's baby blessing & Polar Plunge Pool Dip
*Frank's shoulder surgery
*21st ~ Baby Aubrey Rose (our first grand baby) was born today!
*Christmas in Oklahoma with Frank's family
*The boys came to stay with us for a week
*Happy New Year 2018

A lot of people on social media were saying how happy they are to see 2017 go. 2017 has been a HIGHLIGHT year for me with meeting Frank, getting sealed, and getting pregnant. Just like with anything in life ... there have been some incredible highs and some really wretched lows. I could never have guessed when I picked the word "BEGIN" as my word for 2017 how many things I would BEGIN this year ... a new relationship, a new marriage, a new baby, being a step-Mom to 5 kids, being a grandma, etc. I am so blessed & am so grateful for all the things that 2017 brought. I look forward to what 2018 has in store.

2016 Year In Review

I am so glad I've kept up this "Year In Review" tradition on my blog since 2008. Here are years past:

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

January 2016: *Picked my One Little Word/Phrase for the year ~ Be a FOUNTAIN, not a drain.
*Helped make meals for the homeless
*Dash The Fish died
*Autumn turned 9 & had a friend's birthday party 
*Got a crown (for my teeth)
*Mommy/Daughter date to see "Seussical The Musical"
*I went on a date for the first time in 7 years!!!
*We got to "dogsit" Emma Dog

February 2016: *Highlights & haircut from Hannah
*Olivia's 2nd birthday
*I got an iPhone 6s

*I went on a 2nd date

*Surprise 50th wedding anniversary for Bill & Virginia M.
*2/11 - 2/25 Trip to South Africa to visit Papa & Mimi

*Got to help break a world record for most sandwiches made at one time

*New church building open house

*Nate played in a hockey game of firemen vs policemen

March 2016:
*Open house at Autumn's school
*Evening out w/ Donna & Abbey to see Zootopia

*I tried color changing nails for the 1st time
*Girl's Night at Christine's to celebrate Mary's birthday

*Luna the Dog came to our office for the first time

*Our water heater broke

*Autumn & I went to the Cinderella ballet

*Baby Jordan was born on Pi (3/14) Day!

*New Beginnings

*Autumn's first volleyball practice

*Eggcellent Easter Extravaganza

*We stared having FHE w/ Nate & Family

*My odometer passed 100,000 miles

*2 late night movies w/ Mary & Karri

*Easter at the farm
*Started "Brownies & Bonding" with the YW
*Rough evening at YW b/c I got angry at a few of them 

April 2016: 
*Did a ride along w/ Nate on April Fool's Day
*Autumn's first volleyball game

*Autumn went to the Daddy/Daughter campout w/ Kylie & Kenzie
*Bluebonnet pics

*Hailstorm & Autumn danced in the rain

*Autumn's "Math Rocks: The Musical"

*Nate & Riannon moved into a new house!!!*Autumn & I went to a luau

*Autumn had friends over for a spa day

*04/22 ~ I started Medifast
*Nate's 29th birthday

*I had to get my transmission fixed, and my boss let me borrow his truck

*Game Of Life youth conference

May 2016:
*Cupcake decorating activity for YW
*Mother's Day & Nick spoke in church

*I burned my left forearm on the oven

*YCL camp training

*Autumn & I went to the dance & flag team's Showcase
*Nate & Riannon's open house party

*Marcus introduced us to Snapchat

*Change the World service activity

*Went & saw "Love & Friendship" w/ Mary & Jessie

*Autumn's last volleyball game

*Autumn & Ashley lunch date

*Luau for graduating seniors

*Girls night to celebrate Christine's birthday
*Color Fun Run

*05/30 ~ Mowgli the dog joined Nate & Riannon's family

*We had to cut Autumn's hair 9 inches b/c she got lice

June 2012: 

*Nate & Riannon offered to watch Autumn for me all summer

*Autumn went to stay w/ Lexie & crew while I was doing YW camp

*Concert in the park w/ Liz & Lib

*06/09 - 06/11 Ward YW Camp in Mom & Dad's backyard

*Ashley's last Sunday

*My car window wouldn't stay up so I had to get it fixed (over $300)
*06/14 - 06/16 Stake YW Camp

*Dive-in movie w/ Riannon & Olivia

*Concert in the park w/ Nate & crew

*Mom’s 60th birthday!!!

*Lexie’s 33rd birthday
*Israeli Scout Troupe performance
*Saw our city’s fireworks display at Liz & Liberty's (they do it the Saturday before 4th of July)

July 2016: 
*4th of July parade

*07/07 Shooting of Dallas police officers during a protest

*Ride along w/ Nate

*Nate, Riannon, & Olivia went to Chicago

*Alice in Wonderland 4D maze w/ Autumn & dinner w/ Mou

*First cheer practice of the D4 season

*Riannon's family came to visit for a few weeks

*Pest control swim party

*YW Pretty Pretty Princess Party

*Celebrated National Cheesecake Day twice
*Autumn & I had a "Girl's Day Out"

August 2016: 
*The Olympics & best part was Pita from Tonga

*Lots of new Type 2 clothes for Autumn

*One of my former YW went through the temple & got married

*Cheer camp

*Tyler's surprise birthday party

*Nate gave a talk in church in his police uniform

*Autumn got lice for the FOURTH time

*Dive-in movie w/ Donna & Abbey

*Autumn started 4th grade
*Men from Mom & Dad's ward came & did yard work

*08/24 ~ Mom & Dad are home from their temple mission to South Africa
*I lost 45 lbs since April & surprised Mom & Dad at the airport
*Nate & Riannon's BabyQ party

*Humphrey the Hamster died

*We got 2 new Robo hamsters (Humphrey Jr & Turbo)

*Mom & Dad got a new car

September 2016: 
*First high school football game of the season

*First cheer game of the season

*Labor Day swim party w/ Bob & Maggie

*Youth temple trip

*Jana, Jill, Rick, & Keith came to visit

*Mom & Dad gave their homecoming talk at church

*09/13 ~ Dad's 61st birthday & Spencer is born

*Hilarious lip retractor game

*I went on a trip to Austin for work
*Autumn got a mermaid tail

*Mom & Dad did a BYD to talk to our youth about their mission

*Poldark Season 2 started

*Nick's 31st birthday (we surprised him at work)
*Autumn got spacers

*Days For Girls stake service activity before Women's Broadcast

*Riannon's birthday

*I got to be on my first Scout Eagle board of review

*Autumn had Waverly over for a sleepover

October 2016: 
*Watching General Conference at Mom & Dad's house

*10/03 ~ Autumn got her Herbst put in

*National Night Out & Chili cookoff in Nate & Riannon's neighborhood

*Mom & Dad went on a road trip back East to visit Harris & Dennis & see The Ark in Kentucky

*I had to get a new car battery

*I started organizing & scanning all of Mom & Dad's pictures

*Late Night Play Date for Autumn & 3 friends

*Autumn took Mimi to get pampered on Columbus Day since she had no school

*I got highlights & a haircut

*Personal Progress Pajama Party for YWIE

*Single Adult Conference

*Friday Night Cheer Fest

*2 Halloween Parties

*Shrimp boil at Robert & Sandy's b/c Rich & Cassie & girls were visiting

*Happy 37th birthday to me & Mom & Dad & Nick flew to El Salvador

*Special night for Nate

*10/26 ~ Nick & Savi got civilly married

*10/27 - 10/31 ~ Trip to El Salvador for Nick & Savi's wedding

*Halloween Night parties

November 2016: 
*Muffins With Mom at Autumn's school

*Nick & Savi made it back from El Salvador safe & sound

*The family helped make sandwiches for the homeless

*Liberty crushed his finger under a car & had Dad look at the xrays

*Mimi helped Autumn w/ her American Indian diorama for school

*I voted & Donald Trump won the election

*Veteran's Day assembly with Nate & Papa at Autumn's school
*11/12 ~ Savi's birthday, last cheer game, Autumn got glasses

*The Bergs came to visit (they were the public affairs couple in South Africa)

*Relief Society Thanksgiving Dinner

*Autumn went w/ the L family to the Daddy/Daughter campout

*Andrew & Jackson came to visit over Thanksgiving break

*Nick & Savi's Texas wedding reception

*I gave a talk & also taught Gospel Doctrine

*We got to dogsit Emma Dog

*Autumn moved into Nick's old room

*We went & saw Moana as a family

*Went to Uncle Robert & Aunt Sandy’s for Thanksgiving
*Dad took a fish hook out of someone's finger at our kitchen table

*Autumn & I went to Disney On Ice

*Christmas tree lighting carnival

*Olivia was given a name & a blessing

December 2016: 
*Rosy Posy came back again & Autumn was so excited
*Nick & Savi were Mary & Joseph for the live nativity & Dad was an ambassador

*Liz & I went to the Nutcracker ballet

*We survived the Nativity Clean Up of 2016

*Spencer was given a name & a blessing

*Combined YW Christmas party at my house

*Autumn & I went to the Nutcracker ballet

*Ward Christmas party and I was in charge. A LOT of work, but a huge success

*Papa & Autumn went to the Daddy/Daughter ball

*Bergs came to visit again on their way home

*Autumn's last night (of 16) having her expander opened

*Combined YM/YW activity at Whirlyball
*Mom & Dad got their mission call to go back to Africa in April
*Family Pictures
*Christmas with the whole family
*New clothes for Autumn
*Everyone getting sick
*New Year's Pool Dip

WOW! 2016 has been a WONDERFUL year. It's had it's challenges for sure with the death of a few pets, car issues, a broken water heater, and having a lot of stressful events (YW camps). But we have also been blessed beyond measure. The highlights have been getting to travel to 2 continents that I've never been to before, adding 3 new members to our family (Spencer, Savi, & Mowgli), having Mom & Dad home from their mission, losing weight, and getting Autumn's teeth and eyesight fixed. Here's to a WONDERFUL 2017!

Year In Review 2015

January 2015:
*Picked my One Little Word for the year ~ LOVE
*New Year’s Pool Dip
*Went to the temple w/ Mom & Dad
*Autumn got really sick
*Our water heater broke
*Mom & Dad went on a cruise to Antarctica
*Pizza cook off competition for youth activity
*17^th ~ Celebrated Autumn’s 8^th Birthday by going to the movies w/ Ashley, Kylie, & Kenzie. Then going to Kid Mania w/ Ben, Evie, and Sam
*Deckers gave Autumn a beta fish for her birthday (she named him Dash)
*21st  ~ Autumn went to her first Activity Days activity
*I got addicted to playing Criminal Case on Facebook
*Mommy/Daughter date to go see Gracie in the play Oklahoma!
*I gave a talk in sacrament meeting
*Autumn got to hold Joseph Smith’s personal pocket/thumb Bible
*New Beginnings in Young Women’s
*Watched the last episode of Parenthood and cried like a baby
*Mommy/Daughter date to see the play Cinderella
*Roller skating birthday party for Brooke & huge tender mercy

February 2015:
*Superbowl party
*Olivia’s 2^nd birthday party
*Family stay-cation at Great Wolf Lodge
*Autumn got super sick
*7^th ~ Autumn was baptized by Papa
*Autumn made an Indian Flat Stanley
*We got to meet the girl Nick is dating, Savi
*Blacklight volleyball for youth activity
*Autumn was Pocahontas for the “Statue Garden” at school & she did a great job
*Valentine’s Dinner Special as a family at Texas Roadhouse
*I got my taxes filed
*Mom & Dad gave their missionary farewell talk at church
*Mom & Dad went to Germany to visit the Patzolds
*Stake Relief Society meeting w/ Liz
*We watched all 6 of  the Star Wars movies b/c we were iced in for 2 days
*Sledding down the hill in the backyard w/ the Francis family
*28^th ~ Mom & Dad were set apart by Pres. Jones as full time missionaries

March 2015:
*Mom & Dad left to drive to Utah to spend time w/ family before leaving on their 18 month mission to Africa
*Built a snowman w/ Nate b/c we got 3” of snow
*Autumn got to hold Hyrum Smith’s Book of Mormon
*We had Nate, Riannon, & Olivia over for dinner
*Went & saw the new Cinderella movie w/ Mary, Jessie, Donna, Abbey, & Riannon
*Autumn & I watched Olivia today and went to IKEA & the mall
*Dad’s sporting a new hairstyle where his hair is cut super super short
*I got food poisoning
*16^th ~ Mom & Dad started their missionary training at the SLC temple
*Autumn & I had a driveway picnic dinner
*Cupcake War Activity w/ the YW & RS
*19^th ~ Mom & Dad flew to South Africa today to start their mission
*Sheri’s last day at work
*Autumn & I babysat Jacob
*Pizza picnic at the park party
*Stake YW Camp meeting
*Lexie & her family came up to celebrate Easter

April 2015:
*Fun Easter sleepover celebration at the farm
*Savi came over to watch General Conference with us
*Mommy/Daughter date to see the movie “Home”
*Liz/Lisa date to see the movie “Freetown”
*Chaperoned Mormon Prom w/ Melanie & Karri
*Took bluebonnet pictures of Autumn & Olivia
*18^th ~ We finally got internet at our house
*Zulema got sealed in the temple
*Girl’s Night out to see Age of Adeline
*Mommy/Daughter date at the swimming pool for a “Dive-in movie”
*Autumn & a friend found a nest of baby birds

May 2015:
*Mommy/Daughter date to see Kylie & Ashley perform in their color guard show
*Bro. Moon shared some church history items w/ us for our YW activity before he moves
*Liz came over to watch the movie “Selma”
*Gilbert Blythe Swoon Party b/c Jonathan Crombie passed away recently
*Mommy/Daughter date to see Gracie & Jessie in their choir concert
*Salvation Army service project
*Started Dressing Your Truth & went on a Type 3 shopping spree
*I started reading the Book of Mormon b/c the Bishop challenged us to
*Gracie opened her mission call (SLC)
*Camp certification classes w/ Bro. Sawyer
*Youth temple trip & pizza at my house after
*Memorial Day ward party & Liz, Liberty, and Jacob came over to play & swim
*Mary, Karri, & I kidnapped Christine from her bed and took her to Cheesecake Factory for her birthday
*I had Hannah cut & highlight my hair to be more Type 3
*Double movie night w/ Mary & Karri (Far From the Madding Crowd & Pitch Perfect 2)
*Mommy/Daughter date to the temple after dropping Savi & Nick off at Comic Con

June 2015:
*Fire safety YW activity w/ Bro. Sawyer
*Met Lexie & the boys half way so they could keep Autumn while I’m at YW camp
*YW Camp (colored powder war at the end)
*Weekend in Austin to pick up Autumn from Lexie’s
*Carlene’s mission farewell
*Father’s Day ~ Dad shined shoes at church for the South African men
*Free In-N-Out food & outside concert w/ Liz & Jacob
*Got hooked on Poldark series on PBS
*Freezer meal YW activity for Sis. VB
*Homemade jam Relief Society activity w/ Liz
*26^th ~ Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriages are now legal in all 50 states
*Girls’ Weekend getaway at Britt’s lake house
*Nate took Autumn to her Daddy/Daughter activity at church
*My nail guy moved to a new nail salon

July 2015:
*I upgraded to Dad’s old cell phone & Nick upgraded to my old cell phone
*Dinner at Mexican restaurant w/ Liz, Liberty, & Jacob
*4^th ~ Liz & her extended family came over to swim & BBQ
*Autumn got a new bicycle
*We are sad that Sawyers moved
*Nate got pepper sprayed & tased at the police academy training
*First cheer practice of the season
*Autumn & I watched Olivia for the weekend while Nate & Riannon had a weekend getaway
*Mommy/Daughter date to see the new Minions movie
*Tender mercy that Autumn wasn’t hurt when she ran into a truck while on her bike
*Work training & luncheon
*Lee kids came over to watch a movie & go swimming
*Dinner at Liz & Liberty’s, bought a treat from the ice cream truck
*I started indexing records from the WWII 4^th draft
*23^rd ~ Nate graduated from the Police Academy & was class president
*Pest Control swim party at Mom & Dad’s house
*Sofia (Riannon’s sister) came to visit
*Half priced cheesecake w/ Liz
*I indexed 2,000 names

August 2015:
*I had to get my windshield replaced from a crack from a rock chip
*Autumn went to the zoo & arboretum w/ Riannon, Sofia, & Olivia
*We dog-sat Emma
*I got new island print car seat covers
*Autumn & I got our passport paperwork submitted
*I replaced a broken sprinkler head by myself
*Shrimp boil over at Nate & Riannon’s
*18^th ~ I finished reading the Book of Mormon
*Meet the Teacher Night, and Autumn’s teacher seems like a kindred spirit
*Youth Super Saturday at the lake
*Curt gave Autumn a Father’s Blessing before she starts school
*Autumn started 3^rd grade
*Savi left to go back to El Salvador, so we took Nick out to Cheddars for dinner
*First high school football game of the season in the re-opened stadium
*Stake Youth Volleyball tournament (Autumn decided she LOVES volleyball)
*Mommy/Daughter date to see one of my young women in the play “Peter Pan the Panto”

September 2015:
*Far From The Madding Crowd movie night
*4^th ~ Nate was sworn in as an official police officer
*I got sick
*First cheer game of the season
*Autumn & I rode some crazy rides at the local fair
*13^th ~ Dad turned 60!!!
*Youth temple trip
*I taught the Activity Day girls about Project Life
*Lexie came up & we went to Time Out For Women together
*Cheer pics & homecoming game w/ mums
*Final season of Downton Abbey started tonight
*Lexie’s car battery died, so we had to go get a new one on a Sunday
*Went to dinner at BJ’s Brewhouse to celebrate Nick & Riannon’s birthdays
*I got to see Clay M (we knew each other in college)
*26^th ~ Savi was baptized
*Party to say goodbye to Melanie b/c she’s moving
*Autumn & I went to Utah so she could visit her Dad (Sep 30 – Oct 6)

October 2015:
*Autumn & I visited Grandpa Johnson & spent most of the day w/ Ashely & Bianca
*Spent the day w/ Jonesy & got a Type 3 haircut at the DYT salon from Emily (she served in Slovenija too)
*Slovene sestra’s sleepover
*Slovenija mission reunion
*Autumn & I went and saw Bro. Moon (he used to be our home teacher)
*Autumn & I went to Temple Square & had dinner w/ the Hatch sisters and cousins
*I loaded 7 huge batteries on a truck w/ the forklift at work
*I had to get a crown put on my tooth
*Cheer game at SMU stadium
*Autumn went to the Texas State Fair w/ Nate, Riannon, & Olivia
*Mommy/Daughter date to see Hotel Transylvania 2
*Priest/Laurel fireside at Pres. Jones’ house
*Autumn & I won FHE treats for a month at a service auction. YUM!!!
*Autumn had a Monday night cheer game
*Autumn bought a volleyball w/ her own money
*I went on a Type 3 Cato’s shopping spree w/ birthday money from Mom & Dad
*I turned 36 years old, and Autumn & I went to Bobbie’s Halloween party
*Young Women In Excellence w/ a camp theme
*Tailgating w/ Nate & Olivia before a football game
*Ward Trunk-or-Treat & then trick or treating w/ the Dakins

November 2015:
*Pomegranate vs grapefruit mixup
*Blue Bell ice cream is back on shelves after being recalled months ago
*Belated birthday dinner w/ Liz
*I finished reading the Pearl of Great Price and D&C, so I started the New Testament
*We kidnapped Freda for our YW activity and took her to Sonic
*We had to buy a school library book b/c Autumn’s water bottle leaked
*Autumn & I celebrated her good grades by taking this sister missionaries to Cheddars
*Work dinner at Maggiano’s w/ a ton of leftovers
*Becky Higgins posted Autumn’s picture on her social media sites
*Combined YM/YW Fall Fest activity
*Mommy/Daughter date to see the play “The Lion King”
*Cheer competition
*Tornado warning at 4:22 am
*Late night showing of the new Hunger Games movie (we even got a tour of the theater)
*End of the season cheer party at Main Event (laser tag was super fun)
*Fun day w/ Donna & Abbey at Candy Canes for Kids event & then hockey game
*Autumn & I tried a persimmon for the first time
*Mommy/Daughter date to Ice! at the Gaylord Texan
*Nate & I made 4 batches of butterhorn rolls for Thanksgiving
*Thanksgiving at Tyler & Emily’s (Watsons came up too)
*Family fun day before Lexie & family went back home
*Autumn & I decorated the Christmas tree
*Mommy/Daughter date to see the Christmas tree lighting in the local town square

December 2015:
*Free craft night at a shop near Nick’s work
*Caroling at the nursing home for our combined YM/YW activity
*I bought some food storage for my Christmas present
*Mommy/Daughter date to see another Christmas tree lighting
*Autumn got to hold the ring from Lord of the Rings movie thanks to Bro. Moon at the nativity
*Single Adult activity watching Home Alone in a barn
*Aunt Sandy, Zack, & Shari came to visit
*Free Tuesday evening craft nights at the art studio
*I replaced our broken garbage disposal all by myself
*Autumn & I went to the local junior high school's play of Elf
*Breakfast w/ Santa at Autumn's daycare
*Ward Christmas party
*White elephant gift party at the Berrett's
*Big BYC meeting to plan youth activities for next year
*Combined YW Christmas party at my house
*Autumn won the GRAND PRIZE drawing at school for good behavior
*We decorated gingerbread houses at Curt & Mary's
*Autumn went to her first friend sleepover
*Mozingo's came over for Sunday night dinner
*Spent Christmas Eve making scrapple & going to a Methodist & Baptist church service
*Christmas morning at home, then Jones' for brunch, Deckers for dinner
*Autumn got a hamster for Christmas

*Last episode ever of Downton Abbey :(
*Play date, sister missionaries came over, and a tornado warning
*CRAZY Texas weather changes, tornado damage in nearby cities
*Movie night w/ Kari
*I indexed over 3,000 names this year
*Nick flew to El Salvador w/ Savi for a week vacation

2015 has been a year of BIG CHANGES for our family. First Autumn got baptized, then Mom & Dad left for their mission, then Nate became a police officer, and Nick fell in love with Savi and she decided to get baptized. As I look back over the past year I see so much GOOD and so many incredible memories. Of course we had our trials and hardships mixed in there as well, but the main feeling I have as I review the year is immense gratitude. I'm looking forward to all the great things that 2016 will bring.

Year In Review 2014

January 2014: *Picked my One Little Word for the year ~ LIGHT
*Annual New Year’s Pool Dip & it was 40 degrees outside
*4^th ~ Went to the temple w/ Mom (12 years to the day that I went through for the 1^st time)
*Bought an Expedit shelving unit at IKEA for all my Project Life stuff & put it together w/ Nick
*Autumn became terrified of a character on a Scooby Doo show called “The Woodsman”
*Took Autumn out for frozen yogurt for good grades on her report card
*We drove down to Austin for Adam’s baby blessing
*Dinner at Liz & Liberty’s house
*17^th ~ Celebrated Autumn’s 7^th Birthday by watching the Dakin kids overnight at their house
*Berretts came over to watch the NFL football playoffs
*New tires for my car at Costco & a girl’s night out w/ Mom & Autumn at Costco while we waited
*Alison’s baby shower
*Saw Gracie in the local high school’s play of Annie
*New Beginnings in Young Women’s
*Christine’s bridal shower
*Autumn & I went to a Frozen Sing-A-Long w/ Donna & Abbey
February 2014: *Christine got sealed in the Dallas Temple
*2^nd ~ Olivia Clara Johnson was born
*Berretts came over for a Super Bowl party
*Grandpa Johnson turned 86
*Autumn got all funny/sassy at Young Women’s when we were recording a video
*Feb 6^th ~ it snowed and it was scary driving in to work
*Mom & Dad brought me back some Café Rio from their skiing trip to Utah
*The winter Olympics started
*There was a fire at Nate & Riannon’s house in Spain, but no one was hurt … huge tender mercy!!!
*Shannon Lee gave me a DVD of Anne of Green Gables b/c my VCR ate my tape version
*Autumn started reading her first chapter books
*I spent Valentine’s Day curled up on the couch eating a Totino’s pizza & watching Pride & Prejudice
*Liz & I went to the Stake Women’s Conference together
*Celebrated Melanie’s birthday at Chuy’s & then went to Kari’s to play cards
*Autumn earned points for a crepe
*We got to “dog sit” Emma
*Tried my first Mardi Gras King Cake
*Mini missions w/ the Laurels
*Autumn got a note home from her teacher about how bad she was for a substitute teacher! L
*Autumn got lice from school again
March 2014: *Autumn & I went to the Adriatica subdivision & had a picnic
*The roads got iced over
*Autumn became obsessed w/ watching Shark Boy & Lava Girl
*I got to see the new temple video
*Mom flew to Spain to spend time w/ Baby Olivia
*Pizza picnic party at the park w/ Liz & Liberty
*Open House at Autumn’s school
*Maureen (my visiting teaching partner) got married & we went to the wedding & reception
*Fun basketball game w/ Dad & the Dakins
*Dinner at Café del Rio for the 1^st time
*Autumn had a major melt down b/c I cut her pants into shorts since they had holes in the knees
*We planted a new magnolia tree in our yard
*Free tickets to a hockey game from Autumn’s daycare
*Autumn is obsessed w/ Rainbow Looms
*Dad went to Spain to visit for 2 weeks& he and Mom will come home together
*I hosted a Project Life party at my house that was a complete flop
*Autumn went to Women’s General Broadcast w/ me & it was such a neat/spiritual experience
April 2014: *Autumn & I had a pizza picnic in the driveway
*I did indexing for the first time
*Someone went on a shooting spree at Ft. Hood again! L
*Scary hail storm w/ hail the size of quarters up to golf balls
*Trek preparation walk at the park & General Conference
*Mom & Dad are home from Spain
*Girl’s Weekend Away (at Mom & Dad’s house) w/ Mary, Kari & Melanie
*Painted fire hydrants for a YW activity
*Priest/Laurel prom dinner at Sis. Lee’s house
*Easter at Uncle Robert & Aunt Sandy’s farm
*Helped Dad replace Mr. Jim’s mailbox that the pizza delivery guy ran over
*Pictures of Autumn in the blue bonnets
*Really cool spring lightning storm
*Garage sale flop
*Single Adult luau
*My work laptop died
May 2014: *Carnival open house at Autumn’s daycare
*Nate, Riannon, & Baby Olivia came to visit, our 1^st time to meet Olivia
*May 8^th ~ Nate & Riannon’s anniversary
*Curt’s goat hurt it’s leg so Dad splinted it & duct taped it together and we got to help
*10^th ~ Mom & Dad went to Utah to surprise Rufio for her 87^th birthday party
*Mother’s Day
*Baseball in the backyard
*Shrimp boil for Maggie’s birthday
*They are repaving the roads in Mom & Dad’s neighborhood
*Family pictures
*Mom & Dad got the roof of their house replaced
*Mom literally cut the shirt off my back
*Aaron N & his son came over for a swim party so we could finally meet … complete flop!
*Liz’s birthday (I gave her a PL book off pics of us since I’ve known her)
*The Elders were walking down the road so we treated them to ½ price shakes at Sonic
*Sis. Lewis (in Mom & Dad’s ward) was killed in a head-on collision (the other car’s fault)
June 2014: *Liberty’s birthday party
*Lunch w/ Jeremy (Tara’s brother) & Brian
*Dakins came over for a swim party
*Dad was at trek all week
*Olivia & Riannon went back to Spain
*Dinner at Café del Rio b/c Autumn got good grades this year
*Youth temple trip on Friday the 13^th
*Flag Day party at Tyler & Emily’s
*Movie night at the baseball park w/ Donna & Abbey
*Father’s Day
*Swim lessons w/ Ms. Cis
*We became obsessed w/ “dirty diet Cokes” (add lime juice & coconut syrup)
*Old pest control company swim party
*Took the kids to see “How To Train Your Dragon 2”
*22^nd ~ Mimi’s 58^th birthday
*23^rd ~ Lexie’s 31^st birthday
*The kids put on a talent show for us
*Mom & Lexie & I stayed up late watching Anne of Green Gables
*We went to a meeting for Autumn to meet her new cheer team (The Lions)
*Local city’s big 4^th of July party & fireworks
*FHE w/ Liz & Liberty & Jacob
July 2014: *4^th of July w/ the family & fireworks
*We got to “dog sit” Emma again
*Mom & Dad met w/ the professor from BYU about the Jerusalem Center
*Autumn’s first cheer practice w/ the Lions
*Helped Monzingo’s move into their new house
*15^th ~ Mom & Dad’s 37^th Anniversary
*15^th ~ Dinner at Cracker Barrel w/ Deb, Jeremy, & Rachel to celebrate Tara’s birthday
*Autumn got a really bad bug bite on her leg
*Mom & Dad went to Puerto Rico w/ Rett & Darcy
*Swim party w/ the Dakins
*Aunt Jill, Uncle Rick, Cade & Bri came to visit and go to a Rangers/Yankees baseball game
August 2014: *2^nd ~ Went to Austin for Andrew’s baptism
*Dinner & a movie (Hercules w/ the Rock) with Liz
*Mom & Mary & I went and saw “The Hundred Foot Journey”
*Mom & I went to the temple together
*Monzingos came over for a swim party & ice cream parade dessert
*Autumn got to Face Time with Jewelsy
*15^th ~ Autumn & I had a “Mama/Daughter Day” since we didn’t get to go on vacation this summer
*Went to Lowes to see the high school band march through
*Game night at Curt & Mary’s
*Papa took Autumn to the Perot Museum
*Mimi tried teaching Autumn how to hand sew
*We got to meet Autumn’s 2^nd grade teacher at “Meet The Teacher Night”
*Super Saturday w/ the youth & an end-of-summer swim party w/ Dakins & Poultons
*Dad rode in the Hotter-N-Hell Hundred bike ride w/ Robert & Sandy for the FIFTH time!
*24^th ~ I got called to be the Young Women’s President in my ward
*25^th ~ Autumn’s first day of 2^nd grade
*My last Stake Single Adult Committee meeting
*Autumn spilled a HUGE container of cheese puffs on the floor of the car
*Autumn’s first cheer game of the season
September 2014: *Jackson came to stay for a week & we got to watch him while Mom& Dad were at the Berrett’s lake house for Labor Day
*Autumn’s cheer team did the ALS ice bucket challenge
*Lexie & I went to Time Out For Women
*Dad sliced his finger open on the horn of the metal bull towel holder
*Young Women In Excellence & I gave all the Young Women an “all that matters is love” tile
*13^th ~ Papa’s 59^th birthday
*I got sick & stayed home from work
*Cane’s Chicken Catastrophe at Young Women’s
*Mom & Mary went on quilt hop weekend
*Put on my last Single Adult dance
*Season 5 of Downton Abbey started in England, so I watched it on my laptop
*22^nd ~ Nick’s 29^th birthday
*Started optional monthly movie nights at my house for the Young Women (Oklahoma!)
*26^th ~ went to the temple to honor the 6 year anniversary of Tara’s death
*Princess & The Moon play w/ Liz & Autumn
*General Women’s Meeting w/ Autumn
*Mom & Dad went on a road trip to Mt. Rushmore & drove through Ponca City
October 2014: *On Mom & Dad’s road trip they helped an American Indian named Stanley Little Thunder
*3^rd ~ Nate & Riannon& Olivia moved back from Spain b/c the military is downsizing & cut Nate
*Autumn fell at school & hit the back of her head so we had an Autumn/Mama Day
*Autumn’s cheer team had a game down at the SMU campus in Dallas
*General Conference w/ the Monzingos
*Nate ran in a half marathon & we handed out water to the runners in Mom& Dad’s back yard
*Shrimp boil at Aunt Sandy & Uncle Robert’s house b/c Tafta & Kerry were visiting, Autumn got stuck in the mud at the farm
*Lexie came over for a Sister’s Sleepover
*Bobbie’s (lady at work) husband was killed
*18^th ~ Liz & Mom put together a surprise birthday party for me at Napoli’s
*YW Movie Night (Newsies)
*Went to Carl’s funeral
*24^th ~ My 35^th birthday & our ward Trunk-or-Treat
*Nick backed into my car that was parked on the grass
*Halloween w/ the Dakins & Poultons
November 2014: *1^st ~ Mom & Dad got their mission call to the Johannesburg, South Africa Temple for 18 months AND Mom & Dad left on a cruise w/ Grandpa Johnson & all his kids & their spouses
*We caught 2 possums in the live trap at Mom & Dad’s
*I had some of the Mia Maids over to my house for an open & frank discussion
*Nate & Riannon went to the Veteran’s Day Assembly at Autumn’s school
*Free tickets to the hockey game through Autumn’s daycare
*Autumn did so well in the Primary Program at church
*Went & saw the play Oklahoma! b/c a few of the YW from church were in it
*Autumn’s cheer competition (last place) & end-of-season party at Main Event
*16^th~ It snowed!
*Late night showing of the new Hunger Games movie
*I got to review the book “Walking With The Women of the New Testament”
*All day fun w/ Donna & Abbey (Candy Canes for Kids, McDonald’s, & a hockey game)
*YW Movie Night (Princess Diaries)
*Sofia (Riannon’s sister) came to visit
*Thanksgiving at Tyler & Emily’s
*Disney on Ice w/ Mom & the grandkids
*Monzingos came over to eat, play Frisbee & hot tub
*The kids helped Papa put up Christmas lights outside
*I threw my back out & it hurt SO BAD!!!
December 2014:
*Rosy Posy (Autumn’s Elf on the Shelf) came back
*Combined YW Christmas activity at my house
*I got a new laptop
*Autumn & I went to the nativity display at church & then she went to open gym w/ some friends
*Random Acts of Christmas Kindness (RACK) activity
*11^th ~ Rufio died today. It was a “sad blessing.” *I got to help clean the temple after it closed
*13^th – 20^th ~ Mom& Dad & Nate & I went to Utah for Rufio’s funeral & Autumn stayed w/ Deckers *15th ~ Grandpa Johnson had hip surgery
*I got to go to lunch w/ Ashley & Bianca & Quincy
*Josh cut my hair really short & sassy
*Did a live session at the SLC temple w/ Mom & Dad
*19^th ~ Rufio’s funeral *Dinner w/ Brenner & Jonesy
*Did a live nativity w/ the Dakins & Poultons
*YW Movie Night (Babes In Toyland)
*Spent Christmas Eve & Christmas Day w/ the family just watching movies, eating, going on walks, etc
*Lexie & I took the kids to Kid Mania
*We celebrated Adam’s 1st birthday
*Drama at home
2014 has been an overall good year.  I have a feeling that it will be like the end of an era since so many things will be changing next year w/ Mom & Dad going on their mission. We’ve been so blessed.  My One Little Word this year was “LIGHT” and it was a good word for me this year.  I had several people like my Bishop & old mission companion specifically say to me that I radiate light, and they didn’t know that was my word I was focusing on for the year. I attribute that light to attending the temple so much this year.  I’m thankful that I’ve been able to attend as much as I have, and intend to continue that through 2015.  I don’t have my word for 2015 yet.  I was thinking it would be “LOVE” but that hasn’t felt completely right for my 2015 word.

Year In Review 2013

I love doing a review of my year so I can see it in one place.  I also like to make some of the main events from each month in bold.

January 2013:
*Picked my One Little Word for the year ~ IN
*Went on a few Mommy/Daughter dates w/ Autumn
*Berretts came over to watch the College Football Championship Game
*I chaperoned an 8 Stake Youth Dating Conference w/ Brad Wilcox as the main speaker
*Autumn’s really into Fancy Nancy books
*Celebrated Autumn’s 6th Birthday by going to see Little Shop of Horrors *We had our annual New Year’s Pool Dip
*Went bowling for FHE w/ Aunt Sandy & Charles
*Autumn lost 2 teeth
*I filed my taxes

February 2013:
*Got Season 3 of Downton Abbey on DVD
*Autumn lost another tooth, so now she’s missing her 2 front teeth
*Went to the park w/ the Dakins
*Started on the Justserve.org committee
*Went to the local high school’s production of The Wizard Of Oz
*Autumn had a major melt down that made me cry
*Started playing Candy Crush (bad idea b/c it’s so addicting & a time waster)
*Went to dinner w/ the girls to celebrate Melanie’s birthday
*A meteor shower injured a lot of people in Russia
*Lexie & family came up to visit
*Mom treated Lexie & I to dinner at some food trucks & facials from Melanie *We played kick ball as a family (Mom even played!!!)
*I posted my 2,000th blog post
*We helped Mom w/ the food at the Scout Blue & Gold Banquet
*Autumn showcased some art at the Ward Talent Show
*Autumn earned enough points to buy her own “Hanitizer” at B&BWorks
*I did a few Justserve.org presentations at church
*New Beginnings for Young Women’s
*Autumn participated in the Boosterthon Fun Run at school

March 2013:
*We’re going to grow out Autumn’s bangs
*We went to a hockey game w/ Autumn’s day care
*We went “pinching” (leaving St. Patrick’s Day treats) w/ the Dakins
*Went to Autumn’s open house & book fair at school
*Mom & Dad are in Utah & went to the temple w/ Mom’s siblings & their spouses
*Autumn, Nick & I went & saw the new Wizard of Oz movie
*Lexie & family came to visit
*Aunt Jeri sent some knitted pink slippers for Autumn
*Met w/ Bishop Atkinson
*A new Pope was chosen today b/c the old one resigned
*The kids helped Papa put compost in the garden beds
*Easter Egg hunt at Uncle Robert & Aunt Sandy’s farm
*We took Easter pictures of all the kids
*Autumn & I tired a famous local pizza joint
*Autumn went to an outside museum w/ the Dakins after school
*Autumn & I went and got our nails done
*I went to a Single Adult conference
*Went bowling w/ the girls for a GNO
*We had a “Last Supper” Easter feast w/ the Dakins
*Autumn & I went to another hockey game w/ her daycare
*Dad played Alma the Younger in the Book of Mormon Pageant
*Autumn went w/ me to the General Young Women’s broadcast
*Easter Sunday
*Mom made a crocheted bassinet/purse for Autumn

April 2013:
*I got a bunch of Project Life kits
*For Young Women’s we went to a woman’s shelter to baby sit kids while their Moms’ were in counseling *Liz & I went to Torchy’s Tacos for dinner
*We went to see Curt’s new baby goats
*We watched all 4 sessions of General Conference
*Autumn & I had a pizza picnic date
*I got a haircut
*I read “Small Change”
*We did “Missionary MTC Olympics” for a combined YM/YW activity
*Billy B. got baptized
*Karri & I chaperoned LDS Prom
*Mom & Autumn & Nick & I went and saw The Croods
*Autumn & I mowed Papa & Mimi’s lawn
*There was a bombing at the Boston Marathon (4/15)
*A fertilizer plant exploded in West, TX (4/18)
*Saw “Wicked” w/ the girls
*Autumn went to the zoo w/ her Kindergarten class
*We found a dead mouse in our house
*I took pictures of Autumn in the bluebonnets
*Autumn was sleepwalking and tried to get fridge door water from the pantry light switch.  LOL!!!
*I took pictures of Autumn on the train tracks
*I chaperoned a youth dance
*Happy 26th Birthday to Nate
*I helped supervise youth painting fire hydrants for youth conference
*Autumn & I helped Liz & Liberty clean their house b/c they’re moving

May 2013:
*I sent some bows to Klavdija to give to her daughter Tiara & they got them
*I took pics of Autumn in the purple thistle blossoms
*Autumn & I went to a fun kid’s even at the baseball park & then over to IKEA
*I taught a blogging class for Liz’ Relief Society enrichment
*Nate & Riannon got married (5/8)
*Mom had the Scouts over to swim
*Mother’s Day
*I got 2 Project Life kits signed by Becky Higgins
*Mom made 2 white dress cakes out of cupcakes for a baptism
*We had our first family swim of the year
*Liz & I went out late to her her friend play in a band at a restaurant
*A tornado ripped through Moore, OK (5/20)
*Autumn’s 2 front teeth are finally starting to grow back in
*We Skyped w/ Lexie & her family
*Autumn & Jessie jumped on the “jumpoline”
*Autumn’s Field Day at school
*I mowed our lawn & pruned our trees for the 1st time
*Celebrated Liz’s birthday
*Mom & Dad & Nick left for Japan for a few weeks (5/27)
*Midge & Peggy came to visit and took us out to dinner *Dakins came over to swim

June 2013:
*We had a Pest Control swim party
*Bishop Atkinson wore a tie to match Autumn’s dress & it made me cry
*Liz & Liberty & Jacob came over to swim and we went over to Curt’s to see all the fun baby animals
*Dakins came over to swim to celebrate the last day of school
*Sis. Lee & I went and decorated the graduating Seniors’ doors
*Autumn & I went to see Despicable Me on the big screen at the baseball field
*Mom & Dad & Nick got home from Japan (6/10)
*Autumn & I went to her Cheer Meet & Greet
*Lexie & her family came up to visit (Lexie & Jon went to Mexico for their anniversary)
*Flag Day party at Tyler & Emily’s
*Autumn & Andrew took swim lessons from Ms. Cis
*The youth came over to Mom & Dad’s house to swim for our activity
*Autumn & Andrew & I went to Sonic for 1/2 price shakes to celebrate the longest day of the year
*Mom’s 57th Birthday
*Our home teachers are moving :(
*Lexie’s 30th Birthday
*I went to the OB/GYN
*Kelsey B’s bridal shower

July 2013:
*I got a haircut
*Our Vietnamese nail people came over for the 4th of July & we went to a baseball game
*Autumn had her first cheer practice (7/10)
*Went out to eat at Cheddars w/ Liz & Liberty & Jacob
*I flew to Utah to get Rufio
*Saw Ashley & Bianca & family
*Had a girls day w/ Brenner & Jonesy *Saw Josh & Jennifer
*Mom got Autumn’s eyebrows waxed
*Flew back to TX w/ Rufio
*Dinner w/ Curt & Mary & family & Rufio
*Nick & I started watching Duck Dynasty
*Lexie & her family came up to visit
*Went & saw Ephraim’s Rescue & celebrated Andrew’s birthday
*Was in charge of the Regional Single Adult Dance & we did a Luau theme
*Autumn read Green Eggs & Ham to Rufio
*Aloha Island Lei sent me 2 leis for free to review
*I flew back to Utah w/ Rufio
*Rufio & I went to my Mom’s cousin’s funeral
*Went to dinner w/ Monique & her new husband
*Saw Shanti (Jason’s SILaw) & went to lunch w/ Brooke
*Autumn & I went on a Mommy/Daughter date
*Went to the splash pad & Purple Cow w/ the Dakins

August 2013
*Kelsey & Landon’s wedding reception
*Autumn went to a cheer camp
*Went to the temple and saw the new temple video *Autumn’s trying to learn how to do a handstand
*We babysat Jacob so Liz & Lib could go to the temple
*The Johnson Crew came over to swim
*I had car troubles and had to take it into the shop
*Autumn got her official cheer uniform & pom poms
*The Young Women did a Book of Mormon Read-A-Thon
*Mom & Dad went to Austin for the weekend, so I got to drive Dad’s Corvette
*I went to the temple
*I had a GNO at my house w/ the Pest Control gals
*Dad caught a skunk that we went and released at the lake
*Kim & Kourtney came to visit
*Nate got home from Japan (8/21)
*Autumn & I went to Meet the Teacher Night
*Riannon got here from Cali
*Matt & Jozet came to visit
*Nate & Dad & Uncle Robert & Aunt Sandy rode in the Hotter ‘N’ Hell Hundred
*Autumn & I went to the Dallas Aquarium w/ the Dakins
*Autumn got a Father’s Blessing from Papa before school starts
*Autumn started First Grade (8/26) *I went to the temple
*We got family pictures
*Autumn had her first cheer game
*We found a snake and Nate caught it w/ his hand and it bit him a few times

September 2013:
*We celebrated the September birthdays (Dad, Riannon, & Nick) *We swam all morning for Labor Day
*Mom & Nate & Riannon made quilts for Baby Olivia
*Autumn got picked up by Dakins from school to go to a birthday party for Ben
*Mary & Jessie & I went and saw “Austenland”
*We went to Shane’s baptism & then to Autumn’s 2nd cheer game
*BYU beat the Texas Longhorns (ranked 15th)
*We went to the Mannewitz’s for FHE
*Mom & Karri & I went to see “The Ultimate Life”
*I broke the forklift at work today
*Anniversary of 9/11
*Young Women In Excellence
*Autumn dressed up as Selene Gomez for “Rock ‘N’ Roll Day” at school
*Dad’s 58th Birthday
*I went to the temple
*Nate & Riannon left to move to Spain (9/14) *Autumn’s 1st grade teacher came to her cheer game
*Emma Dog came to stay at our house
*I had to get a root canal
*I renewed my driver’s license
*I went to the temple
*I read “The Great Gatsby” (yuck)
*Linda & Rick Taylor (famous quilt people) came to stay at Mom & Dad’s
*Mom & Dad & I (and a bunch of great helpers) put on a funeral meal for over 150 people
*Nick’s 28th Birthday
*Season 4 of Downton Abbey started
*Liz & Liberty & Jacob came over for FHE
*Rachel & Jane & Autumn & I went out to celebrate Tara’s life (it’s the 5 year anniversary of her death) *Mom & Dad & Autumn & I went tailgating and then to the local high school’s football game
*I was supposed to host a table at the General Relief Society Broadcast but not enough women came

October 2013:
*I got sick and stayed home from work
*Autumn wore her cheer uniform to school for Spirit Day & we went to Chick Fil A for Spirit Night
*I got an answer to all my questions, even before General Conference started *I had car troubles (dead battery)
*We had breakfast w/ the Dakins and watched the Sunday morning session of General Conference with them
*Autumn & I went to the library for FHE
*I had Parent/Teacher conference w/ Autumn’s teacher
*I helped at the Youth temple baptism trip
*Lexie & I went to Time Out For Women & Mom surprised us w/ a hotel room *Dad & the kids handed out water to the 5K runners behind the house
*We went “Booing” w/ the Dakins
*I got a permanent crown put on my tooth
*I watched the series finale of What Not To Wear
*Autumn & I went bowling and I won a free game on a strike
*We learned self defense in Young Women’s for an activity
*Aunt Tafta & Uncle Kerry came to visit
*Happy 34th Birthday to ME!!!
*I had a Friends & Favorites party at my house for my birthday
*Autumn & I helped at a service project, then went to the church trunk or treat, then to a Halloween party at Bobbie’s
*Autumn & I went to Jacob’s 2nd birthday party
*The girls took me out for a progressive dinner for my birthday
*I got hit on in line at Chipotle, but he only came to my shoulder
*Autumn & I went to a Halloween party at the Dakins & went trick or treating w/ them and a few other fun families

November 2013:
*Autumn had her last cheer game of the season
*Papa & Autumn & I flew a kite
*I broke a fingernail half way down the nail bed
*We went and saw Freebirds
*Autumn sorted buttons
*We had a GNO to celebrate Deb’s birthday
*Went & saw the local school’s production of Pride & Prejudice w/ the girls
*Went to an awards banquet for work
*The Laurels won the Fall Fest for the 3rd year in a row
*Went to the local high school’s first game fort the UIL State Championship
*Went to the temple
*Went to Candy Canes For Kids Event w/ the Dakins
*Autumn’s cheer team won 2nd place out of 8 at their cheer competition
*I went to San Francisco to be in a live studio audience at creativeLIVE for a 3 day class w/ Becky Higgins
*Went to the Oakland temple
*Dakins watched Autumn for me while I was in San Francisco & Mom & Dad were in Georgia visiting the Guthries
*Mom gave Emma away
*Liz & Liberty & Jacob came over to visit
*We celebrated Thanksgiving Day at Tyler & Emily’s house
*We went and saw “Frozen” & also took the kids to the big musical Christmas Tree
*Nick & Autumn & I got our outside Christmas lights put up
*Mom & Lexie & I worked on the ornaments for the 25 Days of Christ

December 2013:
*Autumn & I had tithing settlement
*I helped Mom w/ the Christmas letters
*We went to the library for FHE to see Mom’s nativities on display
*I went & saw “The Christmas Candle” by myself
*Rosy Posy the Elf came back
*Autumn stayed home sick from school & I stayed home from work to take care of her
*Autumn’s cheer team got together for frozen yogurt for an end of the year party & we gave her coaches picture albums from the year as gifts
*We got iced in for 3 days and a bunch of trees broke … one even blocked our driveway
*Curt & Mary & I packed up Mom’s nativities b/c she & Dad were on a cruise
*I got recognized at my work party & got a beautiful bouquet of flowers
*Autumn & I went to a parade for a local city’s Centennial Celebration
*Liz & Autumn & I took treats around to some people in our ward
*Autumn & I went to our ward Christmas party
*Went to the temple
*We went to visit Uncle Robert b/c he had hip surgery & then went to Cowboy’s Stadium to watch our local high school win the State Championship
*Autumn & I had a Mommy/Daughter date & got a fancy crepe & then went to look at Christmas lights
*We went down to Lexie’s on Christmas Eve
*Christmas Day at Lexie & Jon’s
*Autumn made a fancy dinner & sweet note for Papa all on her own
*We spent a lot of time using the Rainbow Loom
*Adam Jay was born on 12/29 at 3:42 am & was 9 lbs 14 oz & 22 inches long *We rang in the new year early (8:00) so Autumn & Andrew & Jackson could go to bed early

2013 was a wonderful year for Autumn & I.  I have to say the same thing that I’ve said in 2011 & 2012 … I am so thankful to have a job, to have my health, to have an incredible family and support system, and to have my faith in and testimony of a loving Heavenly Father and my older brother, Jesus Christ.  I am looking to the great things that 2014 will bring.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, Y’ALL!!!

2012 In Review

I love doing a review of my year so I can see it in one place.  I also like to make some of the main events from each month in bold.

January 2012:
*Picked my One Little Word for the year ~ HOPE
*Christine came over to watch football w/ us and made her famous caramels
*Mom & Nick & I went and saw Sherlock Holmes 2 (SO GOOD!)
*Autumn & I helped Papa replant some shrubs
*We went to lunch at Cheddar’s w/ Pam & Dave & Colton
*Mom & Autumn & I went to dinner at Logan’s Roadhouse
*Mom got an “Aunt Jill” haircut
*We played human “Broomkey” for a combined activity w/ the Young Men
*Did “Mini Missions” with the Young Women in the ward
*Autumn turned five
*Learned how to use a new database program at work
*Became addicted to Downton Abbey
*Finally put away all the Christmas decorations & tree
*We played “Human Battleship” for our activity in Young Women’s
*Went to the local high school’s production of Music Man
*I went to the temple
*Autumn & I started reading the Book of Mormon together
*Autumn & I made sugar cookies together
*Watched The Bachelor at Christine’s house every Monday night

February 2012:
*Autumn went on her first official Girl’s Night Out w/ Liz & I to Olive Garden
*I got sick w/ the crud
*Watched Downton Abbey instead of the Super Bowl
*I stayed home from work b/c I was sick
*Autumn & Andrew got to have a sleep over w/ a bunch of other kids on a farm
*Lexie & I went and saw The Vow
*Valentine’s Day
*I won a giveaway for a print & bookmarks & magnets of Pres. Uchtdorf’s “Forget Me Not” talk
*Had to have a tooth cavity filled
*Autumn & I got a set of fancy tea cups (just for fun) from Goodwill
*I printed off over 300 pictures from the 1st 1/2 of 2010 for Project Life
*We had the missionaries over for dinner
*We had Young Women’s New Beginnings
*The people that bought the lot from us are building a new house there
*We rented the movie “Courageous” and watched it together as a family
*We went out to eat at Texas Roadhouse as a family
*I started watching Joel Osteen on Sunday mornings
*Papa tricked us into thinking there was a snake in the tree by the garage
*We celebrated Leap Day
*Autumn lost her 2nd tooth

March 2012:
*Printed off 421 pictures for the 2nd half of my 2010 Project Life album
*Papa & Autumn went on a date to Main Event
*Mom & I went to the “Women At The Well” production at the church
*Liz & I went to dinner at Chili’s and then went to the “Women At The Well”
*I won a giveaway on the One Happy Mama blog
*3/7 ~ Autumn had to get 3 stitches in her chin
*I had to have a cavity filled & also a root canal
*I had Mom cut my hair 6” shorter
*Autumn jumped & played in some big rain puddles
*We had a pizza picnic w/ the kids up on the fort in the backyard
*3/13 ~ Brenner reminded me that it was exactly 10 years ago today that we went to the MTC
*Dad took out Autumn’s stitches at the kitchen table
*We had a pajama party w/ the kids and they slept on the floor in the living room
*Andrew freaked out when some leprechauns turned the pancakes & water in the toilets green for St. Patrick’s Day
*We went to the lake and had fun throwing rocks
*Mom & Dad went to Utah for a week
*3/22 ~ I registered Autumn for Kindergarten
*Liz & Liberty came over for dinner
*Went & saw the midnight showing of the Hunger Games w/ the girls
*I took Autumn to visit the outside of the temple for the 1st time and we ran into Pres. & Sis. Packard
*Autumn got to sit in a limousine
*Mom showed me how to create a Genealogy fan
*Had 2 more cavities filled
*Celebrated Karri’s birthday at Chili’s and then went to see Mirror, Mirror
*Went on a lot of nature walks around the neighborhood
*Mom & Dad got the windows replaced at their house
*Watched General Conference

April 2012:
*Autumn tried riding a bike w/out training wheels
*Papa caught a tarantula
*There was a severe tornado in our area
*The kids had a Daddy/Papa sleepover at Aunt Sandy’s farm & the girls had a party at the house
*We had an Easter egg hunt at the farm
*Mom & Dad went to the temple together
*Genelle came to visit so we had a shrimp boil
*Autumn painted the garden bear statue
*Ducks tried hanging out in our swimming pool for a few weeks
*I went to the temple w/ the youth in our ward for baptisms
*I got some great shots of Autumn in the bluebonnets
*Autumn gave a talk in Primary
*We found a neighborhood near our house that’s based on a Croatian village
*We had a girl’s night at Karri’s & had a blast playing on the Kinect
*Mom & Dad went to the Sand Contest in Port Aransas
*Autumn went w/ me to get my nails done
*Liz & Liberty came over
*Happy 25th Birthday to Nate
*Started reading the Tiger’s Curse series
*Autumn used her gift card to get some Barbies at Toys R Us

May 2012:
*Autumn had a ballet recital
*Went to Top Golf for a youth activity
*Autumn & I played in the sprinklers
*I broke Nick’s passenger side mirror
*I mowed Mom & Dad’s lawn
*Mom went down to Austin to visit Lexie & crew
*Karri & I helped Dad get stats for Scout physicals
*Dad cut holes in our walls to find where Nick’s shower is leaking
*We got 2 hermit crabs, Peter & Parker
*Autumn & I had “Muffins With Mom” at her daycare
*We skyped w/ Nate in Japan
*Mother’s Day
*I watched the series finale of Desperate Housewives
*The Bachelorette started up so we are going to watch it at Christine’s again every Monday
*The BYU International Folk Dance Team came to our youth activity & taught some dances
*I lost my camera at the activity on Wed but found it on Sunday!!!
*5/18 ~ 1 year anniversary of the Durango being rear ended & a tender mercy
*Autumn & I went to a play date at the park w/ her friend from daycare
*Autumn & I had a picnic in the driveway
*Dad got a new gun & took Mom to the shooting range and she did awesome
*Had a surprise party for Liz’s birthday
*Our youth group served at Special Olympics all day today.  It was great!
*Autumn & Andrew & I had a sleepover in Curt’s tree house
*Memorial Day & shrimp boil w/ the Monzingo’s
*Autumn & I helped Sis. Lee decorate the Senior’s doors
*Autumn “graduated” from Preschool

June 2012:
*Britt let us ride his brand new cherry red Vespa
*Dad took his 10 hour mandatory hand gun training
*Nate came home from Japan on a few weeks leave
*Sis. Lee & I went out for dessert w/ the Laurels that are graduating
*My fingernail broke off about 1/2 way down my nail bed.  OUCH!
*Liz & I went and saw Snow White & The Huntsman
*Curt’s Dad died, so we shined their shoes for the funeral
*6/9 ~ We went through the temple together as a family for the first time
*I took the kids to watch Monsters, Inc on the big screen at the baseball field
*Lexie & I took the kids to see Madagascar 3
*Liz, Liberty, Nick & I were invited to the Mesquite Rodeo & got to sit in suite w/ catered food
*Tyler’s annual Flag Day party
*I had a Pest Control Peeps swim party at Mom & Dad’s
*Father’s Day
*Nate’s Air Force friend, Nic, came to visit for the weekend
*I met up w/ Mom & Dad & Nick & Nate for lunch after they went to Kelsey’s endowment session
*Mary & Christine & their kids & I went and saw the midnight showing of Brave
*Nate showed us how to dissect a squid
*Mom’s 56th Birthday
*Autumn & I babysat Cole while Pam & Dave went to a Ranger’s game
*Lexie’s 29th Birthday
*Took Mom & Dad & Nate to the airport
*Mom & Dad went on a 2 week Scandinavian cruise & tour of Russia
*Saw our city’s fireworks display (they do it the Saturday before 4th of July)

July 2012:
*I started putting together a video to try out for the Biggest Loser
*Liz & Liberty & Liz’s family came over for a pool party to celebrate the 4th of July
*Autumn took swim lessons from Ms. Cis
*Papa & Mimi got home from their trip
*Karri & I kept time at the Pinewood Derby combined youth activity
*We tried to rescue a baby rabbit from the swimming pool, but we were too late
*One of the pictures I took at the Special Olympics was is in the newspaper
*The Bishopric in my ward changed
*7/21 ~ I tried out for the Biggest Loser, but didn’t make it
*Autumn & I went to Utah for a week so she could visit her Dad & siblings
*Had a Hatch family get together
*Met at Brick Oven for a Johnson Family dinner
*Celebrated Aunt Jill’s birthday
*Had Josh give a major hair cut
*Got to see Bubzy, Justy, & Jewelsy
*Spent the evening w/ Brenner & Jonesy
*Watched the Olympics at Aunt Jana & Uncle Keith’s house
*Spent a day w/ Ashley & Bianca
*Autumn got lice!

August 2012:
*We found a zipper spider and started feeding her grubs from the garden
*Birthday party for Uncle Robert & Tyler at Tyler’s house
*Our zipper spider laid an egg sac
*We ended up having to give Autumn 3 lice treatments to get rid of them!
*We celebrated Jackson’s 1st birthday early
*Andrew stayed w/ Papa & Mimi for a week
*We had Pres. & Sis. Jones over for a shrimp boil
*Dad’s childhood friend, John M. came to visit
*Went to dinner at On The Border w/ Liz
*Kourtney & Kim came to visit on their way to take Kourtney to college
*Nick & Autumn & I went and saw ParaNorman (DUMB MOVIE)
*YAY for football season starting back up
*Aunt Jeri came to visit indefinitely
*Our ward boundaries changed and we have 2 new wards in our stake
*Autumn & I went to Meet The Teacher Night
*We did a bunch of puzzles w/ Aunt Jeri
*8/27 ~ Autumn started Kindergarten!!!
*I got sick
*Our zipper spider died
*We went to the 1st football game at the new $6 million stadium

September 2012:
*Autumn & I stayed home from church b/c I was too sick to go
*We did a lot of puzzles
*On Labor Day Aunt Jeri had her first shrimp boil & dove off the diving board
*I read the new book in the Tiger’s Quest series
*Autumn had some major melt downs in the evenings b/c she comes home from school exhausted
*Autumn & I went through every article of clothing she owns and put away the ones that are too small
*I went to Homemaking and Sis. Atkinson gave an awesome talk & we had a fun craft
*We played sand volleyball for our combined youth activity
*Dad’s 57th Birthday and Autumn & I took doughnuts to seminary to surprise him
*Dad & Jon & Andrew & Autumn went to the local high school football game
*Mom got called to be a Scout leader in her ward
*I was in charge of the decorations & food for the regional Single Adult dance
*Aunt Jeri taught Autumn how to knit
*Dad played the piano for the opening song for FHE
*We found curlers that actually keep Autumn’s hair curly for longer than 2 hours
*We found some old home videos from when Mom was a little girl
*Nick turned 27
*I got Aunt Jeri hooked on Downton Abbey
*I typed up 2 of Rufio’s journals from 1945 & 1946!!!
*During our Girl’s Night at Christine’s we helped her & Melanie make Homecoming Mums
*Pizza picnic at the park w Liz & Liberty & Jacob
*4 year anniversary of Tara’s death
*We had a toilet paper fashion show for our combined YW activity
*I got to eat lunch w/ Autumn at her school
*9/27-9/30 GIRL’S WEEKEND IN GALVESTON

October 2012:
*Started watching Downton Abbey Season 3 online
*We had our first pumpkin pie & eggnog of the season, feels like fall
*I won a giveaway on Elle’s Studio blog for some Project Life supplies
*Autumn had a huge full blown melt down
*I found the cutest witch hats in the $1 Spot at Target
*We decorated some cute fabric cupcakes that Aunt Jeri made
*We watched General Conference on Saturday & Sunday, Elder Holland’s talk was my fave
*We had scrapple b/c Mom was going to make it for Dad’s birthday but didn’t
*Papa & Autumn carved a pumpkin and made it look like it was throwing up
*Emma is getting old and having a hard time jumping up on the couch
*We had our annual “Fall Fest” for the YM/YW combined activity
*Happy 10/11/12 day
*Aunt Jeri & I went to the regional Single Adult Conference
*Dad & Nick & Autumn & I played croquet in the backyard
*Aunt Jeri got a snazzy new hairdo
*I watched “Standing Bear’s Footsteps” which is about a chief from Autumn’s tribe
*Mom & Aunt Jeri made the cutest Halloween cupcakes for Mom’s Scout meeting
*Aunt Tafta & Uncle Kerry came to visit
*Big Tex at the Texas State Fair caught on fire and burned to the ground!
*We had a big Johnson Family shrimp boil
*The Girls & I hosted a Halloween party at Christine’s house and all dressed up as the Pink Ladies from Grease (Mom did my hair and it looked AWESOME)
*Ben (a kid in Autumn’s class) and his family had us over for dinner and then we went Boo-ing
*Happy 33rd birthday to me
*I signed up for and started Project REAL Life
*Autumn & I went to a Halloween party at Bobbie’s house (a lady from work)
*Autumn was in the Primary Program at church, Aunt Jeri & Mimi came to watch her
*Aunt Jeri left w/ Aunt Tafta & Uncle Kerry to go back to Utah! SNIFF! SNIFF!
*Super Storm Sandy hit the East Coast and shut down NYC
*We met Cassie, Rich, Jennie, her girls & Aunt Sandy’s crew at Trail Dust
*Autumn’s class went to a pumpkin patch
*I took Autumn trick-or-treating for the 1st time this year w/ some other families from church

November 2012:
*The girls treated me to Cheesecake Factory (& their caramel sauce) for a belated birthday
*Autumn was student of the week so we made a few posters about her
*I got an Xbox & Kinect and Just Dance 3 game
*Autumn got sick
*The dishwasher broke
*I voted
*Autumn got really brave and climbed a really high ladder
*Nick is employee of the month at work
*Dad went to Autumn’s school and talked to her class for Veteran’s Day
*Autumn went down to Austin w/ Papa & Mimi
*I chaperoned a youth dance
*Mom made some adorable Thanksgiving treats
*Sis. Wright came over to quilt
*We had Young Women In Excellence
*The girls & I went and saw a double header including the newest and last Twilight movie
*I lost my iPhone but one of the employees at the theater turned it in the next day
*Gas dropped below $3 a gallon
*Papa & Mimi went to Autumn’s Thanksgiving feast at school
*I won a giveaway on a blog
*For our girl’s night we played card games at Karri’s
*Mom went to Autumn’s daycare dressed as a pioneer
*Helped Mom make butterhorn rolls for Thanksgiving
*Went to Uncle Robert & Aunt Sandy’s for Thanksgiving
*Let the kids play in a pile of leaves & took them to see the musical tree
*Had the kids do a bunch of fun crafts
*Lexie & I put up the Christmas tree
*Autumn went up in the attic all by herself to get our Christmas decorations
*I had the Laurel’s over to my house for a YW activity
*I got a really painful eye infection
*I met up w/ Monique & her new boyfriend for dinner

December 2012:
*I was an ambassador at the crèche &then helped Mom & Dad take down all her nativities
*Rosy Posy came back this year
*Autumn & I were the recipients of some fun Christmas treats from the Relief Society
*Mom started volunteering in Autumn’s class on Thursdays and takes her lunch on those days
*I was invited to an honorary dinner at PF Chang’s for all I do at work
*Mom came & helped me decorate my work for our 1st company Christmas party and it was a LOT of work!
*I was invited to a special Christmas brunch w/ some ladies from church
*Nick & I put up lights outside our house
*Autumn & Nick & I went and saw Rise of the Guardians
*I took Dad’s Corvette to church to use as an object lesson about education
*Happy 12/12/12 at 12:12!
*Autumn & I decorated a gingerbread train that Sis. Wright made for us
*12/14 The Newtown shooting where 20 kids were shot and 6 teachers
*Ward Christmas party
*Mom & Dad got us a new dishwasher
*White elephant Christmas party at Berrett’s
*Mom was in charge of the food for her ward’s Christmas party and I helped her.  It was exhausting, but a huge success
*We met  up w/ Liz & Liberty & Jacob for some free hot chocolate
*The world didn’t end on 12/21
*Caleb got baptized
*Johnson Mele Kalikimaka Christmas party at our house
*Lexie & I stayed up until 2:00 am putting together a present
*Mom got me new red silky pajamas like the ones I had as a little girl!!!
*Christmas was wonderful & Autumn got a big Barbie house
*It snowed
*Lexie & I went and saw the new Les Mis movie
*Aunt Jana & Uncle Keith came to visit for 5 days on a spur of the moment thing
*We did puzzles and ate tons of food and dyed our hair (Jana & I)
*Mom & Jana & I made cream cheese bread, scrapple, egg rolls, sweet & sour sauce, and fried rice
*We rang in the new year early (around 9:30) so the kids could go to bed early

2012 was a really good year for Autumn & I.  It’s crazy for me to think that she’s already in Kindergarten, b/c it seems like just a year or 2 ago that we moved back to Texas after my divorce and she was just a baby.  I’m thankful we got to go up to Utah in the summer to spend time with family and friends.  Just as in 2011, I am so thankful to have a job, to have my health, to have an incredible family and support system, and to have my faith in and testimony of a loving Heavenly Father and my older brother, Jesus Christ.  I HOPE that 2013 is just as wonderful as 2012.