Out With the Old, In With the New

Just to give you a warning, this post is FULL of pictures! So much has been going on since I last blogged. 2010 is here! And like everyone else, Mike and I are excited for what it may have in store. I'm not setting resolutions, but of course I have some goals, hopes and prayers that I'm wishing for this coming year!

Our family already received one AMAZING blessing this year... baby Alyza Grace Zundel. My new niece was born January 12th and weighs 6 lbs 10 oz and is 20 inches long. She has so much beautiful hair! Her family adores her and we're so glad she's finally here.

Mike was a natural with the baby thing! He'll make an excellent daddy!... Someday.

Of course I fell instantly in love with baby Alyza. Can you say BABY HUNGRY???

No ladies, it is not normal to look this beautiful after giving birth just hours before, so don't feel badly if you didn't look this good. My sister looks gorgeous. Hopefully it runs in the genes :)

For New Year's, we had a small party at our house with some friends and family. We played board games for hours, laughed a lot, and acted like dorks. We brought in the new year by spelling out 2010. HaHa!

During the day of New Year's Eve, we wanted to go out. So my mom, Mike, our friend Jay, and I all went out to find something to do. We went Gardner Village even though everything was closed, but it didn't last long. It was FREEZING!!

Christmas this year was fabulous! Mike and I had FOUR Christmas celebrations. We spent Christmas day and the 26th with Mike's family. Mike has a large family and the kids were all running everywhere. There was never a dull moment.

This is me and my beautiful niece Afton. She is one of the very few girls in Mike's family, and she was my first niece on Mike's side to be born after we got married.

We spent the 23rd and 24th with my family. We opened presents with my mom and sis on the 23rd and then had a Christmas eve party with my older sister and my nieces and nephews on the 24th. We had such a great time! For gifts this year, I took family photos, edited them and then made frames. I used scrapbook paper and supplies to make really cute frames, if I do say so myself. :) I didn't remember to take pictures of them all, but here is my niece with her frame box. They were a hit!

I spoiled Mike as usual, as he does with me. But the sentimental gift I made him this year was a random unpopular picture book I found about cat and fish and how they were different, but they formed a relationship and couldn't live without one another. I inserted pictures of us throughout our relationship that went with the story. It turned out cute.

Mike and I gave our nephew Jaron a guitar for Christmas. It was the guitar I was given as a kid. Jaron is extremely talented at just about everything, and I think he admires Mike and has this strong desire to learn guitar. I'm glad we were able to give him something that he really wanted! The look on his face is priceless!!!

My two favorite people. I love this pic of Mike and my mom!!

Mike completely surprised me and got me a keyboard for Christmas. I started to teach myself piano in high school and I learned rather quickly. I really wished I had a way to practice. Luckily, my sweet hubby read the desires of my heart! I got a book of Disney songs to practice! I love it!

It seems that every Christmas in nearly every family there is that ONE gift that is the gift of the year. It is something that someone really wanted or secretly wanted, and is a complete surprise. It is that present that gets that magical reaction that makes Christmas so fun and wonderful. My great sister bought that gift for Mike this year. She had hook ups at Best Buy, and gave him a digital camera! Mike has wanted one for years, but he and I always just share one. I don't think I'll ever forget the look on his face; and he couldn't stop hugging Tess!

At the end of November, our family experienced something wonderful and eternal. My older sister was sealed to her new husband Jonathan. He, himself, has been a great gift to our family. He has strengthened my testimony in so many ways. I have learned that when times are their darkest, we can receive our greatest blessings. I'm so glad that my sister Angie found Jonathan in her darkest hour and that our family is all sealed together for eternity. Also at the end of November, I took some family pictures. Angie was 8 months pregnant at the time so I took some prego pictures for her too.

I love the holidays because they bring families together. I love my family very much! I especially love my husband!!! Since he's been laid off, we have a lot of time to spend together. He's helped me so much with my job and with stuff at home. I am so lucky to have found my soul mate that makes me happy every minute I'm with him! I hope everyone's holiday season was as joyful as mine, and that your 2010 is off to a marvelous start!