On your mark get set...

Walk!

















Love my little walker!!

Wrap up

just between you and me... I might have a crush on Las Vegas winters. Here's why:



(that would be my sliding glass door open... In January)!

I think you'll be happy to know that Santa did find us in Utah this Christmas. We were spoiled. We got to see so many family and friends to the point that my heart may have grown two sizes at least.
This boy



yes this boy... He enjoyed the wrapping paper and bows and all the attention. He was convinced that all those smiling faces everywhere were there to celebrate him and not Christmas.

And then with a blink of an eye we are onto a new year. Its funny how when you have a kid you really have to try hard not to blink... Cuz you literally blink and it's onto a new year! We had a splendid year, I think the word splendid sums it up perfectly!

Here is our 2011 in review:

-6 trips to the Andersons in Utah complete with one awesome Pineview Dam party
-2 trips to Oceanside, CA
-2 trips to Mexico
-2 trips to St George
-1 trip to Disneyland
-1 trip to San Diego
-1 trip to Logan
-1 house moved into and 1 apartment packed up and bid adieu
-went from being a mom of a newborn to a mom of a toddler!!
-A big first birthday for the man of the house
-Celebrated our 3rd anniversary

Splendid, right?

We are truly blessed, and as we close up the chapter of 2011 with an extra dose of gratitude, we look forward to 2012 and the adventures and challenges we will meet!

Cheers.

Happiest first birthday!

Welp he did it. I tried to stop the hands of time or at least slow them... But to no avail. My boy turned ONE. And while I may have shed a few tears of gratitude and the tears of heartache because your heart heart hurts that he's growing so fast... You better believe I showed up on his birthday with my biggest Pom poms and smile and cheered on my growing boy. I stayed up till the wee hours of the morning baking cupcakes and wrapping his gifts, all the while reminiscing about that wonderful day when we welcomed him into the world. Oh my sweet boy, what did we ever do without you?



Presents were waiting for him when he woke up (is that a ball I see?)
Pancakes were made topped with his favorite: peanut butter. (like mother like son).
He was dressed in his birthday outfit...



Seriously, do they come any cuter?

He decided to show off with his first three steps (cue Pom poms and mega phones)!

And you can bet we had cake:


He didn't like it that much... Hint of sarcasm there.

And that's it. All the sudden he's ONE! Oh my boy, how I love being your mama!

Something BIG happened at the Leavitt household yesterday. Our UNLV rebels beat North Carolina(the number one team in the country)! You better believe we were there cheering them on!



It was a big game for the little guy, so big he just couldn't handle it and dozed off for the whole second half. And his momma soaked up his sleepy little self. These moments of sleepiness are far and few between!



My two boys. My big boy was wishin he could storm the court with everyone else!


And for proof that I was there, a family photo.

And we celebrated with a slurpy for him and pumpkin hot chocolate for me!

The husband may or may not have come home and watched the game again on tv. Just for kicks and giggles.

It's a good thing he's so cute



Because he's been trying my patience today. He's in a screaming phase the past two days and mommy doesn't know what to do!
On that note, he's found a friend:



Good thing that friend likes to scream too:)

you know you have a true friend when you receive a letter in the mail and you open it up to find this beautiful surprise






Tears were shed. A bad day was made a great day. And this November as we are extra thankful, I am thankful for dear friends!

This puppy is almost 11 months. Wait, what?! 11 months?!! It's crazy how fast time has flown! We've been busy with Halloween festivities (trunk or treat, chili, caramel apples, pumpkin bread, and chasing the puppy around the house).
We saw the Anderson family this weekend. What a treat to see them, the fall leaves, and experience the first snowfall! Mmmm seasons, how I miss them!



Here's the powdered sugar mountains






Aunt Siddle



Aunt dee the college student



Kinny the cheerleader and Dee



Great grandma Kathy



Grandma beck!



And we celebrated an almost one year old. He was spoiled!



And judging by the sleepyhead, we had a wonderful trip!

Going to Utah always recharges me! My cup runneth over.

Bring on thanksgiving, birthday celebrations, and Christmas. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!