Just The Two Of Us: January 2015

Now that Christmas was over, it was time to ring in the new year 2015! On the Saturday after Christmas, we went to my Aunt Rita's house for a family gathering. We had a delicious potluck dinner complete with dessert. We decided to bring a dessert. When we stayed in Virginia last year, my mother-in-law Julia made merry cherry bars. She makes it as a holiday treat. I thought that they were terrific, so I asked her for the recipe. I got inspiration from her to make them myself. I have to give Collin credit too since he helped me. :) The ingredients include cherries, M&M's, and almond extract. It is a very colorful treat and perfect for the new year. My family seemed to love it from what I have heard.

Later that same night, we went to see Wheelers for a family game night. Collin has extended family that live in the Sacramento area, so we got to see a lot of Wheelers.We have not seen a lot of them since our wedding, so it was great to catch up with everyone. We had fun playing against each to see which team wins!

Our Group Photo

The Sunday after Christmas, we went to my sister's ward in Rocklin. We really wanted to spend that Sunday with them, especially since it was their 4th wedding anniversary! They were married on December 28th, 2010. It's so hard to believe that they have been married for that long. Now they are both college graduates and parents to a sweet baby girl!

On that same night, we saw my best friend at a game night they were having. We played Rack-O and Buzz Words. It was way fun! Now I was to own the game Rack-O. Maybe as a possible birthday present? *hint, hint.* ;)

December was also a series of birthdays while we were in California. Jordan's birthday was on the 30th so we went out for Blue Nami sushi for lunch the day before. Collin knows that we have a family of sushi lovers, so he wore the perfect shirt for the occasion.

Not the best quality picture, but he is eating sushi with the shirt he got from Miles and Mikaela for his birthday. It has a picture of Godzilla on it and says "Big in Japan." So funny. :)

The 29th was Collin's grandpa's birthday so his grandparents treated us to this Italian restaurant called Rubino's. We got to spend time with them, as well as Collin's uncle Gordon and Miles and Mikaela. It was great company and great food. We loved catching up with everyone there. It was so nice of Grandma and Grandpa Cummings to pay for our dinner. They are always so generous and kind. I will forever be grateful for them.

When Jordan's birthday came, we continued to celebrate it by eating at Rubio's, where they ninety-nine cent fish tacos! We also saw Mockingjay, the third Hunger Games movie. I'm really behind, I still need to read the third book. Collin says that the book isn't very good, but he thought that the movie was better than he expected. I thought that the movie was surprisingly good as well.

Before we knew it, it was New Years Eve. Not only were we preparing to redeem ourselves for the New Year, but also preparing food for a gathering the next day. It was a super busy time!

As I have said before in my last blog, it was vacation filled with reunions! I was so glad that we got to go a friend's wedding reception on New Years Eve. There, I saw my two really awesome friends. Both are now married to really great people. I have been friends with both of them for years, ever since I entered college. It was great to laugh with them and have a fun time. It has been a long time and a time much needed. Before leaving the reception, we took a group picture.

One more, just because she's amazing! :)

We were invited to a New Years Eve gathering. We spent time with our friends that are or used to be in our ward. Kelsey and Jordan came too along with Abbey. We came over to Amy and Jacob Brock's house. Since they had just moved into a new place, we got to get a special tour around their house. Their place is amazing! It's a two-story house with so much space. There were snacks and dessert provided there, and, yes, I brought merry cherry bars. :) We also played some games. I learned how to play this board game called Long Shot. It's where you basically "bet" to see which horse will win the race. You also try to win the race to get points. It's obviously not a real race, but still a competition. :) When it came close to midnight, we got our Martinelli glasses to say cheers the new year. After the clock struck midnight, we went outside to set off poppers.

On New Years Day, we had family members come over to see us. My mom became really sick, so we stepped in to help her out with preparing dinner and hosting the gathering. My Uncle Frank drove from Elk Grove to see us. He loves spaghetti, so we ate spaghetti with him. After lunch, he gave us ukelele lessons. He taught us how to play a ukelele to those that are handicapped or disabled. I thought it was really cool. I own a ukelele that he bought for me on as a birthday present one year. It's such a great gift that I love playing. My goal this year is to pick up where I left off on the ukelele and start strumming more. I hope to one day play it for those that are handicapped. That would a great experience.

Kelsey, Jordan, and Abbey stopped by to help my mom set up for dinner. My aunt Diana came by along with her niece Candie. It was a great get together with great food. My mom made her famous sesame chicken and wontons as a part of our dinner. Everything my mom cooks is so good. Anyone who knows her well would tell you that. :) We ended our night by watching Guardians of the Galaxy. Such a funny movie. It was so nice of Aunt Diana and Candie to come visit us. We enjoyed their time with us.

Speaking of time, it felt like it was just running short. Before long, it was already the day before we were driving back to Provo. I was glad that we had time to squeeze in a family photo shoot. The pictures were taken off my camera. They turned out so great. Take a look. :)

I took some three generation photos of my mom, sister, and niece. All three of them are so beautiful. I especially love Abbey's smiley face in this picture. Such a cutie! :)

We had some photos taken of us too.

My husband's a goofball...

Love this one!

Mwah!

I love this sweet photo! It reminded of me of when we took family portraits of the three of us in 2009.

I love these three amazing ladies so very much!

Family Photo. I was glad we got one with my mom this year.

Shortly afterwords, we drove down to see my aunts, uncles, and cousins at another family get together they were having. We ate an amazing dinner and played games. They get really excited when they play games. We played What Were You Thinking, Telestrations, and Charades. Those were all favorite games that we would play together every year as a family.

The time came when we had to pack our stuff for the road and say our goodbyes. Time never stops and at times like these, I wish it did. I didn't want to leave my hometown of Loomis, but I knew that we were both needed at our old jobs and Collin was getting ready to start his final semester at BYU. When we drove home, I never forgot our wonderful memories together as a family. They mean the whole universe to me. Since we hardly see them now, it's great when we have our vacations and visits with them. We hope to make a trip down to California again real soon. Until than, we are working on our goals for the new year and enjoying our life in Provo.

It's so hard to believe that it's already January and, not only that, the year 2015!!! Time just continues to make it's way without stopping. There has already been so much change these past couple of years, in a good way of course. :)

A quick update about what's going on with the Wheelers. Collin just started his very LAST semester of classes at BYU! He said that it's going to be a very hard semester, but luckily, his last. :) Graduation is just around the bend for him!! He is still working at OIT (Office of Information Technology) for BYU and loves it. Yes, he is still applying for various jobs in his IT major. We are both keeping our faith and praying that he will find a job that he will enjoy and pays with great benefits. For me, I enjoy working at my job. We are continuing to get more kids as the school year goes on. On some days, it seems challenging, but I feel very fortunate to have this job and to grow from it. I also work as a nanny on occasions.

We had another wonderful, memorable Christmas this year together as a couple. This time, we went to our homeland of California. We drove there with Collin's brother Miles and his wife Mikaela. It was quite an adventure driving, but I was grateful that we made there safely.

For the first week of break, we stayed at my dad's place. I was glad to come home to see this... :)

Our Christmas stockings with our names on them. My stepmom Patty is amazing! :)

One of the first things we did when we got to California was go to my sister's place. There, Collin met our niece Abigail for the first time. It was really adorable to see them bond. Abbey loved her Uncle Collin. She would smile, giggle, and was fascinated by everything Collin would say to her.

I LOVE this precious photo. Collin is good with babies. :)

Later, we looked for a Christmas tree. After all, what is Christmas without a Christmas tree? :) We ended up getting a real one with the amazing smell of pine and the perfect size. It looked even more beautiful after we decorated it.

It has definitely been a series of reunions when were back in the area. We got to see some of Collin's high school friends at a get together one night. We had fun just catching up with what everyone has been up to these past few years. I knew some of Collin's friends so it was a great time.

Not bad for a group selfie. :)

On the eve of Christmas Eve, we got to see my sweet grandmother in a care facility where she is living. I was happy I was able to give her a nice sweater for Christmas. She has Alzheimer's so she doesn't speak as often as she used to. But I felt her sweet presence there and that meant the world to me.

Collin and I with my grandma Carter. She is looking well. :)

My dad with his mom. Such a sweet picture!

Christmas Eve was a little low key due to the fact that Collin got sick. I went to Target to get him ginger ale and saltine crackers since he was feeling nauseous. Poor guy had some kind of stomach bug. He spent all day in bed trying to get over whatever he had. While Collin stayed in bed, I would spend time with my dad and Patty and take care of him when he needed it. Later, I went to my mom's and spent time with her before Christmas day.

When Christmas day arrived, we got up early to get ready to open presents. We spent that morning with my dad and Patty. My sister Kelsey and her husband Jordan arrived with their little daughter Abigail to open presents with us. We received so many wonderful gifts this year. I received really nice mugs from Patty. They had a "W" on each of them. So pretty! Collin gave me pretty earrings and a necklace to go with them. He also gave me really nice lace shoes that I have wanted for a long time. Collin received a bow tie, creative, funny t-shirts, and two little toy guns that make sounds. Afterwards, we ate some delicious cinnamon rolls that Patty made.

Later in the afternoon, we went to my mom's to spend Christmas with her. Jordan, Kelsey, and Abbey came too. Anyone who knows my mom well knows that she will make enough food to feed an army. She made a yummy ham feast and many other amazing dishes. Collin was still not feeling well, but at least he got to eat my mom's soup. After dinner, we opened presents. Mom gave Kelsey and I wonderful make-up that will last for a long time. She gave Collin a desk organizer for when he gets a job, which will come in handy. :)

I can't believe there is still so much to say about our trip. I will talk about our New Years in my next post. I leave you now with these memorable pictures from Christmas.