Long over due

UPDATE! It has been far to long since I have updated. Hopefully now that I have a little (or way to much) free time on my hands I will be better at updating. December is always such a crazy month, I don't know where to begin.

*To start off December I turned 25-birthdays just aren't as much fun when you get older. I told Bret next year I'm throwing a party with birthday hats and all! Don't get me wrong I was definitely spoiled! A birthday party just makes a birthday that much better!

*Our niece Hadlee was baptized! I don't know who was more emotional, me or her mom. Hadlee is the oldest granddaughter on the Pulley side and it just seems to crazy to me that she is 8 already. She was born one day after I turned 17 and it doesn't seem like 8 years ago. We are so proud of her for choosing to be baptized.

*We had our annual onesie party again at Grandma Parker's. Our crew was a little small this year but we still had a blast. We got talking and laughing so hard we were crying. There is never a dull moment with us girls and of course Grandma. She says the funniest things. We just love her! I look forward to this party every year! I think it is one of my new favorite Christmas traditions!

Lucy~Laurel~Grandma~me~Kaitlyn~Shaylee

*We had so many fun Christmas parties this year and I didn't take a single picture at any of them. I have got to get better at taking pictures so my blog isn't just a bunch of words.

*We had such a fun Christmas this year. I LOVED that it was on a Sunday! I wish it was every year! It really helped to set the spirit of Christmas and what it's really all about! We were so spoiled by our parents this year. We feel so blessed to live so close to both of our families!

So Bret and I decided we were going to get a gun safe (my brother knows someone who is giving us a killer deal we couldn't pass up) We decided that since we didn't really "need" anything for Christmas we would just use that as our gift to each other. Of course a gun safe is not my idea of a fun Christmas gift. We decided we would fill each others stocking with fun little things since that's all we were doing for each other. (besides the safe) Well let me tell you-Bret really out did himself this year. He was so excited! I was pulling things out of my stocking...He got me everything I asked for~a pedicure and a gift card to red mango! I was thrilled! I reached to the bottom and felt a ring box~ I pulled out a perfect band to go with my ring. I was so excited and surprised, I cried! It was the best Christmas ever, I felt like I was engaged again and wanted to show everyone my new ring! After I opened it he said "did you really think I was going to let you get a gun safe for Christmas?" He knew I wasn't overly thrilled with it! He is to good to me!

*The last big thing for us in December was Parker's closing. I have so many pictures I think it deserves its own post.
We have had a great 2011~with lots of ups and downs. We wouldn't trade any of it! We have learned so much and grown so much closer to each other. We feel so blessed to be where we are and have the things we do. We can't wait to see what 2012 has in store for us!

Pumpkin Party

Ever since Hadlee was little we have carved pumpkins with her. It has turned into a fun little tradition. We have added a few more grand kids to the mix and yummy soup to go along with our pumpkin carving. Peyton, Hadlee and Bridger-these girls can not get enough of their new cousin and can't wait til January....they are FINALLY getting a baby BROTHER. We couldn't be more excited for them, especially for their dad!
Baby Bridger-he was born October 6th. I think he was only 2 week old here. We can't get enough of him. He is so sweet and cuddly!

Bret was a trooper and carved Bridgers pumpkin for him

Kimberly and Peyton

Ryley, Parker and Shaylee

The carving crew

Parker, Shay, Taylor, Hadlee and Peyton

They had so much fun carving pumpkins together.

I had to save the best picture for last! I'm sure they will be less then thrilled that I put this on here but I couldn't resist. Ryley's side of the family has a Halloween party every year and they always dress up. This year Shay and Ry were Batman and Robin. I love their costumes!

We have got to start this tradition on the Pulley side!

Don't they look awesome?!?

Girls......

Just wanna have fun! I love a little "girl time" every now and then! I have spent lots of that girl time with these 4 girls. The 4 of us lived in Provo together from May of 2007 to August of 2008. We have so many fun memories from our little apartment at The Branbury! We were so worried that after all of us got married we would lose touch with each other but....I am THRILLED to say that we haven't! We have been trying to plan a weekend get a way since we lived together-well 3 1/2 years later it FINALLY happened and it was so much fun! Then-Megan, me, Heidi and Becky
Now-me, Heidi and Becky!
A few weeks ago we packed our bags and headed to Park City for an over nighter! Heidi, Becky and I went Friday night and Megan met up with us on Saturday! (We are lame and only took one picture before Meg got there) Friday night we went to dinner and did a little shopping and of course we laughed until we were crying and stayed up way to late talking! Saturday we did A LOT more shopping went to lunch and did a little more shopping afterwards! We were all worn out by the time we were done. We had the best time together though and it was so worth it! I just LOVE these girls and am so happy we have stayed the best of friends! I can't wait for our next weekend get a way!

MORE GIRL TIME

Grandma, me, Lucy, Kenzie and Megan
You may recognize these girls from our "onesie" pj party pictures. Well we decided that getting together at our annual Onesie Christmas Party at Grandma's once a year just wasn't enough so we planned a night to go to dinner. We love getting together and it makes it more fun to bring Grandma along with us! I think she feels like "one of the girls" when we bring her and I love it! We couldn't have asked for a better Grandma! Thanks for the fun night girls-I can't wait for our ONESIE party!

UPDATE....

YES! We are still alive and kickin! It has been a crazy busy fun summer for the Pierce's this year. Since I have been terrible (terrible meaning taking NO pictures at all) at taking pictures this summer I am having a hard time remembering all of the things we have done over the summer. Here are a few of the things that stick out to me.

*The Fireman's Breakfast-a tradition with the Pulley family since my Dad was on the Department for so many years.

*Boulder Mountain-Bret and his Dad go with a bunch of friends and family every year. It is a fun fishing trip they have done for several years now. We love the stories we hear from this trip.

*Owlz baseball games-Bret's Uncle Blake is their pitching coach. We love a good baseball game!

*Rodeo's-what would summer be with out going to a few rodeo's? We love watching Ryley (Shaylee's husband) steer wrestle! It makes the rodeo much more exciting having someone you know in them.

*Scout Camp Out-Bret was called into Young Men's at the beginning of the summer and went on a fun camp out with the boys! They didn't get much sleep-I don't know who stayed up later, the boys or the leaders?

*Drive In Movies-We love a good drive in movie! We're sad we didn't make it to more this summer.

*Stadium of Fire-This was only the second time I have been. It was super hot but we were in great company and the concert and fireworks were awesome! We love Brad Paisley!

*Camping-we only went once with the Pierce family this year-We did get to try out our new tent we got for Christmas though and we love it! (Thank You Mom and Dad Pierce) Hopefully next year we will make it camping a few more times!

*Cherry Hill-a Parker Family tradition that has gone on for as long as I can remember! We always have a great time with the Parker crew!

*Birthdays and BBQ's-they seem to go together during the summer months. The Pulley side has a few summer birthdays and the Pierce side has several summer birthdays, which makes for a lot of fun birthday BBQ's! One of those birthdays was my sweet husbands! Bret turned 25 in July! Yes he is old! I am not looking forward to turning 25 in a few short months, I don't know why but it seems so old to me.

*The Hunt and St. George-Bret and his Dad spent over a week up at Strawberry hunting! They usually do a little golfing while they are there too. It sounds to me like its more of a vacation then a hunt but they have a great time so that's all that matters! While they boys were hunting the girls in the Pierce family (minus Michelle-she was in Florida visiting family, we MISSED her!)headed to St. George for the weekend to see The Little Mermaid at Tuacahn! We loved the show! It was a much needed vacation! We laughed, shopped and relaxed all weekend and loved every minute of it!

*Released-I got released from my calling a month ago, it is a little bitter sweet. I LOVE the women I served with and miss meeting with them every Tuesday night, although, it is nice having a little free time. I am happy being a Visiting Teacher and flying under the radar without a calling for the moment.

*SOLD-the Tacoma! I know it's so sad but Bret got a new truck that he LOVES (sorry I don't have a picture of it yet) I was kind of sad about selling the taco but Bret is so happy with his new truck. I just need to learn how to drive a bigger truck and all will be well. The taco was just my size.

We are kind of nerdy and had someone take our picture in front of it. We had to have pictures of the first truck Bret bought! We loved that little truck and I miss it already.

I don't know that I should share this, especially on here but for some reason I feel like I need to. In June we found out we would be expecting our first baby.......Six long weeks later we learned that we were miscarrying. I was 1o weeks along at the time we found out. We were both heartbroken. It has been very difficult for us to go through but we understand that the Lord has a plan for each of us and we know He gives us trials to make us stronger. I am so grateful for the Gospel and the understanding we have of it. We have been so blessed with amazing family and friends to help us through this difficult time and we can't thank you enough for all you've done for us. We are both doing much better and are looking forward to the future and what the Lord has in store for us.

All in all it has been a good summer for us! I am sad to see it end but I am loving the fall weather coming our way. Which means the holidays will be here before we know it! Sorry for such a long post-I am proud if you made it all the way through it! I will try to be better at taking pictures and keeping the blog up to date on the little adventures we have.

St. George

Its better late then never....Bret and I were able to go to St. George twice in April. Brets boss always plans a trip for all of the managers and their families to go to Sand Hallow every year. We were lucky enough to go this year and had a blast! We were able to go again over Spring break-I think this is one of my favorite vacations-we are surrounded by family and lots of great friends. I think this year there were close to 40 of us again-with that many people there is NEVER a dull moment! Here are a few pictures from both trips... Shea and Kyle came along too-we had a great time with them
It was so windy-we had sand every where

He loves his bike-I love this picture, such a pretty view!

Bret and Kyle doing what they love-riding bikes

These next pictures are from our second tripThe first day we always spend the afternoon at Sand Hallow. It's a nice relaxing day where the boys do most of the riding and us girls sit around and talk!

Well from the last 2 pictures you can see that it wasn't very nice for all of us. A few of the guys crashed on their bikes, and Bret got the worst of it. Since his chest protector is broken he didn't have that on, his paddle tire ran over his back and ripped through his shirt and tore up his back. He was pretty sore for the next few days. We are just grateful it wasn't any worse then it was. He's a lot tougher then I am, I'm just glad I wasn't there to see the crash. Looks like we need to get him a new protector before he goes riding again!!!


Our favorite trial-THE BARRACKSTiff and I

I met Tiff through Bret's family and just love her!

The Ranger Crew-yes my dad took this big thing on the trip with us, it reminded me of a little jeep you would ride in on a Safari. He loved it-my brother brought his little boy with us on the ride and we just strapped his car seat into the crew. Parker was as champ the whole time and loved the ride.

We had such a good time in St. George! We love that both of our families can go on vacation together. We have the best family and friends! Can't wait for next years trip!

Mom and Dad....

No we are not expecting.....but over the last month and a half Bret and I have watched a couple of friends kids so we have had a lot of practice being Mom and Dad. Unfortunately I wasn't very good at taking pictures so I only got a few of the ones we spent the most time with. We had so much fun watching these kids and got a little eye opener to what parenting is all about!MCDONALD'S

The kids were so excited when they found out we were going there and that we were even going to let them play on the toys! Who knew McDonald's was so great?
We even went to Kangaroo Zoo-the kids loved it!
Hadlee and Hanks

And Ivy was an angel the whole time we were there!

The kids stayed with us for almost a week and we loved it! The weather wasn't very good while they were here so we spent lots of time coloring and watching movies-lucky for us they loved doing both! I love the things kids say and how much they love you even if you aren't family. Sweet little Hanks told us "I just really love you guys here" So sweet coming from a 3 year old. They definitely missed there parents and would ask where they were. We were sad when it was time for them to go, I told them we were going to miss them and I thought Hadlee was going to start crying when she told me she was really going to miss us too. We loved having the kids here and miss them already. Thanks Colby and Heather for sharing your sweet kids with us!

2 YEARS!!!!

Bret and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary yesterday! It was very low key since both of us had to work and Bret had school. We have always wanted to go back to Disneyland ever since we went for our honeymoon and since we went last month we used that as an early anniversary trip! I can't believe it has been 2 years already. The time seems to go by so fast. I feel so blessed to be married to Bret-I couldn't have asked for better. Each year just keeps getting better! We have had so much fun the last year and can't wait for many more to come! Happy Anniversary Bret! I LOVE YOU!