I thought since I didn't start this blog until October I'd post a few of the fun things we've done throughout this year.
This year started off with the birth of Chloe. You can read her birth story at the end of her page. But she has been an amazing addition to our family and really brings out the girliness out in me and the "craftiness" in me too (well, it's more of an attempt to be crafty). Elijah loved his baby sister the minute he saw her. He just wanted to hold her and snuggle her. It was really cute to watch him with her.
In February, we had our first big family outing President's Weekend and spent it at the Capital.
Later that month, we celebrated Elijah turning 2. He loved firetrucks at the time. We live three blocks away from a fire station and every time a fire truck (Elijah always corrects me and tells me they are fire engines) goes by which could be 2-3 times a day, he races to the window and watches them drive by. So we did a firetruck theme for his party. Jed's sister, Annie, did his cake. It was so delicious and fun! (thanks again, Annie!!)
In March, Jed's family came to California for Annie's daughter, Ella's blessing around San Francisco and Jed was able to have a fun family birthday dinner with everyone. His dad made him his favorite cake: a rum torte cake.
We then went down to San Francisco to spend the rest of the weekend. We went to the Flower Conservatory and Japanese Tea Garden.
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And on Sunday was Ella's blessing. (Jed's mom made Ella's beautiful dress)
At the end of the month, Jed's parents came back for Chloe's blessing. (I bought Chloe's dress then sewed in the lace from my wedding dress)
June we spent in Japan. We went to visit my family because they haven't seen the kids before and only met Jed once before we were married. It was so much fun! Two of my brothers were there the day we got there. (Christian lives in Japan right now and it was his first time seeing Chloe and James was just visiting). Our trip was amazing!! I almost forgot how beautiful and serene the country is. It's an amazing blend of futuristic technology and the simple and peaceful past. We were able to do a lot of fun things with the kids. (That's another thing... Japan is super family and kid friendly) We went to an aquarium, an amazing and huge petting zoo (Bio Park), a Dutch theme park (Huis Ten Bosch) (this is somewhere my brothers and I always went to when we were in Japan, so has lots of fond memories), we got to take a pirate cruise, saw Nagasaki and visited the Peace Park, went to Komomoto and visited a live active volcano and the castle, and did lots of other fun things. Elijah loved Japan and even remembers it and my grandparents; he even calls them Obatchama and Ojijama (Japanese for Grandma and Grandpa). He also picked up a few other Japanese words and phrases while we were there. Elijah loved it because he was able to ride on everything he was obsessed with (trains, buses, taxis, boats, etc.) Jed almost was willing to put a request in to be stationed there after he graduates, but state side would be better for his career... maybe if he wants to retire through the Air Force... :)
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In July, we went to San Francisco again. Chloe had an interview with a modeling agent (she has done a couple of things since then and will even be in the Pottery Barn Kid's Catolog next year) and after we went to the beach and the Science Exploratorium. Elijah had so much fun there. He loved exploring and being able to play with everything.
We also had Chloe's six months party. These are some of her six month pictures along with pictures from her party.
In August, we went to Utah for the Berhold Family reunion. That was a lot of fun, since it was our first time attending one, and we don't have a chance to always see everyone together. We were also able to visit with Jed's other side of the family, and it was really nice to catch up. Elijah had a blast playing with all of his cousins. And he LOVES his grandma and grandpa. We also got to visit Temple Square on our way out and that's where Elijah's obsession over the temple started. Once we started back home, Elijah kept asking to go back to Utah.
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Jed and I also spent a weekend in San Jose for our anniversary (sorry no pictures, we forgot the camera). But it was so nice. We slept most of the time there (we really needed to get sleep since we hadn't had a good night's sleep since before Chloe was born), and it was so much fun to just spend time together and just enjoy one another. (We did miss the kids a lot which showed since we brought back tons of unnecessary gifts for them).
And that pretty much brings us back to October and the rest of the year. This week we'll be spending at Disneyland and ringing in the new year there. (pictures will come later) This year has been so much fun and filled with lots of family time.
Happy New Year everyone!
