2011 Looking Back

Just thought I would take a moment to look back at 2011.

• FOOD ALLERGIES: Finding out what was causing G3's horrible eczema was the biggest blessing of last year. While I was nursing him we both did the allergy elimination diet. It was a success as we discovered he is allergic to wheat, dairy, and eggs. Now every day is a challenge as I try to figure out what he can eat and what he will eat. (He is a picky one year old.) My older two children have learned a lot about food and what is in it. Pinkie quickly spots out the words "Gluten Free" when we are at the grocery store. We have all tried new foods, and are eating more fresh fruits and veggies, and less processed food.
• BIRTHDAYS: My kids talk and plan their birthday parties and cakes all year long. This year we had gluten free cake for G3, a Barbie Cake for Pinkie (the kind with a real barbie, and you eat the dress), and a blue velvet Yankees cake with Oreos around the edge for Junior.
• NEW FAMILY MEMBERS: We added three new people to my side of the family this year. My littlest brother, Todd got married to Ashley in April. In May Abbey had her fourth baby, a little boy. Robert and Heidi had their first baby in July. He is carrying on the Robert name to the fourth generation.
• CAMPING: This year we finally took the whole family on a real camping trip to Beaver Creek, near Beaver Mountain Ski Resort. Two families in our ward joined us. The kids had a great time getting dirty and playing their hearts out. We also visited with my parents at their cabin in August. While we were there Pinkie was petting my Dad's dog Gus. He suddenly barked really mean, and lunged toward her, biting her on the head. We had to head down the mountain to the ER in Mount Pleasant. She ended up with 3 staples in her head. She doesn't love Gus, but she still loves dogs.
• PINKIE'S BAPTISM: We looked forward to Pinkie getting baptized all year long. The day finally came and it was wonderful. We are so happy with the choices she is making. We had a fun ice cream party after her baptism with all of our family.
• SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES: This year Pinkie and Junior both got to play ball. Machine pitch softball for Pinkie, and Tball for Junior. We spent a lot of time at the ball park enjoying the weather and watching the kids. Pinkie was a mouse in her 1st grade class Opera. Each class of first graders at her school writes an opera with the help of a mentor from Utah Festival Opera Company. It was cute to see what the kids came up with. Pinkie also played the part of an Ice Skater in her Ballet Company's year end performance. She has really taking a liking to ballet, and loved going to see the Nutcracker in Logan this year.
• SCHOOL: Pinkie is now in Second grade, and Junior goes to preschool at the Presbyterian church. The light at the end of the tunnel is bright now that Husband has only one class left at Weber State!
• HALLOWEEN: Husband talked the kids into being the Flintstones for Halloween this year. He wanted to be able to show off G3's Barney Rubble hair.
• BRIGHAM CITY TEMPLE: We have enjoyed watching the temple be built this year. The kids and I even waited several hours in the rain to see the Angel Moroni be raised and installed on the east spire.