Top TEN Moments of 2012

I've been terrible at keeping this blog updated, so instead of trying to catch up, I've decided to post our TOP TEN favorite moments or things from this past year. (Although Christmas is probably one of them, it will have a post of its own!) We can now say that it has been a very fun, happy, exciting, learning, growing, tiring year—and we wouldn't have it any other way!

Number 1: Watching these two grow! These pictures were taken early last year, so they are around 6 months old. We can't believe how much they've grown over what feels like a very short year! 

Number 2: Going to Disneyland as a family! We flew to Cali in February hoping for a little more warmth, but it was actually pretty darn cold and we had to wear layer upon layer of clothes. (It rained a bunch while we were there, contrary to these "sunny" pics!) Nonetheless, it was definitely an unforgettable trip for everyone (well except maybe the two 7-month olds!).

Number 3: Watching these sweet kiddos bond! Izzie was basically a baby herself when we added two more to the group, but it has been amazing watching these three play with and love each other so much. 

Number 4: Bath time is always fun at our house! Wait, did I say fun? I meant dreaded. Or at least it was about 6 months ago. Now it actually is pretty fun. And crowded. :)

Number 5: Visiting our babies in Morgan. Five years have passed since our sweet angels came and went so quickly. This is a tender moment for us every year as we miss our sweet Brock and Mia so much!

Number 6: Our annual trip to Thanksgiving Point for the Tulip Festival. We started going to the Tulip Festival in 2007. After being bed ridden in the hospital for two weeks and having Brock and Mia but not being able to take them home, that year we especially just needed to get out and move around. It was beautiful and refreshing in a time that both those things were desperately needed. Now we go and enjoy the beauty of it all with our sweet kiddos that are here with us. We love it!

Number 7: Todd and I had our first night away from the kiddos around the end of June. We stayed in Midway with the youth of our ward for their "Super Activity." We also were able to go hike and see Timpanogos Cave, which was very cool—literally—with amazing formations and some "odd" smells. 

Number 8: Our individual getaways! I was able to visit my cute friend, Jennifer, in Philadelphia last May while Todd stayed home with all three kids. Todd went on a couple awesome hikes over the summer and visited Lake Powell in September (sorry, couldn't find those pics!).'

Number 9: Birthdays! Tate and Emmy had their big FIRST birthday with a huge party. Izzie celebrated number 3 with her favorite princess at the time, Rapunzel. These kids are just growing up way too fast!

Number 10: Our BIG trip to Big Sky, Montana with all of the Barlows. That's what Izzie called it because we had to drive for so long in the car. She still talks about the BIG trip and wonders when we can go back. It was a great time with Todd's family. We played games, went on hikes, watched the Olympics, and just relaxed (with two 1-year-olds, yeah right!). 

AND a few BONUS moments:

Our many visits to the zoo and the aquarium. It was fun watching Tate and Emmy start to actually notice the animals that we walked by, and even imitating some of the sounds. Izzie was always very excited to see the cute polar bear and was lucky to get a front row seat to his swimming and tricks several times!

Going on the "party boat" with Grandma and Grandpa Mikesell. The kids all loved it despite the frowny faces in the picture. We had a picnic as we floated and dangled our toes in the water.

Walking around the neighborhood with these three cuties for Halloween! Tate really started to get the hang of grabbing the candy by the time we were done. And Izzie was the perfect Rapunzel—we thought her hair looked so real! And Emmy was just the sweetest little kitty anybody had ever seen. :)