Christmas was relaxing this year. I don't know about all of you, but I haven't had a truly relaxing Christmas since the pre-kids days. We decided against traveling at all this year, sad as it was that took a lot of stress off my shoulders. We also cut a lot of the "thoughtful" corners that I usually find myself doing because I just can't help it I guess. We also cut back a lot of time spent with even our family here in town. We were determined to have a quiet - stress free Christmas and it was just that. So I am grateful that we were able to just enjoy some time spent with our kids.

We had Christmas Eve dinner with my family and it was really nice. Grandpa and Grandma Soderquist came over on Christmas morning and watched the kids open their Christmas from Santa. They were absolutely hilarious and just had a ball tearing through those gifts. Then we went over to Grandpa and Grandma Hedges house to swap gifts with them. Other than that we just hung out at home and enjoyed our relaxing family time together.

This was a digital camera that Kaden loved for 4 whole days before Jacob got a hold of it and threw it in the bathtub. Bye bye camera. Now, the reason that Kaden got a digital camera was b/c last summer they got a hold of my nice digital camera to take pictures out back and I didn't know they had. And, well, they left it out back and the sprinklers got it and ruined it. So while I got a nice, new digital camera this year we thought it would be wise to get them a kid one that wouldn't be as painful if they broke it. That idea lasted...well, you know. 4 days.

Adam is back into dirt bike riding and needed some new gear to go with his retro bike. :) Santa brought him a new helmet, goggles, socks, and this totally awesome and totally vintage Transformers T-shirt. You gotta love it!

Our little family on Christmas Eve.

Santa brought Kaden this guitar so he could start learning how to play. And he is already showing progress and talent...just like his daddy.

Some cute happenings at our house

A few nights ago we were all tucked in bed and supposedly fast asleep. All through the house not a creature was sturring, not even a mouse...wait, but I hear a noise! Some rustling coming from the downstairs! I wake up Adam in a panick..."Do you hear that rustling?" He said NO. And I said, "I hear rustling, there is rustling in this house!" So I walked out of our bedroom and peered down the stairs only to find that the lights on our tree have been turned on. And our little Jacob is standing in front of the tree with all the wonder that Christmas brings lit on his face as he gently touches each ornament within his reach. It was a precious moment for me as my heart filled with overwhelming love for this little boy. It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen him do. After a few minutes of watching him I quietly said, "Jacob, it's time to turn off the lights and go to bed." He turned and looked at me with an angelic face and said, "Okay mommy". Then he turned off the lights and slowly walked up the stairs, gave me a big kiss and hug, and then went back to his room.

Kaden and his pet seal. No kidding. So yesterday Kaden gets into the bathtub with a washcloth in hand. He is playing with the washcloth in the water, swishing it back and forth and then he says, "Mommy, this is my pet seal. He is taking a bath." Well, ooohhh-k! That's nice. So this imaginative moment has continued through today. He's been carrying around this washcloth like a baby and telling everyone that it's his pet seal. He gave his pet seal to baths yesterday because he was dirty. And when we had to leave to run some errands, he put his pet seal down for a nap. I'm telling you, this kid has got quite the imagination. I'm loving it! Pure entertainment - he's so cute!

Welcome Cody!

My sister finally had her much awaited little baby boy. His name is Cody and he absolutely precious! I forget how little these babies are when they are new into the world. My sister and her cute family were here over the weekend and stayed with us. So I got to have some time bonding with little Cody. I wouldn't say I got my fill of him, but I did get to hold him quite a bit so I can't really complain. He is such a sweet little guy, but my favorite thing about him is the LOADS of red hair he has. Since my chances of ever getting a red-headed child are slim to none, I'm grateful that my sisters kids are continuing to flash the gene in our family.

Just look at all that hair!!Grandma and Grandpa Soderquist with Lisa's kiddos.

Lisa & Nick, (LtoR) Connor, Lauren, Cody and Cade

I also got to spend some girl time with my niece, Lauren. Lisa was sweet enough to take my kids so that I could take Lauren for some bonding time. I love this little girl! She is so fun and sweet. I make sure that she knows my name isn't just Aunt Kari...it's "My favorite Aunt, Kari". :) hehe. I'm training her while she's young! So Lauren and I did some shopping, had some treats, and looked at lots of toys. Her giggles just make my life complete. I love you, Lauren! Kisses from your favorite aunt. MWA!

Kaden's 5th Birthday
I can't believe that our little guy is 5 years old! Time really does fly. He is growing up so fast and is so much fun to raise. Kaden has such a sweet and loving personality. He is quite the socialite and loves to talk to anyone who will listen. He gives so much love and affection to everyone around him. He is really intelligent and thinks up the darndest things! I love his imagination and how he enjoys exploring the world around him. We had a lot of fun for his birthday. We had a family party with the Soderquist side and Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Mike from the Elordi side. Then Kaden had a friend party with a Pirate theme. He LOVES pirates and likes to play Captain Jack Sparrow in his free time. We love you little Kaden!

Saying Goodbye is hard to do.

So about a month and a half ago...I know, it's been a while since I've posted...we had to say goodbye to Adam's brother, Josh, and his cute family. They are off on a new adventure and a new start on life. Josh joined the Airforce over a year ago and has been gone for training during that time. While we missed him dearly, we were grateful to still have his adorable wife and 2 beautiful children close by. But, alas, nothing great lasts forever. So Josh came home for a couple of weeks to pack up his family and move them to Alaska. Yes, you heard me correctly. That is SO far away! We are so sad to see them go, but really excited for them at the same time. We miss them already and family get-togethers just won't be the same without them. We love you!

My Best Friend's Wedding

Wow, I am so excited to share this fun adventure with all of you. I took my very First trip to Florida the First week of November. Well, it was several Firsts for me. It was my very best friend's First wedding (and her last), my First trip to Florida (also the First time for me to be in any state East of Colorado), my First time to be away from my kids and my husband for more than 2 days (I was gone a total of 8 days!!), and my First time to do connecting flights to get to my destination. There were many other Firsts in there, but we'll just go with the basic ones.

I had an incredible time. Thank you Lizzy and Rick for making my trip so memorable! There were plenty of laughs and I really enjoyed getting to meet so many of Lizzy's friends and family that I have heard so much about. But to be honest, it was just heaven to get to spend the week hanging out with my Lizzy. I have missed her terribly since she moved back to Florida last spring and I have felt like a large part of me is missing. I couldn't have parted with her for any other circumstance than marrying her soul mate. And even then, it hasn't been easy.

So my trip consisted of lots of running. No kidding. It was a fun running though. The week was filled with lots of things to do and places to see and fantastic places to eat. Here are just a few of the fun things that we did: mani-pedies, facials & massages, making silly posters and taking pictures of a sleeping Rick on a bench at the airport, no power for 24 hrs, BangBang Shrimp, Trivial Pursuit (which is super trivial when you are playing with 2 lawyers, a doctor, a real estate agent and a pharmacist - and me, a stay-at-home mom), driving around JAX with Daddy Dan driving (i.e. "take the next left" means Daddy Dan goes right), Sushi at 10pm, dancing with some great girlfriends, talking politics at the rehearsal dinner, staying at a gorgeous hotel on the beach and my very favorite...Lizzy waking me up in the wee hours of the morning (because she can't sleep anymore) by putting her face really close to mine until I open my eyes. (Mind you, 7am JAX time is 5am in Idaho Kari time) And that's why I love my Lizzy. Never a dull moment and always something to look back on to giggle and smile about.

So here are just a few of the pictures from my trip. I have more coming that I will post at a later date. Enjoy.
Lizzy and her new husband, Rick (isn't her dress gorgeous!?)

Ahh, the beach

The girls: Adele, me, Jazzie, Natalie, & Caitie

Caitie (Lizzy's other best friend from childhood) & Me

The Blue Angels were performing the day we were at the beach. It was awesome!

6 Year Anniversary

So life has been super stressful in our household lately and I just want to share so that my burden might feel light again. Adam has been working in Montepelier for the last 3 weeks. Yes, he was home on the weekends, but we also had so much stuff jam-packed into our weekends, that I feel like we hardly got to see each other. The time apart has made me grouchy, moody, depressed, sad, and grateful that I only have to endure a short amount of time apart from him.

So Adam got home this past Friday night, just in time to help me get everything prepared for our Ward's Super Saturday that I was in charge of. We didn't get much sleep that night because I had to be up bright and early to get ready for Super Saturday and Adam had to go to the store and run errands for me so that he could bring the things I needed to the church. And that day was our Anniversary. We ended up going to dinner that evening with Jacob (Kaden was with grandma and grandpa) to celebrate. It would have been a really great time if I hadn't been absolutely dead on my feet and out cold (& non-responsive) at 8:30pm - which we've determined is a record.

So this long sob story is only the start of the next 2 weeks. I'm trying to get ready for my much anticipated trip to Florida for my BFF's wedding. I get to go for a whole week with no children and sadly enough...no Adam. It's the first trip I have taken completely alone in the 6 years we've been married. So while I get Adam home this week, he will again be in Montpelier for a week before I am gone for a week. So really, in the entire 6 week period, I will have seen my husband for a solid week. whoa is me.

Onto Happy things...I have been married for 6 Blissful years to the most amazing man! There are so many things that I love about Adam and the past 3 weeks of him being gone have made me realize why I need him so much. He is my best friend in the whole world. He GETS me. He always seems to understand why I am the way that I am, which is amazing to me. He is my rock. I can be a serious looney bin at times, but it's usually when he isn't around. He keeps me grounded and sane. Just by being there. I have realized that since we've spent so much time apart, that it is almost a physical pain when I am apart from him. I hate it. I'm lost without him. (I would make a horrible military wife, so my hat is off to all of you women who are.) Adam is such an incredible husband. He really does care about me and how I feel. He helps me so much with all the big things and the little things that happen in my life. He holds my hand and gets me through it. I love to watch him with our boys. He is such a wonderful dad. They adore him and he adores them right back. He listens to them and really talks to them. I love that. I knew that Adam was special from the moment I laid eyes on him. I knew that he was different from every other man I have ever met. And I'm so glad that I listened to that small voice (oh, and my dad's voice telling me "not to screw it up"). I am so grateful for the last 6 years. That I'm not alone in this life. That I have someone that loves me and cares for me and that I get to love and care for him too. I love you, baby. Happy Anniversary. Here's to the rest of eternity together.