Happy NEW YEAR!

What a CRAZY YEAR! This is what was going on...

January-mid March: I was commuting to Ellensburg (1 hour & 15 min. away, one way) every day Monday-Friday, to go to school to earn my bachelor's degree.

March-May: I started my student teaching... 6 months pregnant... Ended student teaching 8 months pregnant.

June: Graduated from CWU on the 7th, gave birth by c-section to Jacob on the 12th, and had a duvall family reunion.

July: Celebrated Jacob's first 4th! Two of my brothers drove hours to visit and participate in the baby blessing, along with two of Jon's brothers.

August: Redford family reunion, and my Grandma Petersen passed away.

September: Celebrated 4 years of marriage!

October: Jacob's first Halloween, he dressed up as a skunk, and we went trick-or-treating

November: Thanksgiving! We ate tons and had some relatives from the west side of the state visit.

December: Jacob's first Christmas! He loved opening the gifts from all. He loved the paper the most, and I learned how to make my mom's famous pillowcases.

Happy New Year!!

Boy oh boy.

It seems like yesterday that we were rushing to the hospital at 3 AM to experience the best of experiences. Jacob is 6 1/2 months now and growing strong.

Christmas tree, oh... Christmas tree.

We put up our pretty tree and decorated about two weeks ago, I just hadn't gotton the pictures uploaded. Jacob loves the ornaments and staring at the lights.

Luckily, we got the shatterproof ornaments this year...

Jon loves the holiday season. Everything about it... the weather, the cookies, etc. Here are my boys with a bit of the tree.

Last Saturday we went as a family to help sell Christmas trees for our church and right next to the lot was a fundraiser for Toys for Tots... and if you donate you get a picture with Santa... ON A MOTORCYCLE!! It was so awesome. Jacob loved it.

Friday, the primary put on a Christmas party and Santa came! I was really surprised that Jacob didn't cry... because when Santa came in, we were sitting in the back and Santa came right to Jacob with his loud laugh and talking and he touched Jacob's hand and was talking to him! Can you believe it!! Santa talked to JACOB AND KNEW HIS NAME!! I knew it was all real. Anyway, Jacob only stared... then gave him a big grin. It was adorable. So, with this picture, my good friend is standing at the side totally getting Jacob to smile. He loves her, I call her his girlfriend, because he just giggles whenever he sees her. It's pretty funny. The picture of our family, my mom took the photo, and Jacob just smiled at her. She has a great voice that Jacob picks out of anywhere I'm sure, because it's grandma.

Family Photo

Happy Holidays!

What Winter Wonderland?

Well, it hasn't snowed yet, and half of my family is sad about it and the other half is rejoicing. Can you guess which is which? Well, if you can't Jon's side of the family is in LOVE with snow. Jon goes on little fun rides (and takes us along) to see the snow. He loves it. I'm torn. I think it's beautiful and fun to play in and I do love to cuddle and be cozy. But, I HATE driving in it. I hate that I have no control while driving and the fact that you have to drive super slow. It's funny, Jon's the complete opposite. He loves to drive in it. He loves everything about the stuff. We'll see how Jacob takes to it... will he be more a Redford or a Duvall? But even though it hasn't snowed yet, the sunrises are breathtaking here and I have no complaints!

Photo Shoot

I wanted to take some pictures of Jacob since he will be six months next week. He sure has turned into a little man.

December Monthly Special: Photoshop Brushes

Wow! I had no idea how much fun photoshop brushes are. This is a really simple way to add a little flair (took me about 10 seconds). Very fun. Check out http://takeoutphoto.blogspot.com/ to learn how to use photoshop, best sight EVER.