A Year of Memories

Earlier today, I read part of a blog post that talked about how January 1st is just another day. The only real thing that's different is the fact that we have a different attitude. In reality, this attitude of a new beginning should be renewed every day. After all, isn't that what life is all about? Having the ability to go to bed at night and wake up every morning with the attitude that you get to start over? You get to try harder to be better, and if you fail, then you try again the next day. I completely stand by what was said, and have always felt the same way.

While a new year isn't the only time to start fresh, I do believe that it's a great time to document some of the moments that made the past year great. I'm terrible at pictures, but I'm going to try to mention the most important events.

January:
- The first day of Amanda's last semester of college. At least for now.
- Lots of snow
- Wet feet
- Okay, it was a boring month.

February:
- Our first valentines day as eternal companions
- Amanda's first attempt at maternity pictures

March:
- Amanda fixed Sean's Nintendo
- Sean's cousin Morgan got married

April:
- A certain young woman forced Amanda to run up a really big hill, nearly killing her ;)
- Amanda continued to love serving in the Young Women
- Amanda completed her last semester of college

May:
- Amanda turned 23
- Amanda graduate with not one, but two bachelor degrees
- We took a much needed vacation. . .weekend getaway. . . to Lava Hot Springs
- Sean's cousin Emily left on her mission
- Amanda's cousin Austin got married

June:
- Gabriel was born!!!!! (I love being an aunt!!!)
- Amanda continued to loathe yard work

July:
- We went to Bryce Canyon! (Amanda's first time)
- We spent lots of time with family
- Sean continued to go to school

August:
- We went camping with Amanda's Family
- Sean tried stream fishing for the first time
- Amanda went to Girls camp and LOVED every minute of it!!! (Except for the fact that we spent so       much time apart...that wasn't so fun)
- Goates family cabin trip
- Sean started another semester...this time without his wife.

September:
- Sean turned 23
- We went to the fair
- We made the decision that it was time to move
- We had a totally awesome surprise party for Dad R's Birthday. We nearly gave him a heart attack
- Amanda did lots of canning
- We bought a bed...and a couch

October:
- We moved into an awesome new apartment
- We celebrated one year of marriage
- we bought tires
- Sean was introduced to the smartphone world
- Amanda lost and found her wallet. Who knew Olive Garden would look at the only card in your          wallet with your maiden name on it and tell you three different times that your wallet was not yours....
- Graham cracker haunted houses.

November:
- Thanksgiving
- Family Dinners
- Sean's Cousin Hannah left on her mission

December:
- Lots of projects
- Jaclyn and Spencer got married
- Amanda made tamales for the first time ever and they were delicious
- Gingerbread Houses
- Christmas, Christmas, and MORE Christmas




Really, we don't have super exciting adventurous lives, but we like to live in the moment. We have had a busy year, and have worked opposite schedules most of the year. We are glad that we don't have to live like this forever, though, and look forward to the day when we can actually spend an evening together. We are excited for what this year holds for us, and will likely be making some scary decisions, but we are exited to be learning and growing together. We are so blessed to have amazing family on both sides. We could not handle life without their support. Everyone has been so understanding as we've tried to figure out how to divide our time. we both have felt so loved by our in-laws, and have slowly started to find our places in our new families. We have also been blessed with awesome friends who have helped us out so much! We really are so blessed and we are so grateful for the hand of the Lord in our lives. Here's to learning to live each day as a fresh start.

PS. Since Amanda is too lazy to take the time to upload all the pictures to go with these fantastic events, you'll just have to imagine them :D