Family, isn't it about ... time.

I have the best family! I love them so much there are no words to express, only millions of smiles and laughs we share, special hugs, celebrations, comforting looks of encouragement, and more memories than brain space. If the Gospel of Jesus Christ wasn't already amazing, the whole families are forever concept would suck me in because I can't imagine a life without them.... now or ever.

Last week Aaron graduated with his Master's in administration. We all celebrated with him and had a fabulous time! So excited for him, he's going to love being done right in time for summer fun and a new baby.

 the newly weds

 the cheese, the laugher, and the chilaxer

The next day, we got to celebrate Grandpa & Grandma Prete's 60th Anniversary! They are incredible people to be around, loving grandparents, and awesome examples of making marriage work for the long run. Love that they've been together for over 60 years! 

 The whole Prete Family

a couple months ago, Emer helped Aaron and I build shelving in my closets. It was an awesome project. Totally worth it to now have some usable closet space.

The first part of April, we rode into Miller's to see how far we could get. Turns out the getting IN was easy and getting out was where we had some struggles. Who even knows how many times we got stuck in the snow? It was beautiful up there, everything covered in snow with little spritz of green starting to pop out!

 In case you are wondering this is when Aaron threw me off. 

To the far left is my body print.

 Bliss

Building on life's lessons

A little while back I wrote this post. As life has continued, the lessons I was learning then have been deepened in the belief system that guides my life.

5. Life can change in an instant and you'll find yourself in new places, situations, and stages of life. Love each one. Embrace the moments that make you happy. Reach out to others and share your talents with those around you. Give your very best in everything you do. Do something for someone else. You'll probably never be where you are now again, so don't rush it.

Holy beans I see this one everyday of my life. Especially the bolded sentence. When I do something halfheartedly I'm never really happy with it. I get frustrated and want to stop doing it completely. 

6. Believe in something bigger than yourself. Dream, Desire, Wish, and Hope for all the things you want to want to accomplish in life. The only person holding you back from achieving those is you, so believe you can do it. Life has a crazy way of working itself out, usually better than you dreamed!

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Sometimes I get lucky and sometimes hard work meets opportunity ... either way dreaming big and believing that whatever I want to do can happen has pushed me to try. 


Now, to add to my list here are a few more. 

8. The most important things in my life are all people. I don't know how this one has taken me so long to figure out, but oh my gosh LOVE the PEOPLE in your life with ALL your HEART. Don't let even one opportunity to tell them or show them that they are important slip by. Serve them whenever you can. Soak up every moment you get to spend with those people, don't take it for granted. Ya, your going to make mistakes and so is everyone else. Which leads me to ... 

9. Forgive yourself and forgive others, before you even have a chance to get mad, frustrated, or hurt. Don't waste time wishing you were better at this or that or had done things differently. Don't carry around grudges wondering why. You can't change what has happened, but move forward and FORGIVE. It's the best feeling. I wish I had been better at this one a long time ago. 

10. You can make millions of dollars a year and still be broke. If you focus on stuff, you'll never have enough. Live within your means and you'll always have plenty. Budget smart, take care of needs before wants. GIVE. GIVE. GIVE. Realize that nothing tangible matters in the end. 

11. Eat your VEGGIES (and the other good stuff too). If you give your body nutrients and balance your diet right, it's amazing what your body can do for itself. Be creative with your meals, so you don't get bored. Grill, steam, bake, fry, roast, simmer, or blend food. Oh and eat DESSERT too.     

12. BELIEVE IN CHRIST. He is incredible. He is the perfect example to follow. But that's not even the best part, knowing that there was no way we could be perfect like him, even though we try, He picked up our slack. When we do everything we can, and it's not enough, He is there making our efforts count and be enough. When you play on His team, you always win! (:

13. Be thankful. Easiest way it to just LOVE. Everyone, every moment, every healthy breath, every ray of sunshine, every rain storm, every beautiful snow covered morning, every chore, every surprise, every good night of sleep, every chance to learn something, every success.  Make a running list of the things you love--big and small. Why? Because when you focus on everything you love, you can't help but be SO GRATEFUL. Added benefit = your smile (that you can't control) will radiate.  

The Emer & Abbie Show

I love my puppy. I also love how much my my nephew loves her. I would be more nervous about him sticking his entire hand in her mouth, but Cheasapeakes are the best dogs! Especially, with kids.

Makes me happy every time I watch it. Every kid should have a dog, and every dog should have a kid.

Gave a getaway

This weekend I gave myself a gift. What? Ya, you read right, I gave myself something I needed and wanted. To underdtand how much I loved every moment of this gift you have to know my normal routine. When my cellular device rings, I answer it, or call them back as soon as I get off the call I'm already on, get my hands free, finish talking to the person I'm with, or leave what I'm in the middle of. I feel a  responsibility to always answer. This doesnt mean I always do. It just means when I don't or can't it sits in the back of my mind until I do. Most of the time, I'm ok with this, I even like it often.

For some reason this past week I was just cringing everytime I heard that favorite jingle of mine play. Not so much that I didn't want to talk to anyone, but just some rebellion I'm sure. Especially odd, considering work (87% of talk time) was almost non-existent this week. Humm.

Anywho, back to my prized gift. I gave myself a GUILT-free weekend of no phone answering. Boiled down, that means I didnt need to answer my phone or call anyone back. I did answer and return a few calls, but only cause I felt like it and some good timing. Something about my phone being there for emergencies, internet surfing, texting, and pictures was bliss.

My love-hate relationship with my phone can now go back to love, since my I-hate-talking-on-the-phone gene has had its happiness for the weekend. Gene is already retreating back to hiding for another 3 months.

The best part about the timing of this gift was that it allowed me to spend time with one of my lifelong best friends.  We spent the weekend doing the usual, talking, laughing, chilaxin, and then we also did a whole bunch of getting ready for baby Q. 

2012 seasons

2012 was year full of changing seasons. I'm thankful for the opportunities, laughs, good times, and special people which came with each one, and thankful that I survived a few of the trials. 

Had an amazing time spending a week with my friends in TN, plus Superbowl=awesomeness!

Love notes @ work from my cuz sammy lou.

best candy ever is back.

the RSL riot!

Lots of riding. New quad!







 One of the best things from 2012 was finally getting Sam as a sister. Glad my little brother pulled that one off, I couldn't be happier about it!

NYC --broadways, shopping, brian the tourist, and lots of walking about.

D.C. -- Met up with Jayci, Summer, & Todd.

Visit from Chantel!


Picnics with my favorite little girls.



This was one of my favorite soccer summers. Soccer every night! Old friends, new friends, and sweaty socks were always to be found on the field. Oh and the mother of all black eyes!

Lots of mountain time.

A few very very rough hospital visits. Some pain, bedrest, tears, and much needed prayers.

Special moments with Marcus

Little baby becky, who I can't wait to spoil.

Salmon Sundays begin. My new favorite tradition



Leaves changing, snow falling ... I love it all.

Leatherby's is back with their caramel sauce!

Hawaii with my honey
More Tennessee.

voted. Now just hoping we survive the next 4 years without the budget going completely past repair and hoping that America's citizens start taking responsibility for themselves.

Building Emerson's first snowman.

'Fallinter' is a season we have in Utah, it's when overnight it changes from fall to winter.

Last year I was so turned off by the commercialized sized of Christmas I didn't even feel like celebrating the real reason for the season. However, this year I think we definitely had a lot of fun.

Every room in the house has Christmas decorations, traditions were in full force, and there was much joy and laughter through the whole month! I haven't had a camera aside from the one in my phone for over a year and a half, so I decided it was time to make the investment. I ended up getting an awesome deal on a Canon T4i. It's not the exact one I wanted, but I'm really happy with it. My brother's decided to follow my example and both got cameras for their families as well. It was Christmas of Cameras and we had lots of fun practicing and learning together. We're definitely still in the learning phase, and it's adorable the simple things we learn from books and other people.

We had a great time giving gifts, it's so fun to find little things for our favorite people.

Christmas morning SNOW! White Christmas in Utah.

Abbie's new bed

I did some camera practice on the babies.

 Temple square lights were beautiful!

 Dear, sweet baby Jesus!

A Post-Holiday Holiday in HI

The week after thanksgiving Brian and I headed out of town for some much-needed fun and relaxation. We hit up this little place called Oahu. It was beautiful and I'll let the pictures tell the stories, but basically, we hung out on lots of beaches, spent most of my time in sun dresses, watched lots of surf comps, ate yummy pineapple, shrimp, and shaved ice, ran a race, and enjoyed the semi-warm weather.

Turns out I even put on real clothes part of one of the days. :)

Just being little kids.

Ate here twice it was so yummy!