I did it!

I finished cosmetology school! Going to cosmo school was one of the best decisions I have made for myself! Not that cosmetology school was very hard, it was more so juggling two kids, a husband in school and working and taking care of my grandparents. 2011 was one freaking hard year but with that came a lot of personal growth. I can do hard things. Yeah, kind of cheesy but I never thought I was capable of doing all that without having a mental break down. Now, I got close. Maybe a little too close at times but I made it. I know it was just as hard on Aaron too. He amazes me:)
Anyways when I started school I had long blond hair. It was just about to my butt. I got a "trim" and somehow 5 ish inches came off. Then I put redish peak a boos in. about 7 weeks later died my hair brownish/red with a blond strip (look at the picture above). About 2 two months after that died it all one color. Then in the beginning of January did ombre. So, now I think i need to take it easy so I don't kill my hair!
Anyways here are a bunch of pictures...

2011

Things to remember of 2011,
Aaron- Aaron was as busy as ever! In 2011 he took Inorganic Chem II, Organic Chem I, Physics I, Physics II, Modern Biology I and became a CNA, He lost his job in June got a new one in September, Ran 25 miles in Red Rock relay. While all this was going on he still had time to do his calling which is the 2nd Counselor in the Elder Quorum and spend time with the family. Oh and not to mention he is my grandparents go to man.
Nicole- Every year it is my goal to do something new and I definitely did that in 2011:) I was 2 weeks in to Cosmetology school when 2011 started and now I only have a couple weeks left. I became the 1st counselor in Young Womens, I ran a lot. I ran in Lake to Lake 50 mile relay in Feb, Ragnar relay in April, Extraterrestrial 10k in August, Red Rock Relay in September and a little 5k on Thanksgiving. So running and cosmo school has pretty much been my life other than my family. Oh and Aaron and I hike Mt. Timpinogas. Amazing!Ezra- finished up kindergarten, turned 6, loves riding his bike, reading like a champ, attempted judo class, that lasted about 2 weeks, started 1st grade, not a huge fan of 1st grade because he said they do math all day long. He has found a love in art. The kid could draw all day everyday. I may be a little biased but I think he is amazing. We have a little artist in the house. He still loves cars too. His favorite right now would have to be a camero. Ezra is such a fun kid. We love him!
Lincoln- turned 3, started preschool, started talking a ton more, loves to snuggle and just growing and finding joy in new things. He hates loud noises. He followed in Ezra's footsteps and became obsessed with cars. He can pick out a mustang a mile away. That's his favorite car. He also loves balls. Anything he can kick or throw. He has an arm on him too. He is a super picky eater. He can live off cereal and Gatorade if we let him. Really, he is the easiest kid ever. We love him!
Other things we did in 2011- Camped on the beach for Easter break, Aaron's brother got home from his mission, Went to the cabin in Brian Head for Independence Day, the kids went to the lake a whole bunch, 1st time in my life that I didn't go to the lake once:( camped in Valley of Fire, camped at Mt. Charleston, went to Cali for winter break, went to Arizona for Aaron's sisters wedding, Stayed at the Golden Nugget for my birthday and swam in their awesome pool (thanks to my amazing parents) Aaron took the boys to Cali for some boy time, experienced being unemployed again (rough times) and I think that's about it:) While most of this sounds all fine and dandy. 2011 was a HARD year. There was a lot of frustration, tears, and melt downs, pretty much all done by me:) Seriously. Of course I want to write all the wonderful things because I don't want to forget about it but I also don't want to forget all the hardships either. After all that's what makes us learn and grow. I am so incredibly grateful for a body. Sounds kind of cheesy but I'm thankful that I can walk, run, jump, feel, smell, see, taste, hear, touch. I am grateful for my health and even more grateful for a healthy family. I love my little family. I'm grateful for this beautiful life of mine. It's not perfect but that's what makes it so beautiful.

Thanksgiving festivities

The morning of Thanksgiving my family and I were going to run a 5k but all of them backed out last min so I decided to run all by my lonesome. It was actually kind of nice to run by myself. Anyways, after the race I went home and got ready, got the kids ready and headed to my parents house. Aaron stayed behind to get a little study time in. We all helped in the kitchen and ate our feast around 2. Aaron got there just in time to grub. After we were stuffed ourselves we just hung out and enjoyed each others company. Later that night, the boys played basketball and the girls went to walmart. Ummm... I will never do that again. It was insane. Sadly these were the only pictures I got that day.

Friday I died Whitney's hair red!

On Friday night we went bowling as a family and had so much fun. Of course with my family we had to make it a competition so the teams were Me, my dad, Aaron, Lincoln and Ezra. The other team was Eric, Whitney, my mom and Scott. Good times, good times even though my team lost:)

Halloween

We went to our ward carnival Halloween night and played some games, ate some chili and trunk or treated.
Then ended at the Kiefer's home. Good times were had and then we came home to poor little Lincoln having a really high fever. He was a champ though.Oh and me and my girls at school were the taco bell sauce packets. We are awesome:)

Feelin crafty?

Thanks to my friend Jamie and also pinterest I have done a few crafty things the last month. I'm so proud of myself because I really struggle when it comes to that department. Here's what I did:)

Candy Corn Wreath and...

Hand and foot ghost. Thanks to my little kiddos for lending such cute hand and feet:)