2019 Recap

So this year has been a wild ride of travel, adventure, taking huge risks, and learning that growth comes in the most uncomfortable ways. But I am proud of the learning experiences that have made me a little wiser along the way.

January- We lived in North Dakota. Doing the same old thing we had done for the last several years. Living to work, working to live, and wondering if we would ever leave this state?

February- We adopted our 3rd dog, Rufus.

March- Nothing to report- except the snow was FINALLY starting to melt!

April- Michael turned 28. Decided that he wanted to see what else was out there, and put in his notice to leave the company he had worked with for almost 5 years.

May- We packed our entire life into our little Cadillac, and left anything that wouldn't fit in storage. I quit my job, and we went South. We were moving home to Utah!

June- We quickly found out that the economy in Utah is just as bad as it was when we left in 2014- maybe worse. After hundreds of applications and a few hopeless interviews it was clear we were not gonna find anything stable here right now.

July-Sept Michael went on rotations in Texas working for a drilling company. It was a good job, but he was gone 2 weeks at a time. However on the other two weeks we were here with family and friends. I got to go see family down south and visit new places I had never traveled before. I spent the summer with my family, while still trying to find a job myself.

October- I finally got a job! Working at the same kennel I worked at when I was 17... did my life just full circle back to square one? But a week later Michael lost his job. So we were back to one income- and a HUGE pay cut.

November & December- We spent enjoying the holidays with our family, and deciding what we would do from here. We took the last of our savings and prepared to go back North to our stable state of better economy.

We will be so sad to go again, and be away from everyone. But we had a wonderful summer and holidays. We were here for so much and are very grateful for those memories. But have decided the best thing for us is to go Home.

What this whole year has taught me-

• Don't be afraid to take risks. Quitting our jobs and jumping into the unknown was CRAZY but we did it.
• Enjoy all the little things, because you don't know how long things will be this way. Life changes fast.
• You don't HAVE to have the things you think you do. You can get by with very little. Everything else is just a bonus.
• The grass really isn't greener on the other side. While we were in ND we pined for UT. And when we lived in UT we realized just how good things were for us in ND. 

So here's to 2020. May it be filled with stability, and gratitude. No resolutions- just hope.

Christmas 2019

For the first time in 4 years I woke up early on Christmas day to open gifts with the family instead of just watching through Skype.

I had to get up at 5 am to go to work first, but I was there in the living room in person for Christmas morning. My parents, Uncle Dillon, All my siblings, and Detan. All sitting together watching the boys enjoy the childhood magic of Christmas.

After we finished gifts I got straight to work in the kitchen.

This year for my gift to everyone, I made the Christmas feast alone. Noone else had too cook or stress, and everyone enjoyed a perfect meal. 

Well except Michael, who ended up being my helper through the entire project.

But the feast was fantastic and well worth the hassle.

 Our family picture included Tara and Clif who traveled over 1,500 miles to be here for the Holidays. My aunt Jane who has recently moved here. Sam and her husband Detan, and Harley and her Boyfriend Alex.

It was a good day, filled with food, family, and love.

Amber's 25th Birthday

This year I spent my birthday out with Michael's family.
We went to see the lights at Temple Square in SLC on the 6th. I've always wanted to go, but never actually walked through all the lights.
Then on the morning of my birthday Madelin made me breakfast crepes. A birthday tradition in thier home.

 That evening she also made us a nice Parmesan chicken dinner and birthday brownies. David and Ashli came up for dinner and we all watched Glass Castle together.

Hyrum's Farewell

Today we were able to travel up and see Michael's family before Hyrum left for his 2 year mission.
We went to church to hear his farewell speech, and then the whole family got together for a lunch with many of his friends and neighbors. This is the last time we will see him for the next 24 months.

We don't get all dressed up very often so I had to document it with a picture.

Evan can Drive!?

Today I took Evan to the DMV to take his leaners permit test.

He failed the first time, but they told him he could retake the test the same day so I spent 5 hours in the DMV waiting for him to retake the test.

Luckily he was able to pass on the second try and is now a legal practice driver!

As soon as we were done at the DMV I had an appointment so Evan got to drive straight onto the highway his first time behind the wheel. And he did surprisingly well.

Brooks is Born!

Tonight my best friend gave birth to her 3rd child.

They didn't find out the gender until he arrived, which made the anticipation of delivery even more exciting. And while I was hoping for another girl, I am beyond thrilled that Royce has a cute little brother!

Congratulations to Kesley & Bridger on another healthy and beautiful baby.

They are out here setting false expectations for how cute and perfect kids are. 

Fall Family Photos 2019

Every Fall we have to have our pictures taken. Its a tradition now that somewhere September-October we Always take our pictures together. 

Usually our "Family Photos" include our Fur-children. But with it being hunting season in the mountains I figured it was safer to leave them home this time.

                                

Evan came out with us and I set up the poses and camera and had him take the pictures.

I bought a clicker for my camera, but it only works if it is pointed directly at the camera and that makes for awkward shots. So luckily he was there to help us and we got these great pictures!

Welcome Home Elder Smith!

Michael's brother Steven returned home from his Mission this week.

Unfortunately I had to work but Michael was able to go out and see all his family this weekend for Steven's Homecoming.

Steven served 2 years in Seattle WA. And is finally home! Just in time for their youngest brother to leave for his mission in a few short months. 

I LOVE this picture! My husband is so handsome! 😍

Labor Day Weekend

For the first time in over 4 years, we got to go Camping!
We went up to the mountains with my Grandparents and little brothers.

We stayed in a tent out there, then spent our days hiking and fishing all over the mountain. We saw 3 moose, a bull, then a mother and baby further down. We fished at Spirit Lake. And Michael out fished us all!

It was so nice to be able to get out in nature again after so long!

It makes me really appreciate the place I grew up and how close it is to so many outdoor adventures!
Utah will always be my favorite State.

Our Sister Road trip Adventure to NM

My sister and I went on a crazy road trip adventure.

Our husbands both work down in New Mexico. Her husband was in a car accident a few days ago, and totaled her car. Luckily everyone was fine, they just make those new vehicle's to really crunch on impact so the damage was fatal to the car.

Because the car was in Her name though, she had to sign off on it so they were able to get everything out of it at the wrecking yard. So we decided to surprise our husbands and make the 800 mile drive just before they got off rotation and would be ready to head home.

So we leave the day before, and drive straight through to Santa Fe. There is a truck stop there that is all lit up and we slept in the car for a whole 2 hours before finishing the rest of the drive.

My husband called me as he was getting ready to head back to Utah and asked where he would be picking up my brother in law (since I told him he would need a ride due to the accident). I said "Actually I need you to pick ME up. I will be in Carlsbad in 20 minutes."

He goes "Wait... what?" He was surprised that I had just up and drove across the country and was able to completely surprise him.

Once we met up and Sam dropped me off we all had a good laugh over our surprise adventure.

Then, being completely exhausted after working 14 days straight, Michael decided to nap while I drove back to Santa Fe. Turns out Sam had the same experience. We got a shared hotel in Santa Fe, but Sam and I had driven over 20 hours with only a minor 2 hour nap break.

 On the way home Michael and I stopped at the Rio Grande Del Norte National Park Tres Piedras in New Mexico. That was really cool to see in person. I also got to see Roswell NM and all the weird Alien stuff for the first time. I'm always up for a new adventure.
All in all it was an exciting experience, and I great surprise for our spouses. I told Michael he has to know I love him because I went on a 1600 mile road trip just to see him 1 day sooner because I missed him so much!

First Day of School!

Today was the first day of School!

I can't believe how big my baby brothers are getting! Dylan goes into middle school next year, and Evan started High School today! 

I got to be the one who took the kids school shopping this year, and it is so fun to see them pick out their style and how different they are. Dylan wanted a chain necklace and bought mostly t-shirts with UFC or teams on them. Evan wanted the American fighter shirts and his only accessory choice was a new hat. Both these kids are spoiled because when I was a kid we didn't get brand name new stuff. But all of us sisters chipped in to buy them new Adidas and Reebok sneakers. We take care of our baby brothers lol
I hope this year goes good for all of them, especially mom. My mother is a teacher and has 38 kids in her classroom this year!!! They are really short handed on teachers so that will be a challenge for her,

Postma Wedding

Today my little sister got married!

The had a beautiful outdoor ceremony, short and sweet.

You can watch that Here: https://youtube.com/mikeandme

Then there was a wonderful reception with dancing, smores, tons of friends and family, and a sparkler send off!

So many people helped us pull off this amazing wedding, working behind the scenes and finding ways to make every detail special. 

Congratulations to the new couple!

May your love last a lifetime!

Sam's Bachelorette Party!

Today we went out to the city and celebrated Samantha's upcoming wedding with her bachelorette party!

We got a hotel and some card games.

Then we went out for a couple rounds of Top Golf. None of us had been before but it was super fun!

After which we went out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse and they gave us free ribs!
All around a great way to do your bachelorette!

Less than 2 weeks before she says "I Do!"

Kesley's Maternity Shoot

One thing I have always missed when I was living in North Dakota, is getting to be around for the big moments. And having the opportunity to do photos for my friends and family in these big moments.
I wasn't around for the pregnancy or birth of Kesley's first 2. But I was so lucky to be able to move back and be here for this last pregnancy.
Kesley has always supported me in my Photography endeavors, even when I wasn't that good. And she let me be the one to take her maternity family pictures! 

 I think they turned out great, her cute little family all matches so nicely.

She told me when I showed her this last one of them sitting that when they were posed she felt weird and like it wasn't going to turn out good. But then when she saw it she loved it. lol Sometimes I know what I'm doing.

I'm so glad I was able to take these and be part of something she will cherish her whole life. And I am super excited to be around when this baby is born.

Freedom Festival at Flaming Gorge

Today we went to the Flaming Gorge Freedom Festival with my family. 

They had a classic car show up at the Resort.

 Michael and I both wore blue and matched by accident. So we looked very unified. 😅

 My mom and dad also matched with their sun hats.

 This was Dylan's favorite car.

 This was Evans favorite.

 The boys both liked the low riders best.

 Dylan got to ride a horse.

 We had a nice picnic lunch at the resort and then went to the Gorge to swim.

 I told mom and dad that they look like a Pepsi Ad.

 I dared Dylan to do a belly flop and he did not disappoint 😂

At the end of the day we went to Dutch John for the firework show like we did 5 years ago for our first date 💕

It was the perfect July day with the family.

Antelope Island

Today we were driving back from Idaho and I told Michael that something that had always been on my bucket list was to see the Great Salt Lake. I have driven past that area for years but never gone over and actually seen it. So we made a quick detour on our way home to check it out.

It was different than I was expecting. Still cool though.

Michael is a true "Instagram Boyfriend" 😂 He always does a great job of making sure I have pictures of me doing these things too. 

He is a pretty good photographer!

Also he is super cute 😉

 It really is super cool to see the water touch the sky. It's the biggest lake I've ever seen. And the closest thing to the ocean I've been too.

 Next time we come out this way I want to bring the kids and go swimming here. I hear that the salinity makes you unable to sink. So for once in my life I might be able to swim 😂

 As we were walking out on the island hill I noticed these little cobwebs across some bushes, but I didn't think much about it. Probably just dust webs or normal garden spiders, I wasn't too worried.

We get clear out on this rock and Michael looks down and notices a large crack between two rocks that was covered in webs and huge ass spiders!!! They were crawling around and dropping down around between these rocks! 😱 

I freaked out! And then quickly, yet cautiously rushed back to the safety of my car. Avoiding touching Any bushes or webs.

So I marked that adventure off my bucket list, and I'm glad I got to see the Great Salt Lake. But I was relieved to get the heck out of there!

And on the way home we stopped and watched the Sunset over Strawberry Reserviour.