Everything Happens For A Reason

So me and the kids are stuck here at the house, for the 4th day in row, due to a major storm.  All morning long we have been listening to music, while the AppleTV scrolls through our pictures ... and it got me to think.

 I know everything happens for a reason, but really?  Are Chik & I, out of our minds??  How could we go from this

To This

 

And then here (yes the ladies are using their boogie boards.  We were a little unprepared)

I am sure being stuck in the house, hasn't helped my mood any ... but I am really missing my friends, the sun, the sun,  and my family :(  

2011

WOW...

is the one word that comes to my mind, when I think about this past year.  2011 was definitely a big one, for us Carbajal's.  There were so MANY big life changes and during it all we managed to stay healthy, alive, and semi sane.  

We have been exposed to many more cultures, experienced coastal life and that awesome San Diego weather (oh how I miss that weather), met many many new great people, and was able to catch up and spend some time with great old friends.   

During 2011 ... we shed many tears, said a few good bye's (just a few ha ha), and have donated so many unused items ... we could have opened our own store.  

We lived in 3 different states, sold a house, and rented 2.

For me personally, it has been a year of highs and lows.  Whether it was packing on the pounds and dealing with post pardum,  or getting to meet this sweet little man (definitely my highlight)!

For someone who isn't good at change,  2011 was a bit of a challenge, but I must admit ... I think I handled it pretty darn well!!

The Trek

Our last move of the year, was a big one.  A very big one, indeed.  We went from the very south ... San Diego, to the very north ... Seattle.  We drove 1300 miles, over a 4 day span, in two vehicles, with 3 very good children.

It was a little out of our way, but we HAD to make a pit stop at this place:

The Jelly Belly Factory

 

Yes, people ... the Carbajal's have found their real home away from from.  We were in absolute candy heaven!

 Our trip to the Jelly Belly Factory was absolutely fabulous!!

Christmas

To put it simply, Christmas this year was "SPECIAL," and if it wouldn't have been for the kiddos ... it probably would have been non existent.  So thank you to my kids for making sure we had some Christmas spirit.

The reason December was so interesting, is because we were packing and packing, and getting ready for our final move of the year.  This last move occurred a few short days after Christmas and so half of our Christmas was spent with the decorations up, while the rest of the day was spent taking them down.

Here are a few photos re recap our holiday season

Thank you, to the Lemus Family for having us over Christmas Eve!  We 

couldn't have spend it, with better people!!

Family Picture

Please ... no comments on our most up to date, fabulous family photo hahahahahaha

Utah

For Thanksgiving this year, we headed to my parent's in Utah.  We endured a very long 15 hour drive, in the car.  OK, it actually wasn't that bad.  At least to me anyway.  I for one, would much rather just do some hardcore driving and get it all over with in one day, then EVER EVER have another Primm episode.  My kids were  born to road trip, and have spent more time traveling then most adults have throughout their lifetime, so of course they did great!  As for the husband ... well lets just put it this way ... he made it :)

So whether we head to my parent's for Thanksgiving or for Christmas, the guys have an on going tradition of going rabbit hunting.  Each year, they all load up and trek through the snow in their winter get up, and then they stop at some dive restaurant on the way home.  Once they get back, all us girls hear them talk about is this fabulous hunting trip.  Well, this year (I don't know why it took us soooo long) we decided that we would have a little day of our own.  

Now for all of you who are just dying to know what we did, well ... all you need to know is that we had A LOT of fun and took every minute out of that day we could, so those daddy's could have lots of bonding time with their children.  

 While in Utah, me and Cameron also threw Kim a shower.  Didn't Cameron do an AWESOME job on the diaper cake!  It turned out absolutely adorable.  We can't wait for Miss London, so show her sweet face!! 

 On to Thanksgiving.  The main event!

 Major highlight of our trip:  finally meeting the ever so handsome AIDEN!

I love this pictures, and so I am posting it ... so there

Thanks for your patients Utah famillia, and for letting me and Chiki do a little bit of catching up on sleep.  Next year, we will be back to our regular party animal selves!    

Halloween

Halloween, was a lot of 

fun.  The festivities 

started off early for me,

 Olivia, and Tyler at Olivia's 

preschool party.  All of the 

kids dressed up, we ate

 lots of yummy treats, 

and made

 some really fun crafts.

Carving pumpkins was a blast. 
 Even Ty, wanted to dig his hands in :)

Our SWEET neighbor Lynn, 
had a little get together for all the kids, before going Trick-or-Treating