an epic road trip adventure has to start somewhere

Road trips are what this great country is made of. There is nothing more american. Lucky for us we both have a love of this, something that we both grew up doing a lot of. Actually, I had family in California so every year we'd make the trek down there, all 14 hours.

So you can imagine our enthusiasm when our friends invited us down to California for a bit of sunshine therapy. YES please.

We were all going to head down on Saturday but we figured since Steve had the time we'd head down on Friday morning. I'm talking before sunrise because he worked a grave. I got the car loaded up the night before and got the kids in bed. To be honest I was getting a bit nervous to be traveling with a 9 month old!!!

So Steve got home and we loaded up the kids and we were off. Katy made me laugh because although we left at about 5:00 in the morning she stayed up talking to me about how excited she was to get to California and how much she loved road trips. She finally nodded off at about 6:30 or so.

Thats when it got interesting because the weather was awful for sure. It was super foggy and the roads were like sheets of ice. Probably why it took us a bit longer because I was going super super slow.

I'm sorry Nevada but you are worthless, as far as road trippin beauty goes. So you can imagine that we were much more interested in looking out the window when we got to California and were driving through Truckee and Tahoe National Forest.

Katy and Will did fantastic...but Katy cheated and watched a show on the way. Man, how did parents do it back in the day? Mom? Good for us. She was a happy camper complete with swedish fish! Will did great too, surprisingly. We did stop and stretch our legs out a few times, which is always helpful.

We met up with our friends the Davis's in Oakland that night. We hung out and watched the Jazz game before bed. After that we were off to our room where we CRASHED from a long day of traveling.

4 X 12 January

January 2013

We're going to give this thing a go again. Yes, it's that wonderful time of year (actually about two months ago) where we resolve to do better and make commitments  to make the world awesome. So I guess we'll just start this year off (two months late) with a bang and say that we are going to try this 4 people 12 times thing again (4X12). To try to take a picture of the 4 of us together once a month. And yes this is actually a picture of us on Christmas Eve for January (ahhh man, you can see how this is going to go then if we are going to be cheating already...don't judge!!!). There we are in all of our Christmas Eve jammy wearing glory. Take it all in. Will is still not sure what to think of the camera, and Katy and Steve? Well they love getting there picture taken. NOT REALLY! This is what I have to deal with, "Mom are you done yet?" This is what she tells me when I am sneaking around the corner trying to get a candid shot. It's candid, it shouldn't interfere with what you are doing, but it sure puts her out. So you can imagine how much fun it will be trying to get a shot of us every month. Alas, here we are in January *wink*

So what did we do this January? Well, aside from shovel snow and deal with sub zero temperatures, we had some pretty good times around these parts. As much fun as staying inside will allow of course. Will got his first teeth. Two. On the bottom. He has found many ways to use them, but mostly he just likes to chew on just about anything he can get his sticky little hands on. He is constantly on the go, but is also one of the happiest little guys around (as long as you are not telling him what to do!). Katy has been keeping entertained by sneaking rides on Q when I am not looking (something we don't allow, although secretly I think he loves it), and giving each other makeovers. I need to just go buy like 5 bucks worth of super cheap makeup at Walmart or something and then do those again because I am thinking that I could pull off the blue eyeshadow. Thoughts? We've also done science projects, played house, built a fort, and watched some movies. I took Katy on a mommy daughter date to the dollar movies and we saw Hotel Transylvania. I'm no movie critic but let me tell you...worst movie ever. Katy liked it. Its cute for kids if you want to rent it, push play and leave to the other room. You can thank me later. We also rented Frankenweenie which was a favorite of both Katy and me. Very very cute show. Actually I don't think Katy has liked a move that much in a long time. She even used her chore chart points to buy a Sparky stuffed animal (something she had been working on a long long time).

We tried to entertain ourselves by getting outside of the house as well. One place we frequented in January was Aunt Katie's salon to get our hair did. It's always great to see Katie. Katy always wants to sweep up all the hair in the salon and help her to "style" our hair as she says.

January has also not disappointed in the getting sick department. Towards the end of January Will was getting a low grade fever and a runny nose. I assumed he was teething but a few days later it turned into a hacking cough and by the time we went to his 9 month check up the following week he was diagnosed with RSV. Bummer. Luckily he is older and it wasn't so much scary as it just made for some bad nights trying to sleep. He got suctioned out at that appointment and then twice more at the RSV clinic at Riverton Hospital.

And on a resolutions note. I am trying to be more consistent with my daily scripture study, get good at shooting film and I'd love to learn more about hand lettering. So we will see where those adventures take us this year. See ya next month!

January according to my iPhone

January seemed to fly by for some reason. We had a blast like usual. I am still amazed at how much busier I am with two kidos (the people with more are laughing at me now), but usually busy consists of doing something fun like building a fort, giving a makeover or going on an adventure. This month sure has been cold, and I am sure not a fan of the horrible inversion here in salt lake. Here is to an early spring!

baby tyson

This is my new nephew Tyson...and I am completely smitten! Wow it's amazing to think that although Will is still a baby, he became a GIANT the day I held this sweet boy. Don't blink Robyn, the second goes by so much faster! Congrats you guys!

makeovers

Katy and I got board one day. Since it's been so cold outside we decided to give each other makeovers. Oh and by the way this is her new face she does when I ask her to smile.....I know you are not supposed to do that but it's the only way I can get her to look at the camera!!!

                                              

Katy had a blast and I wouldn't be surprised if we do this again sometime!

January 12

So I am going to try something here....although I forgot this day until later (hence the lack of variety here), but I am going to try the 12 on 12 challenge. Which basically means I am going to try to take 12 pictures of my day on the 12th of each month. So here is January for ya!

Katy made her bed this day and put her polar bear on at the end for a final touch.

Chuck has a pretty easy and care free life. He is just as lucky to have us as we are to have him.

Katy has a tendency to take her shoes and socks off at every chance she gets!!!! (anyone else have this problem?) This has now translated to her american girl doll as well. I keep telling her that we are going to loose those tiny socks and shoes.

Katy formed her own rock band this afternoon.

Chuck wanted to be a groupie with Will...

But got board instead. Not sure why, this was an amazing performance!

What???

Sometimes I think Will's long eyelashes make him look like a cute little Dr. Seuss character.

Dont worry he has a police car as well.

Katy is such a good sister. She always seems to be trying to find a way to make Will laugh.

Even if it involves putting her face where Will's butt usually goes!

It gets him every time!

best of 2013

Wow, we did it...we survived another year here on the blog. It's so fun looking back at all the fun stuff we did, and sweet moments I can relive. Without further adieu here is BEST OF TEAM BEARDSHALL: 

The best way to get dad soaked by a 10 year old goes to a bumper boat. 

The best accessory for playing in one inch of snow goes to oversized goggles (Katy insisted). 

Cutest toes award goes to Will's feet. 

Best way to chill at the park goes to Katy and the glasses she found there. 

The best road trip vacation goes to Highway 12

 

The best new member of the family goes to Q

JUST KIDDING!!! We love Q but the best new member of the family goes to Will! Hey buddy!

Best off road adventure trip and movie where the music ends before the end goes to Marysville. 

Hoping to hone in on my movie skills this year. 

Best way to celebrate a holiday goes to Katy and Grayden...and a sparkler. 

 

Best random afternoon adventure goes to Katy and Hayden....and run Aunt Robs too.

Best way to bring you some Disney jams goes to the big blue headphones. 

Best costume goes to Katy and her BIG brave hair! Aunt Katie rocked her magic again, so sorry your eyes are closed in this picture. 

Best way to look cute while your napping goes to Katy and those lips. 

Best random lunch date goes to Waffle Love and our Provo fun day

Cutest father and son photo goes to riding the merry-go-round at the zoo. 

Best unexpected dinner guests goes to Katy's nesting dolls

Best Easter Bunny photos are courtesy of Aunt Katie's Lola bunny, she was great!

Best deep thought came from Katy while we were making Thanksgiving day rolls...."wow mom, fists are good for kneading dough and catching bad guys!"

Best daddy daughter photo goes to after reading before bed snuggles!

Best picture of Chuck goes to muddy mister (don't tell but Chuck is still my favorite dog). 

Best first bite goes to Will and his rice cereal, yummo!

Best best friends in the making goes to Chuck and Will. 

Thank you SO much for sharing all these moments with us this year and for reading our blog. I cant wait to see what 2013 has in store for us. You can check out 2011 here, and 2010 here.