Our Year in Review 2016!

2016 was a pretty crazy year with deciding to sell our home and pursue building our own home and that crazy pursuit is still an ongoing thing going into 2017. I have not even blogged about our life this past year at all and hope to get catching up one day soon. We are hoping we can finally get things to fall into place and work out, but for now, here are some of our highlights and favorite moments from 2016. Enjoy!

It was a FABULOUS year, and although it was crazy, I believe it will bring about some of our greatest blessings and adventures in the coming year. Cheers to 2017!!!

2015: A WONDERFUL Year in Review!

2015 was absolutely wonderful!!! We enjoyed a bunch of fun adventures with just Jayden before the hightlight of the year-adding our sweet Tristan to our family! It has been such a joy watching our family grow and bond together this year. Ben and I are blessed with some pretty terrific boys! Ben and I have enjoyed some fun dates (for the first 5 months of the year-we really miss them these days, but the kiddos are worth every sacrifice) and a romantic getaway to Anniversary Inn, Ben FINALLY became a regular with the Post Office after working for them for 2 1/2 years and is making more than ever along with having more time of work than he ever has and is finally on board with the great insurance that comes with it so our next baby should hopefully be much cheaper. We have been SO blessed!!! We traveled more than we ever have (which was HUGE for me and my passion for new places and adventures) and enjoyed a FABULOUS trip to the Oregon Coast and to visit Ryan and Hilary at their new home of Grand Junction Colorado! And of course we enjoyed all of our usual family traditions for the seasons and holidays! A bittersweet goodbye to what has been one of the best years of our life, and a warm hello and welcome to 2016! Something tells me it is only going to get better and better from here! 

Happy New Year family and friends!!!

Cute Little Jaydenisms: Age 3!

9/25/14-We were driving in the car tonight and a slow song came on the radio. Jayden called out to me from the backseat with a cute "Dance with me Mommy!". I looked back to see his cute arm and hand extended towards me. It was the sweetest thing holding hands with him and swaying to the music. LOVE that boy!!!

10/1/14-I love how much this little guy treasures his scriptures. He even reminds Ben and I to take time for them on crazy days when we almost forget. He is such a great example to us! I especially love the cute way he says “scoopers” (scriptures).

10/8/14-Conversation between me and Jayden just now-
Me: Hey buddy! (as I sat next to him on the couch) Can I give you kisses?
Jayden: No, Jayden want to give Mommy kiss instead.
Me: Really? I LOVE your kisses! (I start to lean towards him and stick my cheek out for my kiss)...
Jayden: No, Mommy just stay still.
Me: Okay. (As I sit back away from him)
Jayden: I am going to give you a kiss now. (He slowly leans towards me with his lips puckered and kisses me so gently and sweetly on the cheek)
Me: Oh thank you! That made Mommy feel so special.
Jayden: Mommy is special. Mommy is my best special friend!
Me: Oh Jayden I just love you! You are just SO cute!
Jayden: (in a really deep and slow voice) I...know... He melts my heart! Being a Mommy is not always easy but it is definitely the BEST thing that has ever happened to me.

10/10/14-So we are about 8 weeks pregnant, and we had our first ultrasound and heard the heartbeat yesterday. We also brought our first ultrasound pictures home. We were just upstairs and Jayden saw the pictures strip and ran over to it all excitedly with a big smile while looking up and down at the four pictures. It was SO precious. He even tried to trade me his favorite blanket for the pictures. I decided to cut one of them off for him to have and he has been kissing it and carrying it around with him ever since. He keeps kissing my tummy too. I am just glad he is not too bummed that there are not two babies (since that is what he has been saying we would be having for over a year now). We are pretty relieved with it being just one. :) It is so cute to see him so excited about a baby. :)

 10/16/14-My family came over for dinner a few nights back after I took their pictures, and Jayden wanted to say the prayer on the food, so we said he could. He looked around the room a bit before stopping on my Dad and saying, “Papa, I need help.” My Dad started to make his way over to him to help him say the prayer, but before he got halfway there, Jayden simply stated in the cutest voice ever. “Grandpa just say it. I’m being shy” It was so cute that all of us had to stifle our giggles for the prayer.

10/30/14-Last night I bawled like a baby when we watched The Rookie as a family and I am now sitting here blubbering ridiculously after watching Sleepless in Seattle. I think these pregnancy hormones are definitely getting the better of me. Jayden keeps looking at me all concerned and saying "Are you okay, Mom?" and "Don't cry. It's gonna be okay Mom" Ha ha! On Sunday I was stressed before church with the Christmas Program for Ward Choir and Jayden was taking a bath. In the middle of my panic and sighs I heard his cute, little voice call to me and say, "Hey Mom, come here." I walked into the bathroom and said "What Jayden?" He then went on to say, "Don't worry, Mom. Everything is going to be okay. Okay?" Good thing I have this sweet boy to look after me.

10/31/14-Our little guy is SO smart! I got him some cocoa puffs to snack on and he started counting (to ten does not surprise me because we got that down a while ago), but he continued all the way up to 20! It totally shocked me! I looked at him stunned and surprised, which of course just led to him looking at me and busting up in the giggles at he shocked look on my face. Apparently Daddy has been working on this with him for the past couple of days. What a good Daddy, and what an impressive little boy! He is such a quick learner. I am SO proud of my boys! The best part? Jayden LOVES learning and has a blast during our learning and reading time each day.

11/19/14-I just talked to Jayden on the phone since I am desperately missing him and he said the sweetest thing. He told me "I am praying so Mom can get all better." When I told him that was so smart and nice of him he told me, "I am going to be good for Grandma so Mommy can get better and I can see her again." He seriously melts my heart! Mommy is going to work hard and pray to get better so she can see her little Jayden too. He is such a good example and light in our family. Love you buddy! (I have had strep and some bleeding and cramping with the pregnancy, so he has been at my parent’s since the 16th)

12/1/14-Jayden just talked to Santa Claus on the phone and is SO excited about the experience! He is being extra good today and I think I know why. It was so cute to watch him just beaming as his beloved Santa came to life on the phone. And I am happy to announce that Santa has been able to secure the two gifts that Jayden has been wanting and asking for. Happy Day!!! Holidays with kids are the BEST!!!!!

12/9/14-My favorite part of the day. Jayden's random and sweet "I love you, Mommy"s. Makes my whole life. To be in the kitchen cleaning and have him look up from his toys at me just to tell me that. It happens multiple times a day. Precious!

1/2/15-Every morning, Jayden comes to my bed and wakes me up and tells me he wants to go downstairs. Well today, I was awake but still resting and closing my eyes and I heard him come in. I waited to have him shake my shoulder and say "Wake up, Mom!", but he didn't. Instead he climbed in bed next to me and started stroking my cheek and hair. He then climbed over me to come on the other side (which had a lot more room considering it is Ben's side), and was so careful taking his time ...to try to not step on me in the process. After carefully making his way over and trying not to wake me, he laid next to me and again started stroking my hair and cheek. He whispered a little "I love you" just as I do while he sleeps by me, and I could not help but open my eyes at this point and smile at him. It was at this point he said "Good morning, Mommy! Did you have a good sleep?" What a sweetie!!! It was just so precious to me. LOVE that boy!!!

1/12/15-Painted the accent wall for Tristan's room today. I LOVE how it brought the room to life. It was a little bit bland before. I was in the middle of painting when Jayden came and stood leaning against the doorway with his hands in his pockets and said, "You are doing a good job for Tristan's room, Mom. Good job!". It was pretty much the sweetest thing ever. Jayden has been so sweet about getting ready for his baby brother. I also made my first clothing and toy purchases for our little Tristan.

2/3/15-Gotta love three year olds sometimes. Every time I ask Jayden to do something lately, he replies with "(insert what I want him to do) is not working". For example:
Me: "Jayden please clean your room"
Jayden: "Cleaning room is not working right now" On a better note? Last night Ben and I were scramming to get things done around the house so he could get to a quiz that was due, and I was in a panic cleaning up so I could get Jayden to bed so Ben could focus. I get really anxious and stressed about everything going well and Jayden picked up on it. While finishing putting the house back together in a stressed hurry, Jayden hopped in to help me, then when we finished sweetly said "I will go to bed Mom" and scurried up the stairs and went right to bed once I had come to tuck him in. He also picks up on when I get stressed or sad or mad and always gets my attention by saying "Hi Mom" or "Look at me Mom", followed by an "I love you, Mom". He definitely still has his sweet moments. I LOVE that boy!

2/12/15-Jayden just told me for like the third time this week that I did a good job picking out our house because it has doors and windows. Good thing I did not pick one without those features. He keeps saying "I love this house. I love my house!"On a more in depth and personal note he said he also "likes my decorating and that I do a good job decorating." This kid. He kills me! Ha ha!

2/21/15-Jayden is SO excited about baby Tristan coming. He keeps saying that the baby will come out of Mommy's tummy soon and that he is so excited about it, and when I tell him it will be a while yet, he says "baby will get done growing in Mommy's tummy and then say ready Mom!" Ha ha! He is also very concerned that the baby will break my shirt, and says the baby should probably just come out of the top of my shirt and then Daddy can catch him and help him get down. Gotta love kids theories on things. When I was pregnant with Jayden my little brother Nathan (who was about 8 at the time) told me not to worry about having a baby because my belly button would stretch out and the baby would just come right out. Too funny!

2/21/15-Me: Jayden you are such a cute little pickle face! (I have several different names for him-my fluffy little pancake, my sweet crescent, my happy little cupcake-anyway I am weird and Ben likes to tease me about it)
Ben: Jayden, are you a cute little pickle face?
Jayden: Ummm...(short pause) YES!
Mom for the win! Ha ha!

3/3/15-Jayden is SO excited about Tristan coming! It just melts my heart to see his face light up when he feels him kick or watch him tenderly and sweetly kiss my tummy and talk to Tristan. He is constantly telling me how Tristan needs to come out soon so he can play with him, and then go on to share all the things that they are going to do together. My friend and Jayden's Sunbeam teacher told me he sometimes erupts in excitement during class and exclaims "Tristan is going to come out of Mommy's tummy soon!" I have told him Tristan needs to get bigger before he can come, and every morning he asks me if he is big enough yet. It is so sweet and touching to me. We all can't wait to meet and love on our sweet Tristan in just a few short months!

3/7/15-Jayden just came up to me and said that he wanted to give me hugs and kisses and then while he was hugging and kissing me said, "You are way pretty Mom!" It was so heartfelt and sweet...then he asked for the throw pillows off the couch I usually don't let him take out of the living room so he could make a fort with them in the hallway...guess who caved and let him. Smart boy! He knows how to work that cuteness and flatter to get what he wants. I am in so much trouble...

3/14/15-I was watching a movie with Jayden today and when the two leading love characters kissed he exclaimed "Oh! That is so cute! That is way cute huh, Mom?" It was so cute and funny.

3/16/15-Jayden is so excited about Tristan being here. He keeps patting my belly and saying "hurry up and grow Tristan so you can come out and go to the zoo with us this week. Does that sound like a plan, buddy?" It is so sweet. I explain that Tristan needs to stay in me a while longer so he can be healthy and strong when he gets here, and Jayden responds with "Well he can come with us to the zoo next time, right Mom?" I respond with "Yup! He sure can!", and Jayden continues on to say "That will be so exciting! I am so excited about Tristan coming with us next time Mom!" Such a sweet big brother

5/5/15-My Grandma had Jayden point to the day he thought Tristan would come on her calendar and he pointed to Friday, May 15th. 10 more days...time will tell. 37 weeks today!

5/15/15-Jayden did not want to pick up his toys so we could leave today, and after a while I started to really get after him about it. He looked up at me with his cute little face, lifted his hand and slowly moved it forward and then back again while saying, "Mom you need to settle. Settle, settle, settle." This left me laughing and pretty defeated in my strong parent stance, but at least he still picked up his toys and we both got a good laugh out of it.

5/23/15-I was in bed and Tristan was laying next to me where Jayden normally comes and lays next to me in the mornings. So when I heard Jayden waking up I panicked and tried to move Tristan, but was too late. Jayden saw us, but what happened next really surprised me. He said “Move Mom! I want to lay by Tristan!” I was shocked, but moved out of the way as Jayden crawled up and immediately started talking to and smiling at his new baby brother. Ben came in and asked Jayden who was his favorite Mommy or Tristan. “Tristan! “ he exclaimed. So I asked him the same thing about Tristan and Daddy and Tristan took the cake again. He sure LOVES that baby brother of his!

6/6/15-
Me: Hey Jayden can you please put your milk in the fridge if you are done with it?
Jayden: No, you just do it Mom.
Me: Jayden you can do it please.
Jayden: You are stronger.
Me:...
Jayden:1 Mom:0
Ha ha! this kid kills me!

7/20/15-Jayden has been walking around the house talking and chattering away about all sorts of random stuff when all of a sudden he stops, looks up at me and says, "Oh man! I don't know what I'm talking about!" Ha ha ha! He cracks me up!

9/2/15-Jayden always says “ya”… “Can I sit by ya?”, “Can I share that with ya?”, “Can I cuddle with you?” etc. It is so adorable!!!

Happy 4th Birthday, Jayden!!!!

A happiest 4th Birthday to our sweet Jayden!!!! We love you SO much and are so glad that you are in our family! Thanks for being such a wonderful son and such an amazing big brother. These past four years with you have been some of the very best! We hope you have a special day and never forget how very special and loved you are!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUDDY!!!!

Ben’s 10 Year High School Reunion!

Where does the time go?! I cannot believe Ben graduated 10 years ago! We were dating at the time. It is so cool to see where we are now and to be able to go and celebrate this moment with him and our friends (one big plus of attending the same high school). I do wish we could say that the building we met at was our high school. They recently renovated our high school, and it turned out beautifully! At least we got to enjoy it all these years later though, right? They had the delicious Idle Isle (the restaurant I worked at in High School) cater the event, and the activities they put together were so much fun!

Box Elder High School’s Class of 2004!

High School Sweethearts!

It was a WONDERFUL night!

Happy 6 Years to Us!!!

We got married on Friday the 13th of June in 2008 and here it is Friday the 13th (once again) of 2014…Happy 6 Year Anniversary to my best friend, eternal companion, and the love of my life! What an adventure it has been thus far with so many ups and downs, laughs and tears, and fun and struggles. We have grown so much as a couple facing all... we have together, and I am happy to say that we and our love has grown to be even stronger than the day we were sealed to one another for time and all eternity. What a blessing being married to you has been, and what an amazing future and eternity we have to look forward to together. I love you with all my heart, Benjamin Luke Ostler!!! Thanks for letting me be yours and thanks for being mine!

Here is a little blast from the past to our anniversaries thus far…

Our First Anniversary: Denver and Boulder, Colorado (The Hyatt, the Melting Pot, and the Flat Irons)

Our Second Anniversary: Murray, and Salt Lake City, Utah (Campout in the Living Room, Hogle Zoo, and “This is the Place” Monument)

Our Third Anniversary: Logan, Honeyville, and Brigham City Utah (Providence Inn, Crystal Hot Springs, and lots of fun in between)

Our Fourth Anniversary: West Haven and Salt Lake City, Utah (Fun at home and the Living Planet Aquarium)

Our Fifth Anniversary: West Haven and Perry, Utah (Maddox Restaurant)

And finally to today-our SIXTH (?!) Anniversary! Where does the time go?! SO lucky to be married to this AMAZING man!!!

 

Our Sixth Anniversary: Perry and West Haven, Utah (Going to the movies and a candle-lit dinner at home-we are saving the BIG celebrating for our trip to a five-star resort in Lake Las Vegas next month so stay tuned for that!)

We have been through more than I ever thought possible since that day. There have been SO many ups and downs. I can't ...believe all that we have experienced together these past 6 years of marriage. It is time to make our dreams a reality! SO excited for our future! I love you so much Ben! Thanks for being a fighter and a dreamer with me! Our life has been AMAZING and it is only going to become even more INCREDIBLE!!! I can't wait to live our dreams together! Here is to many, many wonderful years full of adventure to come! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do and are. You make me want to be a better person. Love you!!!

What a life we have made together, and what a life we continue to create! Can't wait for many more adventures together! Love you Benny Boo!!!

My HUGE Bi-yearly Mobile Pictures Post: Part One (July-September) 2013

Due to this post being so big and so much work, and considering I am now all caught up with the blog, I am going to start doing these monthly so they are a little bit smaller and easier to digest. But for now here is the last HUGE mobile picture post.

It was July and he was still obsessed with his Christmas present from Grandma Ostler.

Can you say “puppy dog eyes?”

What looks worse? My poor toe that lost in a fight with the wheel of a shopping cart or Ben’s sock tan line?

Ah summer days! Full of taking it easy and swimming!

He is precious. That is all.

Fun at the Ahlstrom fourth of July campout!

Love my little and not-so-little boys.

Jayden’s two favorite things? It is a toss up between Daddy’s work badge and his doggie.

Fun from our trip to Payson to stay with friend’s one weekend.

Making faces! Yes I know I have a double, but I am too lazy too fix it. This post has taken me FOREVER! I just want to be done. Ha ha!

Fun at our neighborhood BBQ, before a movie date with my lovie.

Antiquing the items I painted blue. It all turned out so good!

I finally decorated the front porch! Thanks to my Mom! She got all of this for my birthday the past two years. :)

A fun play day with friends at the mall in Sandy.

Lounging at home. Sometimes those make for the best days.

Family dinner date to Golden Dynasty for Chinese!

Taking advantage of Daddy’s rare day off and enjoying the Kangaroo Zoo before heading to visit the grandparents! He went crazy for it and LOVED it!!! And as usual Ben and I thoroughly enjoyed watching our little adventurer.

A fun evening spent with kittens, in the garden, and on the swing set and trike, all while enjoying Grandma and Grandpa’s company. :)

Three words: He.loves.baths. It is the only time he scurries up the stairs for anything.

My late night cuddle buddy is just as cute as my morning cuddle buddy.

A yummy dinner, new accessories, and sunsets…these are a few of my favorite things!

It is all about the shoes with this kiddo.

Ready for a Mommy Play Day of decorating sugar cookies!

I love watching these two together whether they are playing or sleeping while cuddling-cutest EVER!

Love mornings like this!

Do you think Daddy will actually get any of his dinner? If so, guess again!

CHEESE!!!

Another evening of swimming at the Roy Aquatic Center!

I just LOVE summer storms!

Jayden’s favorite part about going to the store.

Check out the mascara I bought-YUCK! Can you say “clump free” with a straight face? Ha ha! At least the phone cover I made with the button accents worked out better.

Outings to the store and stealing Daddy’s root beer. What a stinker!

The pains of beginning to work out. I always itch like crazy (anyone else at first?), and itch so much in my sleep that I wake up to these rashes mixed with little bruises. That and the sprained ankles due to being out of practice with coordination I suppose.

More root beer please!

My VERY Happy 26th Birthday!

Fueling up for a fun play day at the Kangaroo Zoo with my family!

A typical night at the Ostler house.

My busy body and his friends joining him for that oh-so-rare down and quiet time.

Isn’t he the cutest?!

Ready to head to Lava Hot Springs!

Domestic and dolled up the day I took on the 50’s house wife!

He steals my food, blocks the screen, messes up my house, and even beats me up at times, but then he sleeps and I realize-he is still an angel. Ah! Motherhood! The best and hardest job in the world. :)

I wish I could be as easily entertained.

Daddy and his “mini me”.

Nothing like a walk with the doggie and then cookies and a movie before bed on a Sunday evening.

Our fall project for our Mommy Play Day I helped put together.

Fun with family, swimming, and s’mores at Bear Lake!

The gorgeous view of the moon on our way home.

Graham crackers and cartoons-best things to wake up to!

I think he has a future in interior design. What do you think? ;)

Making cookies with Jayden while Ben was home sick, but not before bringing Daddy some breakfast in bed.

Love my precious babies. Especially the one who fell asleep praying.

Excited for Daddy to get home so we could head out to the Box Elder County Fair!

I love enjoying nature with my little family.

Nothing beats treats and play days with friends!

“Helping” Daddy to work out.

Ready to head out and hit up Naomi’s bridal shower.

Jayden has always liked bringing his little buddies along with us to the store.

Stealing all of Daddy’s dinner, and watching Grandpa open his birthday presents.

Childhood-when every day is play day!

Excited for Peach Days Friday night with Daddy and Caleb!

When cleaning up before bed, it took us two hours to find Jayden’s toys…

Ahhh…the rough life of an almost two-year old. ;)

We love Grandma’s house! Especially the fresh fall fruit!

This little guy had a fever over one hundred and was running all over the place playing. I finally got him to lay down and take it easy after a couple of hours, which was nice since I was sick too.

We sure love this doggie of ours.

I doodled this with crayons and a pencil while talking to Ben on the phone one day.

“Great” Grandparent’s think alike.

Jayden loves to pretend the couch is his “horsey”. Along with pretending Mommy and doggie as well.

I think it is safe to say his second birthday was a good one!

I asked him what he wanted for his birthday lunch…mac n’ cheese and chocolate milk it was! LOVE this little one!

All dolled up to go out with Ben to see Aida at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse!

 

I love mornings with my little tike!…well, most days…;)

Nothing like homemade Chili and breadsticks on a cold and rainy fall day!

We sure love our handsome little ham!

My art-the horse is from 2000, the bird from 2004, and the eye is from 2006. The bottom is my rusty attempt to get back into it after all these years…oh and my new haircut!

 

 

This little man loves sleepovers in the living room!

This delicious caramel apple was returned with the blender I let my friend Jessica borrow. She can borrow my things any time she wants. ;)

More faces. Jayden loves busting the camera out..wonder where he gets it from…;)

 

How Jayden likes to ride the dump truck that Grandma and Grandpa got him for his birthday.

 

Jayden loves wearing Daddy’s clothes. He sure admires that Daddy of his.

I went upstairs to make my bed really quick and came downstairs to find him asleep like this…so cute!

Jayden is a big fan of peek-a-boo!

 

 

Anything Daddy’s, this little boy is a fan of.

Palling around with his pup.

 

 

Waiting to pick up Daddy from work on a rainy evening.

This little guy LOVED his Butterfinger malt!