A Year in Review

Every now and then, I think it’s a good idea to just give a simple update about our lives. I know that when I find random things that have moments recorded from “back in the day” I am almost taken back to that time and can remember things that maybe I’ve forgotten. I suppose it’s a good thing I filled in all those blanks in my yearbook about what music was popular, who I had a crush on, who my best friends were, and such things that meant a lot to me at the time. In that spirit, I find myself tempted to go find those yearbooks and take a walk down memory lane again by posting them here, but being that they are most likely still in boxes in the basement, I will have to just move on for the moment.

2011 was full of change for us. Jared got a new job here in South Dakota and started in February. Cache and I moved out that spring.  We do miss our Utah friends a lot, but we have tried to look at this as a life experience and enjoy the positives. This year marked our 6^th wedding anniversary and 10 year dating anniversary and Cache’s first birthday! There has been a lot going on between moving and adjusting and we are still feeling the tail end of it. Can’t wait for tax season…Ugh. We have made some friends, Major and Jill, Jason and Carol, and Morgan and Katherine, who all live reasonably close and have kids so that helps a little.  So, with that, here it is.

All about Jared (28)

He is currently working at the Fort Randall Dam in Pickstown, SD as a mechanic trainee 1. He has his test in February to become a trainee 2. Wish him luck! This will also be his one year anniversary at the Dam…one down, three to go! He’s first counselor in our little branch of about 12 people and he says it’s a good thing it’s so small. He works hard to make sure this house stays warm and we have food in our bellies. We appreciate you! 

All about Randilinn (26)

I am currently working at St Michaels Hospital Avera in Tyndall, SD (two blocks away) as an RN on the Medical floor/ED on the casual staff. I’m thinking of applying to work casual in Scotland which is about 20 minutes away. We will see how that goes. Spend most of my time chasing Cache and taking care of things at home. I’ve started to pick up hobbies such as home renovation and decoration…much to Jared’s dismay lol. 

All about Cache (18 months)

He is such a little sweetheart. I don’t know what I ever did before he came around. We have our routines during the day. In the mornings we get up and snuggle on the couch for a little while and watch Sesame Street. When he gets hungry he drags me to the kitchen for breakfast. We play and he helps with the laundry. This usually involves me taking things out of the dryer and him putting them back in or replacing them with toys. Whenever I fold something he just grabs it and runs off with it. Lol After naps it’s about the same routine. I love the snuggle time and it’s always over too quickly.

Favorite thing to do: Run around like a bandit, growl at people (mostly Tyler), push the step stool around and see what we’re doing, help cook, wave at just about anyone, hollering “Dada!” when he’s running around looking for daddy, play in the bathroom (plunger goes everywhere and toilet paper goes in the toilet of course!), rub anything cosmetic on his cheeks and belly (lotion, soap, shaving cream…), dragging mommy or daddy around by the fingers if you need something, get tickled by daddy

Favorite foods: waffles, pizza, mac n cheese, chocolate, dehydrated strawberries from Trader Joes, fruit snacks, cheetos

Favorite things to watch: Toy Story movies, Blue’s Clues, Harry the Bunny, Curious George

Favorite things to say: “Uh oh”, “Dada!”

New skills: helps get dressed, knows to lie down on the carpet when it’s time for a diaper change (and he knows when he’s stinky!), brushes his teeth (mostly just sucks all the toothpaste off!), giving proper kisses when asked

Taking a nap with Mommy while we watch Harry Potter

Here's to 2012! I hope it's a good year!

Christmas 2011

This year was our first year really on our own for Christmas. Luckily, we have a few friends out here who are on their own as well, so we got to have a few Christmas dinners with our "Outsider's club" friends.

Thursday night we had dinner with our friends Major and Jill and their son Tyler. Cache and Tyler always get along so well and are interested in the same toys so it's always nice to see them playing together.

Friday night we had a nice dinner with the Merrill's, a couple in our church with a 6 month old son. They are really nice and we were glad to be able to have fun. Cache was mostly interested in their huge couch with nifty light-up buttons for heat and massage. Unfortunatly, Cache had a cold and their son, Leo, had a fever, so the night was short.  with the help of modern technology, we were able to share moments with family.

Saturday (Christmas Eve) was pretty low-key and we just hung around the house and enjoyed the holiday. Cache had been having long nights for most of the week (bed at 10) so when I put him down at 8 he was not having it! I actually had to rock him to sleep for the first time in who knows how long! But eventually he went down and Santa was able to come! I have to say that this little boy was very spoiled. It was so much fun to see his little face light up. Even though we didn't have family with us, we were able to share some of it via Skype and cellphone so Christmas morning was a joy. Of course, after a later night than planned, Cache decided it would be a good idea to sleep in. Which is funny because I was excited for him to wake up! This might be one of the only times that will happen too! Anyway, at 8:15 I couldn't wait any longer so I went to get him. Luckily he was just waking up. We had GGMa, GGPa, Grammy and Papa on the Skype for his first morning. At first we ate breakfast because we were in a hurry to get to church, so we had our "Overnight French Toast" with strawberry topping. After that, Jared went to tend the fire and Cache just loves to help daddy with the fire so he went to help. In all his excitement, he ran right past the tree with all the stockings and gifts out! I had to tell him to turn around, but after that, it was all excitement. He just loved all his presents and couldn't decide what to play with first. I have to say that there are a few we have had to hide occasionally just to give my poor ears a break, lol.  He also couldn't shove enough chocolate in his mouth! Every time we thought we had it all in one bowl, he had another peice in his mouth! I have to say that he has become quite adept at opening Hershey's Kisses on his own. :) He only opened one gift because we had to head to church, but after we got back we were up to our knees in wrapping paper! Thank you for all the amazing presents!
Fortunatly, another of our "Outsiders Club" friends was having a Christmas dinner for their family who was coming to town on whim. It's their little girl's first christmas, so grandma and grandpa just had to come! So they invited us over to dinner and it was so nice to sit and feel like it was actually Christmas. I will also say, that not having to cook or clean up, was also a bonus! Actually all those dinners were nice because of that! :)
Anyway, here are the pictures!

Cache had lots of fun making presents!

War paint...

Christmas morning!

Cache's stocking!

Giving Bear a ride in his new trike!

Wants to go for a ride in his wagon!

Santa brought mini trucks!

Santa was good to me too!

Cache had so much fun opening his stocking that he had to help daddy with his...and eat as much chocolate as he could...

Best present from Santa...a nerf dart gun. Jared got two in his stocking, but I suspect that Santa had Cache in mind as well...

So much better at opening his own gifts this year!

Jared's new slippers!

Neo tracks!

We got him a tool set so he can help daddy in the garage

Jared teaching Cache all about the dart gun...oh boy...

And he crashed hard in the car on the way to Christmas dinner...

Playing with Carmen, Jason's girl

Carol setting up the table for dinner

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Cache on safari in his wagon with the dart gun...not a stuffed animal survived ;)

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Random Cacheness

Here are a few random pictures of Cache. And since I am blogging in my phone and can't add captions, I'll explain up here. (if someone has figured out captions on the iPhone app, let me know!)

The first is of Cache playing rock band on the Wii at our friend's house. He really wanted the guitar but because I was hogging it, he played the drums as demonstrated by Jill. We actually did get him to "sing" in he microphone which was beautiful ;)

The second is of Cache helping play boxing on the kinect. He is quite good ;)

The third is just a picture of him playing in his toy basket but I thought the light was pretty in it.

Simple but Fun!

Cache got this cute toy from his friend Tyler for Christmas! I just thought I'd post it because I just think its great that it's not battery operated but keeps his attention! The little cars go down the slides until they find their way out. Jared's comment was, "If only it were that easy and fast to get out of a parking garage." lol I just thought I'd share ;)

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

The tree is up! Well it has been for a few days...but here are the pictures! Cache has much more of an interest in the tree this year so we haven't put a lot of ornaments on it. They would last too long with him around. And of course since he pushes that step stool around, no ornament would be safe!

Learning to Play the Wii

We got the chance to play the Wii at our friend's house and of course Cache had to get in on the action! He enjoyed just pulling the trigger...even if he was aiming at the sky. Here are the pictures that Jill took.

Reindeer Feed!

Making Christmas reindeer feed for the branch! Santa's special recipe! Cache thought it was tasty!

Thanksgiving and Family Pictures

While we were in Utah, we decided it would be nice to spend the holiday with family. Since Jordon and Liana were gonna be able to come down to Tooele, it worked out to have dinner at Liana's parent's house. Also, as an added bonus, Grammy and Pappa Marquis were able to come down for the weekend too! It was very nice of Charlene and Gary to open their house up to us so we could all be together. We appreciate it! Cache got to play with his cousin Ethan and we all got to enjoy some good food! Here are the pictures!

Trying to eat a roll with a fork...

The guys helping with the Christmas lights

The awesome bridge that started out as my idea, but ended up in the hands of the toy experts...Jared and Jordon

Turkey!

Cache helping to cook!

The day after Thanksgiving, people just kind of did their own thing for a little while, but then came family pictures. The lighting was a little off at times, but who can control the clouds. ;) Here are the pictures. It was a little frustrating for the little ones because it was so close to nap time, but we got a few good ones in. 

I just had to put this one here...when the sun hit my sparkly shirt just right, I turned into a disco ball...lol

Aaaaaaannnnndddd.....nap time lol

 

And it always seems that right when we are about to leave somewhere, Cache is finally warming up to everything and starting to really have fun. It would be nice to one day have more time for him and his cousin to spend more time together. Right before we were ready to leave, Ethan thought it would be fun to throw pillows over the loft railing into the entry room below. In fact, he thought it was so much fun, that when he ran out of pillows, he started on the laundry that was up there…both folded and unfolded. Oh boy, did Cache ever think this was fun! He was trying so hard to reach over that banister…until he figured out he could just shove clothes through it! They had their fun and it was raining clothes. When it was time to go, I asked Jared to go up and get Cache...but what actually happens? Jared is now holding Cache, helping him get things over the railing. To make it funnier, now we have a train going of Ethan handing things to Cache and Cache delightfully throwing them off the balcony…with Jared’s help. It was really a good sight to see…but they weren’t my clothes to clean up either. Thanks Jordon and Liana! ;)

the two culprits

And their ally!!