All is well.

This was quite a year. In January, Mr. B and I took a 17 day vacation for our 10th wedding anniversary. We flew to NY on January 2nd where we spent a few days before boarding a ship to the Caribbean. We visited Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Thomas, and Labadee. A 15 night cruise was awesome but just a tad too long. We'd never been away from our children for such a long period of time. We missed them desperately. It was an amazing get away.

We grew a lot with Rock Steady. Work is good. Our team is unmatched. We truly couldn't ask for more.

The kids have excelled in in school and sports. We couldn't be more proud of them.

We bought our new house in April and we feel so at home here. Close to schools and all of our extra curricular activities and in a great ward. We are truly happy here.

We spent time in Seattle, got away to beautiful Jalama Beach, enjoyed both sun and snow in Yosemite, drove a straight 19 hours to Colorado, biked in Old San Juan Puerto Rico, zip-lined in Antigua, drove a golf cart around St. Croix, mountain biked on both Dutch and French sides of St. Maarten, visited the WTC in Manhattan, we saw baseball games at 4 different parks and those were just a few of our adventures.

We participated in the Color Run, which the kids actually ran. Biked a full marathon course (26.2 mi), Ran a 1/2 marathon course (13.1) and ran the Aquarium Kids Fun Run with a 7 minute mile (JT).

We voted.

We made friends, cherished loved ones, fostered relationships, and lost some dear to us. We have been reminded that good things come to those who hustle, who work hard and refuse to give up. We have overcome trials, faced adversity and fear, and met each challenge head on.

We are looking forward to what 2013 has in store for us. We'll be kicking off the New Year by heading to the UK and Amsterdam for 10 days. Excited to see what the new year brings. We wish those in our life happiness, laughter and prosperity. Good fortune, joy, love and faith. Be kind.

Love,
the Booth Ohana

The Post Christmas Family Weekend

We had a great weekend spending time with some family that we hadn't seen in a while! It was terrific getting to see and spend time with them. Love them so much.

Saturday brought time with Los Schlarbs. Mr. B's brother, his beautiful wife Yana and their two amazing children. We visited, feasted on BBQ chicken, scalloped potatoes and cornbread, exchanged gifts and witnessed a nerf/marshmallow war.

It's funny how my hubs and his brother don't necessarily look alike but together with their sons, you cannot deny they are family. Elisha is such a good big cousin to JT and JT really looks up to him.

 Sure do love these gals. I met Naima when she was just a year old. I babysat her when she was HeaBug's age. I taught her about purses and chap stick. She was the flower girl at our wedding and the apple of her Uncle Bobby's eye. We love her so much and we are so proud of the beautiful young lady she has become.

 
 They were able to open their presents from GK and Papa Ron.

My Uncle Ron and his family were down here in Southern California on a holiday. My Aunts' cousin is marching with her band in the Rose Parade so they came to to support her. We were excited to get together in real life, thanks to Facebook, we're able to keep in touch and know what's going on in our lives and with our families. Cousins were fast friends and had lots of fun playing outside. They didn't even stop when it started pouring rain!

 Dancing in the rain!

 Cousins.
No respectable rain play would be complete without hot cocoa to warm up.

It was a great visit and a great weekend. Filled with people we love.

Christmas Morning 2012

Our awesome kiddos slept in until 8:00! In our house you can get into your stocking as soon as you want. When they ventured into the living room, they saw their goodies sitting in new camp moon chairs! These little ones pulled their chairs over to the table and we ate french toast bake. Yum Yum!

After a delicious breakfast, we got down to the business of opening gifts. (Sorry for the weird mix of pictures). From Santa, JT got a new nerf toy and HeaBug got a Pony!

Both kids got new baseball gear for the upcoming Spring Season. JT will be playing Pinto and HeaBug is starting her first season as a Rookie! They were really great about opening gifts. The rule for gifts in our house is that you can pick out any present as long as it is for someone else. It makes it fun and keeps the kids in line when it comes to the excitement of presents.

We have spent 14 Christmas mornings together. I love him so incredibly much.

We swung by the older Booths house. (Mr. B's dads family). yikes on the picture quality. whatevs.

HeaBug and Grandpa reading stories.

After visiting the Booths, we headed to Ontario to my sisters house. This is as we were preparing to pray for the food. We have a lot to be thankful for.

sisters.

We had a great time cooking, eating, visiting, talking, eating more, opening, sharing, giving, laughing, eating, singing, chatting, remembering, loving and just being a family.

Merry Christmas to all. Love Love Love, the Booth Ohana

Christmas Eve in our new home

This was our first Christmas eve in our new home. We have, in years past, always gone up to GK and Papa Ron's house.  Christmas 2010 Christmas 2011 They moved to Fresno this summer and that is significantly further than our traditional drive to Pasadena. As a result, we kept very close to home.

Uncle Edward came over for dinner so did Maga and Tutu. We spent the day cooking and just appreciating all of our blessings.

We made Chocolate Pie and Pumpkin Pie. Au Gratin Potatoes (Pioneer Woman Recipe Here)  and a Cranberry Feta Salad

The Roast Beef was what I was truly concerned about. Up until the very last minute we were planning to make a seafood pasta. Scallops, shrimp, linguine. Mr. B said how much he always enjoyed having a traditional meat and potatoes dinner. So we scrapped the shopping list and decided to go that route. We kept it simple, straight roast beef tenderloin, the potatoes, herbed bread and a salad. Despite my anxiety, the meat turned out just right. Everyone enjoyed dinner.

We cracked poppers, played with our prizes, told jokes and answered trivia questions.

The kids hopped on Skype and were able to chat with GK and Papa Ron. They sent a box down with special gifts for them so it was nice to be able to video chat with them and open those gifts together.

GK's sister Aunt Becky, happened to stop by just as the kids were Skyping with the grandparents so she got to say hi too.It is always a pleasure visiting with her!

They had a great time opening gifts from Maga and Tutu, Aunt Becky and GK and Papa Ron. It was super late by the time we started getting ready for bed!

The kiddos got changed into their new jammies and set out cookies and milk for Santa and some carrots for his reindeer. They got all snug as a bug in a rug in their beds and drifted off to visions of sugarplums. We enjoyed following Santa on Norad and Google. 

The big guy stopped by our house, helped fill some stockings and left a gift for JT and HeaBug.

He also left notes to each one telling them what things they should work on and what they did well thought the year. It's because he loves them.

Stockings hung by the chimney with care.

Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.