Catching Up

It's not possible that I've let this blog linger for over a year with not a word. I think that describes how life has been lately. It's either been too busy or not busy enough.

Shortly after graduation last year, I arrived home to discover that my roommate was moving out and I had to find a new place to live. I decided that with school payments behind me, I wanted to either buy a house (AH!!!) or just move into an apartment on my own. 

I got a realtor and looked at some places, but nothing really appealed to me in my price range. I even was prequalified but lost out on a couple of places that looking back I'm glad I didn't get. 

In the meantime, I was busy looking for apartments because I did not really want to stay in the place I was. In July, I found a cute little apartment in Holladay, straight across the valley on the east side. In a day I saw it, signed the contract, put my deposit and planned to move in August. 

Moving day happened, and friends came round to help me load up the rented U-haul. I learned that they are GOOD friends and next time I'm hiring help. 

Thirty days later, I was on a plane back to California. My brother and sister-in-law planned to fly me out when he had to travel for work to help with the three kids, but his trip got canceled. We had already purchased the tickets so I came out anyways and then flew down to San Diego to celebrate my parents' 50th anniversary.

(And now I have pictures)

Day one I got to see one of my new nephews for the first time. I was mesmerized by his beautiful round brown eyes. He was pretty unsure of me, though.  

That night we played trivia games and just visited. It was the first time we had been without any kids (except for two babies, but we didn't mind them!)

In the months leading up to the anniversary, we all worked hard to do temple work for many ancestors. Nieces and nephews did baptism and confirmations, while the adults were assigned to do the other ordinances. This was our stack that we took to the temple to do sealings:

While not all of us were able to be in the temple, it was still a great experience to go to the House of the Lord with my parents and all my siblings. I was able to learn some things.

It wouldn't be a family party without traditional homemade ice cream and some cake to celebrate my parents' 50th.

We also took some family pictures. 

I sure do love this crazy family of mine.

Family Reunion

This was another family reunion year. Although I sometimes dread using my precious vacation days at family functions, I do love getting together with the family for a few days. 

Luckily, this year the reunion was in California. I sure do love going back to my home state. It was in Santa Cruz so somewhere I hadn't been before is also a plus. 

There was a lot of beach time and fun time. I loved working on my tan and I have a pretty awesome one on my legs. And I also got to cross something off my bucket list!

So here's the recap:

Day one started off at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

J&H were kind enough to allow me to tag along with them and their adorable girls because let's be honest, it's lonely wandering the aquarium by yourself. 

Also, I may be a little obsessed with sea otters. The co-workers are enjoying that.

After that, we headed out to the beach to relax and have some fun.

Kids dug in the sand...

Moms took pictures...

I discovered that this little girl has some serious personality. She is adorable.

Big brothers played frisbee.

Most of the adults relaxed under the shade.

Then they played some organized games... and things got a little rough. 

Because we Teuschers are pretty competitive, if you hadn't noticed yet.

But seriously.

And that night as I watched the sunset, I wondered why I'm still in Utah and started to make the plans that I always talk about but am starting to seriously consider. Because... well... I mean, look!

Day 2:

We celebrated this little girl's 1st birthday (YAY!!!)

We headed to the Boardwalk and then took a train through a redwood forest up to an old mining town. The train ride was pretty cool and was a nice relaxing journey up.

Let's stop for a minute and bask in the cuteness of this little girl...

The forest. So shady. So cool. So nice.

So... Hansom Jack was pretty darn handsome. I swung around to check him out. *sigh* But he was pretty much like 18 years old so there was no hope.

I'm not sure what we ended up doing that night. I can't for the life of me remember. I know we hung out at the Boardwalk for a little longer and ate tons of awful food.

Day 3: 

This is it! This is when I marked sea kayaking off the bucket list. Sadly, I have not pictures of me actually *in* said kayak but I was there. I promise.

Yep... another beautiful day with lots of cloud cover.

We had the option of putting on wetsuits and such. Unfortunately they didn't have enough for the little guys. I opted out. I had a sun shirt and shorts. I was good.

After kayaking, we found a foster's freeze. Oh my heavens! I forgot how much I love root beer freezes. YUM!

Then to another beach to hit up the tide pools. 

And finally family pictures. Here are the majority of the nieces and nephews (with a few exceptions).

And that concludes the 2013 festivities of the Teuscher gathering. There will hopefully be one in 2015. And possibly a gathering of the adults in 2014 to celebrate the parents' 50th anniversary. Who knows? 

Christmas

So... Christmas Eve. 

We had fondue. I thought it was a success. 

Before we started the festivities, my sister-in-law and I had a little photo shoot with my niece and nephew:

She's so stinking adorable, right? RIGHT?

I'm so glad I got to meet her this year.

I love my nephews. 

But I ADORE my nieces.

There were 18 people in my parents' house for Christmas. I can't remember the last time there were that many people. It was so much fun but there was a mound of presents!

That afternoon we watched The Polar Express and Muppet Christmas Carol and just relaxed.

I was sure to send this picture off to various people to remind them that I was in a better place... what with all of their snow.

Two days after Christmas was the run to VGs and lots of donuts.

There were trips to the science museum, and hot tub visits, and Les Miserables.

And also a cold that got passed around. 

My siblings all left by New Years' Day. I had an extra day so I made the most of it by hanging out with my parents and relaxing.

I took this picture on my last evening there. I'm pretty proud of it. I didn't even have to put a filter on it. 

Although... I wish I would've used my REAL camera to take it.

My parents during that last night. They both were so tired. I sent them off to bed after taking this picture. I'm so grateful to the both of them for hosting all of us for Christmas. I'm grateful for EVERY holiday I get to spend with them and realize that THAT's the most important part of the holiday.

Life Via Instagram

Yes.
It's really been a month. So... to catch everyone up:

I grabbed some friends and we went to see Christmas Around the World by the BYU Folk Dance ensemble. It was so fun. Before we went to Malawi's pizza and had more pizzas on the table than people there. Yep. We pigged out. 

Me, Lindsey, Julia

For the record, this is my roommate, Meagan. Before the pizzas arrived.

I got crafty when it came to Christmas presents because I wanted to do something unique slash.... I am trying to learn to be crafty (so hard for me). 

These cubes ended up being a part of the family yahtzee game I gave to my brother. Each side of the cube had a picture of one of the members of their family. I hope they liked it.

Lindsey and I actually attended a family home evening. But ONLY because they had Texas Roadhouse cater the event. We went for the rolls.

I convinced my boss that I deserved treats for surviving various forms of punishment at work.

However, during the break he said that he felt that the reward was far to generous, so he was going to have to downgrade. I'm a little sad about that.

One evening, I met my friend Derry and her husband and kids at Temple Square to see the lights. It was the only time I saw the lights on Temple Square this year. I missed seeing City Creek Center at night during Christmas, but maybe next year?

The Choir Christmas Concert happened. As always, it was a mad house making it happen, but after it did, we all enjoyed it. I loved the artist this year, Alfie Boe, and can't wait to get the CD next year. He was AMAZING. And Tom Brokaw did a wonderful job. 

Oh yeah... and the Candy Bomber gave me a little gift.

The stage crew had parachutes that floated down and the Candy Bomber signed a few extras that were given to team members. I'll definitely treasure this.

The night before I left town for San Diego. A pretty spectacular sunset.

Also got a Christmas gift. Perhaps my favorite. 

I don't know what possessed my to schedule my yearly review with my boss an hour before leaving the office to catch my flight home, but I did. This was my view... 

He was late.

But it was a good chat. It reminded me of talks I had with my mission president.

And the truth is... I do my job well. So I'm pretty pleased with that.

Then I headed to California.

Saturday was spent trying to navigate the crowds at the mall with Emily to get last minute Christmas gifts.

Most of the crowd arrived by Sunday. And Monday morning looked like this:

The two littlest Teuschers. They were dolls. I could hold both all day!

Christmas Eve turned out to be wet... and rainy.

But it definitely beats being snowy.