Why, Now?

Disclaimer: I know.. it's almost Febuary.. and I'm posting my 'Christmas Letter'. I actually sent this out, on time even (gasp!) to our out-of-towner friends and family- but just wanted to post it here for journal purposes (cause when it comes to me 'journaling'.. this is it folks.) So feel free to pass on reading the old news. I just trust my words lasting longer here then on my unreliable whacked-out computer that could crash at any moment. That said:

To All Who Make Our Lives Merry And Bright..
Look! We did it! We lived without a dishwasher OR disposal for one whole year! Yes. We have now been livin’ the dream here in Providence, for 12 months, and 10 days.. (roughly.) And if I do say so myself, “We’ve come a long way, BABY!” Our carpeted kitchen, is now tiled. Our mauve drapes, are now blinds. And our flooded basement, is now dry. We have painted, molded, and caulked our way into a lovely liveable-ness we quite enjoy! If nothing else, this home has given us all kinds of FIRST-time ever “opportunities”. Since we have lived here, we have:
*Flood-irrigated in the dead of night. It involves things like galoshes, and headlamps.(And is not related to the INDOOR flooding. Flood-irrigation is actually intentional.)
*Grown a full on garden (O.K. That’s not a “we”, that was all Jasen..)
*Started a COMPOST pile (Ew. Jasen keeps reminding me, it‘s not gross, it‘s organic.)
*Flushed lots and lots of bloated cereal, down the toilet.
So as you can see.. it’s been a big year.
In other FIRSTS.. last season we entered the world of snowboarding (causing myself, to experience another FIRST: My first formal trip to the chiropractor.) We splurged on seasons passes this year and are excited to get back at it with as soon as our local resort gets enough snow. I joined my FIRST gym, am participating in PTA for the FIRST time (kinda over-rated.), and had my FIRST vein stripped. (Exciting stuff!) Jasen put in his FIRST water softener, FIRST toilet, and FIRST wiring. He grew our FIRST pumpkins, corn, beans, carrots, cucumbers, and real life, home-grown tomatoes. (The man’s got skills.) We then tried canning our gorgeous tomatoes, and learned we’d done it wrong, and created our FIRST batch of botulism! Jesse got his FIRST electric guitar, and is totally rockin’ it. Sam was on his FIRST football team and loved it. Bo lost his FIRST (and second, and third, and fourth) tooth, and was equally dramatic, about each and every one. Sophie moved into her FIRST big-girl bed (but has yet to move into her FIRST big-girl panties!) She tried her FIRST sushi, and asked for more. She has also enjoyed her FIRST purse, lipstick, nail polish, tiara, etc., etc…….
And then there’s of course, Roscoe. Our huge, wonderful, adopted dog. He had his FIRST full year of life with a family! (When he’s not rolling in other dogs poop, he is so very good. We do love him.)
As a family, we hiked Zions, and Bryce Canyon for the FIRST time ever, and loved it. We also camped for real, the FIRST (and I’m guessing LAST) time ever, and didn’t love it. (Can you say, bats?)
We also had our FIRST vacation back to the East Coast in 3 years, with all of my darling family. So much fun. It was just perfect, other than me wiping out on a bike for the FIRST time ever. (What is THAT all about?)
We recently took our FIRST trip back home to St. Louis since moving here. Unfortunately, it was under terribly sad circumstances. Jasens sweet Dad, who had just been out to visit us weeks before, passed away very suddenly of a heart attack. So while it was wonderfully cozy and homey to be back with family.. we are sad to the core-- and will miss Grandpa every day.
So there ya have it. Our FIRST full Utah year, and a few of our FIRSTS therein.
For all of our other up-to-date, ever-exciting adventures (I mean honestly, caulk and compost piles.. who can wait for our next big news??) you can find us at www.justjogging.blogspot.com. I gave in to peer pressure and started my FIRST blog.. and have become a full-blown blogging machine. There you can read on about how I’ve started my FIRST budget, made my FIRST decent dinner, and fallen in love with my FIRST vampire. (Try to contain yourselves.)
May your new year be blessed with all kinds of fun FIRSTS! (And when it’s tasty… seconds!)
Lots of love and merry wishes,
The Rees’s