The last year

I was dreading posting a blog summing up an entire year (I know, my fault, but still dreading.), until Bryan did it for me! This is what has consumed the last year of our lives:



Also this last year:

• As seen above, Weston is the joy of our lives. He was born March 15th, 2009, weighed 7 lb 10 oz and was 19.5" long.
• My mom was able to come help us out for a week after Weston was born. I don't know what I would've done without her!
  
• Weston was blessed on April 12th, surrounded by family from both sides. We were so happy to see everyone and grateful they were willing to travel.
  
• In April we fell in love with a house and put an offer on it. We closed at the end of May and moved in the first week of June.
• In May Aunt Jodi came all the way from Hawaii and got to meet Weston.
• In June my Grandma and Grandpa Lewis came to Idaho for a visit. They took me, Bryan, Weston, Steve and Vivian out to dinner. A few days later me and Weston made a trip to Downey to visit Grandma and Grandpa, as well as my Aunt and Uncle Jodi and Dan, and their adorable kids Maggie, Ruby and Jonah. (I tried to upload pictures from that trip, but for some reason those pictures just won't work!)
  
• In July Weston got to go on his first airplane! (Or, 4, round trip.) Mom and Weston went to Minnesota, where Weston met lots of Mom's family, including Uncles Joe and Danny. We had a blast, and were joined by Bryan at the end of the week. We can't wait to see all the Mathias' again at Christmas.
  
  
  
  
• We have been welcomed into our new ward with loving arms. Bryan and I are both in Primary and Weston loves to play with the primary presidency while Mom is playing the piano and Dad is teaching class.
• Bryan has very much enjoyed having a yard to tend to and has made HUGE improvements since we moved in. There was literally a huge dirt patch in the middle of our front yard when we moved in, and by the end of the summer you would've never known it was there. We also had a box-elder (however that's spelled) tree and several stumps removed to make the back yard more kid and allergy friendly.
• Kelly has enjoyed being able to play her piano without having to worry about neighbors on the other side of the wall.
  
• Weston has also taken a liking to playing the piano. (As seen in video) He'll sit on Mom's lap and play, or he's happy to play by himself in his high chair.
• Weston has been a very independent baby since he became mobile. He learned to crawl in November, and is EVERYWHERE. He took his first step on January 18th, and is now getting really good at walking. He wasn't that interested at first, but now is starting to walk on his own without Mom or Dad trying to get him to walk toward us.
  
• Weston's other tricks include: "Tada!" (Puts his arms high above his head), claps his hands, and his new favorite- growling.
• Weston has learned to say "Mama". He says it all the time, and I'm pretty sure he knows what it means now. I LOVE hearing him say it. In fact, last night I was feeding him dinner and this was our conversation:
  Me: Say "dada"
  Weston: Mama.
  Me: Dada.
  Weston: Mama.
  Me: Good job. :)
• Weston's favorite game is peek-a-boo. It never gets old!
• In August our first nephew was born! Ben is SO cute and we love him so much! We're so glad he lives so close. Our second nephew could come pretty much any day now. Jodi and Scott live all the way in Hawaii, but they'll be coming to visit this summer so we'll get to meet the little guy. We can't wait!
• In September my parents were able to make it out for Ben's baby blessing. We were so happy to see them and be able to show them our new house. Here is an adorable picture of Weston (about 6 months) and Ben (less than 1 month):
• In October Weston got to dress up for Halloween. He was a monkey! We didn't take him trick-or-treating, but we did take him to "Boo at the Zoo" a few days earlier. Didn't get any candy, but he did get a toy and got to see lots of animals. A peacock came right up to him and my camera wasn't fast enough to get a picture!
  
  
  
• In addition to Ben, Weston has another friend! Kenna Parmer lived 3 doors down from us in our old apartment, and we try to see her at least once a week. She's a few months older than Weston, but they get along really well. It works out well that those cute kiddies get along, because both of their moms love to get together. :)
• Also seen on the video is Weston's first Christmas. Mom had SO much fun getting presents for Weston, and Santa got to come to our house for the first time! This year for Christmas we stayed in Idaho with the Vissers. As much as I love them, I can't help but miss my family at Christmas. Luckily, Steve and Vivian (and afore-mentioned cute nephew Ben) live in Rexburg and were able to make it down for dinner.
• In January Bryan started school again, and has somehow been able to not only keep up awesome grades, but also works a full-time job and finds time to spend with me and Weston. We love him and are so grateful for all he does!
• Last year for Valentine's day we had the Whytes over and the boys cooked dinner for the girls. This year we switched and the girls did the cooking. I don't mean to brag, but it was EXCELLENT. Bryan surprised me by making the alfredo sauce we needed after I fell asleep the night before. That was probably the hardest part (and by far the most boring). We had Alfredo three-cheese manicotti, baguettes with home-made bruschetta, and amazing dessert. I don't remember what the dessert was called, but it was devil's food cake with hot fudge inside, ice cream on top, whipped cream all around, and chocolate shell on top. AMAZING. (And easy!)
• After a long winter, we're ready for spring. Winter is good for something though, and that is cute pictures!
• Now we're getting ready for Weston's first birthday in just a few weeks. I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. We are so thankful for all of our friends and family who are there for us. Thank you for all your love and support!

P.S. For more pictures, see my facebook. I have tons of pictures of Weston on there. (If you don't have a facebook account, you won't be able to see them. I'm pretty sure most of you have one though. :) )