Happy New Year!

Last New Year's Eve Nate and I went to bed at around 9:30. We laid there for a little while talking about the new year. I did not have good things to say. Nate, as usual, was more optimistic, but I was not looking forward to 2011. 2011 was going to be nothing but tests, studying, late nights, and school-induced stress. I remember saying, I really wish we could just skip 2011.

I still wish we could have skipped 2011 - or at least 90% of it.

We attended 4 funerals in 2011: Nate's beloved grandma in February, Nate's uncle in June, my nursing instructor in July, and my cherished grandpa who unexpectedly passed in September. My hometown was ravaged by hurricane Irene and is still trying to rebuild, months later. My family's business was destroyed by the flood, along with the farm that houses most of my childhood memories. Nate had one trip to the ER in February, right in the middle of my final exams. I spent several nights in March wondering how to explain to my friends and family that I had failed out of nursing school. Nate got extremely ill during his finals week in September and ended up missing about a month of school. He was finally diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and now he can't have milk or cream :-(.

(I also passed out right after giving blood last week, which was pretty embarrassing, but wouldn't have made this list if it hadn't been last week)

It was definitely a year that was more intended for learning than enjoying. And we did learn. About medicine AND life.

There were good things we will remember about 2011 - like our last minute Mexican cruise over Passover. And our road trip to NY to deliver a car (note to self- you still haven't posted about that...maybe next year...) I didn't end up failing out of nursing school- in fact, I ended up getting an academic scholarship (still not sure how that happened...). And not to brag, but Nate ended up in the top 25% of his class. Ok it was bragging - but based off of his grades at BYU, that was NOT expected.

My brother and sister both got engaged and married in 2011. (they probably liked 2011 a little more than we did...) it was great to welcome 2 new siblings to the family (though not inexpensive - 2 trips to New York a month apart isn't cheap) and even better to see them both sealed for time and eternity in the Temple.

I grew to love my church calling - teaching the 16-18 year old girls - which I wasn't sure would happen. We had a fun college visit to BYU with Skyler. And most of all, we have had several wonderful conversations with each other about diseases, disorders, clinical skills, medications, and all things medicine. We ALMOST have learned everything we don't know. :-)

And I am putting our last week of 2011 into 2012, because it was the most wonderful week of the year and doesn't really belong in 2011. We want it as more of a kick off to 2012, since 2012 is going to be awesome.

Yes, we made it through 2011. Phew. And we have BIG plans for 2012! And this New Year's Eve, we will stay up to happily welcome in the new year - and say GOODBYE to the old.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

3 Years

On the 26th, Nate and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary. For our first and second anniversary we have been surrounded by family, which makes it special, but not "anniversary" special... ;-)

This year we spent Christmas in Oregon with Nate's whole family - all 36.5 members. It was awesome, and because we are the youngest we were the ones that got to sleep on the floor in the sewing room. :-). It made for a lot of good jokes, and I was actually looking forward to joking in the future about sleeping on the floor for our anniversary, but I guess Nate had other plans.

He whisked me away to a "quick run to the grocery store" in the midst of the "Barney Family Olympics" (which, by the way, our team won. of course) and took me to downtown Portland to the waterfront Marriott. FANCY. (And thanks Alan, for the friends and family passes :-) ) 

I was very surprised, and admittedly a little disappointed at first because we were supposed to make strawberry dairquiris for everyone for dessert, and also because I had left laundry in the dryer and that is just SO rude. 

I got over it pretty quickly though. 

(cool --  but not as cool as a romantic stroll along the Portland waterfront) 

(which was literally very cool. and a little wet and rainy)

(but still very romantic)

We also ate dinner on a FLOATING restaurant. 

Which was awesome.

Nate spoils me. He also is setting my anniversary expectations quite high. 

Possibly not good. We will see. :-) 

Thanks for an awesome 3 years Nate!

And because this is really the only time I can get away with posting pictures of me in my pretty wedding dress.... 

ps...

I would like to thank: 

Amyanne for making the10 batches of strawberry daiquiris it took for all family members to be satisfied,

Nate's mom for finishing our laundry and not being mad that I left it in the washer,

Nate's dad for digging through our bags to find our confirmation number since the hotel had our reservation under Nathan McBarney,

Glen and Kathryn for making the REAL quick trip to the grocery store. 

And Nate for planning the best anniversary yet!

I forgot to tell you -

 

We are PHAST!

and I am lucky 

Because at this triathlon I won these shoes:

Just in case you think I'm bragging, you should know it was only a sprint triathlon.

And I only did the 5K run portion of the triathlon.

And it took me like an hour.

But I won the shoes!!! 

(in a raffle, after the race)

Go me!

Another Wedding!

Two new family members in two months!? We are going to have to start wearing name tags!

Tyson and Jen were married for time and all eternity in the Boston LDS temple on November 18 - which was Tyson's birthday (who gets married on their birthday? weirdo)

Anyway, we love, LOVE, loooooooooVE Jen. She is awesome. <3 (love)

(we were all actually secretly wondering how on Earth Tyson got so lucky - but we are NOT complaining!)

Welcome to the family, Jen! You are in for a treat! :-) 

(because we rock)