Christmas

It's the most wonderful time of the year! This year was our first ever Zank Christmas! It was lots of fun and very different than all my past Christmases. I have to say being an adult now during christmas is strange and doesn't quite feel as enchanting but it's not all bad. Jared spoiled me of course (that's just what Jared does best)! And I got my wedding video!! That's right, Jared and I have been married 1 year and 4 months and I just received it but I don't care I love it! Here are a few pics. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Me and Rhi-bee on Christmas Eve.
Jared and I ( Jared's the one making the creepy face) Little Turtle as an elf. She makes a very cute one!

Jared being Jared Jared and his brothers on Christmas Eve.

On to 2010! That's gonna take some getting used to!

Zoe Meghan

For the week of Thanksgiving J & I were in California @ M & M's so that I could attend the birth of my newest niece Zoe Meghan. It was truly a miracle! I have always heard that before and I have watched numerous birth videos with babies being born but actually being in the room when this little spirit was born was amazing! I cried instantaneously when I saw her. My sister did an incredible job! She had so much strength, she looked so tired after several hours of labor but was still going strong. The pushing is what truly amazed me because even though she was getting so exhausted she kept going with power!

The first pic of little Zoe with her Mama she only screamed for about 20 seconds.
The first pic with Daddy after getting weighed and cleaned up - 7 lbs 13 oz

Me with Zo, she was so little and calm and I was on a high from the spirit!

Zoe with Uncle Jared, she decided to be born on his birthday!

Children under the age of 16 were not aloud to come visit at the hospital so this is Zoe's first day home from the hospital and Reese wanted to hold her all the time. She always said "hold baby sister Zoe." She was very cute and gentle with her.
I don't remember her crying or fussing much but she probably did more than I recall.

At the hospital lookin' around.

One funny face at home while the family made a ginger bread house.

And you always have to have a yawning picture and this one was so cute!

Baby Zoe is such a cutie and I'm so glad I could be a part of her coming into this world! She has taught me much in the small time I have spent with her and she just makes me all the more anxious to have my own!

New Moon

Last night I went to the midnight premiere of New Moon. It was FABULOUS! I am a sucker for movies with scenes that make me cry and this one was one of those movies! Just the depth of feeling that is portrayed in this movie is wonderful. Plus there was some eye candy!!

I'm not sure if you haven't read or enjoyed the books if the movie would be as enjoyable to you but I definitely enjoyed! Of course the movies are never as good as the books but they did a pretty good conversion of this one!

Felisha, Tara, and myself posing in our home-made team Edward and Jacob shirts. The back of our cut and tied shirts, if you can't read the back...that's a good thing!Felisha and me just waiting anxiously for the movie to start!

This is the first midnight showing I have ever been to and it was a lot of fun! I have NEVER seen a movie theater so crowded, especially with women ranging in age from 10 to 60! Ha ha what a fun night!

Little updates

It's been a couple weeks since posting anything so I thought I'd post a little something. First off I got a job a few weeks ago. It's at an inbound call center and it is sales. Not really my thing but it's a job for the next five months until we leave again for the summer. To be completely honest I just can't wait to stay home with babies! Jared is doing some random odds and ends for people, some remodeling, and he is going to start knocking this weekend.

I can't wait for NEW MOON!! In one week I am going to go to the midnight showing and I'm super stoked! The next day or two after that Jared and I are heading out to the Bay Area, my sister's house! Meg is having her second baby and I will be there to help her and Mark along the way. This will be my first experience with child birth besides my doula training and reading the books. (For those of you who don't know, a doula is a trained labor companion.) I am VERY excited and hope I can do everything for the Mac's to help and encourage them!

I'm also excited for the holidays! This is my most favorite time of the year! First, Jared's birthday the day before Thanksgiving, then Thanksgiving with Meg's in-laws and then Christmas with the Zank's (including Stephen, Erika, and the Kid).

I guess this was actually an overview of the next month and a half rather than a recap but it's all I can think about lately! Happy holidays!

California fun

We started our California adventure by driving to meghan & mark's house. We had so much fun with them! It was wonderful to see my sweet niece, Reese! She is so stinkin' cute, smart, and she is SO good! It's always nice to see The Mac's and live in there life for a few days. Meg is due in a few weeks and she looks so good! Can't wait for baby #2 to be here! Jared and I then drove down to my aunt & uncle McBeth's in Escondido to spend time and go to Disneyland. Well, J & I were both a little surprised by D-land. We both have not been in so long we had forgot what it was really like. Lets just say the thrill was not there for these two thrill seekers. We also were expecting to see all the characters roaming the park. Not ONE! None the less we had fun and next time we won't go until we have kids.

All the Halloween decorations and flowers were fun though!

Tarzan's tree house was fun to run (and jump) through!

Then we spent a whole day at the beach with the Rindi's, that was fun! I'm so glad they came out and we were able to do a few things together! Everything is more fun with friends! J & Mike went out into the ocean and boogie-boarded for hours while the girls hung out on the beach and played in the sand and waded in the water. It was lots lots of fun and we worked up an appetite! Hence, we went to Pat & Oscars Italian restaurant, which was pretty delish!

Jared being a seaweed monster. Brynlee was a little scared of him and then thought it was pretty funny. Jared ended up finding tons of baby starfish in the seaweed and tried to save them by putting them in our dug-out swimming pool! Baby girl pretty beat and mellow after being at Del Mar beach all day long!

It was a fun trip and I can't wait to head out again! Thanks to Meghan and Mark and Kent and Karen for being our gracious hosts and taking good care of us!

Camping

If you know me and my blogging this post won't have many words but here are several pics:

Sweet pic of the fire.

The men being men, they chopped wood the whole time. I think all in all we burned half the trees in the forest ;).

A little piece of nature.

Jac and I out exploring, one of my favorite camping activities!

We didn't have a chance for camping all Summer, seeing as we were in another state and my hubby was working his butt off day in and day out. So as soon as he got home about 2 weeks ago we have been camping quite a bit! We LOVE camping and are glad we got to go this year for a little bit.

We spent our days hiking/exploring, playing games, chatting, and just enjoying the great outdoors. We spent our nights roasting mallows for s'mores, playing murder mystery games and trying to keep warm while snoozing.

Can't wait to go again (and no Jared that doesn't mean snow camping, ICK!)!

Best surprise!

My husband is home!! He wasn't going to be home for another 5 days but to my complete and blissful surprise he got home on Sunday! That was one of the best days ever! I was totally shocked and so happy I nearly cried... ok I shed a tear or two but I come on, that was the longest I'd ever gone without seeing him.


We have some vacations planned including LOTS of camping and California/Disneyland. I'm really excited to have some R & R with the best man in the world!


Today he surprised me with a make-up date for our anniversary. He took me to lunch to the same place we went for our first date (Johnny Carino's) and then to a massage. Massages are my most favorite thing and he totally spoiled me! Thanks my dear for being so amazing!

And here is a random pic because pics are great!

Home Sweet Home

Our welcome home BBQ on the Zank side. The Zank boys lovin' on eachother.

Mama and I enjoyin' our Watermelon in the delicious Utah outdoors (delicious because it's evening).

Destiny and David, they have grown so much and become so smart!

I have been home now for just over a week. It's great! However, I had forgot about a few things...
1. Terrible allergies
2. Exhausting heat
3. The oh so dry air!

But am grateful for a few as well...
1. Not wanting/needing GPS just to get around town
2. Able to see friends and family anytime
3. My favorite Utah only restaurants (Kneaders, Village Baker, etc.).

Yesterday was also our 1 year anniversary. My hubby is not here with me for another week and a half, which is no fun! But ya gotta do what ya gotta do, right? But he scored brownie points by having a huge bouquet of beautiful flowers left at the front door and a lovey dovey letter! I can't believe it has been a year and the best of my life. I love my Mr. Zank!

What a hottie!

Da Club

So I haven't been out "clubbin" since I before I was married.. It is not the same. PeriodJared has definitely got the moves! Infact some of the other couples just came to see him get down and dirty on the dance floor and he didn't disappoint. (He actually split his pants within the first 10 minutes from doing the jumping splits!)

Here's a few of the ladies: Patty, April, Denielle, and yours truely (how'd I end up looking like the tall one?).

Winding down

It's nearly here. I can almost taste the dry air and feel the elevated atmosphere. When the days will have a different structure and going out with "the wives" will have an entirely different meaning. Driving to the store will take little effort and driving almost anywhere else within the vicinity will be pleasant without the need of GPS instruction. Seeing family spontaneously will be nearly too easy and seeing how loved one's have changed will be priceless.

Leaving St. Paul will be bitter sweet but definitely more sweet! The bitter part will be separating from all the friends we've made and the fun we've had. The sweet part will be to see family and my husband on a more than occasional basis.

I have learned how much I really love Utah. It is a great place to live. I'm sure I could live many places and be happy but I think Utah is where my heart is, at least for now.

We'll be heading home in two weeks! However, Jared will be turning around and hopping right back on a plane to Cleveland for the two weeks after that:( I'll survive but it will be tough.

Utah here I come!

A tribute to...

Brynlee! She is my "pretend baby." Her parents are our best friends are Jared and I like to pretend she's our little one because she is so stinkin' cute! Also because we miss our nieces and nephews! Brynners is so very smart and advanced for her age (I can brag about her a lot because she's not actually my child). She is a very tiny little person but she makes up for it in attitude! We love you Bynner-boo! Mom (Felisha) teaches Brynlee everything, that's why she's so smart!

Us hangin' out outside (Brynlee's favorite thing to do) and eating some snacks.

She is such a dare devil and Mike (dad) and Jared encourage it!

Brynlee and Tommy (her wanna-be-boyfriend). Don't they look like they belong on the cover of a Gap kids magazine?

Miss Brynnie Mouse! Ha ha we found this awesome bow at an accessory store in the Mall of America and it was HUGE, as you can see! I really want to see a grown woman wear this! It would be the highlight of my Summer! So if anyone would like to go and get it and wear it for me and take some pics that would be fabulous!

I hope some day my kids will be as cute as Brynlee! We'll keep our fingers crossed!

24th not in Utah...

The 24th of July is, of course, not a big deal if you are not in Utah. But I really enjoy the 24th! I used to go down to a little place called Elmo, they had a wonderful parade and dance. It's always good to have family and tradition!
I just want to express my gratitude for the saints that have gone on before me. They were strong pioneers who endured so much trial, heartache, and sadness. However, on the other hand, they were greatly blessed by the Lord and I am sure they are "happily ever after."
Happy Pioneer Day!!

Much belated happy 4th!

We were lucky enough to have fireworks to watch right outside our apartments! So that is what we did! It was a really good show, I wish there were fireworks every weekend!

Mike decided he could be in our picture and pull a "Mike face," with a firework about to explode in the background.

Beautiful fireworks being observed by little Tommy on the bottom.

Jared and Greg teaching each other a few football moves.


This is our backyard! Sweet, right? This is our little piece of the Mississippi. All of these boats came in for the show, they were quite a scene as well! At the end of the fireworks they all blew there horns in a kind of send off. It was a great 4th of July, the only thing missing, for me, was the patriotic music. It's just not a holiday to me without a little music to go along. But all in all very enjoyable!

Valley fair amusement park

We got to go to an amusement park! Our office won some competition and this was our reward! It was basically like Utah's "Lagoon." It wasn't huge but we had a lot of fun! Jared and I had not been to an amusement park together and it was a great experience.

Here we are on an extreme swing! It was huge and awesome! You'd get to the top of the pique and your stomach was in your throat! I love that feeling!
(Hap, Jas, Felisha, me, & Janelle) Mike and Felisha enjoying the day.

The boys playing hacky. They play ALL the time!

Brynlee and I. Brynlee is saying cheese and clearly enjoying her cotton candy.

Funnel cake! Believe it or not neither Jared or I have ever had this scrumptious piece of heavenly fried, artery clogging, dynomatic desert! We LOVED it to say the least. It was the highlight of our week (name that movie?).

All in all a very fun filled day with lots of thrill rides, blood curdling screams, sun burns, fatty foods, and people watching. Oh, come on, you can't say you don't do that at amusement parks!

Minne scenery

This is what I see when I go on walks: Our apartments and down town St. Paul in the background.

Minnesota has A LOT of vegetation and gardens are not in short supply!

So, all the little fuzzies you blow when you make a wish, I swear they end up in Minnesota! They're gathered up everywhere, along the sidewalks and just floating through the air - apparently they can travel up to 500 miles in 1 day! Just ask chacha (or Kara).

A bridge by our temporary home. I have never seen so much water!

We also see lots of trains and old train tracks.

Basically just another day and another walk along the streets. I like St. Paul.