These two boys being silly on xmas morning!  Love their matching vests.  :)

Banks cooking in his NEW apron Grandma Gail made him.  Isn't it so cute!?

Banks was so excited to get snow for Christmas!  He could not stop smiling the entire time he was out in it!

Banks got this neat puzzle for Christmas from the beloved neighbors , Elton and Lorna.

Christmas Morning excitement!

Sorry this pic is a little blurry.. its the only picture I have though of the two of us on Christmas morning.

More snow fun!!

I got SUPER SPOILED this year by my mom... I got a bosch mixer!!  Wow, wow, wow is all I can say.  Someone still needs to pinch me because I'm not sure if its a dream or not!

The SWEETNESS of this lil boy is unbelievable!  

What a great daddy!  Taking snow up the back and down the pants just so he could do snow angels with his boy!

I must say, I am pretty proud of this beauty.  Yes I made it ALL !  From the crust, to the filling, to the chocolate curls...

I also made an apple pie...
This was on Christmas Eve.  I hosted the family dinner.  My menu was Prime Rib, Grilled chicken in a homemade mushroom sauce, Green bean casserole (with a homemade mushroom sauce), Raspberry pretzel jello salad, Homemade rolls, Green salad, Mashed potatos and Gravy.  Sorry I didnt get a picture of all the food.  Guess we were too busy stuffing our faces!  :)

Banks with his "Pa Pa" Maruji.  Look at the magic sparkle in Banks eyes!  He's very intently watching as "Papa" performs his famous 'disappearing penny trick!'  (My favorite!!)

A better picture of Banks in his new apron helping mom make rolls for the debut in the bosch!

This is what I made to take to Japanese New Year Years.  (More details about Japanese New Years below)

Sorry this pic is a little blurry.  Lets talk about the BEST/FAVORITE Maruji tradition ever!  So my Aunt Diane and Uncle Don for years have been hosting "Japanese New Years" on new years day and inviting all the family.  Every year it might very slightly, but one thing is CERTAIN: Lots of delicious Asain food!  This year was so fun because there was sooooooo much delicious, Maruji-handmade sushi!  So not only is there endless delicious food, but its so fun to see all the family and get caught up!

Isn't this SO beautiful!?

I had to save the best for last!..PERFECTION!

(Sorry this pic is a little blurry) After everyone stuffed themselves at Japanese New Years,  Grandma Minnie (who is 90 years old) took all the kids in the gym to play the infamous "I have a lil Doggy" i.e. similar to duck, duck goose.  And the best part is, is Grandma Minnie still runs and chases the kids around!  No joke!  She is so amazing.  I hope one day I am as agile as she is!  90 never looked so good.

Banks finger painting with one of his best friends: Kate!

At our ward Christmas party Banks dressed up as a lil shepherd in keeping with the theme "A Night in Bethlehem".

  We hope you all had a Merry Christmas and wish you the very best for 2015!!

Behold: the ugly Christmas sweaters!  Getting ready to party!!

It wouldn't be Christmas without sporting the ugly Christmas sweater!

This year for Thanksgiving we flew to Ohio for a Hamilton Family Reunion.  What a wonderful fun time we had.  Here is Banks with his cousins Max and Graham.  (Really wished they lived way closer...Banks ADORES them!!)

Uncle Jeff decided a 'Human Pyramid' would be fun.  Unfortunately my camera wasn't quite fast enough to capture the pyramid before it came tumbling down...

Fun with the cousins at Grandma and Grandpa Hamilton's house!!

Crafts with all the cousins on Thanksgiving day!!

Thanks Aunt Alayna for being the mastermind behind these super fun candy-turkeys. 

Thanksgiving Pies:  Key Lime, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Salted Caramel Apple.

On Saturday of the Family Reunion/Thanksgiving we had a Cousin's Birthday party.  All the kiddos took turns swinging at the pinata. 

(Left to right) Cousin Mabel, Banks, and cousin Sienna with Grandma!

My mother-in-law's face!  Need I explain anymore...  :)

(In Ohio over the Thanksgiving Break) The final night these two best friends/cousins seemed to sense they might not see each other again for a very long time. (since Mabel would be moving back to Switzerland with her family)  Banks kept trying to convince me to let him go to sleep with his best friend Mabel in her crib.  It kinda broke my heart to say no.  I wished we lived closer and could play all the time.  Banks LOVES Mabel.

(Back in Utah...) Almost the entire month of December (so far) has been the mildest, best weather!  Banks and I have been playing outside lots!  Trying to take advantage of this great weather!!

I took Banks and his friend Jada to the dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point the other day.  We met his friend Kate there.  This is the sandpit where they can dig/uncover dinosaur fossils!

Banks as a lil Shepherd.  Dressed up for 'A Night in Bethlehem' (our ward Christmas Party)

More FUN pictures from the Hamilton 2014 Family/Thanksgiving Reunion.  Its a lil cold but we're sure having fun playing games outside nonetheless.

COUSINS!  So much fun!!

Wow where has the time gone?  I apologize its been so long since I did a blog post.  Here are some pictures to catch you up on everything we've been doing.  This picture is at Brents house....their new pet! 

Jeff went on a birthday hike up Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Speaking of Big Cottonwood Canyon...Jeff and I ran the Big Cottonwood Canyon half marathon in Sept.  We both had a phenominal race.  Jeff finished 1:30...and I finished 1:31.  Thats a 7:00 minute pace for me and like 6:56 pace for Jeff.  It was an ALL TIME best record.  We both finished and said, "eh, I dont think we'll ever beat that record."  It was a super beautiful course.  Jeff and I LOVE that we race at about the same pace so we can run pretty much the whole race togther.  What a blast!

Playin in the rain with Sadie!

The only word I have for this picture is PRECIOUS!

 

I would fill Banks lil wagon at least once a week with tomatoes this summer.  What a wonderful year for tomatoes!!

Happy birthday Jeff!  I made him a german chocolate cake accompanied by his favorite ice cream for his bday. 

Uh, has anyone ever grown one of these insane gigantic pumpkins before!?  (I kinda think it would be fun??)

Speaking of gigantic...have you seen these suckers at your Costco!?  If you want to know what to get Banks for Christmas...here it is!  ha ha

Pumpkin sugar cookies.  5 stars.  Let me know if you want the recipe.  (It will change your life!)

Little Boys.  Are.  Awesome. !!!!!!!!!!

Yes!  I did it!  I canned for my very first time!!!!!!!!!!!  (Besides running a marathon) this is for sure my biggest accomplishment of the year!!  I cant tell you how intimidating this was for me, but I did it! 

Teaching his friend Violet how to cook the perfect al dente pasta!

Last race of the year.  :(    The Haunted half marathon down Provo canyon with my favorite race partner.  Jeff had a great race.  Mine, not by best.  (Actually my slowest of the year)  But hey, it was still SUPER fun and beautiful!  Jeff and I kinda have a special place in our heart for this race because this (a couple years ago) marked the FIRST half marathon we ever did.    In 2014 I ran a total of 5 half marathons and 1 full marathon. 

My great lil helper.  My mom got him this awesome mini wheelbarrow.  THANKS grandma!

Happy birthday cupcakes for Danny!  (If you want the best whipped chocolate frosting ever, let me know!)

My mom and dad got to come down and visit a few weeks ago.  We all got to go watch Tanner, Spencer, and Sadie in their primary program.  They did a BEAUTIFUL job!  I love this pic I caught of the boys walking out of church together.

Yummy recipe!  (Thank you to Alicia) roast any delicious vegetable you can find in your garden.  Roast with olive oil and kosher salt @ 300 degrees for several hours.  Then, throw it all in a blender, puree.  Add beef broth and fresh herbs.  Oh I loved doing yummy stuff like this all summer from my great garden!

Banks trying to manhandle "Jack".  (sadie, tanner, and spencers pet goat!)