Michael Steven - THE LOVE OF MY LIFE!!!

It really is amazing how Mike and I came to be...  My sophomore year of High School, my family moved down to Springville for no apparent reason.  At the time, we really wondered why Heavenly Father had led us down there.  But now we know why!!  It was there that I met and became great friends with Michael Steven Robbins!!!

We were in the same ward, and became friends. At the time, I wasn't really interested in him, but was happy to be friends. After living in Springville for only one year, my family moved back up to Lehi. Despite the distance, we stayed friends, and occasionally hung out.

Eventually, we both graduated from High School.  Mike then went on him mission to Argentina, and I began college, work, and "real life."  He came home, and began life, and I decided to go on my mission to New York.

Once I came home from my mission, it took a few months, but we were able to reconnect and see how each other was doing.  In fact, it all started with this picture... But we'll save that for another blog post at another time! :)

To make a long story short, we were finally married on October 30, 2011!!!  It was one of the best days of my life!  I was marrying my best friend!!

Even though we have only been married for just over a year, he has been amazing!  He has comforted me through a miscarriage... He has supported me whenever I am stressed out with school... He works SO HARD to provide for our family... I could go on and on and on... :)

I'm sure that he would agree that next to our wedding, the most special day of our lives, was the birth of our daughter, Madilynn Alora.

To me, this picture shows pure joy!!!  So far, Mike has been such a great father!!

Madi ADORES Mike!  In almost every situation, Mike can get a smile out of her.  I am totally jealous of that!

I am so grateful that Heavenly Father directed my family to Springville all those years ago.  I am grateful that we both had the opportunities to serve missions and share our love of our Savior to the great people of Argentina and New York City.  I am grateful we were able to be sealed for time and all eternity in the Lords' house, His sacred temple.  I am so grateful for the healthy delivery of Madilynn, and for the sweet spirit that she brings into our family.  I am so grateful for those small glances of eternity, when I see Mike holding Madi and loving her.  I know that families are eternal, and that as we strive to do our best, we will be together forever!  I can think of nothing better then being together with Mike and Madi forever and ever!!!

Holiday Season :)

We had such a wonderful Holiday season!!!  We got to celebrate for many days.  Luckily Mike was off work and we tried to take advantage of the time together.

Our official celebrating started Christmas Eve Day with the annual Durfee Grandkid Christmas Party.

Okay, so there are times that we act like kids still... :)

But then we decide to grow up... :)

Christmas Eve night was tons of fun!  We let the kids come sleep in the basement, so we could all be together, just like old times!  The little boys, Jeffrey and Danny (and Becca, but she won't admit it, haha) decided to build a fort to sleep in.

We had tons of treats and watched a few shows together, until finally everyone went to bed to wait for Santa to come!!

The whole family got up at 5:00 am, because Bryce had to go to work.  It was a little too early if you ask me... :)

The Buhler Family must have been good, for as you can see, Santa definitely came!

This was our little section of the couch...

Mike was our official "present opener" because Madi wasn't very interested in being up at 5:00 am in the morning.

Doesn't Mike look hot in this bib?!?! :) hahaha :)  Notice our BYU attire... We have made this a yearly tradition that we get BYU stuff, and wear it on Christmas Eve.  It's been fun to do!

After we finished upstairs, we went back down to our "hole" and opened the presents we had for each other down there.

We must have been good as well!  :)  We felt so spoiled this year!! 

After opening presents, we went back to sleep for a little bit, then went to church.  After church we had a nice meal with the Buhlers, and then were able to talk to Elder Sam Buhler over Skype in Mexico City!  It was so much fun!  He looks great, and is seeing tons of success!

After talking to Sambo for a while, we left to go to the Robbins' Christmas Eve Party.  They decided to celebrate Christmas on Monday.  I feel awful, but I forgot the camera, so I don't have any pictures from our party there.  It was tons of fun though!  The nativity put on by the grandkids never fails to amuse us!  They are adorable!!

We were able to sleep over at Mike's great-grandma Ina's house, who conveniently lives next door to Mike's parents.  We got up early Monday morning and opened presents with the Robbins! :)  It was delightful!  After opening presents and having breakfast, we had a little nap, and then got ready for the day.  We then went to Salem for the Smith (Mike's Mom's Family) Family Reunion.  We played basketball, had delicious breakfast casseroles and had a very intense white elephant gift exchange! 

After all this excitement, we returned home and have pretty much been little hermits for a few days.  It's been nice to just spend time together, and get some things done, as well as cheer on the victory of the BYU Cougars winning their bowl game!!  We got all the Christmas decorations cleaned up, which was bittersweet, but necessary. :)  Unfortunately, both Mike and Madi were sick for about three days.  It was NOT FUN!  I was praying that I didn't catch it too... for who would take care of them? :)  I must be living right, because I managed to stay well and they FINALLY got feeling better. 

Then, to celebrate New Years Eve, we went to Red Robin with Mike's parents, and Dave, Lindsey, and London.  It was a blast!  (Kicking myself right now, because this time I did have the camera in the diaper bag, but forgot to pull it out. :(   )  We all returned back to the Robbins, and watched the Utes bowl game, and helped clean up the Christmas decorations.  After that, we went to Nate and Kim's house for a New Year's Eve party.  We played "Fruit Slice" and then had some yummy food.  We then taught them how to play "Hand and Foot."  It was tons of fun, and a great way to celebrate the new year!

We are so grateful for 2011, as so many exciting things happened for us.  Most importantly the birth of our beautiful daughter Madilynn Alora.  We have loved looking back at all the fun times with our family and friends.  We are extremely blessed! 

We look forward to 2012 and the wonderful things that will happen this year! 

Love to all!!!

~Mike, Sarah and Madi