Merry Christmas Everybody!

So the holidays have almost come and gone and now it is time for the warm fuzzy memories. 2010 was a big year for our family. Graduation, moving out of state, having and losing a baby, buying our first house, and many many other good and not so good memories. We have been very blessed this year and my heart is full.

The last few weeks of 2010 have been some of the most eventful with the purchase of our home. It made for a stressful but wonderful Christmas break. Jake had 10 day's off so we were able to go and visit family. Unfortunately/Fortunately we needed to close on the house so we had to come home a little sooner than we would have liked. We had to cut out some Utah activities we wanted to do. Coming home early meant that we had a nice long week at home before Jake went back to work. So in the end it was actually very nice.

We ended up celebrating Christmas at our home on the 23rd before we left to Utah. Nathan got a lot of fun things. He loves his new bike and we spoiled him with puzzles and books. I was actually pretty amazed because Nate could put some of the simpler puzzles together without help. Jake got a mixed birthday/christmas gift with 2 season of How I Met Your Mother. It is one of our favorite TV show and it seems to be turning into a holiday tradition to spend some our lazy days watching our favorite episodes. Jake got me just what I asked for. He got me a copy of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. He also took me shopping on Christmas Eve for a new bedroom set. It was very fun :)

Our first Christmas Tree!

Nate's Booty

We drove to Utah on the afternoon of the 23rd to my parents house. That evening the family gathered together and we had our family party. Mom as usual made a wonderful meal and the house was decked out.

Dad in his super cool old shirt. Only to be worn on Christmas.

One of my favorite holiday traditions is my mom playing the piano while we all sing Christmas songs.

The next favorite tradition is the grandkids dressing up and acting out the christmas story...Nate was a shepherd this year.

Don't they look like they are into it?

As you can see they love doing this.

David especially :)

Nate had a hard time keeping his costume on. Thankfully it didn't stop him from trying to open gifts early.

Aunt Karen made some super yummy treats that all enjoyed.

Nate especially liked them. Notice how he wouldn't eat it with his hands so he could keep them clean...I swear he has OCD.

The next morning we went out with Courtney to do a family photo session. She is going to start working with me for my photography business. I think she did a good job. This is one of my favorites.

Shortly after we headed up to Jake's parents home. One thing that I love is that on the ride up to Bountiful Nathan decided that he wanted to start calling us by our full names. We were trying to teach him to say grandma Cefalo. We then told him he was Nathan Cefalo. He staredt to say both of them. Then he stared to say Jake Cefalo and Kristy Cefalo. It is now a problem. Cute...but a problem :)

We spend a wonderful evening with Jakes family. His parents prepared a wonderful meal. There was also a very nice program that all of the kids got to participate in. It involved opening presents so Nate loved it.

Like I said Nate loves opening gifts.

I have to say that I think Alex is so stinking cute.

So that was Christmas for us. It is a wonderful time of the year. Not only is it a time for family but it is a time to remember our Savior.

Choo Choo

So over the past month or two Nathan has become obsessed with trains. He saw a episode of Thomas the Train at his cousins and ever since he loves telling everyone about trains.

As Jake and I have been planning our first Christmas in our new house we have been getting more and more excited about getting a tree. We decided the best way to compliment that tree would be with a train.

Today we went and picked one up and we were to excited to wait until we move in. Just this once we thought we would take it out for a test drive.

Nathan LOVED it :)

Now we just need to keep him from touching it so he doesn't knock it off the track :)

We got a house ;)

(I took this yesterday morning. I think it looks cute with the red tree)

So Jake and I are feeling really blessed right now. As most of you know we have been looking for a house for the past several months. We have had a lot of ups and downs. Here in Elko houses seem to run 30 to 50,000 more than they do in Salt Lake. Add that to very little inventory and it makes one of the biggest financial decisions in your life really hard. We have put down 3 offers in the fast few months and none of them worked out. To say it has been a roller coaster is an understatement. As of last week we were really discouraged. Well this week the Lord lead us to the right place.

On Monday night I called our friends the Mortinsons and asked if they wanted to come over for dinner. Lyndsie told me that they were actually having some friends from their old ward over that evening. She then asked if we wanted to join them for dessert. I at first told her that we didn't want to barge in on their evening but she insisted so we ended up at their house. This is where we meet the Muelstiens (spelling is probably incorrect :)) The were a super nice couple and we had a wonderful time. As the evening went on the conversation turned to our ongoing house hunt. After we told the Muelstiens our situation they told us that they knew of a house that would be coming up for sale in the next little bit. They said a couple in their ward was moving to be closer to their children and they had already bought a house. As far as they knew their house wasn't up for sale yet. We told them we were interested to see what they were asking so they said they would find out for us. As the end of the night we headed home and hoped we would hear from them in the next week or so.

Well the next afternoon I got a message from Lindsey Muelstien (there are 2 Lindsey's in the story). She said her husband has gone by to see their neighbor and had talked to him. She told me the price and it was a lot and I mean a lot less than the houses we were currently looking at. I then wondered what the house might be like because a lot of the houses in our price range need major work. I ended up calling and getting the phone number of the Kukinhimers from Lindsey.

Joseph and Dawn Kukinhimer are a sweet couple and I knew it from the minute that Dawn answered her phone that we were dealing with angles. When I finally got ahold of Dawn that evening I asked if we could come over sometime this week to see the house. She told me that they were currently packing up but if we didn't mind the mess we could come over right then. Excited but nervous we went over. When we got to the house we really couldn't believe it. It was a house that was comparable if not better than the ones we had put offers on. Walking through Jake and I both though that the Muelstien's may have heard the wrong price. Well after we had gone through the house we talked with Joseph and he told us the price we had heard was right. They to had found it difficult to find an affordable house when they came to Elko and they felt that they wanted to give someone a break. He told us they were retired and had already purchased a house. They said they already have what they need in life so why not help someone out.

Jake and I were floored. We shook hands with Joseph that night saying we would get papers drawn up and ready. They were taking their first truck load the next day to their new house so he said we could meet up on Saturday evening after they got home and get the ball rolling. The rest of the week Jake and I were worried that they may want to change their minds or that we had dreamed it. Finally last night we were able to go over and sign the papers.

All I can say is that the Kukinhimer's are the kindest people in the world. Jake and I have felt so blessed. We are so excited to move our family into this home for the next few years. I only hope that someday Jake and I can be in a position to do something as kind and the Kukinhimer's did for us. I guess I need to remember that the Lord knows what is supposed to happen. I will keep you all updated with pics as we get settled in. :)

Halloween

I just wanted to post a pic of Nathan in his costume. Sadly I don't have any other pictures. Jake had to take Nathan trick-or-treating alone because I had a photo session. I think he was super cute. Jake said it only took him one time saying trick-or-treat before he figured out what was going on. He then went around and after people would give him his candy he would say "kank kou". I have raised such a polite little boy :)

I love fall

One of my favorite things about fall are the treats. When Jake and I first got married we spent a lot of time watching food network and planning what traditions we would like to work into our family. One of my favorite treats is Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins :). Last year Nate enjoyed them but that was about all. Now he is just starting to enjoy watching and trying to help me cook. The other night we made out first batch of muffins for the season..

I think this is something we will keep up for a long time :)

Halloween = Happiness :)

I was finally able to come home after a 2 week stay in Utah. To say I was excited is an understatement. Usually I spend most of October Decorating my home and making baked goods that I wouldn't usually make during the warm summer months. Due to my long absence I was surprised to come home to an apartment decorated with pumpkins, orange lights and spiderwebs. Thank you Jake :)

Avery Grace

We decided this would be the best way to tell everyone we had our baby. Avery Grace Cefalo was born Wednesday Oct 6th. She was stillborn. The first thing we want to do is thank family, friends, and all of the healthcare providers that helped us during this difficult time.

There were several events that lead up to her birth. Feel free to skip the next part if you don't want to hear about this experence. I am willing to tell what happend I just don't prefer to have to repeat it over and over.

Monday evening into Tuesday morning I notice some light bleeding. Most people wouldn't be concerned but this was very unusual for me. I called my doctor and he had me come into his office to ease my worries. The doctor gave me an ultrasound where I saw the baby moving . She was completely healthy. During the ultrasound the doctor noticed that the baby's feet were sticking through my cervix. Also there was a small pouch of fluid that was slowly moving out of my uterus through my cervix. My doctor proceded to tell me that we needed to go to Utah to get care for this. In many situations the doctor can put the patient on a bed tilted back and use gravity to help things moved back into the uterus. Once everything is in place they then put a stitch in your cervix and with bedrest and proper care you can have a full term baby. Being a small town physician my doctor felt that it would be best to have this procedure done by doctors that deal with high risk situations. Within an hour Jake, Nathan and I were on the road to Utah. I had to keep myself laying flat with my bottom elevated. Not going to lie...it was the longest drive of my life. We dropped off Nathan with Jakes parents and we were met at the University of Utah emergency room drive up with a gurney. Within minutes I was in a room on a bed tilted back with several doctors monitoring the situation. The doctors were wonderful and they were very honest with us. Unfortunately during the car ride I had continued to dialate and by the time we reached the hospital I was at a 6. By this point it was no longer possible to save the baby. The doctors prepared Jake and I for what was to come. I was going to deliever the baby and sadly she would be born alive. Due to her extreme prematurity the baby would not survive very long outside of the womb. Tuesday night was a very emotional night for Jake and I. We decided on a name. With the baby being born alive we prepared to give her a name and a blessing. Wednesday morning the doctors gave me some medication to help things move along a little faster. Jake and I spent the morning preparing for the baby. By mid morning I was in a lot more pain than expected. I had planned on not having a epidural but with the increase in pain I decided that I would want to be comfortable so I would have energy once the baby was here. This turned out to be a HUGE blessing. Shortly after 11:00 a.m. my water broke. When my water broke the placenta separeted and I started to hemmorage. Within 2 minutes I lost 2 1/2 liters of blood and I was in an operating room. The only way to save me was to get the baby out.

The hospital staff was wonderful. As Jake and I have looked back at the events of the last 2 days we have felt the Lords hand in so many situations. Had I not come to Utah for care, had I not had the epidural at the exact time I did. Because of the swiftness of the birth, the baby was not born alive. Though I wanted the experience of holding my live baby I have to admit I don't know if I could have handled it. The Lord knows us and we have felt his comforting spirit though these past few days. We had the chance to see Avery for a few wonderful minutes. She was born perfect. I will always keep the image of her body in my arms a sweet memory.

As of right now we are doing fine. We have both shed many tears but not all of them have been of sorrow. We get to come home to a sweet little boy who we love with all of our hearts. Once again thanks to everyone who has supported us during this experience. We love you.

Kristy, Jake, and Nathan

Nate is 2 and other stuff

Alright this post is a month late but I don't care. Last month we went to Salt Lake to celebrate our anniversary and Nathan's 2nd birthday. Here is a quick recap by way of pictures.

Have to start with this one. Isn't he stinking cute. Shortly before Nathan's family birthday party we took some family pictures. Nate is so stinking cute in this one. I already have it printed and framed :)

Next are the many wonderful moments of the fabulous fire engine being destroyed. Sadly I had planned on a fire engine themed party with cute decorations and fun pictures. Unfortunately the wind had other ideas. We couldn't set up anything without it being blown away. It was a miracle we were able to light the candles for the first WORD of the Happy Birthday Song. Oh well. I don't think the kids cared. There was plenty of candy and food to keep everyone happy:)

If you are looking for any pics of Jake and I during our anniversary getaway well. There are not any :) I was pretty sick during most of it and we ended up spending most of our time just being

lazy. It was really nice to spend a couple of days together without a little boy to keep us on our feet. It was much needed.

Pretty much that is everything that has happend this past month that you would want to see. Sadly every other week of this past month I have been super sick. My mom and my sister both made trips out to Nevada to help me out for a few days. I have to say no matter how much I hate being pregnant I am thankful that I can be. I know that this little person is going to be worth all of the bad days.

I will finish up with a few funny pictures of Nate. Just so you know I am not trying to win an award with the quality of these images. I was just cleaning my camera and had it out and Nate kept making faces at me. It was dark and he wiggles a lot.

One last shout out to my little sister Courtney. She is getting home from her mission in Spain. I am so proud of her. I know that my mission is something that I cherish. The experiences and lessons I learned have been such a blessing in my life. I am thankful that Courtney had this chance to serve the Lord. I cannot wait to see her and hear all of her boring mission stories. Love you sis.