Christmas Letter 2009

Dear Family and Friends,
For us the year 2009 just came and went. We look back now and we are grateful for so many new things that came with this trial-some year. We are grateful for family, for their willingness to support and love us, the blessing of being close to family, our children, education, California weather, dum-dums and the power they have in keeping a 12 month old quiet on 12 hour long drives, our knowledge of the truth of our Heavenly Father's plan, His love for us, our testimonies, Ryan's job, Ryan and I's relationship and the strength we find in it, rock-climbing, and so many little things that we come to take advantage of.
So to begin on our year and how we came to be so grateful, starts way back in the beginning of March. Ryan went out to Utah for a job interview working with a close friend. We both have always been interested in moving away and so we jumped at the chance. With a pay raise and Utah being cheaper to live, we both felt so good about the job and the opportunity it would bring us. We packed up a huge truck, pulled our Subaru with it, packed our truck and pulled the dirt bike with it, then hit the road for a long long long drive to the Utah Valley.
When we arrived in Provo, Utah, March 28, we were fortunate enough to be able to stay with Ryan's Grandparents. They are such wonderful people and we're so grateful for their generosity and all they did for us while we were there. Next we started looking for a house. We found a beautiful home and we we're 10 days away from closing when the the bomb landed...Ryan was laid off from his job after only 2 months. Luckily we were able to back out of the house, only losing a small amount of money compared to what it could have been.
For the next month we tried to make it work. Ryan applied at many places, but nothing was working out. So Monday, July 6, Ryan and I looked at each other and said “Let's go home!”. Tuesday, July 7, We packed up another huge truck, pulled our Subaru with it, packed our truck and pulled the dirt bike with it, then hit the road to California on Wednesday, July 8. It was so good to be home!
We are now living with Ryan's parents. We truly feel so blessed for family and all they do for us. Ryan and I cannot express enough what a blessing the love and support of a family means to us. Ryan was luckily able to get his old job back in Rocklin, working for Northern Video. In January, we will hopefully be able to find a home in Rocklin and move back to where we started from.
Our children, Andrew and Sarah, have too grown so much this year with all the many changes we have had. Andrew started pre-school in August and absolutely loves it. He is so anxious to learn how to read and to start kindergarten next fall. He is such a bright, joyful, and sweet boy to be with. As many of you know he is still full of many questions...if only I knew all the answers.
Sarah, she is just a crack up to be with. She has the funniest facial expressions and always has a bright smile on her face (except for in pictures). We laugh so much with her and the little things she does. One night at dinner we were having tacos and she thought it would be more tasty to stuff the tortilla down her shirt and eat it from there! The other thing she likes to do is grab the stool and then get on the counter to get some candy. The expression on her face is priceless, you would think she won the lottery.
Ryan is almost finished with his schooling. He is on his last class with University of Pheonix which will end right before Christmas. He then has a few more lower division courses to take at a Junior College. He will be set to graduate hopefully next Fall. He has been working so hard. I am so proud of him and all he has a accomplished.
Ryan and I often look back on this whole experience and are incredibly humbled in all that we have learned from it. Family comes first and there is nothing like being together.
We hope all of you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Love,
Ryan, Rachel, AJ, and Sarah

October

I know October and Halloween seemed like forever ago, but I never had the chance to post anything. We were quit busy as usual during this month and we had some fun pictures! Unfortunatly after Halloween night our camera broke! So frustrating. Hopefully we will have it fixed by Christmas time.

AJ is getting really good on his bike, and he does things I would never dream of doing.


For General Conference morning this year I made Cinnamon Rolls...mmmmmm!

Playing at the park with Auntie Mikylah



Winnemucca

These two look wiped out!


I love this picture I got of Matt.


Sarah is going to help out the boys and change the tire!

Bishop's Pumpkin Patch

As you can see it was bright and extremely windy!

Carving Pumpkins



Happy Halloween!

Trunk-or-Treat


We went to Matt and Jess' for Halloween night we has a blast all our friends and family and their cute little ones.


Emmett loved his outfit, can you tell?










A belly full of candy....night of trick-or-treating...equals one tired little girl! This was 2 min. after leaving Matt and Jess'!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Sour Cream-Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting and Chocolate-Peanut Butter Glaze

This cake is INTENSE. Serve it in the thinnest slices possible, and keep a glass of milk handy.
Makes an 8-inch triple-layer cake; serves 12 to 16 (the book says, I say a heck of a lot more) Also, it is a process to make, so be patient and leave your day open, but it is totally worth it! After you look at all the ingredients too, you will see why it is soooo delicious!

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch process
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup neutral vegetable oil, such as canola, soybean or vegetable blend
1 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
Crumbled Peanut Butter Cups (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottoms and sides of three 8-inch round cakepans. Line the bottom of each pan with a round of parchment or waxed paper and butter the paper.

2. Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Whisk to combine them well. Add the oil and sour cream and whisk to blend. Gradually beat in the water. Blend in the vinegar and vanilla. Whisk in the eggs and beat until well blended. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and be sure the batter is well mixed. Divide among the 3 prepared cake pans.

3. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a cake tester or wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean. Let cool in the pans for about 20 minutes. Invert onto wire racks, carefully peel off the paper liners, and let cool completely. (Rach note: These cakes are very, very soft. I found them a lot easier to work with after firming them up in the freezer for 30 minutes. They’ll defrost quickly once assembled. You’ll be glad you did this, trust me.)

4. To frost the cake, place one layer, flat side up, on a cake stand or large serving plate. Spread the Peanut Butter Frosting evenly over the top. Repeat with the next layer. Place the last layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. (Note 1: Making a crumb coat of frosting–a thin layer that binds the dark crumbs to the cake so they don’t show up in the final outer frosting layer–is a great idea for this cake, or any with a dark cake and lighter-colored frosting. Once you “mask” your cake, let it chill for 15 to 30 minutes until firm, then use the remainder of the frosting to create a smooth final coating. Note 2: Once the cake is fully frosting, it helps to chill it again and let it firm up. The cooler and more set the peanut butter frosting is the better drip effect you’ll get from the Chocolate-Peanut Butter Glaze.)

5. To decorate with the Chocolate–Peanut Butter Glaze, put the cake plate on a large baking sheet to catch any drips. Simply pour the glaze over the top of the cake, and using an offset spatula, spread it evenly over the top just to the edges so that it runs down the sides of the cake in long drips. Sprinkle with crumbled peanut butter cups. Refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes to allow the glaze and frosting to set completely. Remove about 1 hour before serving.

Peanut Butter Frosting
Makes about 5 cups

10 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
5 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2/3 cup smooth peanut butter, preferably a commercial brand (because oil doesn’t separate out)
1. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl often. Continue to beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.

2. Add the peanut butter and beat until thoroughly blended.

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Glaze
Makes about 1 1/2 cups

8 ounces seimsweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 cup half-and-half

1. In the top of d double boiler or in a bowl set over simmering water, combine the chocolate, peanut butter, and corn syrup. Cook, whisking often, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.

2. Remove from the heat and whisk in the half-and-half, beating until smooth. Use while still warm.

My favorite pics from the last few months

Time...what a funny thing. Just when you think life is going to settle down something else always comes up. We have been so busy this summer...doing who knows what...but the time is gone and here are some of my favorite pictures from it!

Sarah loves to help whenever she can.

This was AJ's first day of preschool. My little man is growing up! He loves it but says they sit too much...he's got a long road ahead of him if that is the case.



Ryan turned 27 this year (see if you can understand the logic behind the numbers we chose out of the drawer!) This is the best ever cake too...thanks meg! Chocolate Cake with peanut butter cream cheese frosting and a chocolate glaze pouring over and crumbled reese's peanut butter cups on top! mmmmmm......



Ryan and Sarah after they just crashed on a tube...I won't say who was driving! (not me for those of you thinking that!!!)



I just love her....

I may be partial, but goodness they are so cute (and maybe a bit on the dorky side, but hey they have me for a mom, what do you expect!)

Doesn't he have amazing balance? (He is doing a flip)

The Zoo with thier best friend Syd.

Sarah truly enjoying her cake at a reception we went to...she takes after her Auntie Em :)

I love the poses he chooses!

Sarah once again eating cake after FHE.

Boys and tractors.....

She played in this car for 45 minutes, just happy as can be.

AJ just caught his first fish. I love the excitment in his face!

Sweet little girl.

Where we have been the last 4 months...

As I have said before life has thrown us for a loop and here is where it has taken us for the past 4 months....

Drove to Utah for Ryan's job interview

Stopped in Reno on the way home

Went to the Jelly Belly Factory with April, her daughter, Sydney, and my sister Mikylah

AJ said good-bye to his friend Hailey



Sarah growing up and getting more and more fun




Ryan's family came to help us pack up our home to move to Utah




Were in Utah now...Jared was moments away from entering the MTC to serve his mission in Argentina



Baught this house http://photo.wfrmls.com/280x210/871773.jpg

Went on a day trip to Little Sahara in Utah and learned how to ride a dirt bike



Sarah enjoyed sliding down the dunes



Took a trip to Winnemucca to meet up with family




Sarah's 1st birthday...poor thing got a store bought cake...that was the day we found out Ryan was going to be losing his job in a few weeks





Taught AJ how to ride a dirt bike...he still needs to grow a few inches so he can touch the ground



Hiked up one of the canyons with Ryan's aunt Jenni and her family




RAN....



BIKED...



and SWAM my way through a triathalon...greatest experience ever!!



Had to back out of house 10 days before closing date!

My 26th birthday Ryan and I went to a movie and then up to Bridal Veil falls in Provo




4th of July we went rockclimbing, Megan and Ben got us hooked, we love it!





This is what happens when you get bored waiting for the dark to come so you can watch the fireworks



Hiked the Y with Lexi (Jared's Girlfriend) at night with a full moon



Drove home to California...........YYYYahhhhooooo!

Celebrated AJ's 4th birthday with cousin Adam


Boating on Folsom Lake with my sisters, brother, mom, AJ, and Ryan








Cliff jumping at the Big T in Folsom



Fink Family Reunion... My dad, grandma and aunt Joan with Sarah



Rockclimbing and boating...




....this is why we love Cali, we are so happy to be home and closer to family. Thank you everyone for your support and love throughout these past few months.

He is an amazing boy...

This is where we spend a lot of our time...the skate park! AJ is amazing on his bike and is now able to jump the ramps at the top! Here he is jumping over a skate board. I have met an a amazing friend there, Nicole, who has a boy AJ's age...it is perfect! They have so much fun together and are always challenging eachother to try different things.

That's life for you

So, I know that we haven't posted for a while and let me tell you there has been a good reason for it! We moved here the end of March and were so excited to be here. We first were wondering if we should rent or buy. Well, we decided to find a place to rent and we did and when we went through with the process I did not feel good about it at all! So, we lost our deposit and moved on. Ryan's job was really taking off and we felt really secure with it....The end of April we found the perfect house and put an offer on it. Ryan and I felt like we were on top of the world, finally getting ahead and able to settle down and enjoy life and raising a family. The house was set to close on June 18, everything was going smoothly with it and then.......BAM....Last Friday, Ryan lost his job due to downsizing and relocating to So. Cal. We don't even know what to think anymore. Luckily the house hadn't closed yet, so we don't have a house payment to worry about, but goodness we were so close. I do have to say that we are so grateful for Ryan's Granny and Grandpa Carter, they have been so sweet to take us in since we moved out here and have been so patient with us through this roller coaster of figuring out what we are to do. So now, it is crazy to think that we have no idea where we will be in a month. Ryan has sent his resume out to numerous places here and in CA. Now it is a waiting game full of lots praying, and I know He hears them...I just have to have faith that they will be awswered.

So there you go everyone who reads our blog....we just got thrown a bum-full of lemons, now to figure out how to make some lemonade!

I also just want to say thank you to everyones prayers, Ryan and I both feel so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends in our lives.