Merry Christmas EVE...

Let visions of Sugarplum Fairies dance in your head.

Christmas just aint Christmas without a trip downtown

Saturday night we went to Trolley Square with the Heaps, our friends from Wyoming. They used to be our next door neighbors. Brad was really sad when his backyard buddy moved away. He was so excited to see him again.
We ate at the Old Spaghetti Factory. After dinner, Brad spotted Santa in the mall and needed to tell him what he wanted for Christmas. Thank goodness the line was short.
We then bundled up and headed to Temple Square to see the lights. It was freezing!!! We decided to warm up by taking tracks through the free zone. Apparently other people had the same idea. The train was packed. The kids didn’t seem to mind though. They still loved the ride.
It was good to see old friends again. This summer we got to go and visit them at their ranch and ride their horses. When I told Brad on Saturday that he was going to see Landon he said. “Yes!!! I better go and grab my cowboy hat!!” It made me laugh.

This is why God made Grandmas

From a mother’s perspective this picture just looks like a TON of extra work. Brad is constantly asking to help in the kitchen. Usually for the sake of time and energy I say no. Thank goodness he has a bunch of Grandmas that let him get dirty, eat lots of sugar and be crazy once in a while.

When I was young my Grandma let me dress in whatever I felt like, eat whatever I wanted and stay up late until I fell asleep in her arms. We all need to be around our grandmas. Don’t get me wrong nothing replaces mommy… but mommies just get tired sometimes, so it is nice to have a rejuvenated soul to let kids be kids.

I adore my grandma. Last night I sat next to her in the emergency room and held her soft frail scared hand. We cried as we related stories and memories. It has been incredibly difficult for me to observe her aging process. My grandpa is quite ill as well. I help him twice a week with his bath and I cherish the time with him. He has always made me feel special and loved. It does my heart good when he sings a song that he can’t remember the words to so he just starts humming or whistling the tune. I love to hear him talk about my grandma and how much he loves her. I wish I could freeze or rewind time. I feel so blessed to be the oldest granddaughter. I had to opportunity to know my grandparents when they were so young.

What would the world become without Grandparents???

Flashback Friday 1995

A few note worthy mentionable quirks about this picture—
My mom wanted a fun pajama picture for Chirstmas that year. Mills and Co. decided a formal pose is more appropriate when donning evening wear.
My dad still has and wears these P.J.’s
My dad is missing some hair nowadays. Look at that fro.
Julie still has the best hair of the bunch!!!
Those aren’t dresses they are kilts.
I still consider the theory we found Steven under a rock.
I love my family and this picture just makes me laugh.

Finally done with finals!!!

Randy took his last two finals yesterday!!!! We have our daddy back…at least for a few weeks. He doesn’t have to go back until Jan 12th so we are going to take advantage of every moment. We spent the morning catching our breath. We feel like we run and run and run. Claire got to shower with her dad this morning. She LOVES that. She shared some hygiene tips while she was at it. I’ve spent some time catching up on some blogging… sorry about the multiple posts in one day.





We adore Randy and are so excited to have him around a little bit. We are SOOOO thankful for all of his hard work and determination to finish school. He does so much for our family.

3rd Annual Wildwood Christmas party.

Saturday night we had a big party with all our friends from our old Wildwood Condo. Stacy made an amazing dinner. The kids did a gift exchange. Brad was so excited about his new chutes and ladders game. I can't tell you how many times a day Bradley asks to play it. (Thanks Sara!!!!)

After the kids had their fun the Adults played a game unwrapping a box with mitts and goggles...I have not laughed that hard in a long time. We had the kids in the toy room but the laughing was so out of control they all were avid spectators. Tim was the big winner!!! But I think Randy and Stacy did most of the unwrapping work.



We really have some great friends. We have all moved to new places and have made new friends but it is so good to get together with them. We are so grateful for their friendship. Can't wait for our summer trip.

Party in Whoville

We had our ward Christmas party on Friday. It was amazing. I swear they pay our activities committee because the time and energy they put into our ward parties never ceases to astound me. The food was amazing. The party theme was GRINCH. We had Who Hash and Who pudding. The kids loved it. After dinner they had all the kids on stage and read the Grinch story and had a girl sing “Where are you Christmas”. The activities committee dressed in Who attire and the whole place was decked out like Whoville. It was really cute.

Claire's first steps

Claire decided to try out walking this week. I think she may be addicted.

Does anyone know where Bev-wha-hem is???

I posted these clips so we didn't have to go around the neighborhood caroling. Enjoy!!! Merry Christmas.

A home for the holidays

Bradley and I attempted our first gingerbread house while daddy was at work. We went over to our next door neighbors house for the festivity. A lady in our ward got this recipe for us. It takes days to cook, dry out and assemble. It was well worth it. Brad is so proud of it. Only thing we would do different is mop after the project and not before. It makes quite the colored sugar, frosting, candy, crumble mess.

Brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a FEW of my favorite December things…

My offspring. It only took me 212 shots to get ONE with both of them looking forward, and only 5 minutes in Burlington to find matching outfits.



Our home made mountain tree… Brad insists on turning off all the lights to sit and watch it glow.



The stockings I stitched a couple of years ago…Claire’s stocking is in the development stages. It is done being stitched… I just have to recruit help from my personal seamstress. There is a place in heaven saved for people who know how to toil with a sewing machine.



My poinsettia on the kitchen table. It is so pleasant to dine with this QUIET little flower.



My wreath from the spare sprigs of pine from our tree. It makes our doorway so fragrant.



My mom’s Carmel. I made it for the neighbors. Let’s see if it ever gets out. And yes I made two pans and yes I ate that entire whole row by myself.

TEAM MICHELLE

As all of you know I am a huge Biggest Looser fan...Just counting down the days for the finale.

I am totaly rooting for Michelle.



Did anyone else sob tonight when they suprised Michelle with her dad??? What a good episode.

Could you imagine if Jillian was your trainer??? Actually...I can't imagine having my own personal trainer in the first place...but....if Jillian was my trainer I would cry if she even looked at me.

Oh...and I can't wait until Vicky gets the BOOT!!!