Come On In...

Let us share some snippets of our Christmas with you...

Multiple candy cane thefts from our tree... beware the suspect is still at large, with a disarming smile and minty fresh breath.

Christmas breakfast was waffles with strawberries and cream, but in a classic display of toddler excess, River's breakfast included dipping a succor into the cream.

New additions to the tree...

The cutest gift ever from River's Nursery leaders.

A limited edition River Bear tree topper.

Some old favorites...

This just in....

We have sufficient evidence that the Candy Cane Bandit has added vandalism in the form of tagging Christmas presents to his growing list of crime.  In his defense, it does appear that he was trying to write the word Christmas in festive green marker.

We celebrated Christmas #1 on the 25th...

And then in true hobbit fashion, 2nd Christmas was delivered to our door on the 28th.  Let it just go on record, I am all for late Christmas presents... it keeps the post holiday blues at bay.

The weather outside was unfortunately not snowy or white...

But inside, everything was merry and bright.  The gifts from friends and family warmed our hearts, as reflecting on the endless gifts of the Savior warmed our souls.  We love Christmas!  Even if it involves a candy cane bandit and the occasional drooly candy cane vampire.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

 

Lights and More Lights

River here- I just wanted to let you know how we've been filling our time this December.  One of the words I like to say the most right now is lights... actually it is more like LIIIIIIIIGHTSSSSS!  So my mom has been taking me all over the place to see as many as possible.  Our first attempt was at Christmas In The Park in Kansas City.  It didn't go so well.  We waited in a 45 minute line just to get into the park and right when we finally made it to the gates and saw a few lights, we had to turn around, because we were going to miss a dinner appointment.  I still had fun riding in the front seat.  Mom's kind of a car seat nazi... I mean I am almost two and still rear facing... so it was a real treat.

Then we hit up The Kansas City Plaza.  Now they know how to do lights... beautiful and easy access.  I've never been to Europe, something about needing a passport, blah, blah, blah, but this part of Kansas City makes me feel the same way as pictures of London on foggy nights do.  Yes, I look at pictures of London.  I'm very sophisticated for my age.

My mom wouldn't let me hold the camera, so unfortunately you have to deal with unsightly street signs in the way, but isn't KC beautiful this time of year?

She is soooo getting snowballed for this.

When we made our way back to Salt Lake, we ventured out into Sugar Hood, uh... I mean House and found Christmas Street.  The neighbors here have been decorating their houses every year since 1947.  I bet the dinosaurs thought it was so cool.

Mom tried to get a photo of both of us and the sign.  At least we got the most important part.

For all you Salt Lakers, Christmas Street is on 1700 S. and 1500 E.  You should check it out, but only if you're not grinch'in.

After Christmas Street, we stopped by Bible Street... literally right down the road and saw the whole Christmas Story displayed throughout the neighborhood.  I can't read, but the pictures sure were pretty.  Jesus's mom had him naturally too, so our birth stories are kind of similar, but I was born in a hospital and they wouldn't let Noodle come to visit, so no animals.  Shoot... that would have been so cool.

 Last on our tour of lights was Temple Square.  We actually had two attempts, because the first time Mom couldn't find parking, so we just had hot chocolate instead.  I'm glad we tried again, because it was really something.  My favorite was the reflections of light on this fountain.  I tried to go for a swim, but mom was not budging on this one.

Come on Mom... Just a little dip?

We had fun and just in case you are the type to get in a huff about me not wearing a hat or gloves, just know I had to rip them off every five minutes when my mom kept trying to sneak them on.  I checked with Santa and this does not get you kicked off the Good List.  Tonight is Dad's last night of peak season, so maybe we can finally get him in some photos.  Merry Christmas and I hope you liked the LIIIIGHTSSSS!!!!

One Thing At A Time

Since Christmas is right around the corner, I thought I'd better hurry and post some pics of my 33rd Birthday.

December is a rough month for all our birthdays to be in.  With Bear's UPS schedule in over-drive, it leaves very little time for us to spend together as a family.  This year, we snuck in a quick birthday lunch to The Cracker Barrel and it was perfect.  I don't need my birthdays to be big, but I get majorly bummed out if they are just like every other day and we don't do anything special.  So this was super fun, because I was thinking we wouldn't have time to celebrate.

 The bonus present was that River behaved magnificently.  I don't remember an eating out experience that has been this relaxed in years... 2 years to be exact.  Usually we take shifts eating, while one of us is running around the restaraunt with River trying to keep him entertained and contained... kinda like a rodeo clown.

 I hope it is a sign of things to come, but it was probably just a birthday present to his Mama.  Well I'll take it. I guess a good family photo wasn't on his list of things to give.

Nothing beats birthday cake, except FREE birthday cake.  Makes it taste that much better, I promise!

Santa 2011

So here is my sweet babe in 2010, meeting Santa for the first time...

Well obviously River must not have liked his presents last year, because Santa 2011 was in store for screaming with a side of tears...

I like to call this photo, "I Stood In Line For How Long And All I Got Was This Stupid Candy Cane".

How about one more for posterity...

I call this one, "No, Seriously Mom, This Sucks!"

Well, at least I had fun and that's what Christmas is all about, right?

Birthday Eve

Last night I had a dream where in it I was sleeping and a giant clock was laying flat on top of me.  It was a generic round black and white plastic clock, like the kind you see in every office and classroom in America.  It had the loudest, most annoying tick, tick tick sound as it counted the seconds.  The clock began pressing down on me and suffocating me, weighing so heavy on my chest I couldn't breathe.  I awoke in a cold sweat, with the keen awareness I just had my first biological clock dream.  How very grown up of me, or Ally McBeal of me... I'm not sure which.

Upon waking I had three thoughts: 1. My biological clock is boring.  Can't I have an antique cuckoo clock instead.  2. Where's my dancing baby?  3. Hey back off biological clock... I'm trying pretty hard here!

I had my heart set on a positive pregnancy test for my birthday.  Mercifully, I found out today, instead of tomorrow, that it was not meant to be.  That way I have time to get over my funk.  Who wants a negative pregnancy test for their birthday?  No one!  Can we say refund... or better yet... exchange!  I think my body must have known it wasn't pregnant.  Why else would it have sent my subconscious a biological clock dream?  Anyway, it was a long day, that started off with a rough night.  I've never been able to sleep that well with noisy clocks in the room.  Tomorrow will be better.  33 Here I Come!