Christmas

a merry busy christmas we had.

after all of the stress it was not too bad.

our christmas gift to a few,

was the wonderful stomach flu!

playing santa was a delight.

staying up all night... 

a little kitchen to build,

presents to wrap,

little stockings to be filled.

"yes man" & "benjamin button"

were on the movie queue.

yes man was a don't ben button a do.

puzzles, snow, and christmas street,

chocolates, cocoa, and "just one more" treat.

ham & red hot jello (ew),

a magical christmas morning taboot.

and now it is over,

so fast but so fun.

can't wait for next year,

when ruby's not one.

{Some of my favorite pics from Christmas.  Check out our slideshow from last year here}

Merry Christmas

This is the street I grew up on... until we moved (age 7) a block west to "Bible Story Street."  I guess my parents wanted to stay festive!  On Christmas Street (Glen Arbor Circle in Salt Lake City) EVERYONE decorated their houses with lights and strung lights from house to house down the lane.   Some people went all out and had lit reindeer, or blow-up nativity's and many other random fun decorations.  I remember one house always had a big NOEL neon sign that went down their chimney.  At the end of a circle there is always a HUGE Christmas tree and hundreds of cars drove down our circle every night.  We were pretty much trapped in and it would take a good 15 minutes t get out of out circle.  At the beginning of December, on a Saturday morning, Santa would always come and visit our street and give us stockings full of goodies.  On some nights, my siblings and I would stand in the middle of the circle behind the little white picket fence, fencing in the big tree and wave at all of the visitors.

On Bible Street (I don't have a picture), everyone has two huge plaques lit up on their front lawn & also decorates their houses.  One plaque a picture and the other a verse to the story of the birth of the Savior.  The street loops around and tells the story from Luke 2 in the Bible.  This street also gets a lot of traffic.  It is always really fun at Christmas time and especially on Christmas Eve because a ton of cars pass by my parents home.  We are always in the front room going about our traditions and eating dinner.  When we were little, we would always shout out and go look out the window and wave if a limo or bus was driving by.  One year we had this crazy dog which my parents no longer have.  The stupid dog (Dexter) got out and was chasing all of the cars and people on the sidewalk walking.  Literally my whole family was outside chasing the dog in the snow and diving in the snow for him while he dodged out of the way!  I am sure we were such a spectacle.  

Among others, these are great memories for me.  I am so excited to start Christmas traditions with my own little family.  I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

this will make you laugh...

This video is so funny!  This chunky baby is cracking up at the Wii!

a little fun and a lotta not so fun.

We had a little Christmas get together last night with some friends.  As you see... Adam left early to take Ruby home to bed.  It was really fun, yummy food, and we had a great time decorating gingerbread men & playing charades!  
I woke up to Ruby crying last night and went in to find her covered in throw up... poor little thing.  I don't know where she got this little bug but she has thrown up four times and been under the weather all day.  I hope it is GONE and does not pass through my family during Christmas & Laura's wedding.  I swear, we are ALWAYS sick during the holidays (last year Ruby got RSV) and EVERY time my sister Sarah comes into town, all of her kids get sick and everyone just passes it around. Cross your fingers!

sledding

We did a little backyard sledding the other night and Ruby had a blast.  Don't you love her random bundled up-ness... rain boots and all!

it has been very snowy this week

i don't mind in the least.

in fact, i love it. hip hip.

i love braving this weather,

or staying in.

hustling & bustling

smiling a lot.

shopping successfully.

yesterday was dreamy.

thrift store shopping with a friend.

treasures were found.

yummy salad for lunch.

napping with my rubes.

more shopping.

cafe rio with friends.

gingerbread house decorating.

and to top it off,

a little lacrosse.

woke to fresh snow.

a peaceful wintery day.

watched elmo.

showered with my babe.

corn quesadilla's

yum.

mug of hot chocolate

yum.

ruby's awake

off we go.

downy flurries and all

today is a boot day

we're bundled and ready

we'll make the most of it.

because it's so beautiful.

errands to run.

friends to visit.

wet kisses from ruby.

'til adam gets home.

i love watching ruby

flap her little arms

like a little humming bird.

scream in excitement.

as daddy walks through the door.

Polar Express

Last week, Kate and I took the girls and met up with some friends on the "Polar Express" in Heber.  We had cookies & hot chocolate and read the Polar Express story on our way the North Pole.  When we arrived, Santa got on the train and met each child, hearing their Christmas wishes and giving them each a bell.  Then we met Mrs. Clause and we sang Christmas songs all the way back to the train station.  It was a very fun little outing.

wicked anyone....?

Alright, let's make this quick people...  who wants to go to "Wicked" at Capitol Theater in April?  Tickets go on sale in about a minute (10:00am).  I think it would be really fun to get a big group to go...  so comment or call me and we will make it  date.

to my delight...

i discovered that ruby cannot get enough of these...

{pomegrantite seeds}

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

Hip hip HOORAY!  It FINALLY snowed.  We couldn't wait to get outside to shovel & play in the snow!

Here comes Santa Claus...

On Saturday we saw the big man.  Courtesy of Mike Patrick (Lynsie's dad), our whole neighborhood saw him.  We waited in line to sit on his lap.  Ruby was pretty tired when we were finally up.  Some kids were crying because it was taking so long.  She was not scared of him at all.  She just stared at him and had no idea what was going on.  Oh and I also took my sister Kate's family photo's on Friday at a tree lot.  They turned out great.  You can check them out on my photography blog.