Our Christmas

Like Christmas every year, it went by too fast, but it was fun. My sister, Jill, was here for the week and Megan couldn't get enough of her. They became good friends fast and Megan is still asking for her. My brother, Jef, couldn't get work off to come for Christmas (which was really sad), but he was able to fly out for the weekend. Megan liked having him around too and had lots of fun chasing him all around the house and doing Cookie Monster impressions to each other. We went up to my dad's wife's house in Sandy on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for brunch. It was fun to be with them too and my dad got Megan way too many gifts. He loves to spoil her! Jill, Jef, and I also worked on a little project while they were here, big shock I know. I'm always doing projects when they are around. Last year we painted and decorated the upstairs bathroom. This year's project took a lot less time and not as messy! We tried to recreate a picture of my mom and uncle since both Jill and Jef look like that side of the family. Here's a sample of our attempt and a few other pictures from our Christmas.

Here's the result of our "project". Not too bad!

This is my favorite picture of Megan opening presents. I love all the wrapping paper in the background and chaos of it all!

Just hanging out on Christmas day and trying out my new flash. It makes indoor pictures look SO much better!

How many babies can YOU hold at once?!

Megan loves her new stroller and my slippers!

I love Megan's wild curls after her baths.

Even hippos need a ride sometimes

Playing "Up and Down" with Auntie Jill

We play Monopoly every Christmas and try to beat Eric. Jill was giving him a run for his money...

But sadly, she lost. This is Eric's third year in a row winning.

Happy 50th Birthday Mom!

Today would have been my mom's 50th birthday. She died about 4 1/2 years ago from cancer. Ever since she died, Eric and I try to do something to celebrate her on her birthday. Usually we go to dinner, but since tonight is our ward Christmas party I think we'll just get a big piece of chocolate cake from Magelby's and watch her favorite movie, My Fair Lady. My mom always had a smile on her face and was constantly thinking and doing for others. She was a great example of how to love serving others. Each Christmas, we would always pick out at least one family to do the 12 days of Christmas to, which coincidentally starts on her birthday. One year we picked 5 families and their homes were all over the city we lived in. I think I spent more time in the car that Christmas break than I did at home. It's one of my favorite Christmas memories that I have with her. I think about my mom everyday and am always trying to be a little more like her. Happy Birthday Mom!

Thanksgiving and California

We hosted Thanksgiving this year for Eric's Dad, his sister, Amy, his Aunt Nancy and Uncle Richard, and his sister Diana and her husband and baby. His mom was suppose to come too, but woke up the day they were suppose to fly here really sick and couldn't make it. We missed her and it just wasn't the same without Grandma. Megan got to know Grandpa (or "Papa" as she calls him) really well. She'd call out from the top of the stair, "Papa - where are you?" when she couldn't see him. It was very cute. Some of Eric's brother's and their families stopped by for dessert in the evening. We had a great time visiting with family. I meant to take a picture of everyone that came, but only got one of the table before we ate instead. Sometimes I get all caught up in visiting that I forget that I wanted to take some pictures. I didn't even get one of our little family, lame, I know.

On Dec. 1 we flew to California for a long weekend at Eric's parent's house. We were suppose to take the trip in October, but had to delay since Eric was really busy with work. The trip started off on a sad note when I realized on the plane that I didn't have my camera bag with me. The flight attendants were really nice and let me run off the plane minutes before we were suppose to take off to look for it by the gate. It wasn't there of course and I came back and had a good cry in my seat. We called the airport when we landed and fortunately I had left it at security and it was in the lost and found already. I still had no camera for Disneyland though. So, we went to Costco the next day and bought a point and shoot to use for our trip. We ended up having a great time and Eric ate more Mexican food than I thought humanly possible in a 5 day span.

We saw "Wicked" with my sister, Jill and her boyfriend, Will. It was awesome and I highly recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity to go.

Disneyland!!!!!







This was Megan's first time to Disneyland and the highlight of the trip for me. I love Disneyland and was so excited to take Megan. I almost cried when we walked though the gate. It's just such a magical place and holds a lot of childhood memories for me. Megan did pretty well while waiting for the rides. We had to get a little creative at times, but we did ok. Jill and Will met us after naps as well as Eric's parents. Disneyland looked so pretty decorated for Christmas. It was more crowded than I like and am used to, but that's what we get for going during the Holidays.

We spent the rest of the time just hanging out with Grandpa and Grandma. We were also able to see Eric's brother Arlo and family. We only get to see them a couple times a year (if we are lucky) since they live in California. Thanks again to Grandpa and Grandma for letting us come!