Books I Read in 2011

Tantalize
By Cynthia Leitich Smith
Man's Search For Meaning
Viktor E. Frankl
Joy In The Morning
By Betty Smith
I Capture The Castle
By Dodie Smith
Marriage
By Les & Leslie Parrott

Christmas Morning

Christmas Morning 2011

This was the first year the Grinch decided to visit our house,
ON Christmas Day!

He left all of us throwing up with a terrible stomach flu!
Even little Lucy Lu Hoo
woke up Christmas morning in a crib of throw up!
Memorable indeed! :)

Lucy got to open the first present.
A peek a boo baby doll!

Kate was so happy that Santa remembered
The Tangled Wii game she has been wanting.
Ella was most excited about this replacement dress.
She lost an identical dress in October in California.
She couldn't stop screaming!
Merry Christmas!

Barbie Christmas

Bringing Christmas to us...

Since we were all sick on Christmas, the day after Christmas, Grammy and Papa J brought Christmas to us.
They brought us dinner and
spent the evening with us, opening presents, and putting together this...

"the best barbie house ever," quote from Ella!
The girls have been in heaven all week playing barbies!
Thanks Grammy and Papa J

Cute things the kids have been saying

Kate wrote a book titled, "Santa Claus comes to town because...kids are good!"

On all of the Christmas cards Kate has written to us they read,
"To: Mom and Dad too
Love: Kate"!
I am glad Kate is still MY girl!

Christmas Eve

Cookies for Santa

Christmas Eve

This year Abby was Mary, Kate was a Wiseman and Ella and angel.
Abby played her Christmas songs on the piano. Kate played her Christmas songs on the dulcimer and Ella sang "Sunbeam" and "Jesus Said Love Everyone" and "I Love To See The Temple."

Lucy Grace

LUCY GRACE
10 Months Old
Each month I go to have Lucy's pictures taken.
I just got her Christmas pictures back today,
and I love how they turned out.
She had so much fun with the balls, empty boxes, and ornaments.
I can't wait until the real thing on Christmas morning!

Ella

One of Ella's favorite pastimes...

watching CAKE DECORATING videos on Utube. She loves it!
(She even paused it to turn her head to take this picture!)

Lucy is 10 Months Old

Lucy Grace

10 Months Old
Lucy is so sweet & so loved!
At 10 Months old, she is into everything!
This week she ate dirt (3 times), the sponge foam off of my ear buds,
and LOTS of who knows what else off of the ground! :)
This week we finally had to get out the 90 inch baby gate.
She is NOT a fan, but she has a generous area to play in!
Lucy loves...
peek-a-boo, baths, binky,
playing the piano, creeping along the fireplace ledge,
scavenging for food under the kitchen table,
riding in the car, saying "eehhh" to Dad when he gets home,
patting us, waving bye, clapping.
TODAY Lucy's first tooth can finally be felt.
We love you baby girl!

Above The Clouds

Above The Clouds
This year has been so different.
We have had very little snow.
On this day it was so pretty to be above the clouds.
It felt like we were in an airplane. Sun shining, clouds below.
Beautiful clouds. "Giant pillows," as Ella calls them!

Christmas at Gardner Village

Santa's Elves

December 17

On the 17th day of December, Christmas gave to me,
a day with the Utah Symphony.

For the 8th year in a row we continued our tradition of attending

the Here Comes Santa Claus Symphony concert at Abravenel Hall.
Lucy was especially sweet, clapping and dancing.

December 16

On the 16th Day of December, Christmas gave to me,

Red Robin with the Bakers, and Christmas lights and Santa to see!

Bakers and Derricks night out! :)

This was our first time seeing the lights at Layton City Park. It was a lot of fun! The biggest surprise of all was a visit from Santa, who came up to our cars to wave hello. The kids were thrilled!!! You better be good...he is watching!

December 15

On the 15th Day of December, Christmas gave to me,
The Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert!

Olivia - Abby - Riley

It was fun to take Abby and two of her friends to dinner, to see the lights
at Temple Square, and to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert.
I love Abby and I love her friends! It was fun to enjoy a night out together! :)

Christmas Dance Performance - Dec 14

Christmas Dance Performance

Ella
danced to Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree.
She is finishing her second year of dance.

Kate

danced to Run, Run Rudolph.
She is finishing her 4th year of dance.

Abby

danced to Jingle Bells.
She is finishing her sixth year of dance, 4th year at Legacy Dance.

James
WON the Dad's Drill's Down!
Way to go James!
VERY proud daughters!
Thank's Miss Mo for another wonderful year of dance!

Lucy's Week

Lucy is in to EVERYTHING!Stuck again!

THE BEST LUCY STORY OF THE WEEK
Last night I picked up my iPod and ear buds to go running! I noticed the blue foam on one of the ear buds was missing! This morning I found it in Lucy's diaper!!! :) I am so glad she didn't choke, and yes, I am asking for new ear buds for Christmas!

Not an oreo cookie.
Who knew dirt could taste so good?
Did I forget to close the wipes again?
Lucy averages 3 baths per day!

Cutting her first tooth.
Lucy having her first sucker,
so a desperate Mom can have 10 minutes to load the
dishes and sweep the kitchen floor!

We love you Lucy!
We can't see what you discover next.....or can we?!

December 11, 12, 13

On the 11, 12, and 13th Days of December, Christmas gave to me,
Christmas present wrapping, Christmas movies, and Christmas decorating.

December 8 and 9 and 10

On the 8th, 9th and 10th Days of December
Christmas gave to me,
THREE dates nights in a row with my favorite "he"!

Thursday, James and I went to see A Christmas Carol as part of a work event.
Friday, we went to dinner and out for the night while the Horne's watched our 4 girls! Thank you!
Saturday, we went to the Steven's for our neighborhood Couples Christmas party.

3 Date Nights is a row....so lucky!!!

December 10

On the 10th Day of December, Christmas gave to me, a wedding shower for Lana, Emily's Birthday lunch, Grammy's Dance Performance, dinner at the Olive Garden, and a white elephant Couples Neighborhood party!

The Steven's Couple party is always a hit!
For the second year in a row,
I picked the present with the fancy panties! :)
(I didn't turn nearly as red as last year!)

December 6 and 7

On the Sixth Day of December, Christmas gave to me,

a very mobile baby who loves the Christmas tree!
Wrapping paper, lights, sacks, Christmas books & boxes.
This little baby loves to get into it all!
This will be a very memorable Christmas!
She even knows how to turn on
and off the Christmas tree lights!

December 5

On the Fifth Day of December,

Christmas gave to me... Gingerbread house decorating!

Oh yeah, Santa baby!