Merry Christmas!

 We had a good Christmas. Again, for me, my favorite times of the season were before the actual holiday, but I still definitely enjoyed the time with my family and with our little family. It was the last Christmas with my dad. He's gone downhill even since Christmas. He often can't get out of a chair without help and has pain even with increased meds. It is awful to see. I dread his dying and hope for him to have relief from his suffering at the same time. I wish I could have both, but I know it isn't possible. I just have to turn to my faith and know that I will see him after he dies. Death is not the end!

S and Grandpa

Grandpa, S (with her "lookers"), and Grandma

Grandpa reading the Christmas story. He had to have
Mom finish. Before reading it he talked about Christ
and shared his testimony of the Savior. I'm thankful
for his faith and example now and throughout
my life.

She was a pretty slow present-opener

me

A Minnie Mouse snow globe from Aunt Lori and Stella

Minnie Mouse slippers--yea!!

Grandma and Grandpa gave her a set of
Minnie Mouse instruments, including a whistle.
When asked what she wanted before Christmas,
S would reply "a whistle" :)

The little flute that was one of the instruments.

She also wanted a flashlight, so Grandma
gave her this purple one.
Kinda freaky!

We spent Christmas morning at our own house.
Here I'm reading S one of her new books. (notice I didn't show my own bed-head!)

Giants pennant for Daddy's garage

And S got vegetables for Christmas!

Daddy fixing something. He fixes lots
of things for us :)

And after presents and breakfast there was some
shoveling that needed to be done

Trying out her new fingerpaints

Other Christmas activities

 Besides running around like crazy trying to get Christmas gifts, preparing for ward parties, not getting enough sleep, and trying to keep getting everything done that needs to be done we have been able to be a part of some fun activities. Here are some pictures of a few of them...

Well, it is a skirt, right? Ha ha!
Decorating for Christmas brings out
a whole new array of toys for S

Surprise party for Uncle John's 40th birthday

We visited the Living Nativity in Alpine. It was neat,
but not sure we want to be waiting in lines like that
in future, colder Decembers.

Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus at the Living Nativity--
definitely my favorite part. The camels were pretty
cool to see, too.

Making cookies with these cute girls

Staying with Aunt Cheryl (and then checking out her Nativity)
while Mommy and Daddy went to Daddy's work party.

I think we have a future mutton buster!

Dipping chocolates with my mom and sisters.
I haven't done this in a long time, but it was fun and
the fruits are delicious!

Each of us made different centers and split them all up
after they were dipped and set.

And, of course, we've been rockin' out
to Christmas music. S's favs are Michael Buble's
"Jingle Bells" and Bing Crosby's "Let it Snow!"
(Makes me proud =)
Here she's making some music all her own!

Visit to Temple Square

This is the second year we've gone to Temple Square and I have really loved it each time. Last year it was my favorite time during the Christmas season and this year it was equally special. Yes, the traffic was bad. Yes, the food court was packed. The lights, of course, are beautiful, as is the feeling that is there. I think that seeing it with S makes it meaningful, too. She looooved the water fountains. She loved hearing the bagpipes and the flute. She loved playing on the lights at City Creek. She had a great time exploring and taking things in and I loved being there with her. I loved hearing her happily sing "Let it Snow" as we walked around. I just wanted her to enjoy it. Nathan took some fantastic pictures with our new camera. We were able to get in to see part of the Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert and S liked the Sesame Street muppets and loved dancing with the dancers. It was just a great night. We decided to go kind of last minute, but I'm so glad we did! I loved being together as a family and remembering Christ and His humble birth. I'm so grateful He came to this earth and gives life and hope and light to all of us!

Playing on the sidewalk lights at City Creek

Water fountains at City Creek looking toward Temple Square

Playing in the water

Mommy and S

Lights and the temple

Our little family

One of my favorites (also one I requested :)

Our cutie

I love how this one turned out

So pretty!

Silhouettes of S and I looking at Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus

New Camera

Nathan's wanted a mirrorless camera for a while and this month we finally decided we could pull the trigger (ha ha!). He's enjoyed trying it out and has gotten some really great photos. I want to learn how to use it, too, but....time is a precious commodity in December, so it hasn't happened yet. It will be fun to be able to take some nice pictures of our own! Here are a few to begin with. I'll post more picture of our visit to Temple Square.

S has many funny faces these days!
(Shocked)

(Ecstatic)

(Serious)

Here's our happy Christmas tree

We even managed to put up Christmas lights this year.
Nice warm weather helped!

pictures of our cutie

Back again. I decided to give myself the week off last week due to the holiday. There was plenty going on anyway, though nothing terribly exciting. This week I'd just like to share some pictures of our cute girl whom we love soooooooooo much!

This is her "cheeeze" smile

Playing in what little snow remained after church

ahhh,so sweet

We watched her cousins one night. She's really hugging
him, not choking him =)

Nigh unto impossible to get them all to look at the same time!
The little girl cousin started pulling hair at this point so the
camera had to go.

This one just makes me laugh every time!

Hey, who stole Mommy's phone and
took silly pictures???

Playing in the kennel

Our little fire chief in her Sunday best

I love those eyelashes

New penguin pj's

Helping Mommy put up Christmas decorations.Well, it is a skirt, right?
She loved dancing in it and is still rather
unhappy that it has to stay under the tree.