Holy Holiday Recap

Hope Yours Was Merry!


It's January 4th and today starts our first real attempt at the New Year. Back to school, back to work, back to the grind. It was a lovely Holiday....

Beginning with Thanksgiving, this is my only picture from the big day and so be it, because Violet is what I am most thankful for this (last) year. She is funny and nutty and so dang delicious and I love every single thing about her from her mullet to her dance moves.


Our first Christmas activity to get us in the spirit-- The Festival of Trees

Moving right along to The Polar Express


The boys were thrilled

Violet plus Hot Chocolate


Santa looked a little wasted this time

...so did Kev

Asher plus Santa's elves (big surprise)

Next, we had a couple of birthdays. First, Mine. I'm thirty (vomit) and I'd rather not be. Kevin took me to a fancy restaurant in Park City where HE had lobster (vomit). My steak, however, was fantastic. We ditched out on the Jazz game since we were running late and went to a movie instead. It was a wonderful date, even though the occasion being celebrated was an unfortunate one.

Second, Asher's. How is he seven?! Seven sounds so much older than six. We began the day with a pancake breakfast (his choice).

Following that was a whole day of fun which the camera missed. We opted for no party this year (we meaning I), but a special outing instead. Kevin took Asher, Mason, and Madden down to his office to play basketball at the new building and then play Mario Kart on the big screen. After that they went rock climbing at The Quarry. A day comprised of his favorite things with his 2 cousins was more than a dream come true. He even got a box of fruit by the foot for his present:)

A pogo stick from Pa was the coolest

He chose Training Table for his Birthday dinner

and penguin cupcakes from Walmart for his cake

We scrounged up every candle we could find to make seven

and my children ate all 12 cupcakes

I always tell Asher the day he was born was the best day of my life, hands down. He is special.

No Christmas season is complete without a trip to Temple Square




Too bad everyone else feels the same way so we were required to park several blocks away in some dark alley where hoodlums roam. We came back to find our car window broken and Kevin's wallet stollen. I hate to say "I told you so" but I said it to my husband about five times on the drive home, with the heater blasting and blankets over the window. Asher was pretty stressed about it. Up until this point, he thought robbers were pretend like monsters and talking animals:)

Christmas Eve! As tradition has it, Kevin's family came over for a turkey dinner and a lot of Wii playing this time.




Getting ready to read The Night Before Christmas

I love Christmas Jammies


Christmas Morning- Oh the joy!












As usual, my family joined us for Christmas brunch. Mmmmmm.




The day after Christmas we had our "Brady Bunch" get together at Pa and Mimi's with both families. It's amazing to see how fast we're growing!

The following week we made a trip to Logan to hang with the Smiths. Building gingerbread houses was a tradition we started with them 8 years ago. It was so fun to get together.

And finally, we celebrated the New Year with our third annual trip to the cabin in Heber with the Nelsons. Sledding and fondu is always a perfect way to ring in the New Year. It's our favorite.





Christmas time always comes and goes too fast for my liking. I loved it. Now I'm off to attend to my New Years resolutions that stand no chance.