Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire 2012

Merry Christmas.
Playing Santa was the best this year.
London ran into our living room & went straight for the tea set.
I had a pretty good notion that it would be a winner.
We quickly opened presents & headed to Steve & Heidi's for our
traditional Christmas breakfast.
Gma & Gpa scored big time with London.
Her very own fisher price play Nativity.
My parents was our next adventure.

Of course London headed straight to the toy room.

Her favorite place at Grandma's.

A delicious Christmas lunch was served, games were played, family was near.

Perfectly perfect, I tell ya.

Back to home for London time.

We even let her eat a sucker out of her candy loot.

Lynsi, Mike, Steve, & Heidi joined us later at our house 

for games & good times.

Brilliant indeed.

I love christmas.

I love family.

I love being so close to both families on Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Traditions are GROWING

Traditions have always been important to me.
Blake & I had a few Christmas traditions before London Rose came along.
But, this year, I wanted to start some new traditions.
London always brings out the best in us.
So, what better way to celebrate our best selves than to start some traditions of our own.
Last year we started the tradition of roasting chestnuts.
Last go-around, we roasted them in the oven.
This go-around, we roasted them on an open fire.
Next go-around, we are going to roast them on the grill.
So far, we like them in the oven the best.
Christmas Eve wouldn't be Christmas Eve unless we read the Christmas story by candlelight.
Thanks to Blake's mom & dad for starting that tradition.
It will be one we will always do & cherish.

Since everyone & their dog does the Christmas Eve pajama thing,

I wanted to think of something else that would be special for our family to do on Christmas Eve.

5 years ago, Blake & I started our own tradition of buying a new game every Christmas....

So, by combining our game tradition with some new twists, 

we came up with the perfect Christmas Eve tradition.

We do a game, a Christmas book, & Hickory farms yumminess.

It's a family gift.

Not that I can control the weather,

But we played in the snow on Christmas Eve, & it was a blast.

So, if there is snow on Christmas Eve, 

you can bet your bunnies we will be in it.

Of course, setting up Santa.
Happy Traditions Everyone!

WinterWonderLand Get-a-Way

Since we were already in the SLC area for Lynsi's wedding...
We decided to make a weekend of it & head to Park City.
Although, before leaving SLC, we attended the Charles Dickins Christmas Festival.
Nothing was Charles Dickins about it.
Disappointment to say the least.

Park City welcomed us with open SNOWY arms.

Winter WonderLand, I tell ya.

Miss London couldn't get enough of swimming.

A little hot tubbin in the snow... perfect.

Shopping, main street, & relaxing were among our favorite activities.

We may have had a nightly ritual...

Letting London loose in the hallways to practice walking.

Another nightly ritual?

Saying night night to a moveable Santa.

She was obsessed.

Perfectly perfect.

Oh, & Dot got to hang out with her best friend Pilot in Logan.

Thanks Kayde & Chris for watching her.

She loved every minute.

L+M = LOVE

Lynsi & Mike tied the knot. 
Fun weekend indeed. 
Thursday night was spent setting up the reception.
London might have wanted to practice running instead.

Friday was spent at the reception.
Heidi & Lynsi pulled it off. 
One of the most beautiful receptions I have been to.

On Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012

Lynsi & Mike became official.

A beautiful snowy SLC temple wedding.

Couldn't have asked for a better day.

Beautiful in everyway.

Congratulations Mike & Lynsi Clarke.

We love you!

Let there be LIGHT

London & I received a surprise visitor...

My daddio!!!!

He came to put a light in London's Harry Potter playroom.

We couldn't be happier.

Love you dad.

What would we ever do without you.

Since having light...

We have had some non stop playing going on around here.

Oh, & London has a new love of COLORING.

I'm crossing my fingers no crayons/markers find their way on my walls/couches/etc.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Oh the weather outside is frightful 

 But the fire is so delightful  

And since we've no place to go 

  Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
It doesn't show signs of stopping  

And I've bought some corn for popping  

The lights are turned way down low 

  Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! 

Please oh Please let this song come true. 

I'm crossing my fingers.

I want to have another snow day.

PLEASE snow a bucket load before christmas.

I'm dreaming of a white christmas.

Really though.

A Quarter of a Century

Some of my favorite things happened on Dec. 7, 2012...

which was a very good thing...

since it made turning a quarter of a century old a little easier.

My day started with snuggling my baby,

lunch at Takara,

a quick nap,

Preston lights,

 coming home to a surprise party with all my favorite people,

 kissing under a real mistletoe,

finally opening my hp chocolate frog.

Helga Hufflepuff was a bit of a disappointment.

 christmas movie,

& having a sleepover under the Christmas tree.

Perfect day for turning 25.

Who would have known.....

I might have a teeny tiny secret......

Ok, I'll tell you..

I may have developed a love for BAKING..COOKING.. you name it.. I love it.

It's been developing for a few years now.

I still try to act like I hate it...

But who am I kidding, I LOVE it.

Christmas gives me an excuse to go all crazy in the kitchen.

We've had some serious baking days here.

It's a good thing I have a little helper to help out.

 Ok, she might practice walking more than she helps cooking......

 And, let's face it...

she might look out the window & take off with my cookie cutters 

more than she helps cooking.

In all fairness though, it did start snowing & looking out the window was a must.

 But, when she wants to help

WE GET A LITTLE TOO MUCH HELP.

 And, I may have accidentally shaved down my hp chocolate frog.

I'm pretty sure the chocolate thanked me since it was a key ingredient in my homemade Reeses Cups.