Christmastime

We had an enjoyable Christmas again this year. My siblings and I (plus spouses and kids) gathered at my parent's house on the 23rd for dinner. Suzy and her family weren't able to make it this year, so we really missed them! After a wonderful turkey dinner, we gathered in the family room for our annual talent show and nativity. For our contributions to the talent show, Evan played "Up on the Housetop" on the piano, then I played "Jingle Bells" on the harmonica while the kids sang along. For the nativity, Alisha was an angel again. Denver and Evan decided they didn't want to be wise men or shepherds this year, so I conjured up a sheep and donkey costume for them. Grandma gave all the grand kids pajamas again! So cute! The kids also opened their "cousin" presents and then all the adults opened their "sibling" presents. Suzy sent a package for us with a Restaurant of the month card and a blanket she made for us (one side has the Broncos and the other side has volleyballs), we love it! Mom and dad also gave each of the families a box of food storage. We went back to my parent's house for breakfast the next day to celebrate my dad's birthday. The rest of Christmas Eve was quite relaxing and enjoyable (minus the last- minute wrapping frenzy).

Christmas morning the kids got up at 6:30 to open presents (despite my objections). They didn't have a lot of things to open because they each got some "big ticket" items. Grant got a cozy coupe (pictured below), some blocks and some smaller cars.Alisha got a dollhouse with a lot of furniture and accessories and some Legos. Evan got a couple of nerf guns, Spongebob Operation, and a really cool electrical circuit kit.
Denver also got a nerf gun, plus a basketball and a "real" gun (represented by the picture, because the "real" gun was locked in the safe by the time I took the picture) that has three interchangeable barrels. Some of my favorite things about Christmas is spending time with our families and listening to Christmas music (oh, and all the Christmas candy). I really could do without all the gifts and focus more on the true meaning of Christmas, but that's never going to happen! So, each year I do my best to remember our Savior through all the craziness!! Merry Christmas!!

12 Years

12 years ago, Shane and I experienced one of the happiest (and scariest) days of our lives. We were married in the St. George, UT temple on a cold, yet beautiful, winter day.
We were so excited to begin our lives together! We were so young and innocent, not knowing what the future held for us, but just hoping that love would be enough to carry us through a lifetime of happiness together. I'm not going to lie and say that the last 12 years were easy, but I can honestly say that our love has grown immensely because of the many experiences (good and bad) that we have shared over the years. We don't have the "perfect" relationship, but I know that as long as we are both trying to make each other happy, we will be OK!This year we went to a movie and dinner to celebrate our anniversay. We saw "The Blind Side" which we both really liked, then we went to dinner at Samurai 21. We had a Teppanyaki chef cooking up our food in front of us. It was fun to watch and the food was pretty good (except Shane's overcooked fish). Thanks Shane, for 12 wonderful years!!! I love you Shmoopy!

Merry Christmas!

My Growing Boy!

I took Grant to his 18 month check-up last week and he was 31 inches long (still a little short) and weighed 23 pounds 6 ounces. The doctor was quite happy with his progress!

Grant hadn't been eating very much for months, but then last week, he suddenly started eating everything in sight!!Also, Sunday was his first week in nursery and they said he did really well. No crying at all! Plus he scarfed down all his snacks! I think I can start enjoying church again (at least for a few months).

Christmas Festivities

Yesterday, we were able to enjoy some Christmas festivities. First, we went up to the elementary school and watched Alisha in the Kindergarten Christmas program. It was such a cute program with a lot of fun Christmas songs and dances. Alisha is in the front row wearing a black and red plaid dress. That night, we went up to the church for our Ward Christmas party. We enjoyed some food, a talent show (I had to get up and sing a song with the scouts), a slide show of ward members (made by Kay and Bishop Barlow), and a special visitor!! Alisha told Santa that she wanted a doll house for Christmas.Denver is too big to sit on Santa's lap!
Evan didn't talk to Santa because he said the line was too long and I didn't even dare take Grant near the big, red, scary man!