'Tis The Season

We've been packing some fun Christmas festivities into the last couple of weeks, despite mama fighting a nasty cold, we've been having a lot of fun! Here's what we've been up to...




We got our Christmas tree from a lot close to our house. We had big plans of cutting one down in the Uintahs, but it didn't pan out...maybe next year!




We had tons of fun decorating gingerbread houses with some of our very most favorite people. The event was complete with DELICIOUS food, but Lydi was mostly interested in eating the houses :)

Other things we've been up to...

-Shopping (of course)
-Reading (Gary finished his book and I finshed The Glass Castle and LOVED it)
-Checking out fun lights around town...we saw a really cool nativity scene off of 2700 W in SJ that Lydia was loving!
-Playing in the snow...Thanks to Daddy, Lydi has really been enjoying the snow and the four-wheeler!

Under the Weather Has it's Upside

I caught my usual late fall cold just before our trip to Disneyland! Being the big wimp I am, I didn't do much while I was sick...but it gave me the chance to read two books. I loved them both so much I had to share...

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith...I picked this up a few months ago and when I finally had the chance to submerge myself in it, I fell in love with it! It's the story of a young girl (Francie) growing up in Brooklyn at the turn of the century. She is very poor, but fortunate to have a mother who values education and realizes it will be the thing that will give her children a chance at a better life... Highly recommended!

I also read (after stealing it from Gary) Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell...the book is a tale of his journey as a Navy Seal and his courageous battle against hundreds of Taliban fighters. He lost three of his best friends and sixteen other men died trying to save his team. This book enlightened me on the war in Afghanistan and the huge sacrifices being made for our freedom. Must read! (disclaimer #1: harsh language, I'm a little numb to it...others may not be. #2: If you're a liberal this is probably not the book for you)

If you have any good suggestions for me please leave them here! I think I've got the reading bug and I'm counting on it to get me through this cold, miserable winter!

The Magical Kingdom

This year we decided to take off for the long holiday weekend! It was a big change from the traditional turkey dinner with family, but we had a blast! Disneyland was our destination. Grammie, Lydi, Gary and I headed out Thursday morning and came home Sunday night! We squeezed more fun and excitement into three days than you might believe!

Lydia was skeptical of the characters at first, but definitely warmed up to them by the second day! Gary was in awe, this being his FIRST trip! How does one go thirty something years without seeing the most magical place on earth?!?! Mom was loving every minute of it...she's been a few times in the last few years...I think it will always be one of her most favorite places!

There were definitely A LOT of people with our same idea ;) But when my mom and I mentioned the 45 minute lines to one of the over-zealous "cast members," he was quick to let us know this was one of their "slower weekends." We'll just say I'd hate to see busy if that was slow!

Here are some pictures of us braving the crowd and having a great time...




(had to throw this one in...little evelyn here entertained Lydia for 30 min plus while we waited for a show to start. She was SOOO cute...notice her 6'5" sister next to her...she too was so tall! Looked 11, acted 5..true age: 7, we loved her!)

Halloween.

When the Blackberry Calls...

Yesterday I officially failed in the balancing act we call "the working mommy." I was in my bathroom with Lydia trying to do her hair for the day. I heard my phone ringing and realized it was in another room, I left her to run and grab it and returned right back to her and carried on with my conversation. Being a Realtor/mom has required me to be a great balancer of the Blackberry and child care. I'm usually pretty good at it. I typically favor the child, thus the reason I'm on my 3rd Blackberry in 18 months (those stories deserve their own post)!

Today, however, I failed. It was my sister in law. On the phone. She had a real estate question. I suddenly found myself in Realtor mode. I couldn't help her without stepping out of the room once again to sit down at my computer. I ran to quickly look up a number. Seconds (literally seconds) later I heard a blood curdling scream. I hung up on Jesi and knew right then what I would see when I got to the bathroom. I grabbed Lydi and looked for burns. Low and behold she had horrible burns on both sides of her wrist. I. WAS. SICK. I couldn't believe I had just violated so many rules and my sweet, innocent, beautiful girl was now blistered and heart broken! I called Gary up from his office to help with the situation. He was mad at me. Rightfully so! It was an accident, but a very preventable one. So, for those of you out there who have a child...remember these simple rules...

1. Don't leave the child alone on the bathroom vanity.
2. Don't leave the child alone with hot flat irons (or anything hot) within reach-or in the same room for that matter.

Bet you're thinking you would never do that! I know you would never do that! I, on the other hand, have done that...along with many other stupid things, but I hope I will never do it again! My baby, unlike my Blackberry, is irreplaceable...Maybe it's time for an ear piece? I Don't think so! No offense to you Blue Toothers!

In an attempt to redeem myself I bought Lydia the Snow White movie and we watched it twice yesterday. It's a little scary for her, but she loves the singing and the animals...who says money can't buy love?!?!


Her Cousin Always Cheers Her Up

Her New Favorite Coat, courtesy of Old Navy Stuff and Save :)

The Burn/Blister, Just One of Three

...and that what it's all about!

You've got to check out this news clip! I have two of the coolest nephews around...not to mention fabulous ball players!
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705337508/Miracle-League-Kids-with-disabilities-get-to-play-ball.html
...sorry it's not letting me add the link. Just copy and paste it to your browser :)

Leaves are falling all around

I was standing in line at one of my favorite guilty pleasures the other day (Great Harvest) and the clerk was saying to each person in line, "What's your favorite season? I'm taking a survey." Not surprisingly, four out of the 5 people in front of me (busy day there) said Fall. My reply, of course, FALL! Here's what I love about it...(I didn't bore him with this part)

-Cool, crisp air
-Sweat shirts / Sweaters
-Running
-Leaves changing
-Halloween
-Thanksgving

We've had a lot of fun with Lydia this fall. She's getting excited to wear her Halloween costume and she has loved picking our pumpkins and seeing all the fun things in the stores.

Though fall will always be my favorite, there are a few things I don't like...

-HUNTING Season
-The onset of winter
-The endless amount of leaf raking we'll be doing...anyone looking for a service project?