Christmas Week... a Picture Novel

Long time... no blog!

With all the excitement arriving in the mail, I've missed some very fun pictures on this delightful blog! Last weekend (the weekend before Christmas) we went to Salt Lake City for the weekend. We drove down on Saturday and came home Sunday night. Saturday we took the long route (I-15 was closed due to 31 accidents!) and headed straight to the Body Worlds exhibit. It was amazing! I'd seen it once in Las Vegas, so I was very excited for the rest of my family to see it, also! Nina got a little... uncomfortable, but everyone else loved it!

After Body Worlds and then a quick dinner,
we bundled up and went to see the lights on Temple Square.
It was so beautiful!

Sunday we had a family party, and then headed home after.


This brings me to the wonderful celebration of Christmas!

Christmas Eve we went up to Demarious and Paul's home where we celebrated with dinner, music, gifts, and lots and lots of laughter!
We were joined by Frank and Shandy and their kids, as well as a family from John's ward.

Nina and Chessie serenaded us on their violins...

Toph, Daniel, and I did our best to look like pop stars...

This was as close as it got...
(In case you can't tell, I'm a partridge in a pear tree formed by Daniel and Toph)

On our way home we passed Santa's reindeer! There were 9 of them!
(Rudolph is hiding behind the tree in the foreground).
We figured Santa probably had a hot date in the neighborhood,
so the reindeer were just chillin'...

We got home pretty late, but somehow managed to
continue the tradition of opening a present on Christmas Eve...

Pajamas!!!

The tree, after Santa visited:

Christmas was very good to us!
Here are a few shots from the day:








We had a wonderful Christmas!
We enjoyed celebrating with all our family,
and have enjoyed the spirit of the season!

Until New Years...

xo

Drum roll please...

Well, it's here! 

Toph got an early Christmas present today 

when the mailman arrived at the door looking for an Elder Carter! 

I was able to leave work for a few minutes so we could all find out where he was going! 

And the answer is...

Arizona Tucson, Spanish speaking!!!

He reports 

March 11! 

I can't even tell you how proud I am of my younger brother. He is older than me in so many ways! 

He is going to be an amazing missionary!

Love you, Toph! 

It's HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Call came today!!! Our mailman brought it to the door...



Just thought you'd like to know...

A note from Grama D...

Demarious sent the cutest email today, that I thought you may enjoy...

Here are some pictures of Kristina, Chessie and Parker. We had the biggest snowball escapade that lasted for a long time this morning. Abby had just as much fun as we did. It snowed the whole time. Parker got me right in the face with the snow. My hair was flat and my makeup was running from being hit, but we had fun. Before we came in I got a big bowl and a big spoon and we filled it with fresh snow (no yellow snow) ha! Came in took off all the wet clothes and they put on my bathrobes. On the couch they are eating the snow ice cream I made them. My mother use to make us snow ice cream. They loved it!!!! Then I fixed them hot chocolate and they had a tea party in front of the fire. Then downstairs where they watched Ralphie in The Christmas Story. I made their parents bring dry clothes as you could wring the water out of them. We had 4 hours of play and fun. Guess what? Before we went out for our snow play, standing in our front yard was a beautiful deer. The children were convinced it had a red nose, so you know who it was??? Rudolph! Then in the sun room while they were eating ice cream the little squirrel performed for them by jumping from the roof next door into our tree.
What a glorious time we had. Oh! We had waffles and bacon before we began to play!

Poll...

So, Toph OBVIOUSLY doesn't have his call yet. 

The other evening he and a few friends polled several people as to where they thought he was going. I've taken the top votes and created a poll... feel free to participate! We'll close the poll next week if the call comes... if not I'll extend it another week... 

This waiting is killing me. 

Until then...

ciao

The Mail-Stalker...

Just so you know, The Call is not here yet. However, Toph has been seen recently in the following position, watching the mailbox like the cougar at Hogle Zoo watches small children... 

We're all dripping with anticipation! Our poor mailman... he must think he's being attacked every time  he pulls up. Toph bolts out the door faster than you can blink the moment he sees that little white mail truck... Its bound to prove successful one of these days...

Stay tuned...

Sugar Cookies...

I'm in the middle of making sugar cookies... 

It's a three hour process, but worth every second. 

Maybe its a three hour process because I blog in the middle of it... 

I'm not really sure.

Sugar cookies hold a very special place in my heart.

They make me think of my Grampa. And my Grama. And my Dad.

But mostly my Grampa.

I love the way they smell so delicious as they bake.

I love the little balls of dough that "accidentally" fall into my mouth.

And I love the flour on my nose.

I love listening to Christmas music while I cook.

I love making frosting in at least six different colors.

I love the snow outside.

Sugar cookies are more than just a treat.

They are a connection to ancestors, a link to extended family.

They are a tradition.

Sugar cookies will forever mean more than dirty dishes.

I don't even mind cleaning up, because of the glorious product.

Sugar cookies are worth it.

I love looking at the tree after the cookies are done.

It is a satisfying adventure, making sugar cookies.

And I can't wait to share them.

With you!