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We weren't there. Wish we could've been there! Welcome home Uncle Zac, I can't believe it has been two years.

Christmas Soup

A hearty helping of our Christmas Holiday to remember.

There are plenty of pictures with a smidgen of detail due to the fact that I am trying to hurry and finish my mountain of never ending projects before my hands are literally full with other things.

Christmas morning on our way down the stairs.

Opening gifts from Santa

Loving the Legos (must be a boy thing)

Max-er loves this gift! He shoots the marshmellows all over the house and runs around to stuff them in his mouth. I have found plenty of dried marshmellows around, too much fun!

Working on the Legos with Dad

After a huge storm, the boys out shoveling the snow. It was FREEZING but Max couldn't get enough.

Cold hands after throwing snow balls at mom and dad.

Eying the loot from Kris Kingle on New Years Morning

Watching (or sleeping) the new movie

Putting Christmas away on New Years Day. I was a party pooper and insisted that it be put away so that it would be taken care of before D-day.

The magical lights on temple square. We had the pleasure of going with G&G Snow and the cousins. Max couldn't stop running and staring. It was amazing as usual.

BIG MOMMA and Max looking at the Nativity. There is no hiding that big belly.

Max & Gma on our way back to the car. We couldn't resist a picture because he will never hold our hand.

< 4 weeks

Not that I am counting down the days, but.... less than 4 weeks to go! Can't wait to meet this little one, but terrified to have 2!

Tree shopping

This year has been a little different for Max. When we went to SG for Thanksgiving he was still having anxiety about me being in the hospital. I thought it would be good for Max & I to go with my parents to get a Christmas Tree from the Kaibab. Since I was little they have always gone to cut thier own tree (and a few extras).

Playing in all the snow

Cutting the tree

Two perfect trees to take home

Undressing for the ride back to N&P's house. It was a long ride and of course Max refused to sleep but it was worth it. Max loved running and playing in the snow and helping Papa pick and cut the perfect tree.

Decorating the tree with "snow and snowflakes". He was so excited to help Nan. The day after we got home from SG Max was playing with his tools and said "Momma, I go get Papa a Christmas Tree", he proceeded to kneel down by our tree with his saw and "cut" it down just like Papa. Thanks for the memories!

Thanksgiving

It was so nice to be with family for the holidays. Spent with the Stucki Family, G&G Esplin and Misty. We had a low key meal with lots of visiting and fun and don't forget all the movies. I was just so glad to be out of bed and eating Gma's amazing rolls, it isn't Thanksgiving without them!

Britt, Tom and Emma (nice product placement Tom)

Chloe with olives on the fingers...can't be a kid without it.

Lyvi

Tia & Lee (Xav's had a nap through the whole meal, he is such a sweet boy...picture below)

Way-nerd and Marc

Max & Clu (notice Max's fat lip, he took a dive off a barstool and got a nice gash)

"I'n up here"

We had TONS of fun while in SG for Thanksgiving. We helped Nan & Papa put up the Christmas decorations. Max went outside to help with the outdoor lights, Papa was on the roof while Nan was holding the lights. All of a sudden my Dad (Papa) turns and says oh no! Then my mom (Nan) hears "I'n up here". My parents forgot to take the ladder down and Max quietly climbed the ladder, then onto the roof to find Papa.

We can laugh about it because he didn't get hurt (thank goodness) he is a quick little bugger.
*More of all the weekend fun will follow (eventually).

Love The Back Seat Giggles...

As we started on our way to Park City, our Max asked for a request..."Donkey Momma? Should we listen to the donkey Momma?"  Clu didn't quite understand but I had loaded the Morman Tab with Brian Stokes Mitchell CD Album, "Ring Christmas Bells" a few days earlier.  He has enjoyed listening to the wonderful Christmas songs but has kept me busy keeping the music on track #4 "The Friendly Beasts".  I love listening to it too and because of the wonderful sounds that come from the back seat.  I'll have to record Max's little giggles when this song is playing.  I hope you enjoy his "Donkey song".

GRATEFUL!

I heard this song today and cried (pregnancy hormones don't help). I thought of all that I have been given and how blessed I am. The quick reflection that it gave, helped me refocus my thoughts and remember that... I have SO much to be grateful for and shouldn't be complaining. We are so lucky to have our little Max and this little one join our family (soon) and are truly GRATEFUL at this time in our lives!

I guess this song is very fitting as Thanksgiving is just a week away.

P.S. Clu and I saw this performace in person; it was amazing! He is an excellent performer and is definitely a "last" leading man.

Still Cooking

I have had a lot of questions about the baby and this is the easiest/fastest way to let everyone know.
About a week ago "baby sister" (as Max calls her) thought she might want to come early, at about 30 weeks. I had been sick with what we thought was a stomach bug for over 5 days and couldn't shake it . I received IV fluids two days in a row hoping that would help, but it just kept getting worse. Finally the doctor said that I needed to go to the hospital. When I got there I had no idea I had gone into labor, I was so sick with stomach problems. No one cared the real reason I was there because they were concerned about the baby and her almost early arrival. It was pretty scary for awhile and they were preparing to move me to another hospital that delivers babies younger than 32 weeks (there are only two in the SL Valley). After a couple of hours they were able to stop the contractions and work on finding what was causing the pain, sickness and pre-term labor. They ran a million tests and decided that it was my previous stomach problems acting up again. They gave the baby a shot in case she does come early. After two days in the hospital they sent me home with some drugs (they don't advise surgery right now) and to be on bedrest. Our amazing families and friends have come to the rescue and been SO helpful. The baby is doing well and is still cooking in the oven, where we hope to keep her for a couple more weeks.

Thank you to everyone! We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends.

Trimming the Tree

I am SO glad that we put the Christmas decorations up early! With the events from this past week, I don't know if we would have even had time the rest of the season to put them up and prepare for everything else. Needless to say Max was thrilled with all the decorations and loved helping to decorate the tree. It melts my heart to watch his excitement about the whole thing. For days after he would hear a noise and think that it was Santa.
Here are some of the highlights decorating the tree:

Not sure where this "cheese" came from but he was happy to help with the tree

The boys decorating the tree. I didn't get to help, but I did get to watch. They are such good sports!

Max's section, I am not sure how he looped all those decorations together but it was pretty funny and cool.

The best part, the star at the top of the tree

For your viewing pleasure, Max singing and decorating the tree: