Merry Christmas to All!

Decorating cookies!

Even Grandma got in on the action!

Maddie loves Uncle Chewey's funny faces.

All the grandkids together.

Hailey's favorite books-Olivia!

Bronson looks like he wants to fix Uncle Chewey!

Hailey's Favorite Gift from Santa

The lights at Temple Square--Maddie was too cold to get out for the picture!

Well, Christmas has come and gone all too quickly. I had a wonderful day! I was able to pick up the kids and we headed to Nana's house to see what Santa had left. Hailey, Bronson, and Madison all opened up their gifts and thoroughly enjoyed the morning. After everyone had opened up all of their gifts, Santa called my phone to inform me that he had one gift for Hailey he left in the garage. Hailey overheard the entire conversation :) and as soon as she heard the word garage--she bolted!! The squeals, and giggles that escaped from her mouth made every painstaking effort on my part to actually haul the bike home and assemble it (well, my brother assemble it) well worth it! She absolutely loved it! She spent about the next 30 minutes freezing in the garage just riding around in circles. It is so fun to be a mom!!! I really believe that the quickest way to feel the Christmas spirit is to do something for someone that just brings a huge smile to their face. I love Christmas and the feeling I get every year when I please someone the way I pleased Hailey this year. It makes every year better and better. Although I must say Bronson was just as pleased with his Toolbox. He ran around the house "fixing" everything and measuring with his tape measurer. Maddie just rolled around on the floor and didn't even bother playing with her toys....she loved the boxes way too much! What a great day. The next day we braved the cold and went to see the lights at Temple Square. It was beautiful, but I don't remember it ever being that cold as it was that night. We were all bundled up, but the cold just seeps through every layer and we ended up spending most of the night in the visitors center trying explain to Hailey that the voice overhead at the Christus was actually not Jesus. She wouldn't believe me. Oh well, she got the picture. I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas and had a wonderful day. I can't wait to see everyones pictures on their blogs! These are just a few of my favorite...

Skiing on Christmas Eve!

My brother and sister and I had a great time today skiing at Snowbasin! The weather was awesome until about 3:00 when it turned into a winter wonderland blizzard with zero visibility and hail pelting our faces as we skied down the hill as fast as possible. Afterwards I went and treated myself to an awesome pedicure. Then I came home to assemble Hailey's new bike from Santa. If you notice in the picture my brother is the one doing all the work, but I certainly micromanaged well! The finished result is awesome! I can't wait for Christmas and Santa to come. I must say though that the best part of the whole day was when my mom and sister told me they were giving me a trip to Paris in the Fall for my birthday gift!!!!!!! I couldn't stop balling, and I am continuing to cry as I post this. I have the best family in the world!!!

The EVE of Number 27!...

Today being the eve of my 27th birthday I have been lost in thought and contemplation. Thinking about my life and the fact that I am now 27 and soon-to-be divorced with three children is sobering. I am not throwing myself a pity party by any means, I am merely contemplating how different life has turned out from what I had imagined. I have MANY blessings, and MANY things to be grateful for. I do know life is generally good, but that I have just been dealt a difficult set of cards as of late. I realize that my life will eventually get better, and I will eventually find true love and happiness again. I am merely at a crossroads in my life. I know that I will look back at this time in my life and be proud of myself for what I am going through and be proud of myself for how I am handling everything. It is just difficult to be at this point, wanting only to be years down the road. I thank all of my friends and FAMILY who have comforted, loved, praised, and adored me during this time. I feel their love and strength around me always. I hope that my 27th year will be full of nothing but happiness, love, and new beginnings. But if not, I do KNOW for sure, I can make it!

Where do you belong?

You Belong in Rome

You're a big city soul with a small town heart Which is why you're attracted to the romance of Rome Strolling down picture perfect streets, cappuccino in hand And gorgeous Italian people - could life get any better?

What City Do You Belong In?

http://www.blogthings.com/whatcitydoyoubelonginquiz/

The Polar Express...

Tonight the kids and I along with my sister and mom went up to Heber City to ride the Polar Express.  Wow...what a production!  The kids loved it!  The adults...well, we do it for the kids right?  Don't get me wrong...it really was fun, but imagine if you will screaming, sugar-induced, can't wait for Santa and Christmas-to-come-kids thrown in with dancing elves, a blaring microphone, and a hard bench to sit on for 2 hours and you get the picture.  My head sure hurt by the time all was said and done, but well worth time.  The spirit of Christmas was manifested once again.  12 more days!!!!!

'Tis the Season to Be Giving....

I have a hilarious story to tell that I just can't keep to myself anymore. Today, Hailey and I were at the store. We were in the checkout line and they had a big bucket of money that was for donations to those less fortunate. Prior to this time, Hailey and I have talked a lot about helping other people in need and why we help people less fortunate than ourselves, especially at this time of year. So, when Hailey saw the large bucket of money and change she asked what it was for. I was in a hurry and quickly told her it was money to help people have a nice Christmas. She asked if she could have some money to donate, and I said that was great and to get some money out of my coat pocket and put it in the bucket. I was so busy watching the clerk ringing us up to make sure she gave me the right price on every item that I didn't even notice Hailey's small hand digging into my RIGHT coat pocket. It just so happened that at the very moment Hailey was depositing the money she scraped out of my pocket I happened to glance over and notice a $50 bill sliding right down into the bottom of the bucket never to show its crisp green face to me ever again! My throat went numb....I couldn't move. I tried to compose myself before I said anything that would wipe the satisfied and proud look off her face. I didn't know what to do. I knew that $50 was such a huge sacrifice f0r me at this time of year and at this time in my life, but was I really going to try and plunge my chubby hand in the tiny, narrow opening and fish around for my $50 in front of all these witnesses? I looked over at Hailey once more and seeing for the second time in a row the look that we should all have at this time of year I decided to let it go. I paid for my groceries and tried not to stare at the bucket of money all the way out the store. I got to the car and asked Hailey how she had felt giving that money to someone who really needed it and she confirmed to me that I had done exactly the right thing by leaving the money as much as it had hurt me to do so. I started my car and reached into my LEFT pocket to find the $1 bill that I had thought Hailey had grabbed and went to the nearest gas station to get me all the Diet Coke I could get! Merry Christmas!