cookies for santa

A few days before Christmas Eve, I received a phone call from a very anxious five year old. It was Gracie. "When you come down, will you help me make cookies for Santa?" (said in the sweetest little five year old voice you've ever heard). This was one of the moments before going to St. George where I just almost overflowed with excitement to be there with everyone else. Phil and Mandi arrived the Saturday before Christmas, but Travis and I weren't able to go until Christmas Eve day. There were many moments when I almost burst with anticipation while I was waiting to drive to St. George. It seemed it would never come! (My "Christmas morning" was when we finally arrived in St. George and the whole family was finally together!) But sure enough, Christmas Eve day Gracie, Parker, Drew and I made sugar cookies for Santa. I am grateful I have such a wonderful family to share the holidays.

"...and fell down and worshipped him..."

I was lucky enough to catch one of my favorite moments from Christmas in a photographic "play-by-play".

It is a tradition in my family for my dad to read the story of Christ's birth from the Bible while we, the kids, act it out. Now that we ("the kids") are older, it is the grandkids' turn to do the honors. My dad began by reading the familiar verses.

Everything was going smoothly until a small, unsuspecting shepherd entered the scene and noticed that his blanket and pillow were being used to cushion the uncomfortable manger.

"What? Where are the gold, frankincense and myrrh? Those are supposed to be the gifts! This isn't the gift I brought for the baby Jesus! Give it back!"





















Panic engulfs the small shepherd as Mary and Joseph look around and wonder what to do with the self-destructing flock herder.





















"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him." —Matthew 2:11





















Drew gave us a new and literal meaning to the story of Christmas this year. :)

However, my mom moved in, and the show went on despite the missing shepherd. (I am still trying to figure out how Mary ended up wearing a doo rag.)

Ahhh. I love traditions! :)

first christmas

My 2009 New Year's Resolution is to stay caught up with my blog! So, over the next few days you are going to get a post a day a la 2008.

This year Anna enjoyed her first Christmas. We spent the holiday with my parents in St. George. We were blessed to have my two brothers and sister and their families there to celebrate with us. Even though Anna didn't understand what was going on, it was so fun to see the excitement and wonder in her eyes.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures of Anna Christmas morning.

She had quite an unusual unwrapping technique: grab...tear...eat...repeat.

Anna posing in front of the Christmas tree in her new jammies. (Note the tongue rubbing her gums. Its true...she is teething.)

would it work?

Travis and I have been a bit sleep deprived lately. Anna has decided that she likes to wake up and talk (...loudly...to no one in particular) every two hours or so. At first we would wait for her to fall back asleep on her own, but we ended up waiting...and waiting...and waiting. (She likes to have REALLY long conversations.) And then, inevitably and eventually, she would end up rolling onto her stomach and then get upset because...well...she is on her stomach.

Last night after her third time waking up (around 3:00 am) Travis came up with a brilliant idea. We are going to try installing a rabbit water bottle dispenser to the inside of her crib, fill it with milk, and then when she decides she is hungry, she can just roll to the side and lap herself back to sleep. Brilliant! :)

mesmerized

We finally decorated our Christmas tree tonight. I tried to get some cute pictures of Anna actually looking at the camera, but she was mesmerized by the tree lights. My camera flash certainly doesn't compete or compare with the glowing wonder of tiny colored bulbs at extremely close range.

my girl

nyc diva

Anna wore her new hat from NYC on our walk today, and, as you can see, she totally rocked the block! She even paused for a moment to pose for the paparazzi.

Thanks, Grammy and Pup!