Wrapping Up December

My thoughts on December 2010:

I could totally live in a place where it doesn't snow in December. While the whole country was getting dumped on with either rain or snow, Denver sat here with above temperatures - I loved it.

I'm still trying to figure out if that's why it didn't feel like Christmas was coming. It wasn't until Christmas Eve that it finally felt like Christmas - still without colder temperatures and snow. This Christmas seemed a little more magical as the belief in Santa was stronger than ever. Not that we agree with the commercialization of Christmas nor have it revolve around a man in a big, red suit, but, there's something about your children being children and enjoying the belief and magic. I can't really explain it (as you can tell by the redundancy).

I turned 30 this month. Thirty. I'm still trying to digest it and trying not to be traumatized. It still sounds so old but, when I look back on the road that brought me here, I'm grateful. So grateful.

Ryan and I were asked to play Mary and Joseph in our Ward Christmas Nativity. Sweet Henry was baby Jesus - a BIG baby Jesus. He loved it. He was such a good boy, and behaved so well - especially when Mary sang to him sitting on the floor holding her rather large baby.

I didn't get my camera out as much as I wanted to this month, but I did catch these Christmas morning.

And, look what Santa brought this year...

I think we may be the last people on earth to have one and there was a reason for it. I didn't want the wasted time, the fighting over controllers nor who's beating who. Whatever. It hasn't been too bad. I must say though that Ryan got in the most trouble Christmas Day.

I'm ready for 2011 and wonder what this new year will bring...

"Thismas" 2010

Playing catch-up, here.

"Thismas", you ask? It's Christmas at Thanksgiving - on the Livingstone side. We love to head over to Utah and spend time with my family. Believe it or not, we only made it out there twice this year!

I love this picture - my wonderful parents.

Having fun on a Sunday afternoon

Thanksgiving Day (and Black Friday) we head over to the church for our feast and some serious fun. This year there was volleyball, block-crafting, Rock Band, floor hockey (only kids this time) and it wouldn't be Thismas without opening our gifts from Gpa & Gma, the family exchanges and white elephant.
Sorry only pics of the gifts from G&G.

I am always amazed at my parents effort of making these holidays so special. Every last detail.
(My sister in law, Mindy, made those darling cornucopia's - how cute are they?)

They Make Me Laugh

Lucy: Mom - you wrote on my freakin homework!
Me: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.
Ryan: Nice use of freakin, Lucy.

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Clay: But I don't like grilled cheese.
Lucy: What about boy cheese?

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Mike, one of the counselors in our bishopric has a daughter (in her early 30s) that was just called as a counselor in the primary presidency. He went into Primary to speak to the children (as the bishopric member) when his daughter was finishing sharing time. We were there to hear Rylee say an Article of Faith.
Ryan leans over to Mike: are you here to watch your daughter, too?

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Me: Kaycee, will you go make us a yummy dinner?
Her eyes get huge.
Kaycee: uh, I could make some stew...if it was already made...

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Lucy staring at a young girl at Costco.
Lucy: She has no hair.
Me: Nope, she doesn't, does she. She might be sick.
Lucy: No, her mom pulled it all out.

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Yesterday, we moved Clay down to his own room.
Rylee: Mom, Clay will need a hamper down there.
Me: Yeah, he will.
Clay: What's a hamper?

Learning More and More

I'm learning more and more about myself.
Apparently, I'll do anything for a free t-shirt.
Like run races....and eat one pound hamburgers.
(the weight AFTER being cooked!)

Holding my picture to go on the Wall of Fame.

I ate it.
All by myself.
In less than 30 minutes.
I kept it down, too.
I only had meat sweats for one night and didn't eat again until after lunch the next day.
BUT, I got my free t-shirt:

I ate the
POUNDER
Cheeburger Cheeburger
Lonetree, Colorado

Go me.

I'd like to thank Henry, who is a champ nurser and leaves me constantly hungry - I couldn't have done it without him. And, also, my husband Ryan, for his love and support. You're up next, baby!

Dear Veteran

*Clay claims that he likes it when people call him "Clay-in."
You know, how a Utahn would say it -without the T.
He really does know how to spell his name.