Christmas Catch-Up

Merry Christmas! And joy to the world, I love this holiday. To get folks up to speed on our holiday happenings, here is a quick post:

First, early in December we visited a woman's house who lives not far from us here in Idaho Falls. (This is something we love to do every year, and each time it is even more AMAZING than the previous year.) This woman spends hours and hours decorating beautiful thematic trees to display in her home, and lets visitors pass through on special days throughout the month to enjoy them. This year she had OVER 200 TREES of all shapes and sizes, some on the ceiling, some in the bathrooms, and all decorated with incredible skill. WAY BETTER THAN FESTIVAL OF TREES. They don't live in a mansion, they just fit the trees into every possible nook and cranny, and the results are a real Winter Wonderland. Ellie had so much fun looking at all the lights and colors, and we had so much fun watching her!

I can't imagine how this lady and her husband must be familiar with fuses. And after our own fun experiences with them in the few strands outside our house, I have a greater appreciation for that.

We spent a fun-filled Christmas in Boise with all of my family (and no, I don't have that many pictures because I was too busy PLAYING to take them!). Here are Braelyn and Corinn. We don't see this little chica too often because she lives in Colorado (Celeste and Stephen's daughter) but she sure was fun to see over the holidays, and she has an adorable laugh.

Here's all the gang Christmas morning. We might not be as energetic as we were growing up, but we still get up early! (And it would have been earlier too if my dad got off work earlier.) "Tradition!" My dad handed out presents to open one by one. Lots of paper, and Ellie was in to everything. Corny jokes. Silly faces. Crazy hair. It was great! Heather and Andrew joined us from Utah for more excitement later that day.

Here's Ellie and I in the HUGE stocking Eric made me two Christmases ago. Yes, I said IN the stocking. It's so big, it's more accurately described as a red sleeping bag.

So, it was a super fun week, making tons of candy and eating it all (breaking every health rule imaginable), being crazy on the Wii playing "Just Dance," several rounds of the game "Ticket to Ride," movies, feasting, and all-around laziness. So good, but I'm sure my scale is grateful it only comes once a year. And last of all, as a slightly belated Christmas and 9-month present, Ellie got her second bottom tooth! Yay! Sort of. Don't get me wrong, she looks adorable. But she was up in the middle of the night SCREAMING and I couldn't figure out why (until the next morning). She also has bitten me on the shoulder...and don't be fooled by the lack of numbers and one side of gums into thinking she can't do much damage. OW!!! We will be monitoring to make sure she bites nowhere else... But she sure has a beautiful grin!

It was a great year, a good holiday, and more than ever I am grateful for the closeness that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings to our families. WE ARE SO BLESSED!

The Oregon Coast

My family recently returned from a FABULOUS trip to the 

Oregon coast (June 9-13) where it was incredibly cold but very beautiful. We stopped in several places along the way including Newport, Seaside, and Cape Meades. We toured the Tillamook Cheese Factory, ate clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls (to Eric's great pleasure), visitied an aquarium as well as a lighthouse and an octopus tree, camped overnight in a KOA, and explored several beaches. It was so picturesque. I think we would have jumped in the water at any time had not the wind been blowing so much. Nevertheless, it was wonderful to see some of Heavenly Father's beautiful and diverse creations in the far off land of Oregon. I hope we get to go again sometime.

Happy Birthday, Amanda

So, once again the time of year rolled around where I became officially older.  Yikes.  This year was my 25th birthday and for various reasons I was really dreading it.  "Let's just celebrate next year," I said, but no one listened.  We of course had cake (which Heather made, and it was delicious!) and presents.  I slept in late and painted and kept the day very casual.  Mostly I was missing my Eric.  Being the thoughtful one he is and knowing he would not be able to see me in person, he sent me an incredible hand-made card in the mail which arrived right on time and said such sweet romantic things which he has a talent for writing.  Not only that but he sent me a vase of beautiful wildflowers with some of my favorites: lilies and daisies.  It was a day I didn't want, but it turned out to be a very good one.  I was very grateful for so many who took time out to think of me and do something a little extra special.