Have a cup of Christmas Cheer

Our first Christmas back in Utah was a success! I loved being able to spend Christmas in our newly finished basement, wake up Christmas morning in my own bed and being able to spend a little more time with all of our family rather than having to hurry back to the warmth of Arizona.

Mc made out like a bandit! I was especially excited this year to give her the kitchen that my Grandpa had made for me when I was two. He so lovingly and skillfully refinished it and I was set with the task of fake food, dishes and the like. I wish we would have given her this present last because she didn't want to open all the other gifts- just play with the fake food and the kitchen. I really wish I had taken some before pictures. It was a dark brown wood with a yellowing counter top...all redone. I also took a picture of the back. You can see my grandpa's beautiful penmanship- the first "Merry Christmas Tisha 1984 Grandpa Jim" and then Mckinley's, "Merry Christmas Mckinley 2010 Great Grandpa Jim". Such a cool memento- we were both two years old. Just so grateful for my Grandpa and his willingness to do that for me. Overall, she was loaded up with dinosaurs, books, clothes, candy and pretend lipstick (which also made the favorite present cut). The only downside to Christmas for Mc, not having an advent calendar the day after- every day since, the first thing she asks for is as chocolate. She also took a liking to "How the Grinch stole Christmas", called "Inch" at our house and I don't think we will be finding it on TV so regularly.

You can just see the excitement....

Mark and I also had an amazing Christmas. Mark got pretty much everything related to Cafe Racers (the new rage in motorcycles) as well as our little escapade to a Bed and Breakfast, commencing this evening. Mark gave me a Shark vacuum- (for real, how did I live without a lightweight vacuum with hardwood floors??), a GPS and my coveted Hello Kitty watch. We got a wireless printer (hallelujah), Les Mis tickets (excited!!!) and I was given a Brother "Project Runway" sewing machine. Still terrified to give it a whirl but it comes with an instructional DVD...so maybe soon. Our parents are amazingly gracious and we are so blessed.

Mark and I also went all out to win @ the Ellison Christmas Eve party- I was a genius and forgot my camera so...those pics to come later. Christmas 2010 was a success. Next year, we will have two kids and Mc will have a better understanding of what Christmas is all about. Here is to hoping your New Years is awesome and 2011 is even better!

Medium American Cheddar- 2010

This is what happens when you leave the block of cheese too close to the edge of the counter where toddler hands can reach. Apparently, Mckinley prefers her cheese fresh from the block.

In other news, my best friend Nausea has reared it's ugly head again. I was feeling pretty good for a few days, told the world I was doing better, and then WHAM...back to feeling like death warmed over. I have discovered the mints seem to help and the brushing my teeth (although gagging mid brush) seem to help.

We are ready for Christmas at our house and I can't believe it is 4 days away. Where has this month gone? It makes me realize that this pregnancy is going to fly by, I am going to have a 3 year old and two children before I know it and come February, we will have lived in Utah for a year. I will say, I still can't get over how beautiful fresh powdery snow is, that my house actually looks "Christmas-ey" (icicles, snow covering the lights on the roof) and the fact that I get to wake up in my own bed on Christmas morning. Here is to hoping Santa finds you all!

The Wee One

Here is our little bean @ 12 weeks. I have to admit, I was a little nervous today. Last appointment the doctor said it might be too early to hear the heartbeat- and it was. This time, the Doppler was on my stomach for what felt like an hour and there was still nothing....I almost started to cry because I had expressed to Mark how scared I was that might happen- we have all heard the horror stories. I think the Doc sensed my anxiety and got me in for a quick ultrasound. Not even one second after the wand hit my stomach- there it was...beating heart, swimming around, legs, hands...all of it. What a sigh of relief! Still too early to decide if it was a girl or girl (yes, there was no boy choice) but we should be able to find out @ the next appointment. Just glad to have a healthy baby so far. And, here is to no barfing this whole week! Truly, a Christmas miracle.

Dinosaurs still seek Him

At our house, it is only normal that the Dinosaur is also making it's way to see the babe in the manger.

I do have to give Mc some major credit this year. The Christmas tree has remained unscathed (unlike last year where most of the ornaments made it to the top 4 inches of the tree). She even has a little tree in her room that she has not touched once. She discovered the joy of the advent calendar this year and has shared her desire for a "dragon" with Santa.

December in Utah has been bitter cold but the prospect of not having to fight the airports this year or take a week vacation to spend Christmas with family, is quite enticing. For a little family outing on Saturday, we hit the Winder Dairy. It was nothing like the grandeur I remembered back in the day- their little street had THE best Christmas lights. I assume most of them have died (since they were ancient when I lived there) so only a few houses held strong. The Dairy was like I remembered it...minus the scones. THEY RAN OUT! We patiently waited for our fresh scones dripping with honey butter but alas, have to return with our "free scones" voucher. I did run into an old friend, Cami Thomas and we were able to chat- She hasn't changed a bit but let's remember the previous post (6th grade) and hope I have.

Hippity Hop Down the Memory Trail

It's that time again! To take a look at some hideous picture from my past and reminisce. This picture is from my 6th grade year. I remember that this was the year I had to have retakes THREE times. I still remember that jacket. It was like a colorful garbage bag. This was also the year that I started rocking the "top of the head" half pony tail and the jelly roll bang. Braces, zits and all- does it get any uglier?
Some highlights from 6th grade-
*notice our teacher, Mrs. Hayes, is not in the picture. She was a rather portly woman and I still remember on the first day of school, that she told us she had a chemical imbalance that made her fat- not the smartest idea with a bunch of insensitive 6th graders.
* The summer before 6th grade I went to the school almost everyday to see if they had posted the teachers for the upcoming year. When I found out I had Mrs. Hayes, I cried and pleaded with my mom to move me to Mr. Banker's class (the cute, young teacher who played Garth Brooks songs on the guitar). To no avail, I suffered through that year with Mrs. Hayes.
* Take note of the skinny kid, front row, blue striped shirt. That my friends, is Ben Brawer. I got a white slip (disciplinary action) for hitting him with a snowball. About a decade ago, I saw him at a gas station. He ran up and gave me a hug out of the blue. Random, and he remembered my name. A snowball in the face will do that to you.

It was an interesting year. I learned to really like Mrs. Hayes, was the Math Olympiad of my elementary (that is before I discovered Algebra. It ruined me) and ultimately, kissed my adolescence good bye. I would like to tell you the "top of the head" pony tail would not be making an appearance in 7th grade, but that would be a lie.