Christmas Eve 2008

We had such a great Christmas this year!

It was so much fun with the kids and spending time with all of our family. Each year we kind of have the same schedule and I must say it has worked out fabulously for us. We spend Christmas Eve with the Diederich family, then Christmas day is with the Henrie's. We love that there is no pressure to leave the family we are with to get to the other family and this way everyone knows where we are going to be and when and can plan on that. It has been the best situation for everyone involved.

On that note, let me tell you a little bit about our Christmas Eve!

It was so much fun! We started out joining everyone for a movie, something we plan on every year. This year we saw The Tale Of Desperoux which was a cute show. We usually don't take our kids since they are a little small for movies, but this year we decided to try it out on Reagan and she was a star! She loved it! I don't know if she was too into the movie, but the sitting in the dark with all of her cousins eating popcorn was pretty cool. She did so great that I am excited to try another one!

After the movie we picked up Crew and met everyone back and mom & dad Diederich's house. (They were generous enough to let us use their home even though they are out of the country!) It really wouldn't have been the same if we were anywhere else. We had a fabulous dinner followed by Santa coming and giving all of the kids their pajamas and then exchanging the rest of the gifts. At this point we all walked across the street to Steve's sister, Heidi's house for a talent show. Some of the kids had prepared something and it was fun to watch them all. I'll tell you about Reagan's talent later. After the talent show it was back to mom & dad's for dessert then it was time to pack up and get home to bed so Santa could come and visit again!

Above are the following pictures (from left to right)...

• All the cousins (minus two who live out of state)
• A few of the girls closest to Reagan's age, she LOVES them!
• Cute Crew (LOVE his face!)
• Reagan playing the piano for the talent show
• Steve and Crew watching the talent show

So here is what you see in the pictures above (from left to right)...

• Reagan and Crew dancing
• Reagan & Crew in their new jammies from Santa
• Reagan giving Crew a big hug
• Reagan HATING Santa
• Crew LOVING Santa

I have to tell you about Reagan's talent at the talent show. As we were all sitting around the living room about to get started they decided they would go from the youngest to the oldest. That puts Reagan and Crew first. Well Crew just sits there when they call on him so they move on to Reagan. I thought she might sing a song or something (she loves Do a Deer from Sound of Music) I was way off. When they said her name she walked to the front of the room, pulled herself onto the piano bench and proceeded to quietly and gently pluck out some notes on the piano as she looked and the sheet music that was displayed on the piano as if she were reading every note. Everyone just kind of stared at her not knowing really what to do. She was obviously content to continue as she loves to have every ones attention and at that moment she surely did. So, seeing that this could take awhile I knew I should probably do something to nicely get her down so I just started clapping and saying "Yeah, Reagan!" Everyone followed my lead and started clapping for her. Reagan seemed to be waiting just for this moment because she easily slid off the bench, turned to face all of us, and gave the biggest and longest bow. She was so serious as she did all of this that we all just busted up laughing. It was my favorite talent of the night!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Front

Back

*2008 Christmas Card

Happy Anniversary!

Today is Steve & I's 4th wedding anniversary! I'm sure to some of you that may seem like nothing, and to others it may seem like a lot. To me, time has flown and I can't believe it has already been 4 years and at the same time we have so much ahead of us and I am excited to see it unfold.

Last night I couldn't fall asleep because I was thinking about Steve and how we met and all that has happened in the time we have been together and how lucky I feel to have him as my husband. I used to sit and think about who I would end up with and I was so anxious for it to happen. The minute I stopped thinking about it I met Steve and it all fell into place.

Since we have been married we have had a lot of fun. We have taken a few trips and cruises with the two of us and with family, we have lived in 3 different homes, we have had two beautiful children, we have changed jobs, we have lost loved ones and welcomed others. It has been a roller coaster ride and I have been so happy to experience it all with Steve.

I thought I would share some pictures from our wedding day. I'm sorry the quality is poor, I had to scan them in and, as you can see, my scanner isn't that great. December 17th, 2004 was a beautifully clear day, frigid, but beautiful. I had prayed for a snowy day but I didn't get my wish. Isn't it funny how things never work out like you imagine. I'm sure every other bride that day was praying for a clear day, so I'm glad they all got what they wanted. I just figured if I was going to get married in December, which wasn't my ideal month, then I wanted to be snowed on and make it one for the books. But as you can see by the pictures, it wasn't in the cards. But that is my only complaint. The day was absolutely perfect. I couldn't have had a better day. We were married in the Manti Temple and we were surrounded by almost all of the people we love. We headed back to Salt Lake for our reception which my mom pulled off fabulously. It was beautiful. We ended the night with dancing and Steve gave the crowd a show flipping me around as my dress fell around my neck. It was a blast! I will stop rambling now so you can enjoy the pictures!

I thought I would also throw in some of my bridals because I loved my dress and if I can't share them on my anniversary when can I share them?

One Day...

One day I hope to move my family and live in Logan, Utah. Logan, you ask? Why Logan? Well, let me tell you. First of all, Logan will always have a special place in my heart because that is where I met and fell in love with Steve. That was a great time in my life! Everything seemed to come together and I can only name a few times in my life when I was as happy as I was then.

But more than that, Logan is a special place in itself. Every time we break through Sardine Canyon and see Cache Valley layed out before us I start to get butterflies... I LOVE this place! It is the perfect blend of small town country feel and city shopping. They have a little bit of everything. I can live in a house surrounded by property and drive 10 minutes and find pretty much anything I would need or want. It is where I dream of raising my kids. It is where I see Steve and I rocking on our porch when we are old watching the sun set or neighbors walk by.

Ok - A little too cheesy? Getting nauseous? I'll move on. For me Logan is THE place. I will continue to dream of living there and hopefully one day it will come true!

*Disclaimer - These pictures were taken on different days. Enjoy the different temperaments of Logan!

A little something

I thought I would share some pictures with you of the cutest little baby! My sweet cousin just had her a few weeks ago and she is a treasure. To create the collage I used the Magic Blog It Board from MCP Actions at www.mcpactions.com. Check her out, she has some great stuff!

Christmas Cards

It is that time of year! I have been creating Christmas cards and we are down to the wire to get them ordered and sent out. I just thought I would offer them to anyone who may be interested. Here is a sample of one of my cards. Check out my photography blog for more choices...

This is the front and back of a 5x7 card.

If you are interested I need orders by this Saturday December 6th.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving full of family, fun & food! In the spirit of the holiday I thought I would tell you all 15 things I am thankful for...

1. Mashed potatoes - that is my favorite food on Thanksgiving, luckily I don't have to wait for this yummy to come around only once a year.
2. My bed - this has served me well and I have to say it is my most favorite place to be in my house.
3. The gospel - cheesy, I know, but it's totally true. Where would I be without it?
4. The mail - I can't tell you how much I love going to the mailbox and getting mail! I will admit I could do without the junk, but I LOVE everything else... Also, I love sending mail! It's a two way street and I am happy to be on it!
5. STEVE! - I am so thankful for Steve! He truly is the best thing to ever happen to me!
6. Baby Einstein - It has saved me on more than one occasion.
7. Frozen Cho - If you want to try the best treat ever, come on over and we'll share with you!
8. My kids - Life would be so boring without my sweetheart and sir. I am so lucky to have them.
9. Sleep - does that go along with my bed?
10. My camera & Photoshop - They go hand in hand, and they are my new obsession.
11. Doctors - They make life a little easier
12. Laughter - Couldn't get through without it.
13. Family & Friends - They could probably be linked right up there with Doctors, only they have better medicine!
14. Good books - If anyone knows of one that I haven't read, please send it my way! I can't get enough!
15. Blogs - I can't remember my life before them! Thank you to everyone who has them for sharing your life with me!

This is my salute to Thanksgiving, 15 things I am grateful for and, in addition to that, something to make you smile... Happy Thanksgiving!

Family Pictures

It's that time of year again. Christmas is just around the corner so that means Christmas cards! I love this holiday almost as much as Halloween so, as you can guess, I am very excited! A good friend of mine was gracious enough to take our pictures and they turned out great! Thanks Anya! Here are a few of my favorites...

This is HALLOWEEN!!!

This is Halloween, HALLOWEEN! HALLOWEEN! halloween, halloween!

I love this holiday! We had a fun night of costumes, trick-or-treating, and partying at Grammy and Papa's. It was great. And I can't wait until next year!
My little Chicken

My very own princess Cinderella

The Princess and The Chicken (Haven't you heard that story before?)

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

Those of you who know me know that I love my birthday... I don't know what it is but birthday's are the best! Maybe it is the changing season that makes me excited. Or maybe it's October and that means Halloween. Dressing up, being with family, making sugar cookies, The Nightmare Before Christmas, I don't know... It is probably all of those things together. So I decided I would send a shout out to myself and say "Happy Birthday to me!" This is the only picture I have of myself, since I am usually the one taking the pictures. Enjoy!