Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Christmas Morning

This book is Cohen's favorite. We checked it out from the library several times and figured it was time for him to have his own copy.

As much as he loved the book, I think he likes this even better.

Sam's dad made this awesome jewelry tree for me. Sam and I made the earrings for Katrina.

Here's Cohen (he's a little tired if you can't tell) with a few of his cousins on Christmas morning participating in a family Christmas tradition--dress up like characters from the Nativity story and then listen to Grandpa read the story from the Bible. 

A couple days later ...

Katrina and her family came to visit. There's rumors Katrina might go on a mission! We hope she can go, but what will we do without her??!

When I was little, every December 1st my mom would put up my favorite Christmas decoration--a wooden Nativity that she had especially for us kids to play with. I've looked for years for something similar but have yet to find anything. On Christmas Eve my sister gave our family a darling nativity set that is perfect for kids to play with. Even though Christmas is over, I put it in Cohen's room next to the tree he decorated. I love it!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

December

December is my favorite month of the year. I love the lights, the snow, the cheesy Christmas music, finding gifts for the people I love. But mostly I love having an entire month dedicated to remembering and celebrating our Savior and the miracle of His birth. 

A week or so ago we went to a ward Christmas party. It was very different from any other I've ever been to. Everyone was asked to come dressed in Bible-themed attire. The cultural hall was decorated like an ancient Bethlehem marketplace. Instead of the usual meat-and-potatoes dinner we had bread, cheese, olives and grapes that everyone ate while sitting on blankets on the floor. Then toward the end of the party the youth acted out the Nativity story as someone read it from the bible. It was definitely an experience. Oh yeah, the manger that was used was made by Sam several years ago for my sister who used it in a photo shoot for her kids.

Cohen obviously wanted nothing to do with this photo. I promise I wasn't strangling him--I was keeping him from running strait off the stage. 

A little big for a newborn, eh? Good thing dad's a good carpenter!

Sam's parents and sister Emily came to visit for a couple of days. We spent an evening at temple square where we got RAINED on! I guess this means it will be snowing on Easter--ha, ha. I hope we get some good snow before Christmas. Even though there wasn't any snow, this is still my favorite place to visit this time of year.

We also took Cohen to visit Santa for the first time. 

He wasn't scared, but he didn't seem very impressed either. He was, however, very interested in the candy cane.

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Tonight we began decorating for Christmas.  A few things were new this year.  First, Sam and I received a lot of "help" from Cohen.  This led to the second change--a total redesign of the tree.  We quickly realized that any ornaments within Cohen's reach would most likely not survive the season.  The kid just can't help himself!     

Cohen was just a "little" excited about the train.  I wonder if he remembers it from last year.

Cohen got his very own tree to decorate.

"Hmm, where should I put this one?"  (notice where all others ended up)  

Finally, someone was around to catch my little helper in action!

When I was growing up, the first decoration to go up was a kid-friendly nativity.  I LOVED it and looked forward to playing with it all year long.  I've been looking for one like it for years, but I haven't found anything close.  I am determined to find something this year because our ceramic one just isn't going to cut it.

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving with Sam's family at his sister's new house. We arrived to their small town after dark, and when we got Cohen out of the car he looked up into the night sky and said, "Wow!" The sky was ablaze with stars! Cohen's attention quickly turned to the colorful lights strung across the front porch. He pointed and let out another enthusiastic, "Wow!" Then we went inside to find a Christmas wonderland! Lights, music, bells and a warm crackling fire. 

 

Our nephew/cousin Rio showing Cohen the bell elves. 

We enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving meal complete with Sam's family's traditional noodle gravy. Yes, I know that sounds like an easy way to ruin the meal, but believe me, it is YUMMY! 

It was FREEZING but that didn't stop us from going sledding a few of times. Cohen looked like the Michelin Man in his snow gear.

Sam's sister Adrianne and me relaxing on the couch. Cohen was so busy playing with his cousins that I read an entire book!

What a lovely Thanksgiving weekend! THANK YOU to Marci and her family for your hospitality. We love your new home!

#1 Man

This morning I slept in! Even better, I awoke to find this on the kitchen island along with two pie crusts resting in the fridge. 

 

I wasn't sure where my two favorite people were, though. I thought maybe they were outside shoveling the snow that fell overnight so I peeked out the front door and found these darling footprints on the porch.

I was so glad I got to see these before they were shoveled away forever. 

Turns out they were at the store buying more pie supplies. How lucky I am to have a husband who gets up with our one-year-old so that I can sleep in AND starts making the Thanksgiving pies!

We are headed out in a couple of hours to spend Thanksgiving at Sam's sister's. We're bringing the pies and a couple of sleds.

Leaves

I love living in a place with four distinct seasons. I'm always excited for each season to begin. Fall is well underway and I'm enjoying every second. I love the warm rich colors, the home-grown produce in my garden, front porches lined with bright orange pumpkins, the crisp cool mornings and sunny afternoons, and wearing cozy sweaters and wool socks. I even like raking up leaves, especially when Sam and Cohen are there to help (or do it for me while I take pictures). 

My two favorites working hard in our back yard.

Cohen helping Great-Grandma A during our monthly family night at her house.

Self Photography

Ever since Sam and I took our engagement photos, we've somehow managed to be our own photographers.  (I'll be honest--usually Sam's the one with the camera.)  So with the holidays coming up and the leaves in our back yard at their peak fall colors, we got out the camera and tied Cohen's toy Cookie Monster to the tripod. 

Sometimes as a parent you have to decide between stopping your kid from doing something gross,  or getting something really funny on camera--we chose the latter.  Here Cohen is discovering a snail shell.  Of course we knew where this might go ... 

Here he is after tasting the shell.  Luckily he didn't like it, and luckily we got this picture!  

My two favorite guys!

My cute family in lighting that wasn't cooperating.

I LOVE this smile!

Handsom Hubby!

Cohen letting us know he was finished with the photo shoot.  He left Cookie Monster to fend for himself!

I think we finally got one good enough for our Christmas card, but I think next year we may hire a photographers other than ourselves--it's a bit more challenging with a kid running around!

First Haircut

I've been trying to get Sam to let me cut his hair for years.  He has the greatest hair ever, and I must admit I was a little scared I'd totally screw it up, but I still wanted to give it a try.  He FINALLY let me. 

Holy Shmoley!  Look at all that hair!

The result.

Sam says he likes it, but I don't think I'll know how he really feels until the time comes for his next haircut.  We'll see whether or not he asks me to take care of it.

Happy Halloween!

Definitely the cutest Charlie Brown ever!

Road Trip

Last week we took a last minute road trip to the pacific northwest.  We both have family there and we love this area--if we were to move to a different part of the country, this is definitely where we'd want to go.  But our main purpose of the trip was to visit Sam's grandma who lives near Seattle.  Sam's mom and sister Emily also came along for most of the trip.  

We were very lucky to get to stay at this awesome bed and breakfast owned by my dad's cousin.  It's located right on the beach and the property is filled with award-winning hydrangeas--it's magical and oh-so relaxing!  

Light House at Long Beach

Puget Sound

Seattle Aquarium

Seattle Aquarium 

Exploring the boardwalk--nice face, Cohen!

Mission accomplished!  Cohen and I finally got to meet Sam's mom's mom.  

Cohen with one of his Auntie Em's (he has one on each side).  Do you see Emily's white streak of hair? It's  a rare family trait from Sam's dad's family.  Cohen has the same thing but further back on his head.  Of course he didn't get it from Sam--Katrina's brother has a white streak in the same place as Cohen. 

On our way home at a rest stop in Pendleton, Oregon.  We had perfect timing to watch this beautiful sunset!

Adios Office!

I've had the same job since my last semester of college. I've loved it, but not as much as I love being a mom. I've always wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, but for the last year it's worked best for our family for me to keep working while Sam stayed home and finished up his last couple of classes. About a week after I returned to work after taking a 12-week leave when Cohen was born, I came home to a tired looking Sam standing in the middle of the kitchen saying, "every dad should have to do this so that they know what it's like! I can't get anything done!" I just laughed. Really, he's done a stellar job. He cooks, he cleans, and most importantly, he has a blast with Cohen. All while finishing up his last couple of classes. I'm sure he's the best dad EVER! It's been a blessing in many ways. I have a new appreciation for mothers who must work; Sam and Cohen have an incredible bond; and Sam truly appreciates how much work it takes to care for a child. But now it's time to switch places. Yippee!!! I will never take it for granted.

Aquarium

Here are a few photos from a trip to the aquarium to took Yesterday with the Cub Scouts (Sam's Cub Master and I'm a den leader). Besides some very poor customer service, we had a great time.