Then and Now

August 14, 2004

photo courtesy of Leila Jones Photography

January 16, 2012

photo courtesy of my dad, who even went so far as to lie on the ground for the shot

It's Coming

I write blog posts in my head throughout the day. If only I had the technology to channel them from my mind to the computer without having to sit down and type because the rare occasions in a day when I do get to sit down I am usually just seconds away from falling asleep.

There are updates and moments that need to be documented. I have thoughts and lessons that have been learned.

I need the therapy of writing it all down and will get to it soon.

And that's a promise.

{this moment}

{this moment}

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

(inspired by SouleMama) 

Christmas Day

William's first attempt to wake up for the day was at 2:30am. "Mom, I'm restful." Haha, right.

Thankfully he willingly went back to bed until 6:30am. We let Anne sleep for a bit longer and went down to the living room to see if Santa had paid us a visit. He had! Hot wheels and a bike for William, Cinderella Barbie and a bike for Marie, sippy cups and a shopping cart for Anne, and a smartTV for mom and dad (well, really the whole family). A TV that will go unused until we move. *sigh*

Santa!

After some play time with the Santa gifts we had a quick breakfast of "Christmas Crunch" cereal and dressed for church.

Church

Church was followed by a brunch of homemade cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs, bacon, and OJ and then at noon we finally got to open the presents from other family members and each other. 

Presents

We were sure to have the camera ready for this gift. We knew the Lalaloopsy doll would be a hit.

Anne quickly caught on to the present opening idea and answered with an "Oooooo" or a "Wow" whenever it was her turn. She didn't really care about what was under all that paper, she was just thrilled that we were encouraging her to tear it.

Most of the present opening was documented with our camcorder, especially of William, apparently. This picture of him with his new monster truck from Aunt Becca is the only one I have of him. 

The rest of Christmas Sunday consisted of naps, Skyping, and a delicious turkey dinner ... all of which were not worthy of any pictures, I guess. Either that or the photographer was too busy actually making those things happen to document them. Something like that.

It was a truly blessed holiday for us. Although we were missing our extended family, we were so grateful to be at home with our little munchkins, feeding off of their excitement and creating memories together.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

In the middle of December, we found out that it wasn't going to work for Brandon's parents to have us spend Christmas with them. 

The only other time we've been home for Christmas was when I was pregnant with William. We've always loved spending the holidays with our parents so the drive and the work to head out their was always worth the effort to us. 

It was new for us to be home, but it was also fun and exciting to plan out our own festivities, combining old traditions and considering new ones. 

Making sugar cookies for Santa was first on our agenda Christmas Eve morning. This is an activity that will NOT become a tradition. Sugar cookies is one of my favorite Christmas activities, just not on Christmas Eve when we are already doing prep and clean up for that day's meals, as well as prep for Christmas morning. 

Despite the clean up, we did have a blast, as the pictures will attest.

Sugar Cookies

 Cutting out the cookies was fun. Playing in the flour was even better, Marie would tell you.

 Anne went down for a much needed morning nap soon after this picture, hence the lack of her presence in the following pictures.

 Marie probably licked more frosting off her fingers than actually made it on her cookies.

 Yes, William is having a good time, but he's really smiling because he thinks he's SO funny for not looking at the camera when I asked him to.

Proof that I was there, and even decorated a cookie or two.

Aren't these the prettiest cookies you've ever seen?  

Fondue

This is a tradition that I brought from my family and boy do we love it! In the past, when we've been in Vernal for Christmas, we have done fondue on New Year's Eve instead. We can't ever let the holiday season go by without a delicious feast of fried foods and cheese. 

 Some recipes from this year's fondue feast:

Sweet and Sour Sauce

So good with the potstickers!

Chili Sauce (aka Fry Sauce)

We ended up tweaking this enough that the original recipe probably isn't very accurate.

Cheesy Pizza Fondue

A favorite repeat fondue recipe.

Chicken Korean Marinade

Asian Marinade for Beef

Spinach Artichoke Cheese Fondue

This was good that night, it was fabulous as leftovers the next few days!

Dippers for the cheese sauces:

carrots

celery

green apples

crusty bread

For the cooking oil:

london broil, cubed

chicken, cubed

potstickers

Jammies and Books

 Last year, William's Christmas tree print flannel pants didn't go over too well for him. Grandma, Becca, and I knew this set of Transformer PJs would be redemption when we saw them over Thanksgiving. We were right. 

 This picture was aimed towards Marie, but look at William on the side. I think he likes his jammies.

 And Marie, well, one can never go wrong with handmade Princess jammies.

  Anne thought her nightgown was a perfect substitute for her blanket. She grabbed it and cuddled right up to Brandon. 

I meant to have them hold their books in this picture, but just getting them to look at the camera was enough of an accomplishment. Their books from Grandma P. this year were: Richard Scarry's Best Storybook Ever, Silverlicious, and Snowmen at Night.

After a small FHE-style lesson and reading the last of the Christmas story we set out milk and cookies for Santa, celery for the reindeer and tucked the kids in their beds.