Fifty-four.

Saying Goodbye to 2009.

And wishing everyone a Happy New Year.

Thanks for reading.

Fifty-three.

Resolutions.

I hope 2010 brings organization [see photo above]...

And:
more photos.
new crafts.
fun trips.
more cooking and learning.
a new entertainment center.
a healthy and happy three and one year old.
more and more love and laughter.
a desire to exercise.
disneyland.

Fifty-two.

Food Photos.

A friend of mine is an amazing food photographer.
I baked some goodies yesterday and decided to snap a photo of the finished product all decked out.

Thanks for your inspiration and friendship brit p.
Check her out here.

Fifty-one.

Flowers.

When i was young, I used to only like on kind of flower.
Since then i have grown to love every and any kind.
There's nothing better than to have a fresh bouquet of flowers.

My grandpa buys my grandma a fresh bouquet every week.
It's sort of his trademark.
It's adorable.

I might ask my hubby to continue this tradition.

p.s. These [peonies] are my new favorites.
Beautiful, aren't they?

Fifty.

Excitement.

This was taken Christmas eve.
She was so excited for Santa.
In fact, she had been waiting for over a month.

Santa came the next morning.
She could not believe her eyes.
She believes.
We believe.

I know i've said this a time or two before...
But those blues kill me.
I just can't get over the fact that I have a blue-eyed babe!

Fourty-nine.

Papa.

She's got him wrapped around her little finger.
My two both do.
He loves it.

Fourty-eight.

Merry Christmas.

These little Hallmark treasures are Kate's favorite item in our house.
GrannyBird generously gives one to Kate every year.

They are so fun!

Thanks GB.

Fourty-seven.

Merry CHRISTmas to all and to all a good night!

Hope you have a holly jolly Christmas!

Fourty-six.

Got this rad ornament at Krumpet's in St George a couple years back.
It has been the number one complimented item in my house this holiday season.
It's fun.

Did i mention i have 2 trees up this year?
A real one and a fake one.
I think i will have to stick with the real thing next year.
What do you prefer?

Fourty-five.

I love the season.
I love the reason for the season.
I love the decorations and festivities the season brings.

Hope you all have a Merry CHRISTmas.

please bare with me through this holiday season, as my posts are scattered, and as always, thanks for reading!

p.s. do you see that beauty all the way on the right? yes, it was on my wish list and my sweet hubby got it for me for my bday! i. love. it!

Fourty-four.

What's in a Smile.

Have i mentioned this smile before?
She is a doll.
Just can't get enough of her.

And that smile.
And those cheeks, oh, those cheeks!

One of my most photographed clients.
Better get used to it.

Thanks for reading.
Your comments are always appreciated.

Fourty-three.

A Christmas Party.

Which included:
A Christmas Dinner.
A Christmas Gathering with Family.
And of course a Christmas Carol or two.

Played beautifully by Daniel's aunt Jane.
Sung by many.

It was so serene.
It made me smile.
It made me think of our savior.
I love this season.

Fourty-two.

Gazing.

I caught this little munchkin in the backyard.
Searching for something afar.
Not sure she found what she was looking for.
But she was having fun imagining.

Little minds are just. so. adorable.

The end.

[and yes, she was still in her pj's when the sun was going down.]

Fourty-one.

'Blowing Christmas Wishes Your Way..'

A friend of mine had this great idea for neighbor/friend treats.
She shared, for all to copy, 2 years ago.
I fell in love with the idea.
So i did mini versions of hers this year.

They were a hit.
Thanks Sara B.

Fourty.

25.

This is me.
Today i turn 25.
It was a great, no, fabulous day.
Thank you to all who made it that way.

P.S. much thank you goes to my wonderful, handsome husband, who is constantly making my dreams come true. And our sweet little girls who bring light, joy and much happiness to my life!

Thanks for reading.
happy birthday to me!

Thirty-nine.

Gingerbread Houses.

This is so exciting to me!
You see, we never made these growing up, ever.
This was my first time.
It was also Kate's first time.

Kind of challenging since i have no gingerbread construction experience.
My house caved in once.
An active toddler eating all the candy didn't help either.
But we did it.
And we had a BLAST!

This will be an ongoing tradition.

Thirty-eight.

Slacker.

Yes, i'm a slacker.
I haven't updated this daily blog.
I haven't sent out my christmas cards.
I haven't finished wrapping gifts.

Please forgive me.
After the holidays subside i shall be back on track.

Thanks for reading.

photo taken by paisley jane photography.

Thirty-seven.

Dear Santa.

Kate met Santa @ bass pro shops.
She wasn't scared.
Maybe a little hesitant at first.

But, she hopped right up on his lap and asked for:
"a telephone that pushes,
a hanger, a skewdiver,
and a toolbox."
[translation: telephone with buttons to push, a hammer, a screwdriver, and a toolbox.]

She smiled for the camera
and that was it.

She can't wait to see Santa again at the Zobrist Christmas Eve Party!

As for Lucy... she was content sitting with Mrs. Claus.

Thirty-six; Thirty-six and a hlaf.

Bass Pro Shops.

Anyone ever been there?
It's a sportsmans paradise.
A little boys dream!
Fishing, camping, guns, camo... everything!

If you haven't found anything for him yet... this is the place to go!

PLUS...
if you go you can also check out the Mermaid at the Silverton Casino.
the kids love it!

Thirty-five.

motherhood

oh the joys...
when your kid comes up to you and says
"you're the best mom in the whole, whole, whole wide world!"

photo taken w/photo booth; color pencil effect

Thirty-Four

Sunshine.

The days around the valley have been a bit gloomy.
Nothing like a little sun flare to brighten a day.

Thirty-three.

A boy
and a stick.
Equals complete happiness!

Thirty-two

Do you remember?

When rolling down a hill was so fun?

Thirty-one.

Santa Claus is coming to town.
[Or if you ask kate to sing the song she'll say 'Santa Claus is coming around']

For those of you with chimney's... it's easy to explain how Santa comes and goes.
But we do not have a chimney or fire place to place our stockings over [our next house will!].
So we have the Magic Key.
This is how Santa gets into our house and the many others who live in houses sans chimneys.
It's pretty brilliant if you ask me.
We have Santa's magic key hanging in our house.
On Christmas eve Santa will magically take it and open our door.

17 more days.

Thirty.

Arranged.

Yes, this cute little boy's mom and i have decided that these two will be a prefect match!
Erik and Kate... doesn't it have the perfect little ring to it?
This will probably be in their wedding video.
I was thinking instead of a christmas card this year, i'd send out save the date's for them and use this picture.

Ok, ok, i'm kidding... but really, don't you sometimes wish you could pick out your kids' spouse?


p.s. has anyone seen the movie 'UP'? If not, you need to, it is such a cute movie about two little kiddos and their lifelong adventure! Go rent it now!

Twenty-nine.

Proud

to be an American.
My mom [and her family] immigrated [from Bolivia] to the US of A when she was sixteen years old .
She has said, many times, that the day she became a citizen was one of the best and most emotional days of her life.
My dad also has expressed how emotional that day was, to see those pledge their allegiance to the almighty flag.
I am grateful for parents who taught me to love my country.
I am grateful for their experience of patriotism.
I am grateful that i can raise my family in the land of the free.
I AM PROUD to be an AMERICAN!

Twenty-eight.

Perfection.

Practically Perfect in every way.

Enough said.

Twenty-seven.

Inspired...

by anonymous.

Thanks!

Twenty-six.

Waiting.

Kate is now old enough to slightly understand Santa.
And that Santa brings presents.
Everyday she says, "Mom, i want to go to Christmas."

We have 3 advent calendars that we move each day.
And that helps explain when Christmas will be here.
But she still waits, and waits by the Chirstmas tree.
It's too cute.

Twenty-five.

Happy Birthday.

Between the months of November and December are a ton of birthday's on both sides of our family... not to mention more from our extended family and friends.

To all of you Nov/Dec birthdays, i say, Happy Birthday!!

Especially to: Kathie [nov 1], Dave [nov 21], Ron [nov 26], Mom [nov 26], Hailey [nov 28], Dad [nov 29], Dustin [dec 6], Darren [dec 8], Tanner [dec 23], Me [dec 17].

Twenty-four.

Challenge.

It's been quite the challenge for Kate to hold up two fingers.
I've tried to teach her multiple methods, however none succeeded.
But she is persistent.
She never stopped trying.
Anytime she was asked, "how old are you?" She would try her hardest to show them.

Finally, aunt rachel taught her how to do it, not sure exactly how,
but she caught on right away.
She is now constantly showing me her two fingers.
And i love it!

Thanks rach!