Our Christmas Break part 2:

It's hard to sum up 2 months in a couple of pictures, so I didn't! Be prepared for a TON of photos. Daniel's favorite place at my parents house was their pantry. When we started to talk about what to have for dinner Daniel tapped his finger on his chin and said "Mom! I got it!." And ran off. This was what he brought me. A case of rice krispy treats... for diner.

While we were there my baby turned 3! It's crazy to think that I've been putting this little guy to sleep every night for 3 years. It's amazing how fast it all goes. On his birthday Bryan and I took him to a park for his first sledding trip. He LOVED it. When we got there a big chocolate lab came running up to us with a tennis ball and made us play fetch with him the whole time we were there. It was a blast.Since I didn't have a ton of time to make a cake, Daniel and I went to the store to pick one up. When he saw this he had to have it. I kept trying to talk him into the cute snowmen or the Santa Claus cake. But he was set on this one... definitely a little boy!He loved the Thomas " 'Puter" his Aunt Megan. He always gets it out and "works" while Mommy and Daddy are on theirs.Aunt Shannon and Uncle Erik gave him his first play dough. He loves it, but I think the adults had more fun with it that day.In between bouts of my Iritis I was able to take some bridals for my good friend Alicen. Isn't she beautiful?We had a family party on the night of the BYU bowl game, the men were all VERY intent on the tv. It was so exciting when they won!On Christmas Eve we went up to Shannon's house and I got to make Abelskeivers. I learned how to a few years ago ( thanks AC!) But was quite a bit rusty. They were soooo good. I am officially in love with this nativity. (It's my sister Shannon's) I've always loved nativities, but I especially love how streamlined and adorable this one is. Too cute. ~The bane of my existence~

A chocolate fountain with lots and lots of fruit to dip in it, yum!We spent Christmas morning with Bryan's family and had fun watching all the little kids with their presents. It's amazing how much more fun Christmas is when there are children involved.Daniel was very excited and sick of me taking pictures. This is his smile of rebellion. Punk.We took Daniel sledding again after Christmas. His cousin Jane loved the ride over, but wasn't so fond of the actual sledding.Daniel was so brave and went by himself on his sled. He loved going down with Grandpa.Bryan's cousin got married that week and we were able to attend the ceremony and the luncheon. We sat in the back with all of our kids so that we could make a quick getaway! Jane does everything with passion, here she is dramatically sipping her lemonade. Daniel found a new friend in one of Bryan's cousins. She is such a sweetie and Daniel stuck by her side.Life is good here in Ohio, we're watching the debate tonight, GO Mitt!!!

My Christmas Vacation part 1: (by no means in any real order)

Getting there was a bit crazy, we had to make people move on every flight so that we could sit together. I ran into an old college friend (scary that I can say that now...) and it was fun to meet his wife and baby. The views were absolutely beautiful above the clouds. (Daniel obviously agreed)

The first thing Daniel did when we got there was go for the cookies. He knows that Grandma's house never disappoints on the cookie front. He is just beaming from being at Grandma's house.It took a couple of minutes for our nephew to warm back up to us. Can't believe how fast babies grow!He finally gave us his approval when Bryan fed him grapes. I just love all the cute/funny faces he makes!While we were there I got to take some photos. I didn't get to do much in that way because of my eye problem. I kept putting the lens up to my eye and trying forever to adjust the focus only to at last remember that my eye was the problem!Of course we made a gingerbread house. It only took the talents of 5 women and Daniel to get it done. ;)After is was done he just wanted to stare at it....all.....day....

Trying to figure out how to get us to let him eat it.


Trying to reason with us about how logically these things should be eaten, and the sooner the better!
Random addition:

Phoenix at sunrise... This was taken during one of my flights.... I think it was the one coming home where I flew out at 6am with a 3 year old by myself and no way home from the airport. Don't recommend it by the way. (I mean the flying part, Phoenix looks gorgeous!)

I'm back! We had a blast with the family in Utah, but it's good to be home and not living out of a suitcase anymore. We did so many things and had so much fun that I know I won't get to everything. I was sick for a while so that put a damper on a bit of the things I had planned to do, but I still managed to get some good stuff in. Right now I'm attempting to get everything done that I missed over the last month and a half. (Laundry, dusting, all the fun stuff). I'll be posting lots of random stuff from our trip over the next couple of days. Thanks for checking in!