Christmas Day

Christmas...everything we hoped it would be :)

Camden was beyond excited when he saw that Santa did indeed bring him a bike, and a Lightening McQueen racetrack-- so much excited, that we had a hard time getting him to even look at any other gifts...

Turner was just as he always is, happy with everything. It did help that he got a new walker and ball toy.

Ryan completely surprised me with a Kindle! Well done, Ryan. Well done.

After having our own little Christmas morning, we headed over to Ryan's grandparents' house for brunch. From brunch, we all met at Charles' office for the "reveal".

Then we got to see the MUCH anticipated premiere of Les Miserables.

I'm not sure what I was more excited for, Christmas itself, or Les Miserables... and I did indeed LOVE it. Anne Hathaway broke my heart! Empty Chairs and Empty tables never hit me so hard, and I really wanted to join the revolution!

After the movie, we opened gifts with Ryan's dad, and had Christmas dinner.

The Christmas spirit was deep in my heart this Christmas... what could be better than spending a wonderful holiday experiencing joy with the ones you love most? 

Christmas Eve

breakfast at the belgium waffle and omelet inn.

setting up our Christmas gift for Charles (a new couch for his office! plus, some organization...)

revealing my gift for Ryan (an office makeover)

dinner, games, trifle, the nativity (at Lourie's house)

putting together helping Santa (some assembly required?!) 

Anticipating Christmas! 

Why do I even try to get him to take pictures?!

snowy days, elves, and cookie madness

1) Me: Whatcha doin' Camden?

Camden: Watching all the snow fall! Mommy, I'm going to wait here until all the grass is covered, then we can go tuba! (tubing)

2) Camden: Look at my pirate gloves, mommy! Arrr, Mateys!!

3-7) Hanging out with the elves at Gardner Village

8-9) Sugar cookies making and decorating with our BFFs. Madness

season kick off

the Christmas season has begun! what better way to kick it off, than a lovely dinner downtown at the Grand America?! We spent the evening with Ryan's family, appreciating delicious food, stuffing our faces with chocolate cake (Camden was channeling a certain Bruce Bogtrotter...), and being completely mesmerized by the lights and Christmas window displays.

a boy of many emotions

Camden is a very emotional child.

not as in "he cries all the time" emotional, but as in he has very heightened emotions, and they can change in a matter of seconds. 

exhibit a: "it's my birthday, yay! and they are singing to me?! how wonderful"

exhibit b: "oh, my cousins are just soo funny! ha ha"

exhibit c: "wait, you mean this is my very last birthday party for a whole year? not cool."

exhibit d: "alright, let's make the most of this, then!"

and a picture of little Turner man, just because I find this buddy heart achingly adorable.

one thing's for sure, we know we like strawberries

The strawberry patch.

Camden definitely put more strawberries in his mouth than he did in the bucket.

And possibly more down his shirt and on his face than he did in his mouth.

But, that's exactly what you should do, right?

in California

 A beautiful week in California? I'll take it! Anytime.

Road trippin' to Oceanside with the Judd family for a week of fun.

This little guy's first long roadtrip, and he was a Rockstar! Seriously, not quite sure how we got so lucky with this little angel of a child, but no complaints from me :)

Stopping at a Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the U.S. soccer game

The view from our Condo-- Hello, Oceanside!

wedding snapshots

The Logan temple, grandma Nelson, waiting for the bride and groom, and the happy couple.

John's wedding weekend was great. They looked so happy and in love!

I loved getting together with all of my siblings, epecially Ronda (and Doug & Devan)...Maui is just too far!