Christmas Came

I think the process of Christmas drags forever and then in a split second it's over!! However it's so much fun that even for the second, it's worth it. Kurt and I were more excited this year then in the past since we knew Ethan would be excited when he saw all of his stuff. It was a great morning filled with getting up early, Grandma Lynette and Grandpa Russ stopping by, a big breakfast, Kya almost dying, and then a day of visiting with both our families.

Ethan was super excited to see his train table and his black puppy! The only two things he wanted from Santa.

Next came a surprise from Grandma Sherry and Grandpa Sherm....his very own F150 power wheels. We hid this and showed it to him last knowing that he wouldn't get out of it....we were right! It's been a hit every day. He bumps along down the road thinking he's quite cool while blasting his tunes. It's pretty funny to see.

Next we headed over to my sister's where Grandma and Grandpa had more presents waiting. Reminds me so much of going to Grandma Audrey's with the punch, food, and all the surprises. The kids got spoiled. Then we headed to Kurt's mom and dad's for some yummy food and even more presents!! We were spoiled again. Thank you everyone for all the gifts. I love spending time with both our families. We ended the night by talking to my parents on the phone and even getting to see dad...which is sometimes a rare occasion! It was such a great Christmas and we hope all of you had the same!!

I also just need to say how thankful I am for everyone in my life. I'm so blessed to have two wonderful families and a loving husband who I love so much. Every year I seem to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping and sometimes forget to remember the true meaning of Christmas. I'm grateful for my Savior and all the blessings he has given me. It's so nice to know the meaning of this life and why we are here.

Christmas Eve

It's tradition on Christmas Eve to do lunch with mi familia. This year we tried the new Santa Monica Pizza here at Jordan Landing. It was great! We sure did miss mom and dad being here, but one Christmas down and two more to go. I always feel like lunch breaks up the day and makes it go fast.

We also headed to Kurt's aunt Sue's house for the annual Ashby Christmas Party! It's always great to be together with family.

A Visit From Santa

Santa made a surprise visit to our house on the 22nd. Maybe he was just checking to see if Ethan had been a good boy. Our door swung open and Ethan heard the "HO HO HO!" and didn't quite know what to do!! He eventually warmed up and we got a cute picture.

And with great technology Grandma Sherry was able to watch it all in action from Japan. Thanks Joce for setting everything up!!

The tale of BIGGIE and BOO BOO

*Disclaimer: To most this will not be funny! To my parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins....this will be a warm reminder of my favorite friend!

Let me tell you a tale about my childhood blanket. I had a blanket that I loved. It was my best friend. I carried that thing everywhere. My mom tried to replace it several times, but he always came back. The reason I loved this blanket and not any others was because Biggie and Boo Boo lived on my blanket. I don't know where I got the names for these two little things, nor do I know why I liked them so much. Let me explain..Boo Boo was the tag that was attached to the blanket. However he wasn't a tag that stuck out...he was hooked to the lining edge of the blanket. He was raised a little more then anything else so it provided for a good face rub when i was tired. Biggie was the lining edge...you know the finished edge of the blanket. The edge of the blanket had come unattached on a small portion of the blanket. Much like the picture you see above...if only there was a small cut that made it not connected. Anyways Biggie was unattached enough that I could hook my fingernail under it and make it stay. This is how I slept.

Biggie and Boo Boo went every where with me. I was attached. This poor blanket made it through the wash ALL the time, got sewed on by my aunt Marci too many times to count, and I cried when I threw up at my aunts house and she insisted that she needed to wash the blanket and I would have to sleep with out it.

I've discovered that Biggie might have lived on. Ethan has now become attached to one of the many blankets he has. I never thought this would happen, but he has picked a favorite. Seeing that this blanket gets dragged around the house with him it has become unraveled on the edge and has pulled away from the blanket. He now straps this around his wrist and sleeps this way. I can't help but laugh and remember feeling that love for my blanket...that stupid blanket that my mom threw away (mean mom!!! I still love you though) and tried to replace with a new one!!

Now I understand the underlying reasons my mom tried to get rid of my blanket. I have to bribe Ethan to give it to me to wash. So to all my family that put up with Biggie and Boo Boo...THANK YOU! And to my siblings who tried to destroy it....there will be payback when your kids try and do the same thing to each other!

Tis the Season!

Thursday night we bundled up and headed out to see the lights. What's better then seeing the lights at temple square to bring the holiday spirit? We have been telling Ethan we would take him on trax...and since it looks pretty much like a train he would ask me every day if it was the day to ride it. Finally on Thursday we ventured out. Here we are waiting for trax to come.

We made it down town on a crowded trax due to the Jazz game and the program going on at the conference center. We hopped out and started making our way to the temple. About two minutes into the walk I turned to Kurt and told him I was going to become an ice sculpture. It was FREEZING. Kurt laughed it off like a was a sissy (the man didn't even wear gloves..what an idiot) and continued on to see the lights. About five minutes after that I think my husband realized how cold it really was. We made a quick loop around the temple and then ran back to trax and waited for it to arrive. For some reason when you are freezing it feels like time moves SO slow. I swear we waited for an hour for trax to arrive, however I'm told it was a mere five minutes...I beg to differ! So the attempt to see the lights was short lived, but the train ride was a hit and I had a happy two year old.

Since Temple Square didn't quite bring me the holiday spirit I wanted, my awesome in-laws got tickets for the whole family to go see Forgotten Carols by Michael McLean last night. This is a tradition every year. I think we all have the script memorized by now, but nothing can bring the real meaning of Christmas like this production can. I LOVE the show and it is such a good reminder in the hustle and bustle of why we celebrate Christmas. If you haven't seen it, make a note now to get tickets next year! It is so much fun, keeps you laughing, and lets you feel the spirit. Thanks again to my in-laws for providing such a fun festive night!

Christmas Shopping...in his own way!

After putting Ethan down for bed one night I walked in the office to find this...

Apparently he's been in my closet full of Scentsy stuff a little too many times.

Speaking of Scentsy...just a reminder to any of you who still need some Christmas gifts or any other product before Christmas. Tuesday, December 15th is the last day I can order to guarantee it for Christmas. Please get me any orders you might need no later then Monday night!

The Gingerbread Train

This year I decided to start a tradition with Ethan....the good old Gingerbread houses. I tried this tradition when Kurt and I first got married and it didn't work out too well. I thought it was fun and Kurt thought it was lame. Now roles have reversed. After a minute of trying to break the gingerbread cookies apart, and the frosting not sticking, I was ready to be done. Ethan however thought it was a blast and kept decorating away. Along with sneaking mouthfuls of frosting from dad and shoving his mouth with candy. The train was a hit and maybe we will keep going with this tradition next year...only time will tell.

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a great Thanksgiving this year. We started out by putting up lights...

then got ready and headed to Kurt's grandma's club house for an awesome Thanksgiving lunch with the entire extended family. Here we are ready to head over for some grub.

Then Friday we slept in some more....yes we avoided all the crazies out at MIDNIGHT - 5:00 A.M. (I shouldn't say crazies since I myself have went ONE time, and the hubster actually grew up doing black Friday...so my in-laws are pretty passionate about it...I love the stories). We did however hit up some stores around 9:30 and got some Christmas shopping taken care of. Then we set up all of our Christmas decorations while blasting Jewel's Christmas album on the ipod.

Lastly I enjoyed watching my COUGS take a win....and the Jazz kick some trash!! Hubster is quite disappointed about his Utes...but I was excited!! It's been a great weekend! Now back to the reality of Jordan Landing being so crazy that it takes an extra fifteen to twenty minutes just to get to Bangerter.

The New Time Out!

Apparently sitting in time out doesn't phase Ethan anymore. Maybe it's because he puts himself there more then I do. So the new solution....NOSE ON THE WALL! So far it's worked...besides the banging on the wall with both hand and the yelling of "let me out!" Wish us luck!!

We Survived!...or more like HE survived!

Yesterday was the infamous eye surgery! Everything went great! The doc said that surgery went fast and that he was amazed how well his eye muscles had healed from the last surgery. He said it was almost as working on a fresh new muscle. We are keeping our fingers crossed that this was the last time. Coming out of anesthesia for Ethan is always a little emotional. He hates all the tubes, I.V's, monitors, etc....so he immediately started freaking out. It took all I had to console him, and with one wrong word it set him off again. Luckily he was thirsty and downed some apple juice so the time in post-op wasn't long at all. We checked in at 7:30, had surgery at 9:00, and pulled into the driveway at noon! It's always an emotionally and physically exhausting day the first day, but today seems like a new day! He is jumping around happy as ever. His eye drops are the only thing that throw off his day! Wish us luck to this being the LAST surgery!!

As you can tell his eye doesn't look to bad. Only one muscle on the outside was worked on. It's all red on the outer white area and a little swollen, but not too bad. It looked a lot worse last time....as you can see below.

Happy Halloween!

Well the pirate and I were off at about 6:00 to get lots of candy and leave Kurt all alone to pass out candy. I wasn't sure if Ethan would grasp the concept but as soon as he realized that candy got put in his ELMO bucket, he was in his glory. Every house he got more excited and would yell "next house" and off he went. By the time we were done with the houses we hit we had to bribe him with eating his sucker to actually come in. I guess Halloween was officially a hit with Ethan.

A Pirate....A Witch...&....I'm not sure!

Thursday night was the ward annual Halloween party! We decided to be more festive since we were pretty lame in our last attire. We borrowed a few things and put together some costumes. So here is our new family....

Don't worry...."Wild Hogs" producer called after seeing Kurt dressed like this and he will be cast in "Wild Hogs 2" as the special friend!

PaRtY

Our cute neighbors The Walter's had everyone over for a big Halloween Party! The decorations were killer! Janai had it all decked out from weird body parts in dishes to pictures of all the evil scary dudes! I wish I was as creative. It's always a blast to get together with the neighborhood crew and party!!

Yes we are kind of lame when it comes to costumes! However we are a house divided! I am a true blue fan while Kurt bleeds red! After the TCU game I think I might have to switch....ok maybe not, but if Max Hall fumbles one more time then I'm really considering!

Our hosts The Walter's & The Shypkowsi's

The Gailey's

The Oliverson's

The McCann's

The other Jenkins

The Dabo's & The Goodloe's