.A Downton Abbey Par-tay....

with a big bowl of homemade carmel popcorn...

.my best day ever!!!

Spencer has been teasing me about "something special" that he was making for me for about a month and a half now...

I was excited cuz I always love those cute crazy ceramic little thingy that they make,

(and yes, I still have all of them that my kids have made over the years)

so, today when he came home and I closed my eyes for my big surprise,

I.was.truly.surprised!!!

THE CUTEST GREEN APRON!!!

it fits me perfectly, I love the pocket, and I absolutely loooove the crooked white stitching!

thank-you Spencer for the sweetest gift given.

and don't even be fooled....

he's standing on his tip-toes.

.twenty twelve...

Resolutions...we all have them!

As I think back on this past year there are many thoughts that come to mind...

I will not say that it has been an easy year

but,

I will say, that amidst the many trials we've been through this year there have been many many more blessings!

I've set 3 goals this year, they are simple and sweet goals,

but very powerful at the same time,

or

doing them and seeing the outcome will and can be powerful...

I didn't do a "word" this year like I've done in the years past,

I've just decided to stick with my goals which would encompass my new word anyway.

I feel good about this new year and my new goals.

so far, so good!

.did I tell ya about the time...

circa 2004

So,

a few weeks ago when we were walking around Temple Square looking at the lights,

we walked around the corner

and Spencer said "Look mom, remember when we took our picture by that statue,

let's take another one"!

I thought it was so cute that he remembered,

and that he wanted to have another sweet memory together...

but

it wasn't quite as precious this time around,

as Spencer was only 6 years old last time,

this time, not so much....

he's 13 years old and he's taller than me so he tried squatting down

and right when the flash went off he pulls a face,

and I couldn't help but laugh,

he's always doing things that catch me off guard, and making me giggle.

so yes,

we did make a memory,

just in a different way!!!

.Temple Square.

We went to an early dinner at Olive Garden and then headed to Temple Square

we couldn't have picked a better night to go,

it was a few days after Christmas and the weather was warm!!!

walking around the grounds is a combination between magical and spiritual,

add a little bit of silliness too...

I love when Lynzie says such things as;

"touch everything you can, cuz President Monson has probably touched it too."

I counted 4 other guys, walking around in shorts too!!! ha.

see, Spencer isn't the only hot-blooded boy in Utah!

to be continued...

.Christmas 2011...

the kids woke up early and we let them open one present and there stockings....

we saved the rest of the gift for later that day.

Each Christmas

is one that holds memories and traditions and each picture is a reminder of both,

I love Christmas', memories, traditions and taking pictures,

but

this Christmas seemed extra special for us,

one, because it was on Sunday

(I wish Christmas was on Sunday every year!)

and two...

BOTH, our parents were able to be with us!!!!

that's never happened!

my mom and dad came up early Sunday morning and came to church with us,

while Kurt was at the airport picking up his mom...

my parents looked so cute in there Christmas clothes,

and I had a hard time just sitting there singing,

my heart was full with the Spirit of Christmas and being able to share it with my parents was almost an over-load...

Lynzie sang with the primary and I sang with the choir again,

the songs we sang about our Savior were so beautiful,

it really was a perfect day.

we came home from church, changed our clothes, some of us back into our p.j.'s

we gorged ourselves on a big turkey/ham dinner,

and finished opening our presents with grandparents....

our big family present this year was a flat screen T.V. hooray, hooray!!!

and we gave the kids $$$ this year,

which the kids loved!

it was fun for them to wake up on Monday and shop all day with there Christmas money.

grandma jean gave each of the kids the cutest jars full of coins,

we had so much fun trying to count all the money.....

who would of thought???

amazingly each jar held $20 bucks.

Spencer got a loft bed, one of the best inventions ever!

wish we had got him one sooner.

Christmas morningALWAYScomes too early for the tired weary parents....

we really had a nice Christmas this year,

as always

but

this year seemed extra special.

to be continued....

.Christmas Eve....

We live in one of thee best neighborhoods and,

were invited to a Christmas Eve party with a few families in our ward,

we had a delightful time,

fabulous food, wonderful white elephant gifts,

lots of laughter and a phony game of phase ten.

(trophys were even involved)

then....

later in the evening

we snuck back home for the annual opening of the pajama's....

and to wait for Santa, of course...

to be continued....

We woke up this morning to snow....

(altho, these are all pictures from the last time it snowed)

snow is so beautiful,

and it's been snowing big beautiful snowflakes all morning

it's everywhere except the roads, so it's my kind-of snow...

the weather hasn't scared me yet this year,

probably because it's been the driest December in Utah history....

it's been a nice way to break us Texans in,

especially me cuz I'm not such a big accumulation snowdrift kinda girl.

but this year has been perfectly beautiful and just enough,

and i'm thankful for that!

the kids are still stunned and amazed by snow

and each time it falls its like Christmas morning all over again...

and this little one,

won't step on wet grass to go tinkle...

BUT

loves the snow!?!

Our Christmas week coming soon,

as soon as I finish downloading all my pictures.