JAZZ GAME- 12/26/09

Thanks to my brother Josh, over the Christmas weekend while in Ogden, we all pitched in and got a box at the Jazz game! We had soooo much fun with the family-- and always love a good Jazz game, especially when we win!

This is called "INTIMIDATION!"






The whole Fam Damily!

Club December 2009

So, I have the best friends--and while we were in Ogden we got together for a little luncheon at good old "Tony's Pizza." We had a GREAT time catching up--and EATING!!! I feel so lucky to have such wonderful friends that even though I don't get to see them often, I still feel close to them. Maybe its the connection capabilities via the world wide web, and maybe it is not that odd for high school friends to stay friends or maybe its because I don't have many (okay, so I don't have more than 2) friends here, but I still think this is something truly remarkable.

Me and El-Say posing with my new camera!

Stacey, the Ho and Amanda--visiting too from Ohio!


Jme, Emery and Jodi

Jan, Me and Linz--who apparently is pretty excited about her menu--or just hungry!

The WHOLE GANG!!!

LOVE you guys!

Chistmas- Take 3: Ogden-Grandpa & Grandma Hutchens

The last stop on our Christmas Tour was Sunday night at my dad and Michelle's house. We had a nice dinner and then to Mae's surprise--she got to open more presents!

Mae was having a GREAT time playing Kai's truck--little did she know...

She got her own Barbie Beetle! We haven't quite been able to get it home (2 kids makes the luggage space a bit more compact), but when we do (and figure out where to put it) I know Mae is going to LOVE that car!

Lucy wasn't left out, but unfortunately we did not get any proof! She was there and Grandpa and Grandma Michelle made sure she was WELL taken care of!

WOW!!! Three GREAT Christmases from three GREAT families and TWO very spoiled girls! Who could ask for more???!!!

Christmas-Take 2: Ogden- Grandpa & Grandma Clayton's

After Christmas in Vernal, we left the girls in their jammies and our house a wreck and headed off to Ogden. When we got there-Mae was excited to open MORE presents!

Mae LOVES her elephant chair from Grandpa and Grandma--she may just be a little exhaused too!

She held on and helped Daddy open Lu's present--a well needed booster chair!

Coby opening our big present---a PLAYSTATION!!! It has already provided us with HOURS of entertainment!

Our "little twins" (according to Gma Lollie) that aren't really twins, Luke and Lucy, who were born on the same day though were soooooo cute together! Everytime we would put them up to one another, they would just STARE at the other!

Lucy loves Luke so much I'm not sure she's gonna let go of that ear!



Grandma and Lucy



Grandma and Grandpa with the Coonradt and Clayton kids

Mae provided the entertainment by dancing with a singing and dancing horse from the toy room.

Thanks to Grandma and Pa Frank for such a FANTASTIC Christmas!

Christmas Day 2009-Take 1: Vernal

Christmas morning came very early at our house. We got up at 6:00 AM to open presents from Santa with Mae and Lucy and then Coby's parents came over so we could open presents with them.

This is what Mae woke up to on Christmas morning. Although it doesn't look like much, remember we still had THREE Christmases to go, so we figured we'd go easy on the girls since it's A LOT easier for us to do that than to try convince the grandparents! The big present by the tree is a big cabinet that used to be my mom's and then mine that I refinished. Inside it, we wrapped a bunch of play pots and pans, pretend food and utensils so that when Mae opened the cabinet there were more presents for her to rip open. Technically the cabinet is for both girls, but it'll be awhile before Lu is able to use it. The table and chairs were from Great Grandpa and Grandma Peterson, and probably the hit of Christmas! Mae LOVES to play at her table with her new food and dishes!

I should have taken before AND after pics (hindsight) because it most definitely did NOT look like this when we were done!

Like I said, Mae LOVES her table--we could hardly pry her away to open more presents!

Santa also brought Mae a little puppy that barks and walks (not his most well thought out present I might add) and she got pretty excited about him! It doesn't even bother her when he barks non-stop---the rest of us aren't quite so lucky!


Check out this styling babe in her new robe and jammies from Nana and Papa!



Not everyone was quite as chipper as Mae at this early hour...




Yep, its that early!



Even Lu was a little thrown as to why we had made her get up!
Santa brought Lucy a butterfly decoration for her room, a little dolly and lots of little things in her stocking--ie the chew toy she is wearing on her arm thanks to her big sis!





For Coby's big present from his parents, they got him a 9mm (I think) gun and let's just say he was pretty happy about it!

We had such a wonderful Christmas morning! Thanks Santa, Nana and Papa!

Christmas Eve 2009- Vernal

This year for our Christmas Eve shin-dig we stuck around Vernal and had fun night with Coby's parents, sister and her family. First thing we did was head outside to attempt the impossible, building a snowman Mae was a little unsure of the whole snow thing, but we still had a good time.

Darn the "greatest snow on earth"--it was so fluffy we couldn't even pack it together to make the snowman.

And then she was done with the snow!

Just have to point out Mae's resemblance to her mother---hello GHETTO!!!

Next--guess who made a surprise visit--that's right--SANTA!!! After being truly obsessed with Santa for the past month, when she saw him in real life wouldn't you know---she totally freaked out and wanted NOTHING to do with him!

Yep, still bawling...

All the grandkids with Santa and Mrs. Claus and me...I am lucky enough to be in all the grandkid pictures because that's usually when Mae likes to lose it.

At the end Mae decided Mrs. Claus wasn't so bad and gave her a hug!

And then we opened some presents!!!

Kenna with the doll Mae and Lucy gave her...I think she likes her!

...and Mae likes her too!

Last but definitley NOT least--here are some pictures of our Lucy, who wasn't really an active participate of the festivities, but we were certainly glad to have her here this Christmas Eve!

Craziness

So it has been awhile since I've posted anything, but in my defense I have TWO totally crazy (and totally sweet) children that keep us on the go 24/7 AND factor in all the craziness Christmas brings, and there you go-no posts...Anyways, I thought I should post a little update on life and the girls before Christmas gets here.



Mae has become totally obsessed with everything Christmas. She LOVE, LOVE, LOVES "The Santa Clause" and we have to watch it EVERY morning while she has her breakfast (she'd watch it all day if I'd let her). She knows that "Santa" is going to come see her and bring her "presents" when he comes down the "chimney" saying "Ho, Ho" (she can't quite get the third "Ho" down). The other day we asked her what she wanted from Santa and she said "Pony" and "Milk"--neither of which I'm afraid he will be bringing (I had no idea the whole "pony" thing starts to early)! I am fascinated at all that she is learning. She is sooooo smart, talks constantly and is totally entertaining! Here she is as our own version of "Santa Baby!"

Lucy is getting sooooo big and is just the sweetest thing! She smiles CONSTANTLY at us--and there is NOTHING cuter! She has been trying for awhile to find her thumb and two days ago--SUCCESS! Maybe I should try and break it early, but honestly, how can you argue with this??? It is WAY TOO SWEET!

When I was pregnant with Lucy I worried that I wouldn't be able to love her as much as I love Mae, but now that she is here, it seems everyday I become more amazed at my heart's capacity to love--and I am grateful for that!