Fa-la-la-la-la

If you know me, you probably have heard me complain about the Holidays.  I don't really like them.  It's not that I have anything against celebrations or Santa or playing in the snow or the birth of Christ.   I love all of those things.  What I hate is the madness, the busy-ness, the tension, the focus on money and consumerism and 'stuff', and the things i dislike seem to be taking over the things I love.   It stresses me out and makes me irritable, right in the middle of a season that is supposed to be filled with joy and cheer.

Fa-la-la-la-la la-la-freakin'-la.

So...this year, I decided to make the season as positive as I could by getting rid of as much of the stuff I dislike about the holidays, and focusing on what I like and what I enjoy.  So, I made sure my Christmas shopping was done before Thanksgiving.  I made a list and I have stuck with it.  I set a budget and didn't budge (hehe) from it.  I decided which of the holiday parties and social events I will attend, and which I will respectfully decline.  And I am really trying to make sure that the things I do that keep me sane (working out, eating well, getting enough sleep, seeing my friends) aren't sacrificed to the cause of those that make me insane.

I can't say that I'm completely in the Christmas Spirit (that would be an outright lie) but I'm not a complete downer about it, either. So far, I've enjoyed helping watching Riley decorate our tree- all the ornaments are clustered on two branches- and I'm helping with some clothing drives, which is rewarding.  Riley has a short list of Christmas things she wants to do (Go see Santa, enjoy the lights at Temple Square, etc.) and other than that, we're trying to stay on our routine as much as possible.

It's just a few weeks out of the year, and I'll get through them happily enough.  But I will say that the spa day that I 'heard' Santa will be leaving for me - well, it's doing it's part in keeping my spirits bright.

Christmas Eve Happenings

Riley and I spent Christmas Eve-Eve and Christmas Eve in Idaho. It was a very quick trip, but it gave us the chance to enjoy some time with our family, and still make it back to Utah for Santa to find Riley in our own home.

Ambrie

Hallee

Riley

Lexi

Baby Karlee

Riley and I decided to take Hallee and Lexi out for breakfast on Christmas Eve. It was so much fun, and so entertaining! We will definitely be repeating that experience! Best breakfast dates ever!

After breakfast, Hallee and I headed out on a little aunt/niece outing. She and I like to drive around, doing whatever random thing we come up with (I love this girl!). This time, she manned the Ipod (Taylor Swift, anyone?) and I shot a few photos.

I'm digging how the white on white on white of the structures, the snow and the sky. This is how I imagine Idaho in the winter.

Then it was time to head back to Utah to await Santa's arrival. Of course, Riley opened the traditional Christmas pj's before bed.
Stockings were hung (sorta) and Riley's haul was set out for her to discover on Christmas morning.
Merry, merry!

Christmas Eve Musings

Luke 2:11 - -For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
As this Christmas Eve winds down, I find myself reflecting on the reason that we celebrate the Christmas season in the first place. I'm grateful for the birth of Christ, for His teachings and His sacrifice. I'm grateful for the peace I find by following Him and for having His example as a guide to teach my daughter compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, and love .

May you all find peace and joy this Christmas, and may you all have the happiest of holiday seasons.

This is about how I feel about Christmas.

Christmas, 2008

This photo always cracks me up. Riley was just a little over a year when this was taken. The part of Santa was played by one of my all-time favorite neighbors, who passed away just days after this photo was taken. I'm so happy to have it for that reason, but it also makes me laugh when I've about had enough of the Christmas madness.

What about you? How is your holiday season going?

The Lights at Temple Square

You would think that since we only live a handful of blocks away from Temple Square, it would be nice, easy evening out to go see the world famous lights. Right?

Um, no. Not so much.

There were cold hands, cold feet, itchy socks, too many people and a tired little girl.

Oh, well. We gave it our best shot.

Cold evening - I think it was about 27 degrees.

Riley was still talking about the "bubbles" today.

Eating snow. Which is why her hands were cold and wet, but there was no telling her this.

This is always my favorite Nativity. I love the candles and the reflection of the temple.

I'm glad we went. AND that it will be a year before we have to go again.

December 12of12

(Click photo to enlarge)

1. We woke up 8:49 am. This is unheard of, but Riley had a rough night.
2. Pre-church snuggling and photos.
3. Poinsettias from my building lobby. Riley calls them "poem-setters".
4. The Girl playing with my Ipad. Her favorite app is an annoying bird that repeats everything you say.
5. The big project of the afternoon - a gingerbread house. oh, boy. It was...ummm...fun.
6. I finished up a project I'm working on for Riley's bedroom.
7. The resident Drama Queen was quite dismayed to find out she had to eat dinner before we could finish the gingerbread house.
8. I'm coming up with ideas for my kitchen, so I began wading through a stack of design mags.
9. Some of the candy for the gingerbread casa.
10. Hard at work on the snowmen and tree.
11. We are reading the various bible versions of the Christmas Story. We read Luke 2 yesterday.
12. All finished up with the house. Now to keep her from licking the roof (it's already happened more than once.)

Decking the Halls

The tree has been decorated in it's Christmas finest.
The Snowmen came out of hiding.
(The Girl greeted them with the same joy that would befit long lost family members.)
Stockings are hung on the bookcase with care.
Fah-la-la-la-la....