Christmas 2007

Christmas in Smithfield

Well, we made it to Christmas! Our fun began last Friday after the kids got out of school. We all headed down to Salt Lake City for a surprise getaway to the Hilton Hotel. The kids didn't have any idea where we were going which made it kind of neat! We swam in the pool and watched movies in our room until we all fell asleep. The next day, we met Grandpa down in Provo and he took the kids to Payson so Matt and I could have some alone time for our first anniversary!! (Has it been a year already??) We drove through Provo canyon and up into Park City. Man, it was cold!! 10 degrees with the sun out! Matt couldn't coax me into walking around very much (walking around - in the freezing cold when you are 8 months pregnant and can't zip up your coat because of the belly isn't very appealing!). Sunday we headed to Payson ourselves and had a great Furniss Family Christmas party! It was so much fun to visit and get to open a few presents early! The kids had a great time and sure didn't want to leave! On Monday we headed out just in time - there was a huge snow storm coming! It was just starting to hit hard when we got to Lori's (Matt's sister)house in Perry. There, we had yet another family Christmas party - this time with the Lovell's. They sure love to play games and we had so much fun with the White Elephant gift exchange! This family has a great sense of humor and of course we ended up with things that our kids see as absolute treasures - like the fabric sample books, (which Shannon just loves) and the yellow, bouncy, um, exercise thingy that Ellie came home with. (Thanks Trisha! I don't know what we ever did without it!) While we were inside eating and having fun it snowed and snowed outside. Good thing we had Matt's nice, big truck! There were no worries for us on the way home. The roads were actually pretty clear and once we got through Sardine Canyon it was smooth sailing. Smithfield only got about 2-3 inches so we didn't have much to go through. I think the hardest part of the trip was having to unload the truck which was packed full of luggage, presents, and baby stuff that Jana sent home with us. Matt and the kids made quick work of that and then if was off to bed! Santa visited our house sometime that night and left a ton of stuff for everyone! The kids all got new comforters for their beds, digital cameras, art stuff and clothes to name a few things. Matt got me a new camera (my old one went through new batteries every four hours and didn't work too well at that), and a years worth of socks (every other pair that I own have holes in them)! I got Matt some necessary items along with some new shop tools which he says he can always use. All in all, we had a great Christmas - we are definitely SPOILED!! We are so lucky to have such wonderful families and friends that love and care about us! We are so grateful that we were able to spend time with you all and hope that your Christmas was fun and memorable!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I haven't posted in awhile, but I am sure all of you who are running around like crazy trying to get those last few things done before next week can understand why! It has been such a busy month! Seems like every day has been booked and then some. I had great plans back in November to do a fun Christmas project with the kids everyday this month. Yeah, that didn't turn out very well... We have managed a few fun activities though, such as putting up the Christmas decorations, making gingerbread houses, going sledding, making and delivering gifts, and we've even made it to a few parties! So I'm not a complete failure. Actually I am just trying to make it through one day at a time right now. There is so much going on, it is easy to get overwhelmed. Tomorrow night is my big Christmas Recital at the Piano Gallery. All of my students are performing - some for the very first time. I am really excited about it! Thursday will be our big Music Party and then I'm off the rest of the month - Yippee!!! It will be nice to relax and be lazy for the holidays. Matt is planning to finish the kitchen over the break since he has it off as well. I can't wait!!