Christmas in Utah

I'm a Colorado girl. But it was nice this year to have a little change and celebrate Christmas in Utah where my Grandma lives. It had been over ten years since my extended family had seen Jeff and they were starting to wonder if I had made him up! : )
Anyway, we sure did enjoy seeing everyone. We also went to Salt Lake City on Christmas Eve Day. We went to the Garden restaurant in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building that has the most amazing view of the temple. Also we saw the North and South visitors centers and the Beehive house and then finished up the day by walking around temple square and seeing the lights/nativities.
Another highlight was the day after Christmas, we (actually Jeff got very sick in the middle of the night and couldn't go. I sort of wondered if God planned the timing this way because Jeff was able to stay back at my Grandma's and watch Mary - otherwise I wouldn't have been able to go)went to Music and the Spoken Word - a live Broadcast recording of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and orchestra and The Bells on Temple Square. It was pretty freakin' amazing and the conference center was remarkable. The inside was decorated with Christmas decor and we also got to see many works of art (mostly Arnold Friberg) on the second floor of the conference center. I have to admit, I thought about the possibility of living in Utah someday just so I could partake in this excellence of art - and that is saying something. I love Colorado and am sort of prejudiced against Utah. But I'm sure I would bloom wherever I was planted and learn to love the place and people. But that is beside the point.
Mary was a joy of course. She loved her new toys. It didn't take her long to discover them under the tree. It was definitely a Christmas that I will remember. Thank you Jeff, for taking us!






Mary discovers her presents.


Happy Christmas baby!

"Feel Like I'm Made Out of Gingerbread. Uh huh . . .Uh huh."

Not much to report, just a little crazy here trying to get ready for Christmas. There's always time for a few pics though right? Here are some of Mary the last couple of weeks.

Hangin' out at Aunt Jennifer's





Mary loves her new mittens with a gingerbread man (hence the title of this post - which is a lyric of a song we sang growing up. Do most people know that song?)on each. She puts them on most mornings and just leaves them on for awhile.
Mary in a cute new outfit(below). Guess I should've gotten a size up in the pants. Funny though . . . had her in size up (12-18 months) yesterday (above pic)and those pants fit great. Today a different pair that was the same size was swimming on her. Oh well.

. . still loves peek a boo . . .
. . . loves the hat so much she wears it around the house sometimes.
Having some nice bonding time before Momma leaves for a Christmas concert last week.

In new giraffe pajamas . . . and reading . . .

Posing (squinting) for the camera . . .

Mary was talking with me here. Not exactly sure what she was saying. But I think it had to do with the piece of paper in her hand.
"Momma, please pick me up!"

Mary loves to pull out the books and read them.


Mary still sleeps up on her knees a lot of the time.

Merry Christmas everyone!

First Steps

A couple of weeks ago, it dawned on me that Mary was over 13 months old and wasn't walking yet. I wasn't too worried, but of course I was just a little as I think women are wired to worry.

Anyway, I read up on the different milestone websites and discovered that yes, this is totally fine and normal and that I shouldn't worry.

But I have found myself feeling like I have to explain to everyone that she isn't walking yet . . . especially when they ask how old she is. *sigh* I'm annoyed with myself for that. No one else is worried and I know how far along she is in other ways.

Let this be a life lesson to myself. Mary will develop just as she is supposed to and that will be fine.

Jeff and I were musing about it a few nights ago. We were discussing how she just wasn't really motivated to walk yet. Why would she be? She can crawl faster from point A to point B than walk. Jeff and I both had to laugh: this is a very familiar sort of trait that is quite reminiscent of her father. He will do things his own way and in his own time and you can't make him do it if he doesn't want to thank you very much!

So this morning I was talking to my SIL (sister-in-law) and while discussing all of this it dawned on me, "Oh. As soon as she starts walking she won't be my little baby anymore." And then I didn't want her to walk yet. And was completely happy to have her hang onto my legs as we walk from room to room. Awww. . . I love my sweet baby angel cutie pie angel heart!

But isn't it ironic that as soon as I had that revelation, tonight she took her first steps unassisted? We've been practicing every night - the three of us - for just a few tries from Daddy to Momma. Then tonight she took a few steps toward me on her own and then later - during Family Home Evening - completely uncoaxed from either of us - she took some steps from where I was over toward the piano bench - parent free.

So here she goes. She's taken her first steps. I'm sure it will be a few weeks more before she is really cruising. But in the meantime, I'm going to enjoy every second.

A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

I love beauty in all forms. I'm always on the lookout for it. In fact, I like to think of myself as a connoisseur of beauty. Gee, I hope that doesn't come across as arrogant or something else negative.

I read a book once about a woman who sang and it was important to her not to pull ugly faces while she sang. I have to agree with her - although she was criticized for feeling that way. And I know I better be careful since I can't really see myself when I sing.

But to me, it takes away from the performance if someone is making unattractive faces when they sing. And I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way.

But I am totally digressing. The point is that I love and appreciate beauty. I think it is one of the most wonderful gifts from God on this earth.

How does this relate to my life? Well, I'll tell you.

Last week, I was entertaining the idea of not putting up a Christmas tree this year. I just felt overwhelmed with everything I need to do. I told my MIL my feelings and she said she had had many times when she felt the same way - but that I would regret it if I didn't and I should just put up my small tree.

So I skipped my dance class Saturday morning - it didn't really work out with my schedule that day anyway - and spent several hours putting up the big tree.
I'm soooooooooooo glad I did! I love my tree. It's so pretty! It brings such joy to look at it. And Mary of course loves it and everytime we pass by it she signs "tree" and squeals with delight.

I don't think the pictures do it justice, but here are a couple anyway.



Mary found her first favorite ornament: a cute little yorkie.

Scripture for the Day

"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"
Amos 3: 3