Monday, January 11, 2010

CHRISTMAS (finally!)

I guess I'd better throw up a few Christmas pictures before anything really exciting happens around here and I forget about Christmas altogether! We had a fabulous Christmas in Maryland with Nate, Lori, & Reese, Joe's mom and 2 younger sisters, Michelle and Angelica, and Nate's friend Colton. Christmas seemed to sneak up on us once again ... but once we had made all our last minute preparations, we ended up having a really wonderful and relaxing time.

On Christmas Eve we made homemade pizzas with dough from the Big Cheese (just like last year). Everyone made a different kind, and all were a huge hit. Here Lori & I are rolling out some dough, with Joe's mom in the background (on that pesky iphone!!).
Michelle & Angelica worked on a killer ham & pineapple pizza. It was so much fun having them here ... they are the cutest and sweetest girls! With all the travel craziness they had to endure, Joe and I would have arrived pretty cranky, but they were just as happy as can be.
Joe & I showing off our creation ... chicken sausage, spinach, onion, and mushroom.
The rest of the evening we relaxed and watched Faith Hill's Christmas concert which totally got us in the Christmas spirit. Some people started the Grinch Stole Christmas, but the prego elected to head home around 11 or so and take the baby daddy with her.
Christmas morning: we got together for present opening and a delicious breakfast.
Joe holding sweet little Reese ...
Us with some adorable BYU gear for our little boy! (From my parents, of course.) There is no doubt what color this little guy is going to bleed!
Another highlight was getting to open a package with Joe's baby blanket, 2 week old picture, and the outfit he wore in the picture! (From Joe's mom.) It was so sweet, I was about to cry. I just can't believe we're about to have our own little one - it's incredible.

We got plenty of other wonderful things as well ... and Joe did a great job adding a little flair to a few of my gifts by accompanying them with law-related notes (appropriate for the new Esquire). It is a treat for me to see his funny, creative, and thoughtful side coming out. Kind of reminds me of how my dad would always have a super clever poem to read to each of the kids and lead them to a special gift each Christmas. It is fun to add your own touch!
A good portion of the afternoon was spent on this awesome Lake Powell puzzle my mom sent. I was in heaven because I love doing puzzles!
Nate & Lori's new Wii also kept everyone quite busy and entertained. Evidently I'm not having as much fun as everyone else though ... I am completely horrible at video games!!
So I kept busy helping with Christmas dinner, and working like crazy on the puzzle. Everyone got into it and we ended up putting together the entire 1,000 pieces in one day!
It was a lovely Christmas ... but this year I didn't end up with the typical end-of-Christmas depression that next Christmas isn't for another 365 days. Every day down means we're another day closer to welcoming our new little baby, and that's about all I've been able to think about lately.

7 comments:

Clark and Liesel said...

Looks like you had a perfect Christmas! I am glad. I loved the notes Joe put in with your gifts. Too funny! Can't wait to meet your little man!

Nate and Lori said...

Once again, Joe steals the show with his funny comments and notes in your gifts. I've been working on my blog book and looking back at his comments is a lot of fun. He's a lot funnier than the rest of us, thats for sure. Sadly, he's quit commenting on my blog since I went private. Come back Joe.

VictoriaHale said...

YAY for your blog!!! So cute... good luck for the next couple of days. So excited for you :-) LOVE YOU

Rachel said...

When you said, "Here is Joe and I showing off our creation..." I thought you meant your belly! :) You look absolutely adorable!

I had no idea that your dad wrote you funny poems! We both have dads who seem quiet and reserved (even a little dull) on the outside, but on the inside they are so much fun! I love it! Daughters can really bring that out in their dads!!! (I have a husband who is the same temperament.)

Love you!

Kaeli said...

I'm so happy for you!

The Skinners said...

The gift from joes mom made me cry. So sweet!

loves
hannah

meesh said...

so fun, so cute, i just love you guys back there!! :]]