Christmas in Colorado

I always forget just how busy the holidays are. So much baking to do, little gifts to buy, deliveries to drop off, events to attend, cards to send out, packing to be done...trying to keep in mind what it is all about and not get over stressed. Thought I better quickly document what we have been up to before we head out of town and it all gets blurred together.

I dragged everyone to the Candy Cane Festival at Hammonds Candy Factory. It was insanely crowded but the girls got a ride on the Christmas train so it was worth it.

Ben and I went out for a Christmas date in Denver and saw the Christmas Carol. Our babysitter came late and there was a ton of traffic so getting there was stressful but we still had a great time. The show was wonderful and it was so fun to be out.
We went to the ward breakfast and nativity. Santa came at the end and we got another picture of the girls refusing to smile...still cute. This pic with the free ward Santa is quite a bit better than the $25 one we got at the mall that I abandoned at my moms. Santa pictures have not been our strong point this year. We bundled up snug and went to zoo lights at the Denver Zoo. It was (again) unbelievably crowded but awesome once we were inside. Rosie kept us busy pulling off her mittens and boots constantly and throwing them overboard. I ended up getting her out of the stroller and dancing around with her to the Christmas music and our camera went flying out of my pocket and broke. boo. But all in all it was a great night.
On Sunday we had a mini family Christmas because Cindy and Chris won't be able to make it to Maryland for the holiday and we didn't want to drag too many presents back east with us. The girls got some lovely presents. The favorites were awesome radio flyer push bikes from their grandparents and teddy bear leash backpacks for the airport from their daddy. We had a big Christmas feast, put together plates of goodies for some friends, went caroling, and watched the George C. Scott version of the the Christmas Carol (we can't get enough). The girls have had a blast playing with their presents all week and dragging gift bags around the house and filling and emptying them with all sorts of stuff (their absolute favorite thing to do). Christmas is only three days away and I can hardly believe it. We have been so busy and I've been so panicked to get everything done that it seems to have come faster than any other year. We have had a ton of fun and done everything I wanted to do but I'm still not ready for it to be over. I'm ready for some quiet moments to just take it in and reflect on the true reason for the season. Hope you find that time too.

Have a very, merry Christmas!

Dining Room

The dining room is finally finished! I have some plans for hanging stuff on the walls and maybe an area rug under the table but other than that, we are done. A few months ago when I was feeling really crafty (which has since subsided) I started hatching a plan for the dining room. This was supposed to be my little project but it ended up being far too complicated and Ben had to take over. All I ended up doing was painting the gray on top and Ben did all the paneling, the squares, the chair rail and crown molding, painting over all the primed pieces and finally hanging the new chandelier.

He did an amazing job. It's hard to capture in the photos but the room feels so much bigger and brighter. It feels like it's own distinct room rather than blending into the living room. Ben is very handy but more importantly, he is so hard working and willing to start and see through home projects even after being at work all day. I had a Christmas Brunch on Wednesday for a few of my favorite mamas just to make use of my lovely new dining room. Thank you Benny.

BEFORE: (after I started taping)

AFTER:

Rewind

I'm in one of those blogging ruts where I try to get to it everyday but it always falls last on my list...and the longer I let it go the less I want to do it. Busy, busy time of year.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday in Salt Lake. The meal was of course fabulous and both I and the girls ate an enormous amount of the best sweet potatoes I've ever had. Thanks mom.Daniel, Ben's brother, joined us for part of the day and it was great to see him. We also found out the exciting news that he is getting married December 27th in Maryland. We had been planning on staying in Colorado and having everyone out to stay with us for Christmas but plans have changed a bit. Lots of packing up and wiggly airplane rides ahead but we are looking forward it. I haven't been out there since I was barely pregnant with the girls and am overdo for a visit. Traveling with the girls at this age is a little terrifying but things usually go better than expected. Fingers crossed.

Thanksgiving night I went with my sisters and Emily (third sister) to Breaking Dawn and actually found it quite disturbing. I had a seriously upset stomach the first half hour of the movie so that may have had something to do with it. Must see again. Then we hit up Target for the midnight Black Friday sale (first timer!) and had a blast in the long line trying to get the crowds to sing carols. It was completely insane but I did make out with a double screen car DVD player for the girls at almost half price. Awesome.

Saturday night we went down to Temple Square with the fam in the freezing cold and fought the crowds. Came home for pizza and loved being with my siblings. Ben took off Sunday and I spent the rest of the week hanging out with my fam and some wonderful friends.We spent most of Monday going back and forth to the Expo center helping my sister decorate her gorgeous tree in honor of Charlotte and Lily. The theme was "Meet me at the Fair" and it turned out perfect. Erin does an amazing job. I don't think I was much help with the girlies in tow but it was really fun just to be apart of it. LOVE the Festival of Trees and the tribute it gives to two perfect girls and so many others.Shelley graciously accompanied me to Rosie and Evie's very FIRST professional haircut which I have been putting off forever and butchering them myself (with Benny). I was impressed with what a good job they did and am enjoying their tidier little do's. Evie loved it until Rosie started screaming bloody murder and then she was completely distracted with concern for her sister. All survived.
Spent an evening with my girl Tami, the day with my roomie Jen, and had dinner with a bunch of darling ladies from our old avenues ward. It was so refreshing to see so many of my favorite faces and catch up. Also went out to the zoo with my parents and sister and all the kids. Fun, fun week. While we were gone Ben worked tirelessly on finishing up the dining room and it's beautiful. Pics to come.

Wednesday night there was an insane wind storm that blew over 4 of the enormous pine trees that surround my parents house. I didn't sleep a wink that night because it was SOOO loud. Woke up to what seemed like a scene from a movie. Pretty spooky.
Friday we loaded up the car and Emily, Alex, and I (plus the babes and Clover) headed out to Colorado. I'm so thankful for the extra time their generous offer let me have in Salt Lake and also for their quick visit. I loved the 8 hour car ride spent talking with these girls and the fun filled day we had why they were here. We had a grand slam breakfast Saturday morning, worked out (shred baby), went into Boulder for a little shopping and hot cocoa, and that night went out for a Christmas evening in freezing cold Denver. I laugh like crazy with these two and love them so. Thank you to my Benny for spear heading baby care so I could really enjoy them.
And now we are home and trying to get back into the grind. I always feel like I'm so behind when we get back in town. Trying to do laundry, finish decorating for Christmas, bake for events, Christmas shop and figure out Christmas cards, see friends I missed, church stuff, get books back to the library....just so many odds and ends to be taken care of. Great to be gone, great to be home.