Happy St. Stephens Day! (or Boxing Day to all the Brits)

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. Each year, I find greater joy in giving than in receiving. I really love surprising my family and some friends with the gifts that I give. This year was a little bit harder. I really struggled finding the holiday spirit and the creativity to give the way I like to. But you know what they say..... Fake 'til you make it, right? Well, I made it. So, without further adeiu.....

What Christmas means to me:

Staying up late every night for the 2-3 weeks previous to Christmas, working on projects that I hope will be a big hit....and most of the time, I think they are. (remind me to post pictures of last year's craziness!) This year I scaled down but was still kept rather busy in the hopes that I would finish the biggest project on time, but alas, it wasn't. Good thing my sister completely understands.

Random christmas parties, gatherings, and events that are just so much fun that I can't help smiling about now as I remember them. I have a great family and awesome friends.

Having amazing sisters that always know just what to give me. They are incredible! Amy gave me a gift that is very private but very touching. We both cried. She is my bestest friend and the one that knows me more than anyone else. How else could we fight so well? :) Rachel gave me a gift that is so simple, yet so ME! A 4-leaf clover locket. Someone tell me who else that would remind you of? Let's hear it for sisters! Hip hip hooray!!! :) I received other great gifts for which I am most grateful for. Thank you.

Christmas with a 2-year old is preferrable! Seriously. My brother, Jeffrey, and his family (wife-Sarah, and son-Griffin) flew up from the Houston area to spend the hoildays with us and other family and friends. Griffin has made me laugh more over the past 2 days than anyone or anything else. Such an imagination and a language of his own in which he chatters on and on. SO CUTE! Once I am able to, I'll post some vid's and pic's.

Spending all day in my jammies! Oh! What a wonderful thing!

Staying at my parents, the company, the food, it's all good!

But mostly, Christmas this year means alot to me because I'm reminded of the love of a Savior, my Savior. He who lowered himself to come to earth and experience all, so that he might understand what I go through and give me comfort when I need it most. I am so very grateful for such a life. What else can I do to give back, than to give of myself to those needing it. I only hope that I can be the disciple he needs me to be. I hope you all had a great Christmas season and at some point or another found the Savior in your heart.

Love to all ~ Emily

The past 10 days

December can always be a little busy. Here are a few things I've done so far:

Went to St. George to see my Grandma on her 89th Birthday.

Catching up with Chrissy & Melissa (former roommates and current friends)

Lights on my parent's house that I put up.

Trip to Idaho for Meisje's Baptism (my niece)

Driving into Park City

Temperature in Wyoming - Burr!

Frosted Trees in Wyoming

Cute Meisje! (Pronounced my-sha)

Cute Chloe

Family Christmas Party

Unfortunatley half of those who were planning on being there, weren't there. But we still had fun. I didn't get any pictures of the Nativity we acted out, because I was director/narrator of said nativity. But we had some good looking shepards and a giraffe, I mean cow. :)

Santa came and visited

Mom always has to have a picture sitting on his lap. And Dad just sits there. (shaking head).... :)

Jax a little excited to see Santa until....

...he's asked if he has been good....

Renewed commitment to be good.

Carson, wasn't as excited to see "Ho Ho" (this is what Carson calls Santa)

 "Eat me" - translation: "Please don't eat me"

Carson's reply to what he wants for Christmas, "Horse"

Santa's little Candy Cane - Chloe's first Christmas.

"I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"

Chloe's look says it all

Family Photo - SSHHhh don't tell.

Ornament exchange - Jax seemed a little excited about this. This is him opening the Humpty Dumpty ornament.

 
So that's some of what I've been doing in December....stay tuned for more fun.....

"Can I Have Your Number?"

On my phone, under the text messages, there are some "Quick Notes". The quick notes are one line texts that are commonly used, I guess. Well this morning I was looking through these notes that I never use and found one that said, "What is your number?" How could anyone send that message? Wouldn't they need to have the number already?

Anyway, it tickled my funny bone.