Christmas 2011

Firstly, it has been brought to my attention that I did not disclose the nature of my special birthday puzzle note (see previous birthday blog - and thanks, Gerb!). I actually got around to gluing the pieces together last week, so here is a picture of it -

The smaller part that you can't read is the words to the song "For Good" from the musical WICKED.

OK, so here is Christmas at my house this year:

Baby B looks grumpy, but she is usually very cheery - I promise! 

We had to practically pry little fingers off the leapfrog video game after a couple of hours of play time...

We assembled this lego T-Rex together... well, I got the pieces and he put them together...

The Family Video

I finally sat down tonight with a few minutes to update my blog.... mostly because I'm pathetic and haven't updated in.... FOREVER.

I wonder if I will ever give up the notion that "when life slows down a little and I'm not so busy, I'll get around to it"... You'd think I would have learned by now that life never really slows down and the business never really goes away.

After school was out for me last Friday (yeah, eat your hearts out, employees of Nebo & Provo Districts.... we've been out of school this whole week!), I had time to start the Christmas project I've been planning on creating for a couple of months now. It's not procrastination - I just work better under pressure, that's all. :P Anyway.... I had gathered current pictures from all of my family members, intending to make a "2011" Family Video for Christmas. This endeavor was two-fold: First of all, it is a constant sorrow in my life that half my family (ie: cute nieces and nephews) live on the other side of the United States, and I think it is a shame that all the cousins do not get to know each other very well. Secondly, I am poor and couldn't go out and buy presents for everyone this year, but I thought... "hey! I know how to make iMovies, and when I have made them in the past, they are a huge hit with everyone...." ergo: family video time.

I forgot one thing, however. The hours and hours and hours it takes to put together a 30 minute picture & video montage to music. I ended up spending a good deal of Sunday and most of Monday working on it so I could get a couple of copies in the mail by Tuesday. CRAZY. (Me, after that many hours on my couch in my PJ's, surrounded by my catastrophically messy living space, my hand in a cramped position from the constant mouse use on my laptop).

However, it was also hours spent with my family. Constantly looking at pictures of them, laughing every time I saw a few of them, getting a little teary-eyed from missing them, imagining their voices and personalities. I am grateful for the technology we have that can keep our family close despite the many miles between us. I love my family. Time and again I have been reminded that they are the constant in my life. We are an eternal family and no matter what this life brings us, we are there for each other.

I want to share a few of my favorites:

Celebrate Good Times

 This year I had not one day of birthday celebration.... I had a whole weekend! It was awesome. Here were some of the festivities-
First up was the "WICKED" themed birthday party, complete with an approximation of the Emerald City, and entertainment for everyone consisting of me popping many balloons with my bare hands. You know, you actually get used to the popping sound after awhile...

The balloons contained pieces of a message that I had to assemble - despite my dismal puzzle skills.

This awesome cake was made by my friend Kristi. She is becoming quite the accomplished cake decorator! 

Phase 2 involved a date with my 2 favorite guys to the Provo Beach Resort in Provo Riverwoods. It was a wonderful introduction to the Christmas Season. Afterward, we headed back to my parents' house for the family presents & cake.

The boys hadn't quite decided on their Christmas lists, but came up with "transformers" and "treats".

Yes, that's a big, fat, ol' 4 - 0 on my cake. I'm trying to "own it"!

The sweetie of the family - looks a little tired....

Phase 3 was a little more complicated - it involved a flight to San Francisco and the addition of one of my best friends in the whole world! We enjoyed staying in a fancy, famous hotel, "The Westin St. Francis", right on Union Square. The morning of my actual birthday, we were awoken to room service and had breakfast in bed - it felt so luxurious! We spent the day shopping, ice-skating in Union Square (well, I did, while K. took pictures of me), and eating at Cheesecake Factory. I loved the excitement and energy of the city! SF is one of my favorite cities of all time.

The best hotel bed I've ever slept on!

Nice view, eh?

Breakfast in Bed Birthday morning...

Shopping!

Gotta love The Cheesecake Factory.

Macys Christmas floor...

Admitting you are having a baby is the first step...

The Hawaii Tree

My favorite cheesecake!

My awesome "Mermaid-colored" manicure.

The next morning began with a rare manicure (thanks K.), ending up with bright blue-green fingernails. We then spent the day at a science exploratorium in the Golden Gate Park, Bakers Beach, and Pier 39.

Our trip to the "Rainforest"

The coolest aquarium creatures!

Showing my joy at being on the beach.

Pier 39 decked out in Christmas lights. 

My ice-skating adventure on the rink in the center of Union Square.