Ol' Saint Nic

Christmas week, I decided it was time to make the plunge and take Crew to see Santa at the mall.

The Bukey sisters decided to make an afternoon of it and met up for a chics-only lunch at Jason's Deli. It was so nice to hang with my favorite ladies for a few hours amid the craziness of the holidays.


I think Crew felt like such a big boy in his high chair as Grandma "sneaked" him tiny pieces of fruit from the salad bar.

After lunch we headed to the mall to see Santa. An hour and a half of waiting in line later....

hmmmm. Maybe next year? :)

A Night on Temple Square

On Monday night, Crew and I met Cole downtown for our first annual trip to see the lights. Being that it was the week of Christmas and Family Night, the place was a Zoo. However, we both commented how much friendlier of a Zoo it was in comparison to oh, maybe Fashion Place Mall this time of year. :)

One of my favorite parts was the little system people came up with for finding and securing a parking spot. As we were unloading the baby and all of his gear, we had several cars roll up, lower the window and holler, "Coming or Going?." For some reason I loved the random and yet, very effective nature of the cat call.



As you can see, the lil man wasn't overly thrilled to be out in the cold past his bed time. Lucky for us he was still a good sport though.

Hey Good Lookin'

Have I mentioned how much I love the men in my life? Between a week-long business trip to New Jersey and two weeks of prepping end-of-quarter roll overs, I am looking forward to every second I can squeeze in with my two best guys.

(Shameless pic of my handsome pair right before church today!)

The end of the week and my long holiday weekend can't come fast enough! :)

Ring in the Season

The changes in my life and schedule this year sure allowed me to reevaluate the way Cole and I have celebrated Christmas in the past. It may just be the addition of a babe, but boy, am I excited to celebrate Christmas.

We decided to kick off the month by visiting the Festival of Trees. We had never been and it didn't disappoint. We got to see more than 800 different elaborately decorated Christmas trees. Extravagant and amazing don't even begin to cover the caliber of trees and the intricate displays. It was also incredibly humbling to see the pictures and read the stories of loved ones who had been treated at Primary Children's Hospital.


I should have taken more pictures but each aisle seemed more impressive (and crowded) than the last. Crew did enjoy a new point of view, though!

We could have spent hours there but it was off to set up for the ward Christmas party that night. We were given the awesome task of creating centerpieces that cost a total of zero dollars. Luckily, I had some very classy stuffing left over from Cole's Halloween costume. Add that to a few of our favorite Christmas decorations, and you have a totally free centerpiece. Everyone raved about Crew's new Lil People Nativity. Call me crazy, but I kept my eye on that one. I didn't want some cute kid going home with our Baby Jesus!


The evening's special guest had a fellow imposer. What? Not the real deal? Could have fooled me!

Although I have to say, Crew was less than impressed with the Jolly ol' Elf.

We are a little bit sad that the Activities Committee is being disbanded but secretly excited that we will enjoy next year's ham and funeral potatoes from the comfort of a metal chair. :)

Yeah for the start of Christmas fun!

My Simple Pleasures

As cliche as it sounds, I swear that I will never judge other mothers again. (Glancing upward watching for lightning to strike) But seriously, I really wish that I never will again.

Everyday I am proved wrong about my former perceptions of the life of a stay-at-home, work-from-home, insert-your-situation-here mom. Gone are my assumptions of "all the time in the world" to craft, read, cook, clean, budget, serve, etc. I feel accomplished to just shower, work a few hours, have the bed made and grilled cheese 'n ham sandwiches on the table by 7 when Cole comes home. :0

With that in mind, I decided to celebrate a few projects that I am especially excited to have done. Because in my world, they are my recent, simple pleasures.

Finishing the quilt for Stratton James Depew.


My sister welcomed her first baby to the world two weeks ago, and this quilt was finished and in mail just after his arrival. I average about one quilt project a year (usually prompted by a birth) and this was my second of the year. I love putting my heart and a few pricked fingers into a gift that will be used by the person I love. Since Stratton is so far away, I like thinking that he will wrapped up in my love before he even meets me. Cheesy, yes. True, double yes.

Filling the blank void above Crew's changing table.

I have pined for this wall hanging since three weeks before Crew was born.


Since they never went on sale, I finally had to face the fact that I needed to fill the void with something else.


My favorite photo from Crew's newborn session was a no brainer but big, inexpensive art can be hard to come by. I snatch up the rainbow/family print while at a baby blessing in Utah county. I went out in the hall and found a table of art work the church library was giving away. Cole was mortified that I took it, but why not, right?

The ABC's were actually a puzzle we found on sale while at the Pottery Barn outlet last month. I love the colors and there is no way I could have found a 24x36 piece of art for that price!

The Patio is Finally Poured.
Yes, we prepped the ground for the patio back in September. Yes, my husband was pouring concrete while snowing was swirling around him. Yes, I will be enjoying a mug of hot chocolate on this concrete slab in exactly one week (once it is cured). (Squeal!)



Hurray for the little things!