Christmas

We had a great Christmas. On Christmas Eve we let Katie open a gift, well I opened it she has yet to understand the idea of opening a package. She of course got new pj's to wear for Christmas. Katie didn't sleep well Christmas Eve, I don't think it's because she was excited but because she had bubbles in her tummy. Because of the hard night Christmas morning we got up a bit late. We went to John's parents and opened gifts Katie got a whole bunch of stuff, she sure is loved. We came back to my parents Katie had a nap then dinner and more gifts. Trent and Tanya were the only ones who didn't make it because of the snow. Katie loved following her cousin Rebecca around and would have stayed by her side all day. Katie didn't open her presents or stalking from santa until the end of the day since we got up late. We enjoyed the time spent with family we love them so much! Now get ready for a whole bunch of pictures.


I helped open her pj's.

Isn't she cute in her pj's and monkey slippers!

Mommy and Katie

Grandma Hughes showing off her new robe.

Daddy and Katie.

Grandpa Steve hanging out infront of the Christmas tree.

The only picture I could get of Katie standing some what still she was very busy with all her cousins around.


Connor, Ella, and Luc playing with a toy that makes little aliens.


Rebecca, Libbie, Genevieve and Katie playing.


Daddy and Katies new noisy toy


Yea new sippy cups, she got forks and spoons too!


A big Hello Kitty coloring book!


Whats wrong with this nativity?


One of the wise men is giving Katies monkey a piggy back ride.

More Snow Fun!

Last week we decided to make a snow man. The bottom was as tall as Katie. The middle piece was heavy but John and I got it up.


Katie up on top.

John helped Katie smooth out the bottom.

Two of our nephews stayed over one night and helped us with the snow mans face.

Our Snow man getting snowed on.


Katie had fun swinging in the Snow.
A couple days after we got the snow man up some hooligans came by during the night and beheaded him. Hopefully soon he'll have a head again soon.

We want to wish every one a Merry Christmas tomorrow!

Three years and counting...

Three years ago John and I were married in the Salt Lake Temple. I love him so very much and am grateful for all he does for me and am amazed at how patiently he puts up with me despite my lack of patience. We are very happy in our marriage and with our little family. We look forward to the many years and life experiences we have yet to share.

Lights at Temple Square.

On Wednesday we bundled up and went down town to see the lights. We of course stopped by The Lion House to see if there was anyone we knew around and were so happy to see Brittany who I loved working with back in the day. We spent a couple hours down town. Katie enjoyed the the walk but I don't know how impressed she was with the lights. We enjoyed the evening out as a family.Katie and mommy. Look how bright the reflectors on her stroller are.

A window on the side of the Assembly hall.


The beautiful Temple.

My handsome hubby!

As we were leaving there was a bagpiper playing on Main and South Temple. He was wearing a Santa coat and a kilt.

All decorated for the season.

Katie was such a good little one while I pulled out our Christmas stuff. She let me get it all set up with out getting into too much of it. As you see I set the tree up so she can't reach it. I've been quite impressed at her ability to leave my parents tree alone for the most part. She does like there nutcrackers quite a bit and carries the small ones around.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

The 5 years I worked at The Lion House Pantry I had the opportunity to meet many apostles and Elder Wirthlin was one of them. He would come in with his son (and call him his body guard) every once in a while for lunch through the parking lot and we'd put them right at the front of the line. He was always happy to say hi to anyone who wanted to talk. While John worked in the parking of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building he got to know many of the church leaders cars. Sister Wirthlin would drive Elder Wirthlin into work, she would drive quite fast down the ramp and more than once John thought she would take the moving arm with her. Elder Wirthlin was a great apostle and man and I'm sure he loves being with his wife again. John and I now look forward to a new apostle being called and pray we will love and accept him as we did Elder Wirthlin.

Thanksgiving Pictures

Thank goodness for Tommy and his camera. I get so many pictures from him including these three. Neither Tommy or Dan joined us for pictures.
Bobby, Gillian, Alicia, Steve, Katie, Aileen, Britta, and John.

Katie wanted to play in the food.

John and Katie.

Thankful for the day.

We had Thanksgiving with John's family this year. Because Aileen had to work we had dinner later in the day. So John, Katie, and I enjoyed a lazy morning in our PJ's while we watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and then parts of the dog show. It was so nice just to relax together and Katie loved seeing all the different dogs. After lunch we went for a walk and I put Katie down for a nap while John made our contribution to dinner; a side dish of Pea's and Prosciutto. We also brought rolls from the Lion House, of course. Tommy and Dan were great to have us over for dinner. Dan is an amazing cook and made wonderful Turkey and the mashed potatoes were amazing, Katie loved them. I didn't get any pictures but Tommy did and I will try to remember to post some when Tommy sends us copies. John and I are so grateful for our family's. They help us out in so many ways. Without their love and support in our lives I don't know what we'd do. Katie is so lucky to have so many wonderful Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins who I know will teach her so much.

Little Lady is 1!

A year ago John and I became new parents. Katie was so small and fragile to us, we were elated to be mom and dad to such a beautiful baby.

On Saturday we had a Birthday party with family and a few friends. Since we call Katie our Little Lady the party was Lady bug themed. We had a lot of fun although Katie had a couple moments when all the attention was too much. She got a lot of gifts and loves all of her new toys, clothes, and books. Enjoy the Slide Show from her party.

Little Lady Turns 1!

Tag of 7

Brittany tagged me so here I go...1. I love children's books, and would probably pick a children's book over most other books to read.
2. I'm named after an ancestor whose name was Brita, with one T not two like I have.
3. I haven't read the Twilight books and don't know that I will.
4. Bakery items are on my list of favorite foods. Yum donuts, bread, pastries, cookies, cake!
5. John and I want to move to the small town my mom grew up in.
6. Squares are my favorite shape.
7. I love to sew, but hardly ever do.

I Tag Kristin, Rachel, Lawon, Emily, John, Madison, and Kris.

Out in the snow!

Last week we took Katie out in her new snow suit for the first time. She wasn't quite sure what to do in the snow and had a hard time standing, but it seemed that she had a good time. Her snow suit kept her nice and warm I hope we play in the snow a lot this winter.

Daddy's big footprints and Katie's little ones. John helped Katie walk in the snow.

Halloween 2008

Hope you had a great Halloween! We did!

We enjoyed our Halloween weekend. Friday night we went to our ward buildings Trunk or treat Kristin and Enoch shared our trunk. Katie enjoyed seeing all the kids come by but wasn't sure why the costumes, I was glad that the costumes didn't scare her. She didn't do any trunk or treating, like an 11 month old needs candy. On Saturday we headed down to Provo for Skip and Rachel's Halloween party. We had fun seeing friends and eating good food. Asher was very interested in Katie but with Katie walking and new place to explore she was more interested in walking around.

Tag of Eights

I was tagged by my friend Emily. I've done the tag of threes before but thought I'd do the eights.

3 Joys:
3 Fears
3 Obsessions
3 Surprising Facts


8 Things I am passionate about
My daughter
My Husband
The Gospel
Books
Food
Trying to keep things clean
Making sure we have lots of pictures of Katie so we can see how she grows
Doing what I think is best

8 Words or Phrase I often say
Katie don't bite mommy
John please don't tickle me (usually yelled or said while laughing not said)
How big is Katie? ... Sooo Big!
I love you! (to either John or Katie or Both)
Boo! (playing peek-a-boo with Katie)
I need to do laundry
When asked how I am... my answer, "Tired"
What do you want for lunch?

8 Things I want to do before I die
Finish my scrapbooking
Learn to quilt by hand
Travel to many places
Raise my family
Have a house with a big garden
Write my history for postarity
See all my children graduate from school and be married in the temple
Be a good friend everyone

8 Things I pray for
My family
Health
Safety
Guidance in my daily life
Happiness
Gratitude for all things
Church leaders
Friends

8 Things I have learned
Being a mom is the best job ever
American Sign Language
If something doesn't get cleaned today, it's ok, it will be waiting for me tomorrow
That I still am learning how to be patient with John
That being sealed to John was the best decision I've made
That John will always be reading Lord of the Rings even if he finished it two minutes ago
John will love me even when I'm in a bad mood
The relationship between barrel length and bullet velocity

My 8 tags:
Kristin, Lawon, Rachel, and any one else who hasn't done this tag. Your free to do both the 3's and 8's or just one or the other if you've done one.

Pumpkin Carving!

We are getting ready for Halloween and during the week we carved pumpkins with John's Tia Chata from Mexico. I found out John is amazing at cleaning out a pumpkin! What other hidden talents does he have I wonder?











Here are the finished Jack-O-Lanterns. Bobby's is first with the Welsh dragon that he did last weekend. Next is John's scary pumpkin, then mine with 3 bats but you can only see one. Last is Chata's funny face pumpkin.