All A Glow

The Hogle Zoo holds an event called the Zoolights every year. The zoo is decorated with tons of lights and signs. We tried going earlier this month but it was so stinkin' cold we decided to wait. Yesterday was a bit warmer than usual, so we decided to head up there. It was so much fun! We were pleasantly surprised that most of the animals were out and about. The lights are amazing. Our favorite part is the brand new carousel, I think we rode it five times last night. Sadie loved the little cats and made me take a picture of each one.

Tis' the Season

We wanted to share some pictures from our little Christmas. Santa was very good to all of us and brought Sadie her big girl bed. Sadie wasnt too thrilled with the idea at first but quickly realized how nice the bed is and loves it. My brother bought her the adorable comforter and Sadie loves the little owls on it. We had decided earlier this year to have a little low key Christmas with fewer presents than previous years and focus more on the true meaning of Christmas and reach out to those less fortunate than us.
On Christmas Eve, we gathered up toys, blankets, towels and clothes to bring to our local homeless shelter. Sadie even brought her piggy bank. We headed to The Road House and dropped off all of our items and donations. Both Charlie and I were overwhelmed as we saw all the homeless people lining the streets around the shelter.
As we left, we both agreed that helping the Road House would be a new tradition of ours.
This was our first Christmas without my dad and I really struggled throughout the day. I knew that the holidays would be difficult but I wasnt prepared for all the different emotions. However, my appreciation for our Savior and His plan of salvation has only intensified throughout these experiences. Life has a way of teaching you lessons when you least expect them.
We are looking forward to the new year, 2008 hasnt been the best for us! Charlie will be starting his second semester at the U, I also am going back to school and Sadie will be changing days at her preschool and also starting a new dance class.

We hope that each of you had a very jolly holiday!

Big Girl Bed!

Hustle and Bustle

Tuesday afternoon was Sadie's Winter Program at her preschool. This is her first year at this school so we werent sure what to expect but we were pleasantly surprised. Sadie got to be the sun in the opening song that melts the snowman. Sadie loves her teacher, Miss Amy and they are the best of buddies. She has been practicing her songs and she did really well during the performance. Afterwards, each of the parents got a cute little dish towel with their kids handprints on them. Sadie's are bright yellow which I think is fitting for her. I cant believe how big my baby is...I guess she really isnt a baby anymore

Wednesday night was my moms graduation. She is in the DATC's nursing program and just got her LPN certification. She will be going on to get her RN next Spring. It was a wonderful experience, we could not be any prouder of her. Sadie bought her some beautiful flowers and was so excited to give them to her Grandma Joy. During the ceremony, there were some specific awards given out to particular students and my mom was given one! She got the award for the Best Clinical Skills/Performance. It was such an amazing thing to watch her accept that award...and yes, I bawled....a lot. Way to go, mom!

The grandbabies are estatic about the graduation

Last night, we went to the Polar Express at the Heber Valley Railroad. It was our first time going and it was a lot of fun (except for the driving to Heber part, I hate driving in the snow). We were all dressed in our pajamas, Sadie got a new pair just for the occasion. The train has Christmas decorations throughout it, there are elves on board who ask each child what they want from Santa and pass that info on to the Big Guy. As the train gets going, they served us delicious cookies and hot chocolate made by Mrs. Claus herself. We sang Christmas carols and read through the book The Polar Express together. Soon Mrs. Claus made her appearance who promised the children that Santa was on his way. After a few more songs, Santa appeared! Leah and Annie were thrilled, Sadie not so much. Santa came and talked to each of us and gave us a jingle bell. Sadie likes to admire Santa from a distance I guess, Im sure that will change over the years. It was a fun night and helped to remind me what Christmas is really about. When we got home, there was a paackage from my Aunt Linda for Sadie. She decided she needed to bust into the present, she got some adorable new clothes.

I think that tonight we may just need to stay home and take it easy after our busy week.

Merry Christmas!!!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!!!

I cant believe that Christmas is just 12 days away, where has all the time gone? Our little family is feeling the hustle and bustle of this wonderful time of the year! I have been busy doing holiday boutiques and working on Holiday projects. I am trying to make most of my gifts this year and so far things are going great! I have a few little projects that I am so excited to give to people that I might not be able to wait until Christmas. I made Charlies parents an adorable book called "The ABCs of Sadie," and I am so pleased with how it turned out (they dont read our blog, so no worries.) After Christmas, I will post pictures of my other "projects."
Charlie turned 29 on the 5th and we had a fabulous day! We went to dinner at Rickenbackers and to see the Christmas lights at Layton Park. Sadie thought it was awesome and was a bit upset when the hay ride ended, she demanded to go around just one more time. Here are pictures from that night:

Charlie also just finished up his first semester at the U. He has done amazing things and he is thriving there. He has an awesome internship working with homeless veterans, I think he loves them as much as they love him. He has truly found his calling in life and we are so grateful for this opportunity. There have been some bumps along the way and there are times when I have been a bit negative of the lack of time we have with him, but I appreciate all he does for our little family.
Sadie is doing well. She absolutely loves the snow and is getting ready for her Christmas program at school. She has recently become incredibly obsessed with Thomas the Train Engine thanks to her good buddy Porter. She has loved setting up the Christmas decorations in our house and will sing "Oh, Christmas Tree" to our tree.

We have so much to be thankful for and we are looking forward to more of this hustle and bustle!

Week in Review

Our Thanksgiving was awesome and the fun only continued throughout the weekend. On Thanksgiving we had a delicious meal and our yummy pies we made. We played Thanksgiving BINGO, Dominoes and seriously rocked out on RockBand.

On Friday, we did some serious shopping at IKEA and I got Sadie her big girl bed for Christmas. I am so excited to redo her room. I am going to attempt to make the bedding for her bed.
That night we went to the lights at Temple Square. The lights are amazing and it really helped kick off the Christmas season.

Today, my new little niece Lucy was blessed. We are so grateful they decided to bless her up here in Utah so we could all be a part of it. My mom made her blessing dress and it was beautiful. Our family has so much to be thankful for. We are truly blessed.

Baking Day

Today was the official Thanksgiving Baking Day!!! The girls in my family get together on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and do all the pie baking. It has been a tradition of ours for many years and it is one of my favorites. This year was extra special because Sadie really got to be a part of it. I love that we will always have this special time together each year. The girls consist of my mom, my two sisters and the four little grandkids. I thought today how awesome it was to have three generations of women in our family together, helping one another. I am truly blessed to be surrounded my these wonderful women.

It took Sadie a few minutes to grasp the idea of rolling out the dough.

Leah and Sadie together = TROUBLE!!!
Happy Turkey Day!!!

Sneak Peek

We had our pictures taken a couple of weeks ago for Christmas. We love, love, love how they turned out. We are using the pictures for a number of different Christmas projects, so I am only posting a few of my favorites.

I found the photographer through a good friend of mine. Her name is Amy Simkins. Her photography blog is http://www.expressivephotography.blogspot.com/. She was amazing!

May I Have Your Attention Please...

I would like to invite all my bloggin' buddies to check out all my new vinyl things. I have been working for the past week for a GNORMOUS Holiday boutique this weekend and have really come up with a lot of new stuff. Please check it out....just click on the box labeled "vinyl" to your right or check things out at http://time-to-sign-wall-lettering.com/.

Night of Magic

We have been waiting for this night for quite some time and it turned out to be worth the wait! We went to Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic. It was a fabulous show and we had the best seats in the house, front and center. We were right by the ice and we were able to interact with all the characters. Sadie was in heaven. We got her an overpriced yet adorable Minnie doll which she has not let go of since getting home. The show was amazing and the character costumes were fantastic. I now have a strong urge to go to Disneyland...maybe I could work something out.

Disney on Ice


Look closer, Sadie isnt picking her nose.

Grand Finale

Until next time.......