JUMPING FOR JOY

I thought this picture perfectly portrays my emotions today.

I'm off track!

In other words; no work for 3 1/2 weeks.

HOT DATE

I don't know what you did Saturday night, 

but I had ONE HOT DATE....

in the residency lounge...

at the hospital.

Mike has been working so much lately; 

which means we have to be creative when it comes to finding time to spend together.  

So if that means taking Cafe Rio to him in the hospital, then I'll do it.  

Love him. He looks so cute in his doctor get up. 

I'm so happy....

I'm in the middle of watching this....

and I am thoroughly enjoying it!  

Little shout out to my Bannockburn American Idol posse:

I miss you!  

Idol won't be the same without you! 

Maybe winter isn't so bad

So, I've never liked winter. I don't like being cold, I hate driving in the snow, I hate that it lasts for what seems like forever, everything is dead...I could go on but I'll spare you the pessimism. 

For some reason I've actually enjoyed winter this year. I think it's because after being in Chicago for three years, the temperatures out here feel like a heat wave.  

It's been such a joy to go running with this friend, this friend or on my own without having chunks of ice stuck to my eyelashes, and 5 different layers on just to stay warm. 

I've also loved seeing the mountains covered in snow. 

I can't believe I forgot how beautiful they were. 

And I've tried something new this year. I can't believe I didn't try this earlier.  

Cross- Country Skiing.  

Lame I know, because I grew up in Utah, where the greatest snow on earth is. 

But now that I tried it. I think I'm hooked. 

 

Mike and I braved the cold (once again nothing compared to Chicago) Saturday night and went cross-country skiing. We had a great time. I can't wait to go again.

The best present ever

(Taken Christmas morning. Please don't mind the hair and lack of makeup.)

Much to my surprise Mike actually had Christmas day off.  He had me believing for almost a month that he was working all day Christmas day. I was trying not to be bummed about it, but I was having a hard time being excited for Christmas knowing I wouldn't see Mike all day.  When he finally told me on Christmas Eve that he was actually going to be home ALL DAY for Christmas, tears were shed. Cheesy I know, but is it so bad to just want to hang out with your hubby on Christmas?  Seriously it was the best present I ever received. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

From our ugly sweaters to yours.....

Merry Christmas! 

We sincerely hope your holiday is filled with joy, laughter, presents, delicious food, tacky jewelery and ugly sweaters! 

For more pictures of our fabulous ugly sweater party hosted by the Littles click here and here!  (Go ahead and look. Trust me, it is so worth it! )

Mandy came to visit

A few weekends ago these two lovelies came to visit us in Utah...

It was such a treat to have Mandy and Everett come visit. No one in the family knew they were coming except for me. It was the best surprising the family when we walked into Katherine's place. Tears were shed, jaws were dropped, hugs were given. You get the idea.

We spent a lot of time just hanging out. Even though we did nothing super spectacular, mostly just sitting around talking and laughing, the weekend very memorable.

Everett is Mandy's youngest and was born in CT. We don't feel like we know him, like we know Posey and Ian. It was fun to have Everett all to ourselves to get to know him a little bit better. I know I'm a biased aunt but I think he is so darling.
Mike seriously has this magical way with children. Everett loved him from the start.

We loved seeing Everett and Grace together. They loved running around and screaming at the top of their lungs together.
I was lucky enough to have Mandy stay at my house while visiting. She had never played Rockband so of course we had to play.  We were one rockin band. 
All the music and singing led to some serious dancing by Everett. For a little white boy he sure has some great skills!  

                                                 

While Mandy was here we got to spend some time with my cousins and grandparents. Love the cousins.
Louisa May Alcott said it best when she wrote, "I could never love anyone as I love my sisters."
I don't know what I would do without my sisters. I'm so glad we have technology which allows me to talk to my sisters whenever I want/need to. Spending the weekend all together was the best. Love you girls...