Christmas Time

It seems like December we were running non-stop but yet I look back at it and worried that we didn't take full advantage of all the fun festivities. Here is what we have to show for it.
Bennett had a program for his preschool. It was loud, out of sync and off key....just the way we like it. The kids were so cute. Bennett was so brave and did a great job standing in his place, participating and saying his part. "While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads" Leading up to the program he was supposed to practice his part at home. It started out being, "While fig and plums danced on their beds" He did such a great job, we were oh so proud.


The lights at Thanksgiving Point have been a must every year. This year we added reindeer into the mix.




Our "Gingerman House"


I found a cute breakfast for the kids on pinterest.

December 17th Jon and I celebrated our 7th year of wedded bliss. We went to the MoTab concert at temple square and enjoyed the lights and sights and a movie.

Jon and I were out of town during the Festival of Trees, but my parents had our kids and were nice enough to take them along with my sister and her family.

We made reindeer food to hand out to friends and family. Bennett was so proud to deliver it to all his friends and give them the run down on what to do.

Reindeer Food Recipe
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup glitter or red or green sugar crystals (as used for cake decorating)
I threw in some red hots to give it some more color.

Her name is Libby

I guess I have never fully written down how Libby became Libby. For her sake and because I might forget..........

In 2004 Jon and I were engaged and I was teaching preschool. I taught a little guy named Jack. Jack had a little sweet sister named Bella. (You thought I was going to say Libby didn't you, oh no, this story is much longer than that) I fell in love with her name, just Bella, no Ana, no Isa, just Bella. Jon loved it, I loved it, it was settled. (Insert tired screeching) Little did we know that a Teen Paranormal Romance Novel Series would soil our plan. I tried liking the books, I really did, but after 1.5 of them I had to admit to the female population that they were just not for me. I still love the name, but after all the hype and it climbing to like #1 on the popularity charts it was ruined to me.

So it was to plan B or L if you will. Another name I have loved for years also starts with L and I am going to be a total goob and not say what it is in hopes of still using it some day. Her name was going to be ---- Willa, no other options, it was settled. And then I found out it was a girl, then out of the blue a name popped in my head and never left. Libby, Libby Willa. It felt weird to totally change plans after KNOWING for so long that ---- would be her name. We tossed around naming her what essentially is a nick name, but I am a believer in naming them what you want to call them, plus I really didn't like the directives. (Elizabeth, Liberty, alot of people asked me if it is short for Olivia, which is so funny to me-Olibia) I also worried about it just being a cute little girl name, not a good adult lady name. But delivery day came and in my heart of hearts I knew that I loved the name Libby the very most. We revisited the 2 others for about 30 seconds but she was Libby for sure. After she was about a day old Jon said to me "you know she really does looks like a Bel...." I told him don't even say it, because I totally agreed. But holding firm, she is a Libby and it now I can't even imagine her being anything else.

A few other perks to her name:
I LOVE all things pumpkin. At any given time, all year round, there will be cans of this in my house. I even buy it in bulk because it is hard to find in the summer and spring.

Libby from Lost, this is possibly where I got the name, I can't be sure. Jon and I LOVED LOST, and Libby was one of my favorite characters. She was a very sweet and compassiante person who also had some a few negatives but we won't go there.

Favorites @ 4

In preperation for her big day........

I had my oh so talented friend take Libby's pictures to send out with her invites and to decorate with. She did a great job, Libby and Carrie. They turned out just as I had hoped.




I love them all but this one especially takes my breath away.

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Remembering AZ

Jon and I have birthdays just 2 days apart. This year (as in 9 months ago) we decided to gift ourselves with a little vaca. We went to Arizona. My sister lives there(for me) and MLB does spring training there(for Jon). We had a fun time all around. The kids love the sports scene, and they better because they will learn, as I had to, it never ends, overlaps even. I have learned to love it as well. It is not that I ever didn't, but learning to love it in such a huge quantity was an adjustment. Baseball is my favorite though, it just feels good to be at a baseball game. I can't explain it.


Just to the left of Jon is Pineda, I suppose he is/was the big thing that season.

My sister had only been in her house for a few months so her backyard was a little boys wonderland. One night after his bath we couldn't find him....I usually refrain from posting underwear pictures but this was just too cute.

We hit the zoo while we were there. Bennett and I could have watched those chimps all day.


Jons birthday {cheese}Cake

Jon flew back early so I flew home with the kids by myself. Bennett fell asleep, which should be a good thing until I could not wake him up to get off. A flight attendant carried him with me all the way to baggage claim where we met Jon. It was so sweet of her.

And there you have it. Our a family vacation just 9 months late. We actually just got back from our second trip to Arizona, lets hope I don't wait another 9 months to document this one.

A small offering

It has been a while. Here is all I have to offer for the moment.

We've been busy and having fun. Here is an outing at a pumpkin patch to prove it.

Hide and Seek

Bennett and I have been playing alot of hide and seek. It is a wonderful game where I continue cleaning or doing dishes while he runs around to one of his 3 hiding places. He calls out when he is ready, then I list off the 3 possible places he could be, naming his current place last. "Where is Bennett, is he under the table" Just to give me a little extra help he will always answer me yes or no.
Can you spot Bennett? I'll give you 3 guesses.