Christmas Eve

Christmas wouldn't be the same without these two...

They really made it special for us this year!

Nursery Nativity

I've been looking forward to this... I was so impressed with last year's play! This year Emma was an Angel and had a big speaking part... "Fear not!". I knew her shyness might get to her, so I bribed with a huge ice cream sundae and told stories of her Aunt Jacy playing the Angel in our family Nativity every Christmas Eve when we were younger. We laughed and she agreed... And followed through! And I loved her little Angel pose in the first picture...so sweet! All the children were adorable and in two weeks will officially be Sunbeams...I can't believe it!

A lot of thanks goes to this lady! She has been so incredible with these children...! I know Emma will really miss her!

"Am I on the Naughty List?"

Well, we don't have much in the way of a Santa Post. Chris had to hand deliver Emma's letter to him and Taylor didn't even give me a second to get a shot in. We'll revisit this idea in a few years...

However, Tay did love these little guys that lined the wall. She kept posing by them and saying, "Cheese!!". She fits in a little too well.

Princess and the Frog

Emma has been so excited for this movie to come out... and I was excited to make it a really special day for her. A new dress, movie with her favorite girlfriends, and lunch at one of our favorite spots... made it a great day!

Christmas Tree

This is one of my favorite traditions of Christmas. For a more accurate description of my memory of this growing up (and a very funny read), go here. And Jacy, don't laugh at me. It brings back very clear memories, so I love it even though I know that deep down during the whole process Chris is dreaming of that fake tree that I'm sure one day I'll agree to. But not for a long long time.

This year I'll remember all the pictures the girls wanted taken of themselves with the trees, how excited Emma was, taylor needing a turn putting the star on, and marshmallows with some hot chocolate. And for their ornaments this year, a snowman for Emma and a snowflake for Taylor to remember their first experience with snow last month.

I love this Season! I hope you are all enjoying it!

A Colorado Thanksgiving

We did it! Us kids made it happen, in large part to the Ogdens! But we did it. Bittersweet without the parents, but just an awesome time. Traditions were kept and new memories made. And we can't wait to get back!

We even managed to get a picture!! Oh the things we are capable of!!

(From left to right: Todd and Teri's family with Max & Cass, Brett and Kim with Cole, Trevor, and Lexi (and baby Chelsea born a few days later!), us, Bree, Alisa and Dave with Koty, Rian, and Jack, and Jacy and John with Jaz, Cameron, Payson, Bailey, and Kendall)

This was the girls' first experience with snow... Taylor loved eating it. Emma loved everything else about it... at one point I found her rolling around in it.

Emma was brave enough to sled by herself, but not quite brave enough to see what was happening! I loved that we could do this right in my brother's backyard!

Cousins, cousins, and more cousins... so much to be thankful for. Oh and Uncle Todd! Finally, Emma's fear of that scary Uncle Todd is WAY over. And almost everyday since, she's made me pull up the picture of her and Max... major cousin crush happening.

Thanksgiving Day...

a lot to be grateful for starting with these two!

If you look closely you'll see my parents. Thank goodness for SKYPE!

Dinner was amazing. The rolls were massively huge and wonderful! But that stuffing...delicious!

Making our first Ogden album...have we come up with a name for us yet?

Best picture award goes to...

WE MISS YOU GUYS!!

Special Package

Thank You Mom and Dad!

We miss you more than ever.

P.s.... Please send more Minstrels!

A (little) GNO

Last week, my friend's husband was playing his cello with the OCMCO and she decided to make it a special night with her daughter, getting dolled up and going out to a restaurant before the concert. We couldn't resist joining them and these two little ones could not have been more excited for their very own and very first official GNO. In fact they were letting everyone around them know by shouting, "Girls Night Out...!". Yep, we are teaching them young!

We will definitely be doing more of this!

New Moon Premiere

A celebration of my favorite vampire was in order last month with the premiere of New Moon...so with A LOT of help from my friends (thank you!!!), I tried hard to make Alice Cullen proud and threw a Premiere Party followed by an after party at the midnight showing.

I loved every second of it. The planning, the setting up, the party, and yes, of course the movie!! Everything done with Edward in mind!

Contenders for best picture with Edward...

Janae, I'll never forget how you paid some 13 year olds to hold our place in line. How did I get so lucky with my friends! Our seats were awesome! Nor will I forget racing into the theater and outrunning those 13 year olds or the guy in front of us..."get some!". And award for Best Shirt definitely goes to Lynn!

And yes, Edward came with us to the movie...

P.S. I couldn't write this post without mentioning my husband who (I hope) knows that he is my Edward in real life! He did so much for this party...and is so very kind to support this obsession of mine! Below is just one of his contributions...projection of the New Moon trailers!

Until June...