Christmas 2011

I finally decided to post a few pictures from Christmas. We had such a great time with family. Sam loved all the attention he was getting but he was also sick most of the trip. He was still pretty happy even with being sick. He's such a sweet guy and everyone just loved seeing him.

 We loved spending time with the Kent family. I love me nieces. They make me laugh 

and are the cutest girls. Sammy sure loves them too and his Aunt Jamie and Uncle Colin.

We miss you guys and wish we could spend time with you more often.

 Sam loved playing with Grandpa Tycksen, who can always get a good laugh out of Sam.

Christmas morning we spent with the Grandpa and Grandma Haslam and the Kent's. We bought 

Sam a toy puppy, a race car, a whale bathtub toy, and some blocks. He received some books and animal set from Grandpa and Grandma Haslam.

We spent the rest of the day with the Tycksen's. Sam got spoiled some more by Grandpa Tycksen and Grandma Kim. He got a quiet book, a book of bible stories, and Grandma Kim made him a special book of pictures of all the people in his life that love him. 

Sam was actually pretty good about not destroying any Christmas trees. Our family picture by the tree isn't the best but I'm glad we have one of our first Christmas together.

Happy New Year! Instead of a New Year's kiss and the firework finale we were

downstairs trying to soothe a sick baby. It was still a fun night though. We had a 

delicious dinner of crab and lobster.

One of the best parts of our trip was meeting our new nephew Charlie. He is just

so adorable and cuddly. I love him so much. I cried a little one night when no one 

was looking when I thought of leaving him. He is a lucky boy to have great parents.

We love you Parker, Megan and Charlie!

I wasn't very good at taking pictures this trip. I missed getting any pictures with Amanda and Micah. Amanda is going to be having baby Ava at the end of February. She is so cute pregnant and we can't wait to meet Ava. We hope all of you had an enjoyable Christmas and great New Year.

Christmas 2010

Bryce and I could not have enjoyed our time in Utah for Christmas more. We spent the first 1 1/2 weeks at his parents home and the rest of the time at mine. We traveled back and forth a lot since our parents only live thirty minutes away and it was all worth the time we got to spend with family.

Thanks Haslam and Tycksen parents for the fun trip! We love and miss you!

My sisters, mom and I spent the night at Ashley's house for a girls

night out. We played Just Dance on the wii and I didn't do too

shabby with my big belly.

Parker and Megan's cozy little home. We stayed up late talking and

the boys played Tiger Woods golf.

I love you Nina!

Christmas Eve at the Olsen's home.

Opening our PJ's Christmas Eve at my parent's.

Merry Christmas Chase! I bought him a snuggie.

Maybelle. irresistibly chubby!

Bryce and I bought Presley a giant Beauty and

the Beast book that came with a 3 foot Belle.

Bryce will be excited to dress our little guy in

this Ute jersey given to him from Jamie.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I don't have any pictures from our New Years Eve celebration at my aunt Lisa's house. I was sick and didn't even think about taking pictures. We played a couple games, laughed a lot and enjoyed talking with cousins we haven't seen for awhile.

When it came time to open the sparkling grape juice we couldn't even drink it because my dad left it outside in freezing temperatures. Needless to say it was frozen solid. I did get a New Years kiss from my hubby though!

We can't wait for this year of new experiences and welcoming our baby Sam!

Santa "Claws"

Ok, so I stole this picture off Jamie's blog because this is a major event in my life. It had been eleven years since I last sat on the fat man in a red suit so I felt like this was worthy of posting.

Even with being 25 years old, I still didn't feel comfortable sitting on Santa's lap with him asking what I want. I also heard some horror stories about the Santa at the Christmas party from the previous year being a butt grabber. Who wants to be molested like that?

I was a little nervous getting up there for that reason.

After I told him that I wanted a new car (I really do) I pretty much ran away from him.

I don't blame Presley if she ends up hating Santa for the rest of her life. Why do we teach children not to go to strangers and then the first white bearded Santa we see we throw the kid at

him and expect them to be happy about it?! Well anyway, I think that will be my last time sitting on any Santa's lap.

Farewell 2009

Well I have to say that this year has been an adventure. It started out with getting engaged to the most wonderful man on earth, three months of wedding plans, marrying my sweetheart and then learning to live with him. Plus all of the family fun we have been involved in this year.

Some of the highlights of my life since I have been married are going to Mexico my first time for our late honeymoon trip, Bryce and I both turned 25, we've gone to San Diego twice to be with family, and spending our first Thanksgiving and Christmas together. We love the time we get to spend together right now sleeping in and staying up late with no homework or deadlines to worry about.

I get to wake up everyday to a man who loves me, makes me laugh and inspires me to do my best. It truly is a lovely life when one gets to spend it with their best friend. I love you Bryce and cannot wait for more adventures with you in 2010.

Happy New Year!

Nativity, Stockings and Magnets

I know I already posted about our Christmas tree and gingerbread train, but I needed tell you about our three other Christmas decorations. First of all let me say the one thing I have learned about Bryce is he will care about things that most boys don't. Like when we were picking out a wedding cake, he was all about having a chocolate cake with white frosting. He spent hours on the computer trying to find the design he liked. I thought that was so weird he would care so much about it. Now I am learning that he cares a lot about having decorations around the house for any holiday. He has been more persistent with Christmas but I would just rather not spend the money on decorations right now. I actually really like that he cares about these little things. He makes me laugh. So we put out his little nativity set he had with him on his mission, hung each of our childhood stockings over the fireplace and Sue gave us some Christmas magnets to put on the fridge. I'm happy with that.

Christmas is Coming the Goose is Getting Fat, Please Put a Penny in the Old Man's Hat.

I love the holiday season. Even with the cold weather and all the of hustle and bustle that comes with it, there is always such a great spirit to be felt. Bryce and I have talked about the different traditions each of our families have and what one's we would like to incorporate into our little family. We have already set some in place and are excited for Christmas day.
On December first we decorated our Christmas tree which Bryce's brother, Dave, so graciously let us borrow. Mom gave me some old decorations for the tree. We had to first remove all of the leftover tinsel which Dave left on it :) and then Bryce was able to put the lights on followed by the lovely decorating skills by me. We love our little tree!
We also made a gingerbread train set that night, which was actually a gift I gave Bryce last year as part of his twelve days of Christmas. So we finally put it together with the hardened frosting and stale candy. It's quite the masterpiece if I may say so myself.
Bryce has said to me that it is a great thing to give but more importantly we need to receive of Christ's love. So amid all of your Christmas shopping and giving of gifts, don't forget to take in His spirit and His love this season, as it will bless your life and help you keep on giving to all of those around you.