This was a very happy day for us as a family. We’ve been so excited to get Emmett on skis! Thanks to his sponsor, Duke @Timberline Lodge Ski Shop, the dream became a reality years before we thought it would. It was a rather stormy day on Dec. 31st, but we headed up to Beaver Mountain (Home Sweet Home) to make the attempt. Our expectation was not too high, we decided that we’d be happy with one run in that snow storm. But Emmett was having fun and kept pointing to the lift urging us to go again and again. We made 4 runs on Little Beaver! He never cried or freaked out. What can I say, he was born to ski!

Beauty Redefined

And after reading that for a while there’s no way I could blog about the Hollywood babes and put them on MY pedestal. Yes, they are beautiful, but does that even matter to me? It shouldn’t and more importantly, it shouldn’t affect my own view of myself. A friend of mine attended a presentation that was given by the founders of Beauty Redefined–two Utah women who have studied Media and Women’s Studies for years and have made this their cause. That friend posted this site on Facebook and that’s how I found it. I think what they have to say is smart, true, and brave. So go check it out if you want.

On another note, I’m going back to the gym. In December, I eased up because I’ve been having IT band troubles. I decided to stay out of the high-impact classes, skip running and try me some yoga. Well you know what, I hate yoga. It totally felt like a waste of time. Granted, I didn’t really give it a chance but no thanks. I love pilates, so I’ll stick to that. Well, 6 weeks without my usual cardio training and what do I have to show for it? Numero Uno: my leg still hurts No. 2: I have a Christmas muffin-top. So I went back to step this AM and I was so happy!

Emmett is my life right now. He is 2.25 years old. We took him skiing on New Year’s Eve. He actually loved it! We made 4 runs down Little Beav. This was a very important milestone for Pitt because skiing is his life. I think he looks forward to the day that Emmett will ski with him (or out-ski him) like a girl looks forward to her wedding day! Emmett talks non-stop. Everyday he says more and more words that I’ve never heard him say before; for example- breakfast, that’s a big truck, my knee hurts, iPad, song, fort, back hoe, watch this. He makes me smile. He whines, he cries, he wakes up at night, he won’t wear the cute clothes I want him to, he’s stubborn but at the end of the day he goes to bed so easily and I brush my fingers through his soft hair and kiss his warm cheek and there’s nothing he can do wrong. i love him so.

Christmas morning came and on one side of the room Santa brought Emmett some big Tonka trucks, on the other side of the room was a play kitchen for Kendall. We were a little nervous that they would be mixed up about who’s was who’s, but they ran into the living room, both looked around for a second and then split their separate (and correct) ways. Let the fun begin!

Some great Christmas moments in the pictures…Cookies for Santa, Kendall and her kitchen, Emmett and his trucks, Abominable snowman slippers, Bailee reading her poem that she wrote for Grammy, Playing games, Face Time with Duke and Betsy who live in Oregon, Grandpa Evan playing with Emmett and my newest beautiful nieces. Merry Christmas!

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 9,300 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

A little place called Preston, Idaho

Sun+blue skies+friends+snow=bliss

We stopped on the ridge for a little snowball target practice, pictured below…

my man was the only one to hit the target…just sayin. He’s such a jock.

This is THE one!

A darling tree discovered by Bryn and Quin

Jentry and Nichole found the pine of their dreams

Mark and McCall took home this beauty!

Molly and Ben discovered this evergreen and wanted to give it a nice home.

Camera shy: Brady and Caitlin (oops, they were lost in the forest before my battery died)

No pressure, just this little guy depending on us to bring him home the perfect Christmas tree!

Emmett with his 3 ornaments-3 Christmases, 3 ornaments. This year he got an airplane!

I LOVE this photo!

A sight to behold! The Christmas tree is my favorite part of Christmas!

The outfits say “Future Shopaholic” and “I love shopping with mommy,” just perfect for our newest addition. She did so great being hauled all over Las Vegas, indoor malls, outdoor malls, outlets, restaurants. On the first day, we were out for seriously 12 hours! We had 2 cars because we thought, perhaps, Suz would have to finally take her baby home but she didn’t want to miss a thing.

Highlights:

Midnight snack of Cheesecake-pumpkin, banana, carrot cake and chocolate…all decadent!

Making breakfast together, hot cocoa and ebelskivers

Hitting all the great shopping-Galleria, Fashion Show, Premium Outlets, Town Square, The District

Cowboy Christmas Expo–Yee Haw!

Celebrity Sighting-Kristin Cavallari from The Hills

Lunch at Claim Jumper

Grandpa and Grandma driving down from St. George. We met them at the Mall, just in time to see Santa singing on the runway.

The photo above is my Nativity Collection. My Mom and Dad gave me these starting in 1987. I love the ornaments in the corner. There is a porcelain Shepherd, which is part of a set. My brother has the 3 wise men and my sister the Holy family. I have always cherished this ornament. And the silver one next to it is from the Vatican, when my parents visited a few years ago. It closes up to hang on the tree like a bell. My mom has a wonderful nativity collection, including sets from Japan, Mexico, Israel, Alaska. The collection has always been the centerpiece of her holiday decorations.

“There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus Christ…. Christmas is what we make of it. Despite all the distractions, we can see to it that Christ is at the center of our celebration.

As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always. We shall learn to forget ourselves. We shall turn our thoughts to the greater benefit of others.”

Pres. Thomas S. Monson

Where am I? Seeking Christ, finding Christ, following Him? I hope to have the courage and dedication to follow Him always, day after day. There is so much need around me. I hope to make a difference to someone this Christmas season. Even if just a bag of oranges to a neighbor passing by or a set of old toys Emmett doesn’t use anymore to a younger little boy. Small and simple, my goal everyday.

…Thanks MOM!

  How did your shopping go? I didn’t brave the crowds for Black Friday. But I heard that at Walmart, people were just diving over each other and throwing Blu-Ray players around. I’d like to go one year just to watch the madness. I do enjoy Cyber Monday and just put in an order at Amazon and Gap. It’s just not Christmas to me if I don’t get and give something from Gap! I can’t finish all my shopping today though because in 3 days I’m headed to Las Vegas for a girls weekend, full of shopping and food indulgences. I can’t wait! 

   We had a beautiful Thanksgiving weekend!  It started off right by getting some turns in the powder at Beaver Mountain. (No, the lifts aren’t running, but we know a guy with a snowcat) It was a perfect, clear day …and wow, it really was nice to be back on my skis. I forgot my camera, so no pics

  And then this is where we spent our Thanksgiving. This beautiful pioneer home was built in the 1880′s. Family friends of the Grewe’s, Bill and Liz, have put a lot of love into their home and it is just stunning inside and out! They have a barn, horses, goats, and chickens. We loved watching Emmett explore. Although he just had ice and whipped cream for dinner, he was a very good boy and made us all smile with his antics.

I love this photo! The two of them , just chatting. 

Then the next day we hung out with The Raymonds and went bowling!

Here’s Emmett being patient. Funny guy!

The Ipad has recently been a favorite pastime of my lil 2-year-old; here he is sharing his passion with the boyz.

(L to R) The oldest is Jace at 4 months old-born to my cousin Derek,

then my niece Claire who is resting her tired eyes on her chubby cheeks-she belongs to my brother Aaron,

then we have twin boys Porter and Byron born at the beginning of September to my cousin Michelle,

here’s beautiful Talia, who is 8 weeks old-daughter of my cousin Craig,

and the caboose, my precious niece Baby E born at the end of September.

Isn’t that so dang cute?! I want to keep this pic in my pocket and show it to anyone that’s having a bad day. There’s nothing like dressing up your babies in matching outfits and posing them and then standing in front of them cooing until you may get some sort of reaction. It was a sight to see!

Look at the adults in the mirror…so funny! We were having too much fun!

Halloween night with Emmett and our neighbor Tristan. Isn’t that the cutest lil Pooh Bear you’ve ever seen!? He refused to wear his costume until the day of. When Tristan showed up to go out, we couldn’t get that costume on him fast enough. He loved trick-or-treating! They’re both 2, so it was their first time.

Jumping in the leaves. I don’t know who had more fun, Pitt or Emmo.

Also, I finished the baby quilt I’ve been working on! I think it turned out lovely. It was my first time trying a “wonky” block and I loved it! I was able to give it to my new niece last week when she and Suz came to visit us in Utah.

Big chili cook-off tonight with the Elder’s Quorom. We’re in charge, like usual…I hope people come, but not too many people–I only bought 2 Costco pies for dessert. I guess I also hafta make chili. We’ll see how that one goes. I’m no “chef-n-training”! (The amazing Chef is married to my cousin BTW)