Mylee's 2nd Birthday

On Saturday, December 12, 2009, we celebrated Mylee Moo's 2nd birthday. She was not feeling well and had been sick during the week but seemed to perk up during the celebration. We had pizza, strawberry smoothies, and one of her favorite fruits--mangos.

Here we are around the table enjoying Mylee's birthday dinner.

Of course, we had delicious birthday cake that was homemade by Marissa.

Time to open presents!

Blaine using some tools to put together Mylee's new shopping cart.

Mylee filling up her shopping cart with Addie and pretend food.

Mylee's quad that her parents gave her and brought over for her and Aubrey to test drive in our living room.

Getting a Tree

For the past 30 years, our family's tradition is to go to a local Christmas tree farm and cut down our own tree. We love the smell of a freshly cut Noble Fir tree that permeates our home during the holidays. We jumped in the old Suburban and headed out to our favorite tree farm in Sherwood that a German family has owned since the 1970's.

Our 11 year old Benson (77 in dog years) came along to help us pick out the perfect tree. Once we arrived at the farm, he decided he liked the warmth and comfort of the Suburban and wanted to stay put.

It was pretty cold and muddy and so we came prepared in our rubber boots and warm coats.

In checking for high quality, it is helpful to examine the straightness of the top of the tree.

It is also a good idea to check out the huggability of a Christmas tree before deciding if it is the right one for your family.

Freshness is an important factor in choosing a tree too.

Here is one of America's top models, Aubrey, wearing one of the latest fashions in tree cutting attire while Blaine is sawing his Christmas tree.

Christmas Lights at Temple Square, Nov. 30, 2009

The Monday after Thanksgiving, Dave, Aubrey, and I checked out the Christmas lights on Temple Square which is right next door to where Aubrey lives in the dorms at The Plaza while attending LDSBC. We were so hungry and cold afterwards from walking around in the freezing weather that we took a ride on the TRAX to the mall to find some hot chocolate and dinner.

Dave and Aubrey with the beautiful Salt Lake Temple in the background.

Dave and Mary Ann (with teeth chattering) posing amongst the many lights.

Gorgeous display of lights by the tabernacle.

Getting warm in the tabernacle.

Taking pictures of Aubrey while experimenting with the camera's flash feature.

Dave showing us how little room there is from his knees to the bench in front of him while sitting in the the tabernacle.

Dave and Mary Ann riding TRAX.

TRAX is one form of transportation that Aubrey uses to get around Salt Lake.

Thanksgiving & Decorating for Christmas

This is the first time in our 30 years of marriage that we have left the state where we were living and travelled to another state to enjoy Thanksgiving. On Thursday, Dave and I flew into Salt Lake City and drove to Evan and Driel's home in Orem. When we arrived we were amazed at all the home cooking that had been happening. . .turkey roasting in the oven, homemade bread dressing, salads, pies, mashed potatoes, rolls, and beautifully decorated tables. Evan and Driel put so much time and effort into making Thanksgiving so tasty and memorable.

Before we ate, there was time for Granddad to read "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" to sweet Moriah.

Aubrey spent some time reading Evan and Driel's hardbound blogging memories.

Music was an important part of our stay. Here is Aubrey playing a little jingle for us on the old accordion.

After Thanksgiving, it was fun helping Evan and Driel's family decorate for Christmas. Fiona was so good about just looking at the Christmas tree decorations and Moriah was helpful with the ornaments.

Evan decorating the upper part of the tree while Grammy has a fun time playing with her darling granddaughters.