6 Years, 2 Babies, 1 Great Life

Sam and I have been married for 6 years today.  In that time, we have had 2 children, moved 5 times, and changed jobs a few times.  The last 6 years have been wonderful, and I couldn't imagine being with anyone else.

Here's our story: Sam and I met buying BYU all-sport passes.  (If you know how much we love the Cougars, you would know how fitting this is.)  Since we both shared a love for anything BYU, we had an instant connection.  We also had a mutual friend, which allowed for us to get together later.  A week or so later, we went with friends to a movie, and from that point on we were together all the time.  We spent the next year doing our favorite things at BYU: attending games, going to the bookstore, hanging out at my apartment, and instant messaging at the SWKT.

We dated for a year and a few months and then we got engaged.  We were married on December 27, 2002 in the Manti Temple.  The day was perfect!

Happy Anniversary to us!

Christmas 2008

Whew!  Christmas came!  After telling Halle for days that she can't open any presents until Christmas, we were finally able to let her rip into them.  We celebrated Christmas at our house in the morning, then we went off to Sam's parents, and then to my parents in the afternoon.  It was the perfect day.  Halle loved every minute and we loved cuddling with Chase on his first Christmas.  

Pictures of our day:

Halle checking out her gifts from Santa.  She made out like a champ!  Santa brought Littlest Pet Shop hospital, Polly Pocket Mega Mall, Barbies, art supplies, movies, and other fun things.  Chase got a mobile for his crib, a new blankie, and baby toys.

Our sweet boy on his first Christmas.

Halle and Mikey ripping into a gift at Grandpa and Grandma Taylor's house.

Chase enjoying his new mobile.  He "coos" every time we turn this on.  It's so precious!

Halle checking out her new Kit doll from Grandma and Grandpa Burr.  I remember when I got my American Girl doll, and now my daughter has one of her own.  How time flies!  (Side note: If Kit goes missing, she may be found with me.  I like playing with her as much as Halle does!)

"Audrey, say cheese!"  Halle is getting a glimpse into how difficult it is to get kids to smile for the camera.

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at Sam's parents house this year.  We enjoyed great food and great entertainment.  The kids put on the Nativity story and did a great job.  Halle played Mary, Mikey was Joseph, Lincoln filled in with whatever character was needed, and Chase was Baby Jesus.  Chase was the only one who didn't have a meltdown during the performance.  It was a great night!

Mikey as Joseph, Halle as Mary, and Chase as Baby Jesus.

Baby Chase in his new Christmas jammies

Halle's First Dance Recital

Halle had her first dance recital last night.  Her dance group did a tap number and a ballet number.  During the tap dance, Halle didn't realize that her teacher was in the front row showing them what to do, so she just did a shuffle step the whole time.  It was priceless!  Her ballet dance faired a little better.  I think she actually did 3 or 4 of the steps.  It was so fun to watch her get up on stage.  I think she already has more dance talent than I ever had.  We are so proud of you, Halle!

This is her class getting ready for their tap number.  I think Halle is figuring out where her spot on the floor is.  If nothing else, she has figured out that she is supposed to stand on the dot.

This picture cracks me up!  They are all trying to figure out what the person next to them is doing.

My little ballerina!  Pretty cute!  (Disclaimer: Halle does a "cheese" smile now whenever I ask her to smile.  Gotta love it!)

Christmas Tag

1. Wrapping paper or Gift bags? Wrapping paper!  I love to wrap gifts, although with a newborn this year, I'm not dedicating the time I usually do.

2. Real Tree or Artificial? Artificial--all the way.  You don't have to string lights!

3. When do you put your tree up? Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take your tree down? A couple of days before New Years.

5. Do you like eggnog?  Let's see...drinking eggs? No thanks.

6. Favorite gift ever received? My American Girl doll.  All of my friends got them that year, so it was pretty cool.  My mom is getting one for Halle this year!  Thanks, Mom.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My mother-in-law.  She has everything and honestly doesn't want anything!  What to do?

8. Easiest person to buy for? Halle.  If it's on a commercial, she wants it.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?  Yes.  Thanks, Roxane!

10. Mail or e-mail Christmas Cards? Can you e-mail Christmas cards?  I'll have to look into that.

11. Worst Christmas present? I got a little kids tea set when I was like 17.

12. Favorite/Worst Christmas movie? Christmas Vacation all the way!

13. When do you start shopping? Black Friday.

14. Have you recycled a gift? Yep!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas time? Wassil.  Okay, I know, that's a drink.

16. Lights on tree? White.

17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night

18. Travel on Christmas or stay home? Stay home Christmas morning and travel to our parents house during the day.  (Does it count as travel if we only have to go 20 minutes?)

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yep!

20. Angel on top of tree or star? Neither.  We have a snowflake.

21. Open presents on Christmas Eve? Pajamas.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Okay, this really happens after Christmas, but I can't stand it when people leave their Christmas lights on their roof top year round.

23. Favorite ornament? My long-legged snowman that sits on my tree.

24. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Didn't I answer this earlier?  

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A happy family.  

26. Tag friends! Mom, Bethany, Shanell, Dede, Rhiannon, Michelle

Blessing Day

Yesterday was Chase's blessing day.  He was blessed by Sam, who did an amazing job.  It was a wonderful day and we appreciate all of our family who joined us for Chase's big day!

Dreamland

My Christmas wish came early this year.  For the first time since Chase came home, both of my babies took a nap at the same time.  Halle hardly ever takes a nap, so this was quite a treat!  Now, instead of using my time to catch up on housework, I am taking a break.  

Here are the pictures of my sleeping angels:

My baby is one month old today.  Isn't he just perfect?

Welcome Christmas!

I love Thanksgiving weekend.  Not only does it bring great food and family on Thanksgiving day, but it also brings two of my favorite activities: shopping on Black Friday and decorating my house for Christmas.  

I absolutely love Black Friday.  It is so fun to wake up early and fight the crowds all in the hope of saving $10.  This past Friday, I met my parents (yes, parents--plural.  My dad is such a trooper.  He packs the bags while my mom and I shop.  Thanks, Dad!) at 5:00 a.m. on Friday to hit the stores for 3 hours before I had to head home to take care of my kids.  We weren't looking for anything in particular, so we spent most of our time at Gymboree and Target.  As always, I got some great deals and, more importantly, had a great time.

On Saturday, we got out all of the Christmas decorations and spent the day decorating our house.  For me, this day is like Christmas morning, because opening the storage boxes is like opening Christmas presents.  I love to see all of my ornaments, village pieces, and snowmen.  Halle helped me decorate this year, and it was so great to see the sparkle in her eyes.  There is nothing better than a child's anticipation of Christmas.

I am looking forward to enjoying the rest of the Christmas season.  So far, we are off to a great start!

Luckily, my mom likes to spoil me.  Every year she gives me a new village piece.  My collection is growing.  Now if I could only keep Halle's 3-year-old hands away!