Pre-Christmas Festivities

People always say that kids are what make Christmas-time most exciting, and with an almost 2-yr-old tagging along at my ankles, I have found that to be especially true this year! Ry & I have commented to each other quite a bit recently how Will makes almost everything more enjoyable and although it sounds trite, we really can't remember having this much fun before he was around!

One of my bff's, Jacquelynn, and her husband Jeff have a Christmas party every year complete with Jeff dressed as Santa and a white elephant exchange that will make your insides hurt from laughing so hard. Jeff has some hilarious friends. This year the highlight was a gooey duck. Google it...or on second thought, don't. Pretty disgusting.

This picture depicts the typical mom story you will hear inevitably from every mom about a moment when she was busy doing something only to find the house all too quiet, and upon going to investigate she finds her little one doing something either super cute or not so super cute. I was happy this day to find Will on the super cute end of this story. He had lined up all his first aid and "drug cabinet" items in a perfect row, all ready to play doctor. (Notice all the pink bottles are together, all the diaper creams together, etc.)

Will at the community HOA party on Santa's lap. It took some coercing with a candy cane to get him to sit there without screaming, and even at that it wasn't enough to get him to look at us for a picture. He's still in the terrified-of-this-jolly-fat-man-in-a-red-suit stage, apparently.

Will LOVES his "no boots" and can put them on by himself.

First day of tromping through the snow this season...

and he loved it! So happy in his "no boots"!

It doesn't get better than a mouthful of snow to make a kid laugh (and a mom smile)!

REAL American Icon

Those of you who follow my blog know that I do not use it as a journal but more of a picture-posting medium. That changes today, as I have to mention this experience I just had. I was at the daily grind, folding laundry on my bed, and flipped on the TV, not even paying attention to what was on or taking the time to change the channel. As it happened, it was the Glenn Beck show and he was interviewing Jon Huntsman Sr.

The story that stopped me in my tracks and had me bawling on the bed was about what happened to his company after 9/11. His company was hit very hard and he was nearly close to losing it. Nevertheless, they did bounce back and were looking like they were going to be alright. Huntsman quickly made it a priority to approach his bank for another (I would assume quite hefty) loan. When they remarked that his company was looking like it would be alright, he said that he didn't need the money for the company; it was a personal loan he was seeking. They asked if he was starting a new company with it and he said that no, he needed it to fulfill all his charitable obligations. He went on to explain that when the economy is hit the hardest that charities suffer the most. He told the man that if he did not get this loan and continue to donate to the charities he had commitments to, people would go hungry. The bank responded that they had never seen a customer take out a loan for "charity". Oh, the tears.

No amount of writing could begin to capture the feelings of honor, integrity, respect, and love that this man evokes. What a true message of Christmas this man portrays of giving over receiving.

So forget the Michael Jordans, the Brad Pitts, the Oprahs (gasp!). Jon Hunstman is MY true American icon.

http://video.foxnews.com/12769300/jon-huntsman/?category_id=949437d0db05ed5f5b9954dc049d70b0c12f2749#/12768375/jon-huntsman/?category_id=949437d0db05ed5f5b9954dc049d70b0c12f2749

3rd Annual Bonfire in the 'Sac

How grateful I am to Ryan's mom and surrounding neighbors for this tradition that we adopted from them! The last few years in Ryan's circle where he grew up they have held a food drive and bonfire in December in lieu of giving neighbor gifts. This way they were able to help those in need, while not contributing to the ever-growing waistlines around this time of year from all the holiday "goodies". Let's be honest, none of us really need that.

When we moved into this home and felt like for the first time we really were "home", we decided to start the tradition in our little cul-de-sac. So come rain or snow, you will find us each December hangin in the circle like crazy people dancing around fires & hot cocoa to stay warm!

Thanks to all those who donated fire pits, as well as all of our wonderful friends and neighbors who donated food and came to support us! And if you weren't able to make it we hope you can join us next year!

Weather Report: 18 to 80 degrees today!

Our wonderful friends, Chris & Sarah, have invited us to Hawaii with them for the last 2 years. Their family has a house on the beach in the famous North Shore in Haleiwa, a few miles down the beach from Pipeline and Sunset Beaches where they hold all the world-renowned surfing competitions. Last year we went in August, when it was gloriously hot sunbathing weather. This year they invited us out the day after Thanksgiving, which is when the competitions take place since the waves are biggest in the winter. So needless to say, we were very pleased to experience snow and sunbathing weather all in the same day when we flew out there 2 days after Thanksgiving!

At the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing '09. The bottom right picture is of the day that we were waiting for it to start and they ended up canceling cause the surf wasn't good that day, so that's why there is hardly anyone around.

Waimea Valley-this is a GORGEOUS nature hike/walk that ends at a waterfall. Here they preserve vegetation that is indigenous to the Hawaiian islands as well as other tropical areas, including some plants and trees that are nearly extinct. Top right is the cannonball tree (from Fiji I think?) and bottom left are some sweet lily pads.

It started to rain while we were taking the walk, and everything only seemed to enhance in beauty! It really was quite remarkable. We started to walk the rainforest-like path in the top/bottom right picture just as it started to rain. It could not have been more captivating.

The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The water was frigid though! I was the first to brave it and jump in, as seen in the top left. Some highlights-top middle is me braving the waterfall to find the "pocket" behind the falls that the Hawaiian lifeguard told us about. Yeah, there was no pocket. Ryan and Chris actually made it all the way in and were basically suffocating under the pounding water. Bottom left-Chris is all about the action shots.

Apparently this is the waterfall from one of the first few episodes of LOST. This definitely was the highlight of the trip for me. It was so breathtaking and adventurous all at the same time.

Playing in the water at Waimea Bay. Top left-Ry loves the boogie board. Just look at that face! Top right- Too cute Chris & Sarah. Bottom middle-Me attacking the wave. Left middle-Er, the wave attacked me. Bottom left- Sarah and me having way too much fun. Bottom right-Sarah HATES the initial steps of cold water, and Chris LOVES to take advantage of that.

Chris had fun with the digital underwater camera. I think we had about 300 rapid succession shots after this day! But he did get some great pics of the big waves crashing over him. Brave guy!

I don't think there is a place in the world that has sunsets quite like the Hawaiian sunsets. Top right is Waimea Bay. Bottom left is the beach we went to on our very last day called Lanikai. It is a very secluded beach that is not overcrowded, yet it is rated the top beach on Oahu. I think that's because it's just so unique compared to the other beaches. It has a very Caribbean feel with the turquoise water, and the sand was seriously like walking on baby powder! I even bottled some to take home cause I could not believe how soft it was.

Thank you Tuttles for another wonderful trip to Hawaii!

Turkey Bowl 09

Ryan's mom has 3 sisters with wonderful families that we are all very close to. We play football on Thanksgiving morning with all these uncles and cousins when we are with Ry's family for Thanksgiving. We spent the night at Kathy's just so we wouldn't have to wake up super early to drive to her house, and Kathy was kind enough to watch Will in the warmth of the house while Ry, Jess, Ang, and I took off to go play some football in the freezing morning air! (Kathy and Will showed up a little later when it wasn't as cold.)

I know you are thinking that with us girls playing it can't be that serious of a game, but the men always seem to get a little competitive despite the casualness of having women like me around who run the other way when the ball comes toward her. Although, I do have to admit I was pretty proud when I caught the first interception of the game!

This was the night before Thanksgiving when Jon and Jen came over to see everyone since they were going to be with Jen's family for Thanksgiving this year. Jen (my SIL) grabbed a great shot of Will and Addison mesmerized by Nemo. This is definitely to be expected of Will, since he follows me around ALL day crying, "Watch Nemo!", but Addison surprised me with her intent interest! My mom informed me recently after watching Will for 3 days when we were in Hawaii (post coming soon) that I can't take him to anyone's house to be tended without bringing Nemo. She had to go borrow it from my aunt once he broke down in fits. And I thought he would be intent for 3 days with Cars, which I had stuck in his bag. Who knew?