It's beginning to look a lot like....and then it's all over :(

Christmas always goes too fast! It is funny how no matter how old you are, the anticipation for Christmas seems like forever and then before you know it, it's all over. We had a wonderful little holiday here in Maryland, quiet to say the least. We began our holiday by celebrating the first night of Hanukkah on the 21st. I made a traditional Hanukkah dinner and we lit a candle on our menorah. The word Hanukkah means "re-dedication" so every night when we lit a candle, Ryan, Lily, and I would rededicate something to each other. Yes, Lily really did participate!

We loved being home in Maryland this year and started the week off with a baking day! Lily and Daddy made sugar cookie dough, and Mom frosted and decorated them. We started a tradition this year of delivering cookies kind of, wherever the wind takes us. It was so fun to surprise our friends with a plate of cookies! Christmas Eve began with a brunch with friends, then a nap for Lily, dinner, a visit to the DC Temple to see the lights and hear the sister missionaries sing, then it was time to open our special Christmas Eve presents! New PJ's for all of us and a darling Curious George stuffed animal and book for Lily (thanks G & G Roberts!). We set out an apple for Rudolph and a cookie for Santa and we were off to bed.

Ryan and I are grateful Lily is still somewhat unaware of this holiday, and somewhat confined to her bedroom and we actually slept in to 7:30 am! Yes people, that is sleeping in, those with kids will understand! Santa came! Rudolph ate his apple, and surprises abounded! Lily's bright red retro kitchen was a hit. Her grin said it all "Is this mine? Can I touch it? Oh boy the doors open and close like Mommy's cabinet doors!" So precious. We unwrapped more presents and watched as our living room slowly resembled the post Christmas morning scene in the classic "A Christmas Story." For the very neat and tidy type A person inside of me I had to take many deep breaths and tell myself "It's Christmas...let it go" over and over again.

Grandma Nielsen's tasty scones and cheese souffle were next! We even had hot chocolate in her old Santa mugs. I still remember going to Grandma's house every Christmas morning and seeing her little tree all lit up, candy dishes full of chocolate dipped cashews (hand dipped), home made shortbread star cookies, and this corn puff treat that was sweeter than a tablespoon of pure sugar, her kitchen a mess with yummy food, and her dining room table full of delicious food she has made all by herself! I really miss my Grandma at this time of year, but I feel her all around me as I make her shortbread, and fry those yummy scones!


Our Christmas holiday was capped off with a huge surprise for me! Tickets to the broadway musical, "West Side Story." Ryan completely threw me a curve ball with that one. We went to the matinee yesterday, and the best part is that right before the show began, we were moved to sit in the front row! It was so incredible. We could see the sweat, and the spit I might add, and hear them breathe, and also hear some not so kind language as the Jets and Sharks were talking smack to one another! It was so wonderful though, and I was reminded of why the arts are so important. They take you to another place. For 3 hours you are transported into another time, and are surrounded by music and dancing - how bad can that be? Plus, there is always a moral to the story that can be applied to your life. It was so terrific. Bravo to the whole cast, and thanks to a wonderful husband who takes note of my comments in passing such as...."Oh West Side Story is in DC! I love that show!" I love you sweetie!

Happy New Year, and thanks to those of you who took the time to read this, my longest post yet!

Where have we been????

It really has been far too long, and my New Year's Resolution is going to be to keep up on my postings! All of our blog visitors (not like there are a million, but you know...) are probably giving up on me!

Since our bee experience, we celebrated our 8th anniversary with a fun dinner at the Hotel Tabard Inn in DC, Uncle Layne and Aunt Darcy got married (yeah! this picture is at the reception...it was beautiful, Lily was a little tired after all that partying), Thanksgiving has come and gone, and now we are gearing up for Christmas in Maryland. This year we are not going to be in Utah for the holidays. We are truly going to miss our families, but look forward to beginning some of our own traditions, and seeing what Christmas is like in DC!

Lily is growing and exploding with new words and phrases all the time! Here are her top 10:

10. I want that
9. no more
8. please and thank you
7. I wanna go in there (I'm serious, if you slur them all together)
6. Mama go work
5. Dada go work
4. it's a baby
3. Ooooo pretty (when looking at Christmas lights)
2. go outside
1. Ya ya (love you)

Ahhh...she is precious and we can't wait to celebrate this season with her! I'll update sooner I promise (I think I've said that before).

Bees!

We had the most incredible experience yesterday! Ryan's chief resident, Randy and his wife Kameha have two bee hives in their back yard, and we went over to help them work the bees. Well, actually, it was just Kameha and I and the guys watched the little kids. I was so intrigued by the whole process. Kameha is truly an expert on bee keeping, and she gave me a great education. I learned so much, and only wish I could remember everything she told me. I got down and dirty though, as you can see in the pictures. I held the bee frames, helped Kameha reverse the hives (I hope I'm getting the lingo right!), and smoked the bees. I even located the queen bee, which Kameha was quite impressed with! To top off the whole experience, Kameha and Randy gave us honey, creamed and regular that they collected from their bees earlier this year. It was so amazing to see these tiny creatures at work. They really have an important job, and those little worker bees (ALL female by the way) literally work themselves to death. It is an incredible species, and one definitely worth saving. Who knows....maybe I'll be able add the title of "bee keeper" after my name one day!

Trick or Treat Phase 2

Halloween is much more fun (and more exhausting) with a little child. We had a little Halloween party to go to last night and on the way my precious ballerina decided to have a freak out in the car seat and in her fury proceeded to pull out her beautiful and quite perfect little pony tail. I tried to include an up close picture of her perfect pre-destroyed pony tail! At that point I was really wondering how this night was going to play out! Despite my concern, the pony was fixed, the trick or treating was exciting, and she definitely didn't mind all these people dressed up like witches, monsters, farmers, or that strange person in the unknown costume, giving her candy. We walked up a street near our house called "Scary Perry." It is similar to Christmas Street in Utah, but just all spooky decorations. The whole time I was trying to shelter Lily from the "Scream" masks, the headless woman walking around, and the sounds of shrieks,chainsaws, and She is such a fast mover these days that I was not able to get that picture perfect Halloween pose. Maybe next year. Boo!

Trick-or-Treat Phase 1

   
Tonight was our annual "trunk-or-treat" which is put on by our church.  Typically, people pull their cars up to the sidewalk that surrounds the church and hand out candy from the trunks.  It rained all day today, so we were inside for the event, but it was still fun!  Lily was a beautiful little ballerina and she really had fun tonight.  

She danced to the music, played all the games, colored, collected plenty of candy, and tried her hardest to rip open all the candy wrappers with her teeth!  It was so much fun to see her smile and laugh with excitement.  She is growing up, it's all happening too fast!  Until next week, enjoy these pre-Halloween pics!

Florida for Mommy!

So just a quick post....I went to Florida last weekend with my co-workers for a wedding without

Ryan and without Lily.  It was the first time I have been away from Lily, and you know what? We all survived!  I had a wonderful time with my friends and the wedding was so beautiful and so much fun!  

Thank you Marissa for getting married and inviting all of us to be a part of it, and thank you Ryan and Grandma Debbie for making it possible for me to go!  

Thank you to the beautiful Hyatt Regency in Fort Myers...I almost cried when I walked in it was that beautiful.  Thanks to Kim, my wonderful roommate!  She truly makes everything so much fun!  I don't know the last time I just relaxed by a pool, went down a crazy water slide, ate lots of yummy food, and truly danced the night away!!!  It was a blast!  I wish I could dance every weekend, obviously I miss my dancing days!  It was terrific, thanks again Marissa and congratulations!

Amish Town USA!

Wow! Two posts in two days! Since we had a little holiday, Columbus Day and Ryan was off, we took a day trip up to Lancaster, PA. We stopped in a little town called Intercourse, yes people, that is the name. This is large Amish and Mennonite community and you really do see them in their horses and buggies, and plowing their fields. It was so interesting to see this simple way of life. We ate lunch at a traditional Amish restaurant and it was quite yummy! You should all try Shoo Fly Pie sometime. After lunch we headed to Strasburg to the old train station. If you ever have watched "Jon & Kate Plus 8," they live in this area and also went to this train station - that's my little claim to fame with this story! Anyway, we went on a wonderful train ride to see the countryside, and experience the ride on an original steam engine train. We didn't take any pictures of the Amish people out of respect to them. So after a long and fun day, Ryan and I were christened into true parenthood. We were driving on the freeway with Lily crying in the back seat. I turned around to see her with tears, coughing, the lovely snotty nose, and then it happened. I looked at Ryan and said, "She's going to throw up I know it." Sure enough, there it came. I surprised myself at how well we all handled the situation, and we still think upon our day with happiness! We hope you enjoy all the pre-puke pictures! Here are a few more!