waxing nostalgic

There's something about the end of the year that always brings out the emotional, sentimental side of me. It is compounded by the fact that at the end of each year I am working on photo books, and a photo calendar for the coming year.

I love looking back at the pictures taken earlier in the year. I feel like each shot was just snapped yesterday, and I can remember everything that was going on in that moment. For a second I am transported back to that shot and feel the laughter bursting out of my chest when Emmett came running down the hall in the giant sombrero he found in the closet, and one flip flop. I feel the sun on my shoulders and my smile a mile wide as I spent my first summer at Seven Peaks with Emmett in his cute ladybug raft. And I feel a boiling sense of anxiety as I look at last year's birthday party and think "that can't be right. We JUST had that Shrek party, how is it time for another one?" Those are the moments I dislike, and feel saddened by the unfairness of time.
It's an uncanny feeling staring at pictures that seem so close yet so distant at the same time - Recalling every memory with perfect clarity, yet feeling as if it's a distant life so far away.

While looking at my 2013 calendar, which just arrived today, I've been overwhelmed with gratitude. I can literally count my blessings with the turn of each and every page. We've had such a great year, and been blessed with many wonderful opportunities. Moving into our first house has been such a fun, exciting step for us and enabled us to share so many family-bonding activities. The adventures of mowing our lawn for the first time and baking zucchini bread fresh from our garden...
I love our life, and I love the happiness I am able to feel again and again by looking at these captured memories. Though to anyone else it's just a picture, to me it's like a magical trip in a time machine.

Ok now this is is the part where I pull myself together, and force myself back into the present moment. In order to do so we'll look at ONE more picture - but this time I'll share it with you:

How can you not feel happy (and strong) looking at this??  :)

dear santa

 

Dear Santa,

I'm trying very hard to be good this year. There are a lot of toys I want. Please bring me a:

1.) Strider Bike (check!)

 

2.) Mater Helmet & Bell

3.) "Lawnmower" (as seen in above letter - but what he's really asking for is a power wheels quad, preferably "lightning ah-queen". He confuses it with Grandpas Lawnmower :)

4.) Kitchen

(Any kitchen will do, but this is the one mommy wants to get me. She's been scouting KSL for months and the other day she missed this one by 30 seconds. I think she almost cried.)

5.) My own Fire Station

 

 5.) Giant Pegboard (check!)

 

As you can see, my wants are small. I do not ask for much.  I can't wait for Christmas, and all the fun things we are going to do to celebrate!!

Love,

Emmett

 

novemberrrrr

November is usually pretty cold, but this one has been unique! We had a giant snowstorm Friday and Saturday, and Emmett loved every single second of it. He is still reveling in the aftermath actually.

I, on the other hand, have mixed feelings. I always love the beauty and peace of the first snowfall. The way the the world is quiet and everything is bathed in clean, powdery white.  I always feel like I've been transported into a Christmas movie.  BUT.. its not Christmas yet! The problem is after like one month,  I'm done with it and ready for spring. So the fact that it hit early this year makes me a little nervous. Am I going to be sick of it by the time Christmas rolls around?

Regardless, I am more excited about it than usual because Emmett's joy over the "no" (snow) is infectious. Plus he looks adorable bundled up in his winter coat and light-up Lightning McQueen snow boots. We've already built our first snowman, shoveled our walks (which he probably loved even more than the snowman), and I can't wait to take him sledding for the first time! Having our own yard full of snow is going to be a winter wonderland for him.

Don't mind the tag on his coat, he was too excited to even let me cut it off!

Speaking our our house, I decided it was meant for the snow. It was cute in summer, but I feel like a rooftop of snow and white topped bushes are the perfect look for this cozy little cottage.

Don't you agree?

all hallows eve

Halloween was especially fun this year because we got to celebrate it all day long. Provo is such a great city to live in and organizes so many fun family activities, especially around the holidays. I really appreciate everything they do to make our community such an enjoyable place to live.

Emmett started off first thing in the morning by dressing up and attending his preschool Halloween party.

We then spent the afternoon Trick or Treating along Center Street (one my favorite places here, hence our family picture locale- coming soon!) 

The Chinese restaurant even handed out fortune cookies :)

This cute picture was taken as part of a costume contest they did

That evening we headed over to the ward "Trunk or Treat", then headed up to my Moms for some MORE trick or treating!

From top left we've got Troy Polamalu 1 & 2, Cruella & Jasper, River Dancers 1 & 2, and Minnie Mouse (and of course my little golfer)

Until next year Halloween! We will miss you!

isn't there something wrong here?

The other day Jared and I were catching up on the latest episode of Vampire Diaries (which has really taken a turn South this season, if I may). We couldn't help but laugh at the the cheesy overdramaticized scenes between Stephen and Elena now that she's a vampire (oops, spoiler!!)

During one of their steamy little escapades, my mind wandered - as usual- and began contemplating society's current fascination with vampire love. Based off the past five year's books, movies, and TV shows, I think it's fair to say a large amount of people are enamored with this human/vampire love affair idea. Or even vampire/vampire. But what I was mulling over was... WHY?

I will admit there is a certain turn on to the whole secretive, supernatural, superhuman idea. But that concession kind of disturbs my mind a little bit.

We're intrinsically attracted to cannibalism? That's what it comes down to right? Something inside people clicks on in response to these blood sucking, human devouring vampires. We are disgusted by the thought of cannibals, yet lovestruck with vampires? Interesting...

Does it not seem a little grotesque that society in general finds this blood sucking romance to be so steamy? Perhaps its the feral, feline-like attributes that our minds enjoy?

By this point, Stephen and Elena's little romp in the woods had ended and my mind returned to the plot. But what do you think? Any thoughts??

PS anyone else wishing the whole Damon thing would happen already?!

ladies and gentleman, the greatest show on earth

I had high expectations for my 27th birthday celebration, and I think they were well lived up to. I threw a murder mystery party, and since I have a fascination with the circus, that was naturally the theme. Plus since it was the weekend before Halloween I thought it would make for some great costumes (and I was right!)

So Ladies & Gents, I present to you....The Hargrove Family Circus

 

 Here we are in all our glory, Harold & Matilda Hargrove (the Circus Owners)

Many tasty concessions were served, and each character's objectives were given out

Then the mingling / crime solving began

 

From top left: The Strong man and the Tightrope walker, The Trapeze Artist, The FBI Agent, The Tattooed Man and the Skinny woman, the Clown (AKA the Murderer!), the Knife Thrower and Sword Swallower

The Trapeze Artist Part II, The Ringmaster and his assistant FuManchu, The Deputy and the Animal Trainer, The Ticket Taker and the Lion Tamer, The Clown murdering Ariel Swinger, Animal Trainer(again) with the Acrobat

And a few more family shots for good measure. 

It was such a fun and memorable night, and I am so grateful to have such wonderful friends and family to share it with. I live for hosting big events, so everyone making time and participating was the perfect gift. It's going to be hard to top this one!