mele kalikimaka

It seems Christmas just keeps getting better and better each year. Part of it is that Emmett's getting older and makes everything more fun, and part if it that the list of things I have to be grateful for just keep growing and growing.

This post is going to be mostly pictures, so get ready for an overload!

We kicked off Christmas a week early with the Ericksons up in Idaho. The granchildren had so much fun baking sugar cookies with Grandma, and having their very own decorating stations. Unfortunately I think I consumed most of them (as usual). Emmett got his fun pegboard from Grandma and lots of Play-doh toys from his cousin Julia.

After returning to Utah, we did our annual tradition of going to see the Christmas lights at Temple Square (isn't it everybodys?)  I love seeing how majestic the grounds look, there's such a special spirit felt there. It was FREEZING, so it's a good thing we all had the scarves and headbands Grandma Whittaker knitted us!

Jared and I also took Emmett to see the Festival of Lights, which we told him was the "North Pole". He loved it!

Finally it was Christmas Sunday, so we dressed in our holiday best! (Jared did too, but someone had to take the photo)

We went and spent the night up at my parents on Christmas Eve with the rest of my family. As you can see I had lots of fun playing with the Christmas lights.

We played Christmas themed "minute to win it" games, which luckily weren't documented on my camera (they got pretty crazy!). We watched lots of Christmas shows, set out our cookies for Santa, and went to bed dreaming of sugar plums... 

Santa brought Emmett a bike and he was so excited!

(Almost as exited as when he saw his Captain American fan in his stocking)

And THEN he opened Gramby's present (a Mater power wheels!!) and all other presents were forgotten...haha. Rufio was a little bent up he only got one gift, so he sat and sulked most the morning.

As you can see I undergo an outfit change, thanks to my stylish new pajamas (which I'm in at this exact moment). I know, time to get dressed right?

Thanks to all our family for making our holiday so special and memorable! We love you all!!

april showers bring may flowers

Since I've totally dropped the ball on the blog, I'm going to have to do a few catch up posts on everything we've been up to this summer. It's been a busy one - and we're loving it! With Emmett being older, he's so easy to pack-up-and-go. It has enabled us to do lots of fun things.

Here's some pictures from the month of May -

Going on a bike ride with his bud Will

Wrapped up as a present for Mother's Day :)

This is a trip we took to Thanksgiving Point.

And I couldn't get over the fact that this horse had a moustachio!! Haha!

 Emmett was introduced to the joy of horseback riding

My Grandparents drove all the way out from Sacramento in May, and it was so much fun getting to see them! I miss them a lot since we've moved. It had been almost a couple years since I'd seen them last! Emmett warmed right up like he'd known them all along.

Emmett & Lolo (Great Grandpa Whitttaker)

And here they're joined by Lola

Here I am with both my Grandmas

Then it was finally time for Kaity's Graduation! She looked great and I'm so proud of her for all her hard work!

And I can't forget about our trip to the Bean Museum at BYU!

This is an actual "Liger!" Apparently they weren't just made up on Napoleon Dynamite! She was from the Hogle Zoo.

 We told Emmett this was "Lion King"

Pumbaa!!

This bear was terrifying to even stand next to. I love this picture because Emmett is up on Jared's shoulders and the bear still towers over them significantly! I wonder if he was actually a result of hunting?!

One month covered, two to go! :)

our holly jolly christmas

We had such a great Christmas this year, and loved being able to spend time with both sides of the family. We were able to do our "express Christmas" (Modern Family anyone?) with my family a few days before Christmas, and then head up to Rexburg and spend 5 days with the Ericksons. There's nothing like spending the holidays with family - and we really had the best of both worlds.

I love reflecting on our Savior's birth each year. The combination of Christmas and New Year's really helps me see the great blessings and growth our family has experienced. Adding that to the gratitude I feel for the life of Jesus Christ, leaves my heart so full of joy and peace.

Here's a glimpse of the great times we had with the Whittakers this year.

                                          Showing off the "sisters are best friends" necklaces we all gave each other.

                                                                               Here's a close-up

Loved his little car from Gamby so much we had to pack it up to Idaho!

And here's some fun shots of Christmas with the Ericksons

                                                                                                 Santa Baby
  

The hilarious Christmas Eve Pajamas Jared's mom Sherri made for the kids.
She used a vintage pattern her kids made with their grandma.

I was a little dissappointed by Emmett's reaction to his presents this year. There are a few he loved (the ones pictured) but I've actually taken a couple back already that he's shown no interest in whatsoever. His cousin Julia got a doll stroller and once he saw that - he locked on and it was all over.

Yes, Sherri is holding up a 6 pack of beer in that third picture. Jared's Dad is huge into doing meat (smoking, grilling, frying, you name it), and turns out the next gift was some kind of frying kit. We sure got a good laugh over the first part of the gift though!

Thank you to all the family who made our holiday perfect! Only 359 days til next Christmas!! Let the countdown begin :-)

Gobble Gobble Gobble

Since we're only 10 days away from Christmas, I figure I better get my Thanksgiving post in! We have been so busy this past month with Emmett growing and changing every single day. We've also been decorating, Christmas shopping, mailing out our cards (comment with your address if you haven't got one!!), and just enjoying the season in general! It is SUCH a wonderful time of year. It really is magical - beautiful, peaceful, and everybody really is nicer to each other and more charitable. I love it.

...For Thanksgiving we got to journey back up to Rexburg and visit the Ericksons. We had such a fun weekend! The drive was a little bit scary and had me clenching my fists in stress, but we traveled safely thank goodness! As always, Emmett was the star of the day in his cute little Thanksgiving outfit Grandma Roe sent him.

Love that little Turkey butt!

Hanging out with Grandpa Erickson

Jareds sister Emily has a baby (Julia) that is Emmett's exact age (they were due very same day) so it's always fun to get those two together. 

Grandma Erickson with Julia and Emmett

Giving each other the close-up inspection. They were quite fascinated with each other.

We had a delicious dinner, played games, enjoyed each others company, did some Black Friday shopping, and Sherri helped me make Jared, Emmett, and I's Christmas stockings! They are SOO cute that they deserve their own post! So that will be coming.

Notice Emmett (bottom left) joined us for dinner in his bumbo. He doesn't do well with being left out. haha

We ventured out into the snow and fed (or should I say got attacked?) the ducks/wild geese. Emmett wasn't quite sure what to think. One of the little psychos even bit my finger in its frantic fight for the bread crumb. haha.

This time of the year really makes you count all of the wonderful blessings in your life. I am so grateful to have Emmett, who I love more than anything in the world, an incredible husband, and the most amazing family I could ever ask for. I am grateful for the gospel, and the Savior's presence in my life each and every single day.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well!

Staples of my Childhood

I've been meaning to do this post for months now but have gotten so behind. Better late than never I always say!

Grandma's houses hold so many special childhood memories. Favorite games, movies, decorations that have stuck through the ages. This summer when I went and stayed at my Grandma Whittakers, I decided to document all the "staple" items that were trademarks of Grandma and Grandpa Whittaker for my own memories. The house just wouldn't be the same without them!!

Top Left:

This is the special stone pathway to Grandma's house. Endless hours were spent hopping on one foot, playing hopscotch, practicing my balance beam... My sister Kendall is modeling it for us above.

Top right:

Grandma's special bonzai tree. Grandma's bonzai's are so coveted in her neighborhood, one

time one was completely dug up (roots and all) and stolen overnight. No lie.

Bottom Left:

 The "Green Roses" This is some special flower/cactus they have in New Mexico or something (I finally got the story behind them this summer). But my whole life I thought Grandma's garden was the coolest because she's the only person I've ever seen that had Green Roses.

Bottom Right:

The Entrance to Grandma's house with the standard Ivy and Whittaker sign

Top Left:

The reading baskets. These are scattered throughout the house. Always chock full of books (Lately Grandma gets them from "'the girls' at Curves")

Top Right:

The Ticket!! Grandma and Grandpa are constantly going to movies or as they call them "shows". Therefore the ticket can ALWAYS be spotted lying out. We've all told Grandpa on multiple occassions that the paper is pretty much obselete thanks to Fandango, but he is loyal.

Bottom Left:

 The Octagon window - Need I say more? Usually their neighbor Henry can be spotted outside of it cranking his lawnmower.

Bottom Right:

Grandma's knitting basket. Always in the same place behind her Recliner.

Top Left:

Grandma's Old-fashioned phone. This is even a replacement of the the original one. But my whole life a phone like this has hung there (I think it's cause Grandma is from England)

Top Right:

 The Hat boxes. Grandma always has hat boxes stacked around the house like this for decor. Looking at some of these pictures makes me realize how similar our decorating tastes are! haha

Bottom Left:

The twisty lamp. The living room wouldn't be the same without it

Bottom right:

 The dress up box!! This was all the grand-girls favorite part! Grandma has it stashed with lacy things, heels, etc.

Left:

The bathroom snail that always has an array of towels wrapped in it

Right:

The dust monsters. A favorite toy of grandkids under 5. Grandma was really smart tricking us all into dusting for her.. haha.

And last but not least... their beautiful backyard that Grandpa (and Grandma) spend hours a day working on. I always picture grandpa with his wireless radio headset (AM radio of course) pushing the lawnmower. The yard is always full of colorful flowers, and the tables make it perfect for family get togethers. Many Easter egg hunts have taken place in this yard. As we grew up we learned Grandma and Grandpas favorite hiding spots: the basket that hangs down from the tree, the water fountain, along the fence rail... ahh the nostalgia!

So there you have it! A detailed tour of Grandma and Grandpa Whittaker's. You can see why I loved going there so much!