Piano Time

I think that we may have some budding musicians on our hands here. Perhaps the piano may actually be played some day soon instead of being a shelf for all our crap.

And maybe someday, I can get Lucy to wear more than a bathing suit in the middle of winter.

Christmas with the Halecks

Although our Christmas morning was really low-key, we knew we would have much to look forward to later in the day when we celebrated Christmas with the Halecks. Kim & Adam graciously hosted the Christmas day festivities and invited us along. They moved into a new home which is lovely and can accommodate a good size group. Christmas dinner was so fantastic - turkey, beef tenderloin, and lots of yummy sides like Lion House rolls with honey butter and other things I can't remember but were delicious.

We contributed a salad which was the only part of dinner that I got a picture of because I was so busy eating after that point.

And the reason the girls' table is empty is because the three cousins are so busy playing with each other. Actually, they did a pretty good job eating and Kim did such a good job making their little table festive and fun.

Baby Rowe couldn't enjoy all the yummy food but will next year! It's amazing to think of all the new additions that have been and will be made to the family for Christmas 2013. And I can't believe how big he has become since this picture was taken (I guess it has been four months since Christmas).

The lovely tree and many more presents to open. If Lucy was disappointed from the scarcity or quality of gifts Christmas morning from mom and dad, the extended family made up for it. Olive (and Auntie Emily, Uncle Jared, and Rowe) got her a new princess dress. Marlo (and Auntie Kim & Uncle Adam) got her a Melissa & Doug stencil set and fairy doll making kit. And even though Vince and Peg weren't there, Lucy received a Melissa & Doug alphabet stamp set with paper and a cute little outfit from Naartjie from them.

I wish I got more pictures of people but we must have been so busy eating and then resting and digesting that I forgot all about it. We were so thankful to be in such great company and lovely, festive surroundings to enjoy the Christmas holiday.

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was pretty low-key. Despite our best efforts, we went to bed pretty late the night before with our Christmas preparations - getting stockings ready and wrapping gifts. I tried not to go crazy with Lucy's presents and stay within a budget but after the fact, wish I had done just a little bit more. The big indulgence was the Barbie in her stocking from Santa Claus. It wasn't expensive at all but I had been avoiding getting her a Barbie for a while. But she specifically asked for one after having so much fun playing with the neighbor's Barbie dolls. Not that I think that they are bad or have anything against them, but I guess I am trying to steer her towards something else, maybe more educational? Like the Melissa & Doug Pattern Blocks and Boards which she didn't seem too excited about when she opened (at least I got it on sale). But I found a ballerina Barbie which I thought she might like since she loves to dance. I just made sure to get the Barbie with the dark hair and purple outfit to expand her past her love of pink. I was actually really sad because I missed this great price on a Disney Princess Barbie doll at Target but I think in the end, the ballerina doll works better for her. The bigger splurge gift was some L.L. Bean snowshoes since Brandon and I have snowshoes and we thought it would be fun to go snowshoeing together as a family. Unfortunately, she tried them out once in the front yard and wasn't crazy about them - maybe next year when she is a little older.

She got a few other things in her stocking from Santa - a Disney princess flashlight to keep by her bed at night and a couple pairs of leggings. I made sure that Brandon knew he couldn't skimp on my stocking and he didn't - I got some essential oils, cookie cutters, a headlamp, and some fancy chocolates from Tony Caputos. Damian joined us as well and Santa didn't forget him either. Both Brandon and I found stuff for him so I think that his stocking was the fullest with some cured meats and cheeses from Caputos as well. My contributions to the boys stockings were less cool - things I had picked up that I appreciated more for what great deals they were and not as much for how much Brandon and Damian would like them. So the cheap chocolates, body wash, and after shave kinda just took up space but I hope could still be useful. I'll do better next year...

Brandon helped Lucy write a letter to Santa - Lucy dictated and Brandon wrote. But Lucy signed it herself - I can't believe that she is writing her name by herself. It happened all so suddenly and I'm not even sure exactly when.

Although I had already bought Lucy several gifts, Brandon felt like he should get her something as well so it would be more meaningful for him as a father. So on his shopping day, he picked up this Tangled cut-out.

Damian was so sweet and made us a yummy breakfast in the morning of french toast smothered in roasted pears with whipped cream and pomegranate seeds. Besides making us breakfast, Damian was quite generous with us as well. Lucy received a make-up kit and Hello Kitty purse from her uncle. He got us two children's books that were really cute. I also received a cookbook and Anchor glass 13x9 inch pan with a cover and travel case which I love - I really appreciate practical things I will actually use.

We were so glad that Damian could join us and put extra effort in finding a thoughtful gift for him since we are forever thankful that he let us live with him rent free for seven months while we renovated our home. I feel like we so often receive gifts that aren't very useful or meaningful or good for a laugh but then they just take up space so I thought long and hard for a gift that would actually be useful and appreciated. Since Damian enjoys cooking and experimenting in the kitchen, I found one of these:

Source

A blue Le Creuset Dutch oven at TJ Maxx which was much more reasonably priced than Amazon or Williams-Sonoma so I splurged a bit for him because I love mine so much and I knew he wanted one too. I have to admit, it was one of my prouder gift giving moments because I thought long and hard about a gift that Damian would actually want and I searched high and low for it. Damian doesn't provide wish lists so as a gift giver, you actually have to think about it.

Poor Brandon just got some slipper socks (which he ended up returning), winter hat/gloves set, and separate wind-resistant gloves from me - all things that were on his wish list but just not very exciting. This next Christmas, I will put much more effort into my husband's gifts. Although we sometimes end up gifting ourselves after the holidays - Brandon treated himself to a Big Jam Box (a wireless bluetooth speaker that I initially thought was pointless but is actually kinda cool).  Brandon got me a new non-stick pan and a stainless steel pan because my original non-stick Calphalon set that we got when we were married are not in the best condition. However, I ended up returning them because I still want to do some research into what pots and pans I want as a replacement (and I just don't have very much room in my kitchen). Then I renewed my gym membership for the year instead (which was much more expensive but worth it, I hope).

Christmas Eve at Heidi's

Even though we have a lot of family living far away across the country and across the world, we feel really fortunate for the family and friends that we do live close enough to spend time with, especially for the holidays. Heidi was gracious enough to host Christmas Eve at her house down in Provo. We dined well - yummy appetizers, soups, and sandwiches were served in abundance. And lets face it - any evening that I don't have to prepare dinner is a good one.

Heidi even provided entertainment for the kids - blank wooden ornaments and a huge array of markers to color and decorate them. Genius! Kept the girls busy with minimal fighting.

And I think anyone with a child wishes that Heidi could be their nanny - she is so good with kids! Looking at these pictures, I can't believe how much bigger my nephew Rowe is already. These babies grow up fast!!

And not only is Heidi awesome with kids, she is super generous and thoughtful with gifts. She got the girls these adorable Hello Kitty leotards and tutus from H&M. Huge hit with the girls.

In addition, Auntie Heidi got the girls fabric tablecloths with fabric markers so they girls could draw on them.

And of course, all the parents got their own children new pajamas. I got such a good deal on Lu's pajamas from Gymboree (I even got a free onesie for her baby brother and free shipping on my order). But Lucy eventually ended up letting Olive borrow her pajamas for a while because they were too big. Now Lucy is getting hand-me-downs from Olive.

I love what good friends these cousins are. It makes family get-togethers so much fun when they can play together. If only we could get the rest of our family out here!

Feeling Christmas

This past Christmas felt kinda special because it was really the first Christmas we had spent in our home since we moved. Last year (2011), we were living with Brandon's brother, Damian, while we were renovating our house. The year before that (2010), we went on the almost-cruise and Brandon's mother passed away. So while I am usually not very ambitious when it comes to the holidays, I put a little extra effort in for 2012.

My sister, Elaine, mailed a lovely Christmas package to us that included lots of Christmas tree ornaments and a darling Advent she ordered from Etsy. I will be honest - I just hung up the Advent calendar but I never filled them with anything (apparently, the little ornaments she included in the package were supposed to be placed in the bags but I didn't figure that out on my own). There is always next year though...

Our neighbors are always so thoughtful at Christmas and we get an assortment of goodies delivered to our home (even when we weren't living there!). It is kinda tradition to make these "bomb" cookies as my family has affectionately nicknamed them for Christmas although I haven't made them for the past two years. They are pretty much sugar cookies with a Milky Way inside and M&Ms on top. Quite addicting to eat but a big enough hassle that I only make them once a year. Brandon illustrated the cute drawing of Santa and printed them on some business cards for our neighbors and friends. I think I made a total of four batches which might have been too much because I ate a fair amount myself.

Our lovely Christmas tree. The past two years, we have ordered our Christmas tree from the Prince of Peace Lutheran church which sells Christmas trees as a fundraiser. I am kinda a tree snob and really like Noble Fir trees and they seem to have the best price. And it is kinda more fun than just going to Lowes. I know it would be even lovelier to actually go out and cut down a Christmas tree but that is just too much effort for me. Like I said, I'm not that ambitious when it comes to the holidays.

My mother-in-law got me this kokeshi doll set for Christmas many years ago. I have always wanted a nativity set and this was perfect as my husband likes to remind me that I am the ultimate Japanophile. I think that her friend owns this company that distributes kokeshi dolls - they come us as one of the first search results in Google. Some day, I will get the rest of the set.

Lucy got this cute ornament from her Grandma that Christmas too. I think I will have to order this one for her baby brother:

Or maybe this one if he wants to be a ninja:

Or this samurai one - apparently, his middle name, Yasujiro, is a samurai name:

I'm usually not a fan of such trinkets (or spending so much money) but Christmas is a special occasion. Mom - maybe you can keep an eye out on a better price in Japan!

And although we don't utilize our fireplace very well (our couch sits in front of it), it was nice to have a place to hang our stockings and display our Christmas cards.

The piano doesn't get played very much (at all?) in our home, it sure is a great place to display our Christmas decorations!

Gingerbread Jamboree - December 19, 2012

I am seriously in love with all the activities at the library. I was so excited for the Gingerbread Jamboree and there were several dates for this activity I could choose from because it was scheduled at each city library branch. Of course, I procrastinated until the very last one but at least we made it.

For some reason, I thought that the activity would be making gingerbread houses but it was just decorating gingerbread cookies. I have never made a gingerbread house with Lucy but then again, I have never decorated gingerbread cookies with her either so it was just as well and probably a little more at her level anyway.

We were joined by my good friend, Cassie and her son, Porter who always seem up to join us in our adventures. It's so nice to have another adult to talk to with a child who can play with and help entertain your own.

Lucy kept things pretty simple - she is quite particular with her crafts and how she decorates. And she didn't even go crazy eating all the candy. Five cool mom points earned!

Discovery Gateway Crafts

Since we have a Discovery Gateway membership and Lucy is getting old enough to really enjoy crafts and I was more motivated to have fun activities to do with Lucy since I was putting so much time into my yoga class, I decided to take advantage of the free craft classes at our local children's museum. I think that both Lucy and I really thrive on structure and even though the crafts are fairly simple, let's be honest - I know I wouldn't put them together on my own at home.

We had the choice to make flower leis or candy leis - candy won out for every single kid there.

I have no idea where this pose came from. She was doing the same thing in St. George over Thanksgiving. Something she picked up in preschool or daycare?

I guess she just really likes to give the thumbs up - sometimes sideways though.

And of course, crafts aren't the only things to do at Discovery Gateway. The pretend grocery store is always a big hit. The girl loves to shop already...just like her momma. Well, I guess she is actually the cashier in the above picture.

And since we have a 4-person membership to the museum, Olive and Emily often meet up with us in Salt Lake and come with us.

This time, they made popcorn on the cob. They ate most of the popcorn - hopefully, not with any glue on it.

Love what good friends these cousins are.

Thanksgiving in St. George - November 21-25, 2013

Thanksgiving ended up in sunny St. George this past year and surprisingly, the entire Dayton family was able to attend. We hadn't really planned for it since we had just been together a few months earlier for our Dayton Family Vacation in California. But it worked out that everyone was kinda free to get together again, so we figured, why we don't?

Those of us who live in Utah (Damian, Ethan, Brandon, Lucy, and I) all drove down together in the Blaster (nickname for the Ford Expedition usually reserved for towing the boat down to Lake Powell) from Salt Lake. Buffalo family (Brandon's dad, Adrian, Natalie, and Taylor) flew in from New York, and California/Arizona family (Cameron, Erin, and their five kids - Olivia, Owen, Morgan, Aeva, and Beatrice) made the long drive from California to Arizona and then to St. George.

A big shout-out has to go to my sister-in-law, Natalie, who was already 32 (or 34?) weeks pregnant and made the long flight out and had just flown out over a month earlier to support her husband during the St. George marathon (which we got to come out to as well). We also stayed in Natalie's family's brand new, gorgeous vacation home that we had in October so we were very comfortable (with the exception of poor Ethan and Damian who didn't get their own beds or bedrooms - they deserve brownie points for their great sacrifice).

Damian was in charge of the dressing and made two different types - one in the crockpot and one in the oven. You can see some of the apple pies that I made in the background - 4 apple pies and 2 custard pies.

Lucy loved sitting on the counter in the kitchen munching away on bread and watching the excitement. It's such a treat for her to spend time with her Dayton cousins who she doesn't get to see that often.

Adrian and Natalie took care of green beans.

And Grandpa Dayton gave the grandkids lots of love and attention.

We had our Thanksgiving dinner with Brandon's Aunt Liz and Uncle Lyman in their home with some of their family and I wish that I had taken a picture of the amazing spread but I was much too busy eating. 

We took a little hike up the canyon the day after Thanksgiving to work off the calories. Here is Lucy hamming it up for the camera:

More of the grandkids taking a rest at the top and enjoying the beautiful weather.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving was my 29th birthday and Brandon was extremely thoughtful to bring my favorite fruit tart from Cafe Normandie all the way from Salt Lake to St. George in the cooler (with some help from his brother, Damian). It may have gotten a little squished on the car ride down and I may have accidentally discovered it in the fridge but it still tasted wonderful. I was treated to a prenatal massage in the morning at the Sagestone Spa at Red Mountain Resort and my sister-in-law, Natalie kept me company and got one as well. Then Damian watched Lucy for us as Brandon and I had dinner. When we returned, Erin had made me a birthday cake and the whole family sung happy birthday to me and my nieces and nephews made me a bunch of birthday cards. It was a sweet and lovely birthday and Thanksgiving weekend.