Merry Christmas

Since we are away from our families in Idaho we are putting pictures of our Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning up for them to enjoy. We've had a really great time together, and Sam has been so fun because he was actually excited about Santa this year. First here's a picture of the roses that Shawn got me for our 5th Anniversary. He surprised me and took me to Kansas City, we he "wined and dined" me, it was great!

I had to put this picture in b/c I think Sam's bedhead puts my mom's crazy morning hair to shame!

We tried to get Sam to pose for a picture by the tree, but he really didn't want to cooperate, and you can tell by the pout on his face, if you can see past his chubby cheeks.


Here's our pjs -





In fact, he was so excited about his Blue Lightning McQueen, that he didn't want to open the rest of his presents! What a kid, the smallest gift is the only one he wanted - he told me that he was "all done with presents" Santa brought Sam a Blue McQueen, Buzz Light Year, Thomas Engine Shed, Books, Cars Mat, and More Cars stuff. Sam also got a great Mater pillow from Piper, and an awesome Snow man Kit and books from Carson, and a huge inflatable gym from Grandma Summers.



Shawn got a Karoake game and he's already quite the horrible singer - yikes!




We were all pretty spoiled, so thank you to all you all! We love all of our gifts.

So we elfed ourselves . . .

I've been looking at so many other families elf creations, that I gave in and made our own. Its at http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1582977870 But I have to say the bodies and the faces were definetly screwed up as far as dancing capabilities! Shawn got the one with the moves and I got the man body that is five beats behind everyone! Oh well, here's Shawns opportunity to have a big chest. Enjoy.

Here are some fun new pictures: 1st is Sam in the snow - I think he looks so cute in this hat.

2nd Shawn's 27th Birthday, luckily Sam was there to help blow out the candles!


Shawn loves chocolate anything, so I made him some browning pudding, and it was good stuff.
3rd - Sam got a book bag from Grandma Julianne and he's already started to pack up his toys and is ready to go to see "his kids" (his cousins).

4th - Shawn's Aunt and Uncle (Steve and Debbi) sent the perfect Christmas gift, Cars ornaments! Needless to say, Sam was thrilled, and we've hung them on our tree. They do clash a little with our green and gold ornaments, but they are so cute.

Sights of Christmas

We've finally got all of decor up and we think it looks pretty good. Shawn is the man!


Sam and I (mostly me) made a gingerbread house the other day. I found the best recipe for frosting. It is actually called gingerbread house mortar b/c is works so well. Seriously I didn't have to use any supports to keep the crackers up on the roof, just the frosting. Here's the recipe.


2 Egg Whites
1/8 tsp cream of tartar
1/8 tsp vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar

Beat egg whites and cream of tarter until it begins to peak. Add vanilla and powdered sugar mix well. Use immediately or cover with a damp cloth for 3-4 hours. Happy Gingerbread house making!

Faith in America

On Thursday Gov. Mitt Romney gave a speech about Faith in America, due to the questions regarding his LDS faith. (You can watch the speech on http://mitt-tv.mittromney.com/?showid=718280) I have been really interested on this issue throughout his run for office - seeing what he will say and what he won't say. Part of me wants for him to come out and bear his testimony like an 8 year-old primary child, and the other part wants the media to back off and stop counting the times he actually said "Mormon" during his speeches (oh, it makes me so angry when they critize him for not saying he's "Mormon" - when when will they realize that its a nickname and that he is actually a Latter-day Saint!!. I have such a deep interest to see how he represents us, that I find myself wanting him to say more. What is your opinion on Mitt and the media?

Two Big Men!!

Sam is pretty excited to have a dad after about three months of Shawn practically living at school - he and Sam are best buds. Shawn's not very fun to play play dough with though b/c he makes my creations look like blobs of dough.



He and Sam also shaved together, male bonding you know . . .



And finally - Santa. Sam has been dying to see Santa so he can ask for a blue Lightning McQueen, Chick, and Dinico King. When it actually came down to talking to Santa though, Sam got a little nervous, but Santa was nice enough to read an entire story to Sam.

Ho - Ho - Ho!

More fun pictures. Sam and I made a fort the other day and he thought I was the world's coolest mom! We got him a flashlight and a pillow and blanket, he was ready to live in there permantely.


Shawn got our Christmas tree yesterday! Shawn didn't think it was that big when he got it, but when he brought it home and tried to put it in our old tree stand, it couldn't handle the weight. So instead of getting a smaller tree, we have got a bigger stand!!! Its big and beautiful!
We also have had our first ice storm of the year and its a doozy! Our windows looked like they're frosted or glazed, but believe it or not that is ice caked on our front window this morning.


Finally, Sam cracks me up to no end, and though you can't see it, there is a piece of paper underneath him. Sam likes me to trace his hands and feet, but he after he got the paper and a pen ready, he layed down and said, "Mommy do my tummy!" I died laughing, but also was so impressed by his little intelligent mind. Like mother like son!! So we traced his tummy and complete with belly button.

Video

I had some fun videos that I had taken on our digital camera this summer, and thought I would share them with you all. The top is of Shawn water skiing in Island Park. The bottom is of Sam riding his bike down a steep sidewalk!

Lots A Stuff!

So in the past couple of weeks a lot of things have happened - 1st: BYU beat the U!!! I have to say watching that game is really a spiritual experience for me. It brings tears to my eyes everytime the Cougs pull it off against all odds. And for you Ute fans all I can say is "Niener, niener, Neiner!"

2nd: Shawn had a suprise Birthday present and we went to Brian Regan. If you haven't heard of him, then you don't know Shawn! He loves him. He's a really funny, clean comedian, and Shawn was totally surprised which made it even better.

3rd: We went to Colorado for Thanksgiving and stayed with Shawn's sister Brigit. We had a great time with their kids and Shawn's parents. We went sky diving!! At a place that simulates the actual thing - it was great. Although I had a hard time not smiling, which caused me to spit all over my face!

We also hit the day after Thanksgiving sale and Shawn finally got what he's been wanting for three years! A new TV!! We had to basically strap all of our luggage on top of our car to get it home but its here and he's loving it!

New York Reunion

I'm a lucky girl! Last week I was able to meet up with five of my roommates from BYU in New York. We had a great time sight seeing and eating, but mostly laughing! I'm sure people thought we were really wierd and that we were still in college or high school for that matter. Oh, well Girls will be Girls!

Why A New Blog?

So as an explanation - we had alot of our friends looking at our other blog: thesummerfam.blogspot.com, which we share with Shawn's sister Brigit, and they were a little confused. We decided like Brigit, to just start our own. This way we can add our BYU stuff, books, and music without driving everyone else crazy!

Ka - Chow Sam's New PJ's

Grandma Julianne sent Sam his new favorite clothes - Cars PJ's. He loves them, he literally tore off his clothes and put them on for the rest of the day. Thanks mom!