Surprise!

My mom surprised me and came out for my birthday!

Scott sent me and a friend to get massages in the morning.  

While we were gone, he and the kids went to the airport to pick up my surprise.

Shortly after I got home, Scott came home from "running errands" with my gift.

I was so thrilled!  Lots of planning between Scott and friends to make it happen.

That night we went to our favorite restaurant, Flemings.

Ordered my favorite meal.  A petite filet, oscar style. Delicious.

We then went to Les Miserables.  A true gift from my mom, she isn't much of a movie goer.  

I think that last time we went to the movies I was 8.

Overall I thought the movie was great, I bawled my eyes out.

We've had a bit of cabin fever lately, so the next day we took "Alec" sledding. 

We finished off the weekend with a trip to the temple.  So glad for all the quality time!

Christmas 2012

The kids new ornaments for the year..

 Alec has been slightly obsessed with trains.

And Ava has been nothing short of a princess.

My new Christmas decorations.

 

My one Christmas craft, homemade snow globes.

Grandma Smith came out for a visit the weekend before Christmas. 

 Alec soaked up all the attention he could get.

My Christmas Eve table. We made a ham and tri-tip dinner.

Ava waiting for her Christmas Eve guests.

We had a few families over for dinner, Christmas stories and singing.

The Polar Express...I guess his two leather recliners (and sherpa chair) weren't doing the job.

We finished the night off with the Nativity story.

 

Christmas morning Alec's wildest dreams came true!  He got his very own Thomas the Train set.

(notice the starburst jelly beans in hand?  they were his breakfast)

Do you think Ava loved her one gift?  This girl is all teeth lately!

Ava quickly became godzilla to Alec's new pride and joy.

So we spent the afternoon glue gunning his entire track.

Alec's brunch.  He ate pure sugar all day until about 4 in the afternoon.

 

Life doesn't get much better...

Insurance

Just to be certain that Santa remembered what we wanted for Christmas, we made another visit.

Family Pictures 2012

I only wanted share my top 5 favorites, but that was just impossible. 

So here are more than a few of my favorite shots.

If every girl could be so lucky...

Christmas Nights

 

Seeing Santa

Magical

There is something truly magical about a Christmas tree.  

Especially when you are two, it is in your room and... 

 

you get to decorate it however you want!

I remember being tucked in as a child while staring at my little Christmas tree lights as I drifted off to sleep.  I feel better tucking my sweet Alec in knowing that his tree and the spirit of the season will keep him company throughout the night.