The Greatest Gift

Our Christmas was wonderful! It has been so much fun having all of our families together and spending time laughing and enjoying one anothers company. It truly is what Christmas is all about.

This year was so much fun with Sadie, she really embodies the magic and spirit of Christmas and there is nothing quite like seeing Christmas through her eyes. She is a reminder of everything good and how it is always better to give than to receive. We were able to participate in a Secret Santa this year and she was more than willing to donate some of her gifts. We told her there was a little girl just her age that wasnt getting anything for Christmas and it about broke her heart. Whenever we went shopping she would always remind me that this little girl needed things too. We are thankful we have been blessed with everything we need and still have the opportunity to share with others.

My two favorite memories of this year will always be watching Charlie and Sadie making a card for Santa and setting out the treats for him and the reindeer. She was so excited she could hardly contain herself.

The second was placing a small present underneath Sadies tree in her room. We told her if she woke up and there was a present under her tree it meant that she had been a good girl and that Santa had come to check on her in the night. We got her a necklace with a Polynesian ivory carving of a flower. I wish I could have got her reaction on tape, it was priceless!

Some more pictures...

I started doing some sewing before Christmas and made Sadie five pairs of pajama bottoms and a blanket. I forgot how fun it was to sew and now thanks to Charlie I can start sewing up a storm, he got me a new sewing machine!

New "Big Girl" Booster Seat

Sadie's New Box Full of Dress Up Stuff
We hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Looks Who Calling...

Sadie has had one heck of a December and needed some cheering up today,

so we scheduled a special phone call from

SANTA CLAUSE!!!

The anticipation of the call was almost too much for her to bear, it was well worth the wait.

If you have any kiddies who wouldn't mind a personal FREE phone call from the big guy, check this link out!

http://www.holidayphonecalls.com/?banner=smithsfoodanddrug

Oh Christmas Tree!!!

We started a new tradition this year for Christmas, we got Sadie her very own tree and let her decorate it. Last week, a friend of ours posted pictures on her blog about her girls putting up their trees and I thought it was a perfect idea. Sadie was so thrilled and spent a lot of time placing the ornaments just right on the tree. It also doubles as a night light...thanks Cassie for the great idea!

We started putting our big tree up last week and it has been quite the headache. We got our tree out of storage and had it all set up and started decorating it and the middle sections of lights went out. Being the stubborn person that I am, I was determined to find the culprit and spent hours testing and replacing bulbs. After HOURS of no progress, I said the helk with it and made Charlie go and get a new tree at midnight on Saturday night. I woke up Sunday with a horrible toothache and have been sick the last two days so the tree decoration was put on hold. I finally started feeling better today (thanks to a root canal) and finished our big tree. As I was taking pictures, Sadie walked in and said, "that is so amazing!" She is obsessed with the big candy cane swirls and will pull them out of the tree and act like she is licking a sucker.

I love having the house all Christmasy...I may leave it all up until May.

Sadie had to take a picture with the amazing tree!

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

It's Official!!!

Ha ha...no, not that!

I am excited to announce that my cake business, For the Love of Cake is being featured on Give Away Today starting next week. Give Away Today is celebrating its birthday, so I am giving away a FREE birthday cake!

We also have our own giveaways every month, so check them out!

A Star is Born!!!

Sadie had her first gymnastics meet a few weekends ago and it was awesome! She did so well and she loved showing off her skills. We are so proud of her, she went out there and really gave it her all. There is something so exciting about watching your child perform, Charlie and I were grinning from ear to ear. Way to go, Sadie!

Warming Up

Sadie and Devin

Sadie and Grandma Joy
Sadie receiving her medal

Halloweenie!

Halloween was a huge success and Sadies costume was an even bigger hit! She was the cutest Minnie Mouse and she loved every minute of trick or treating. As she would run from house to house, she would yell to us, "this is amazing" or "this is so awesome!" By the end of the night, I think her treat bag weighed more than her. When we got back to our house, the U of U game had just ended and our neighborhood was full of people coming back from the game, so Charlie and Sadie stood at our driveway and passed out candy to everyone. It was a great night to spend together as a family!!!

The Loot
Sadie's preschool also had a Halloween Party last week. She was so excited to wear her costume to school. They did a parade throughout the Education building and had lots of fun games and activities.

Sadie and Teacher Tammy...Sadie adores her
Sadie with Teacher Lindsay

Is it too early to start planning next years costume???

Beautiful Seattle in Pictures

Our trip to Seattle was wonderful...what a beautiful, amazing city!!!

Caking!

I have been baking, or caking as Sadie calls it, up a storm the last couple of weeks. I have been trying new techniques and using some fun new cake decorating tools. I must say, I am throughly addicted to making cakes. Even Sadie has become a "caker." She will sit with me while I decorate the cakes sneaking little pieces of fondant here or some frosting there.

I had my cake blog revamped and I LOVE the results. I now have a blog button (grab one for your blog, you know you want too)! I appreciate all of you who have commented or entered the giveaways. Its always nice to display something you have worked hard on and get positive feedback.

Check it out HERE!

Are you ready for some Football???

We went to the Utes football game last night and it was an absolute blast! It was the very first college football game for me and Sadie. We got tickets to five home games this year and we have pretty good seats. Last year, our neighborhood would turn into a sea of red whenever there was a game and we wanted to get in on the action this year.
Sadie thought it was awesome that HER school was playing and was constantly yelling, "Go Utes." She LOVED the marching band and spent most of her time dancing around. I think the majority of people around us were laughing at her instead of watching the game.
It was a beautiful night for a football game and our Utes WON!

Walking to the game...

Sadie and Mommy enjoying the game


Speaking of football...Charlie and I are super excited for our little vacation to Chicago in December to see the Chicago Bears play at Soldier Field! Charlie is a die hard Bears fan and I wanted to do something fun and unique for his 30th birthday. It was supposed to be a surprise but I couldnt contain my excitement and when the tickets came I told Charlie to get his bags packed! The look on his face was priceless, I wish I had a picture of it.