2009 Holiday Highlights

Sub for Santa

For the past couple of years my family has done Sub for Santa for a family. We have had some amazing experiences. Each family will pick one child or one adult to buy Christmas for. We have so much fun shopping for, and wrapping up their gifts. I would have to say that the best part of it all is being able to deliver the gifts and to see the excitement of the children when Santa and his elves.

Delivering the gifts with Santa.

Santa and Grandma & Grandpa Jenkins

Santa and his adorable Helpers.

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Salt Lake City Temple Lights

Salt Lake Temple in Lights

Watching the nativity on Temple Square

This year Rob and I wanted to take Karlee to see the lights on Temple Square. So along with the Westons, we headed to Temple Square. We had so much fun. It was cold, probably 20º, so we just bundled up extra so that we stayed nice and warm, which we did. I think that we will make this one of our holiday traditions.

Rob with his sister Sally

Rob and his dad with the two little ones.

Rob and I at the reflection pond

These two were probably the warmest of us all.

Our Christmas 2009

Our Christmas 2009 started early this year with us heading up north to the Weston's on the 22nd of December. Why the 22nd? Well for two very important reasons: Rob's sister Holly's 30th Birthday Bash, and the BYU bowl game (we don't have cable and really wanted to watch the game). So we started our Christmas celebrating early this year. We had a really fun time. We got to relax and have lots of family time. Karlee had a good time with her two cousins Cody and Bo Daniel.

Christmas Eve Dinner - Oh so pretty!

We had Christmas Eve at Holly's home - her place was decorated to fun. Loved her table. We had a yummy dinner of ham, potatoes, and salad. We exchanged and opened our presents from each other. It really was a good way to get ready for Santa.

"T'was the Night before Christmas". She gave each of the kids their own colored copy of the story. Karlee loves a good book, and couldn't wait to have Grandma read her the story.

Christmas morning Santa found us at the grandma and grandpa's. We all had a wonderful Christmas. Karlee loved all her new presents. We got some wonderful gifts, and mostly had a great time with family.

Karlee's little people's castle. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Weston. The little castle plays music while the princess and the prince dance. It has lots of fun little accessories for the little people to enjoy their life in the castle.

Sally gave Karlee this little vanity. It seriously is the cutest thing I have seen. And Karlee has really taken a liking to it. The blowdryer works, and there are two different colors of lipstick and fingernail polish (all pretend ofcourse). - Way to go Sally!

Rob and I had a really nice Christmas. Rob sporting his new BYU jacket!

Holly gave Rob a wii game called Samba de Amgio. We all had a great time playing it. Heres Laurel and Rob, getting into it. Honestly you can't help but get your body going while playing this game.

Merry Christmas from the Weston's

So we decided as of late to do a christmas card this year. I am not sure what I was thinking, as most of you will be getting a card late! So lets just say that it will be our New Year's card. Anyways... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Our Little Karlee - Milestones

Karlee 22 months

Our Karlee is 22 months old this month. I know I know its not a major milestone. But its been awhile since I have done any "month milestones" and well that's just fun. Plus I am sure you are all dying to see many more pictures of our little Karlee. She really is growing up. She will be 2 years old in just a couple months. Wow!!!!

Some of the wonderful things that Karlee has been up to are:
Communicating - She is such a big talker. She has already figured out how to form sentences, such as: "I want more..., Pleaseeeeee." She really is catching onto the whole English language and loves to repeat what she hears. So far so good.

Socializing - She really is a socialite. She loves to go and play with all the kids in our neighborhood. She loves to be outside. Good thing we have descent weather most of the year.

Praying - This is really pretty cute. She will fold her arms and start and start by saying: 'Heavenly Father', then she gets quiet, and waits for a little bit and then says 'Amen' (even when the prayer is not over).

Coloring - now if we can just get her to color on paper, and not the walls, our couches, our kitchen tile, and I am sure other places that I have yet to discover.

Bath Time - continues to be a highlight of her day. She says it so cute. 'I want to take a bathhhh or showerrrr' - whatever she is feels like that day.

Getting her shoes & socks on - She absolutely loves to put her shoes and socks on because that means she is going to either go outside and play with the other neighbor kids or she is going to run errands with mom or dad.

Car Rides - Really I am surprised how lucky we are that Karlee enjoys car rides. She has been in the car a lot more than I had hoped for, but she takes it all in stride. She will take naps or just sit quietly looking outside the windows...

Brushing her teeth - this girl loves, and when I say loves, she LOVES to brush her teeth. She can be seen with a toothbrush in her hands/mouth much of the day. I guess that is a good thing.

One day while playing outside with the kids.

Karlee loves to balance her body on things lately.

Brushing those pearly whites!

Christmas Lights and Santa Clause x 2

This past week we have been able to see Santa at our ward Christmas party and at our neighborhood clubhouse. We had a feeling this year would be Karlee's year to want nothing to do with Santa. And well she did not disappoint. While we stood in line (thank goodness they were both super short) Karlee did really well, and would point and wave to Santa. The closer we got to Santa the more Karlee wasn't sure about this guy. As expected she completely lost it - full out tears. I just love the picture with Rob holding her - probably cause Rob is laughing and Karlee is so devastated. Our neighborhood has a Santa come to our clubhouse every year, and we look forward to him. In my opinion he is probably the best Santa that I have seen. This Santa has every detail mastered, from the beard down to the white eye lashes. So magical! Once again Karlee didn't disappoint us, she wanted nothing to do with Santa as the picture shows - maybe next year. We can only hope. So scratch this option for our Christmas card.

Rob, Karlee & Santa at our Ward Christmas party.

Karlee and Santa at our clubhouse.

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Wednesday night Rob's work schedule changed so we made a trip to the St. George temple to walk and look at their Christmas light displays. Oh they were beautiful. This was our first time walking the St. George temple grounds at Christmas time. It was alot of fun. Karlee even had an enjoyable time looking at all the beautiful lights. I think her highlight was watching the lights turn on and off during the reading of the nativity. She loved the shepherds sheep, and the 'moo' cow.

The Nativity on the temple grounds.


Temples are so glorious at night.

Enjoying the Christmas Lights.

Loving the lights!

Let the Christmas Joy begin!

Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

I really haven't had much to blog about lately, and I feel bad since this is pretty much my public journal. I will try to do better to document (at least for myself).

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As for today: I have been looking forward to tonight all December. Tonight (the first Sunday of December) was the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. For me it is just what I need to get into the Christmas mood. Our stake did not broadcast it this year due to a lack of participation last year. I was pleased to be able to watch it in the comforts of our home. We all snuggled up together on our bed, and watched it on our computer (gotta love today's technology). It was really nice. All the messages were so beautifully given, and the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra were amazing. The choir began the devotional with one of my most favorite Christmas songs -- the Messiah by Handel - it was so powerful. I only could imagine what it must have been like to be in the Conference center when this was being performed. WOW. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, shared the importance this Christmas season to find Christ in Christmas. President Henry B. Eyring, spoke of the importance of Finding Christ in our daily lives throughout this Christmas Holiday and the rest of our lives. He shared the Christmas story written in the Bible. President Thomas S. Monson, shared a beautiful story - I just love his stories. Once it is available I will post it at the end of this post. So that I may have it recorded. President Monson also encouraged us all to avoid the 'Over Doing' this holiday season, and to spend our time with family and in the service to others. He also said that it wont be the gifts that we receive this season that we will remember, it will be the memories that we create with our family and friends that we will remember.

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I am so excited to be able to celebrate this Christmas holiday with my family. I am truly grateful for the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I don't predict many presents around our tree this year but I know that what was said tonight in the Christmas Devotional is what truly matters and is what we will all remember in many years to come.