Christmas Day

 Kate, first thing Christmas morning - 2011

Our morning started at 7:00 a.m. We blocked the living room so Kate came into our room and we said our morning prayer. Then we walked into the living room together. After briefly looking at her present from Santa, Kate went straight to the gifts she had selected for us at the Santa Shop at school. She had kept the contents a secret for a few weeks, I don't know how she did it. But she was so excited for us to open her gifts and didn't even want to open hers until we had each opened ours. She gave Scott a tape measure with fire flames painted on the sides and me a ring with a purple stone (my favorite color).

 Santa only gives one gift and a stocking at our house. She asked him for the pretend dog that walks and Santa delivered. P.S. this dog makes the most realistic doggy noises and movements. I sometimes think he really is real. Scott and I bought her a Barbie Castle Doll house, a bathrobe, and slippers - and the traditional Christmas Eve pajamas.

 We went to church and then to the Grandma and Grandpa Bangerter's house. Here are the grandkids: Suzie, Ashlee, Whitney, Kate, Hailey, Jake, Jessica, and Zac.

Kate and Hailey.

As always on holidays when I go to one family after the other I always forget to pull out my camera and take more pictures. But we had a fun time at the Greenleaf's also. Both our parents tried so hard to make this a memorable Christmas and we felt utterly spoiled, as always. We received the annual promises that next year they wouldn't spoil us so. We'll believe it when we see it.

So Cute!

Kate and Scott - December 20th, 2011

Window Shopping at The Grand

Kate eating her free cookie at The Grand -  December 5th, 2011

Last year and this year we went to The Grand America Hotel for the window display treasure hunt they do. We went with another family and had a wonderful time.

 Kate in front of a HUGE candy house.

 Kate's favorite window display.

Kate trying to find the hidden star - with Mom, Dad, Merlin, Elliot, Mike, and Carla Anderson.

Each time I have done this, I vow that this will be the year that Scott and I plan a getaway to The Grand because I just love the place so much. I imagine what it would be like to stay there and dream of the day that it will finally be a reality. Twelfth anniversary coming up in August, maybe this will be the year?.

Kate and Santa

Kate and Santa - December 3, 2011

Kate asked Santa for a pretend doggy that can walk (Furr Real Puppy with a remote control leash)

Sound Spelling

Kate Sound Spelling - November 2011

"Du Book of Mormon is Du Ho Famlees Not Yos" 

The Book of Mormon is the whole family's not yours.

Context: Kate pulled a Book of Mormon off the book shelf and was looking at it. This particular Book of Mormon was a replica of the first edition that Scott bought while serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Illinois. Scott felt the book was too special to be played with and he was on the phone so he didn't explain why Kate couldn't play with it. Kate went straight to her playroom to write this note so that he could read it while he was on the phone.

Confession: I'm a Total Jerk

I find it hard to admit this but yesterday, I was standing in line at the McDonald's in Walmart to get Kate a quick bite to eat before kindergarten (and that's not the worst part of it). I was crunched for time. I was second in line. I was counting my change and realizing I didn't have enough and would need to use my debit card when a dude walked right in front of me and got in line between me and the person in front of me. He didn't say anything or acknowledge me so I thought maybe he hadn't seen me. I went with my first impulse (always a mistake with me) and I blurted out, "Dude, did you just cut in line?"

He gave me this blank look. He looked helplessly at the girl in front of us. 

The girl in front turned back and asked him a question and then sweetly, even patronizingly, reprimanded him that he should've let me know that he was with the group in front of me and all.


And then it hit me...

He was in some kind of life skills group for the mentally handicapped!

And I have this Aha moment where I slap myself in the head with a two-by-four and holler at myself - "Julie - have a little consideration! I mean really!"

Yes, Robyn...

In answer to your question... We did have our pictures taken at the Lagoon parkway and also some at Farmington Bay. My genius brother took them. I can't pick which one to have enlarged and framed.
Here are a bunch of photos from the photo shoot. I'm not sure which one to pick to hang in my living room.