downtown date night

we took tatum on a christmas date downtown (another one of our advent calendar activities).
we shopped at the gateway & city creek (he even saw the big man in red himself).
we met up with todd's family for dinner at biaggi's, then enjoyed the lights at temple square... along with everyone else in the state of utah!
oh and don't forget the "choo choo train" rides back and forth (tate's favorite).
such a great night!

tate is at such a fun age this year for christmas, so i'm doing my best to squeeze and savor it all in!

can't get enough of that cute face in his reindeer hat!

 {apparently he's taken on a new bad habit: nail biting}

Bachelor gang

It's pretty bad when not only are all the girls suckered into The Bachelor, but all the guys (and babies) get suckered in too. Ok, maybe half the time it's the popcorn... but hey, it's our guilty pleasure. Here's to Monday nights!

{photos by Allie}

Christmas Day!

We all awoke just before 8am and rushed downstairs to see if Santa had come! We opened presents, took lots of pictures, and munched on Berry Kix (Tate's favorite)! We rushed through the morning and zipped up to Chase's parents before church. We did our sibling gift exchange, opened presents and ate a delicious breakfast. Shortly after, we attended church.  Our church service was only an hour and it was great to attend ON Christmas Day. I really wish Christmas as on Sunday every year. Perfect reminder.  We came home, took some much needed naps, and then my parents stopped by and spoiled us with more gifts! We spent the night at home, watching Cars 2 and snuggling on the couch.  It was the perfect, quiet, evening to a perfect crazy day!

Thank you to everyone for making this another wonderful Christmas!  We love you!

**side note**

At church, I told my aunt Melanie about the disappointment with the small size of the four-wheeler I bought Tate and how we boxed it back up and didn't give it to him that morning (read the story here).  Coincidentally, they had just scored a deal on a Power Wheel car at RC Willey for buying furniture and they were looking for someone to buy it from them.  It was still new and in the box.  So I picked it up a few days later, spent two hours putting it together, charged it for 10 hours... and FINALLY, on Thursday, we surprised Tate with an even better gift for Christmas (and at $30, I was one happy girl).  Santa was really looking out for Tate this year!

Watch out little ladies... this kid's cruisin' the town.

Silly September Dinner

My mother is the queen of holidays and creative ideas.  She's always thinking of fun and unique things to do for the family.  She held the second annual "Silly September Dinner."  The rules:  simply bring a food item that begins with the first or last letter of your name.  A few years ago when we first did this, we hardly had a full meal.  This time however, it came together very well and we had more food than we knew what to do with.  We had everything from lasagna to caramel apples, to meatballs and spaghetti, to rolls.  Delish!

Unfortunately, I was too busy eating to take any pictures... but hey, the memory still remains!  Thanks mom for a fun family dinner.  Looking forward to what holiday is next...