Merry Christmas!
one day until christmas
It's Christmas Eve! I've spent the day handing out gifts to neighbors and friends and hanging out with River. He's rolling all over the place, so he is keeping me busy. Christmas Eve is such a special day. So much anticipation and excitement in everyone. They say it's even supposed to snow tomorrow. The weather forecast has been a hard one to trust lately, but I'll go along with it. I haven't had a white Christmas in awhile and I can't think of anything more special for River's first Christmas. Tonight we are having dinner with friends to celebrate Christmas Eve and then going to look at Christmas lights before reading The Night Before Christmas to River and heading off to dreamland to see dancing sugar plums.
1, 2, and 3. Homemade truffles for the neighbors and friends
4. A special ornament
5. Christmas through River's eyes
6. River's first Christmas present
7. Finally got out for some skiing
five whole months
Our little nugget of joy turns five months old today. Time is swiftly passing us and we are trying to soak every ounce of it as best we can. River learns something new every day it seems. Just yesterday he finally figured out how to roll from his stomach back over to his back. Just like that! He wakes up and learns something completely new. We are fascinated by these developments and love trying to figure out how his little brain works.
What were you up to last month, River?
Learned how to roll over
Found your toes and love hanging on to them
Started panting like a dog (we think Hank taught you this one)
Saw snow for the first time
Laughed
Stole your mama's heart with your sweet smile every day...
We love you River. Happy birthday! xo
o christmas tree, o christmas tree
The Christmas season is something I look forward to all year long. What is there not to love about cold weather, warm fires, sweet treats, and cozy decorations around the house? In the five years that Colby and I been married we have always wanted to go cut down our own Christmas tree. But, for one reason or another, we were never able to do it. Finally, this was the year. And it was the perfect year because River was with us, too. I think we have wonderful tradition to enjoy from now on.
We drove on the Mirror Lake highway to the Uinta Mountains the weekend after Thanksgiving and got a permit to go find the perfect tree. The weather was very crisp, so we bundled River up and headed out into the woods. He did so well tromping through the snow with Colby. My parents were with us and it was great to have a couple of extra sets of eyes to find the right tree. We hiked around and finally, like the scene from Christmas Vacation, found the tree that would be our first tree with River in our family. Colby cut it down and we tied it to the roof of the car and drove back to Salt Lake. We ended the night with dinner at Taqueria 27 to celebrate my mom's birthday and the end of a wonderful day together.
That night, after dinner, we got home, turned on some Bing Crosby, drank hot cocoa, and decorated the tree. Ever since I was little I have loved the glow of the lights on the tree. Sitting under it at night and looking at the ornaments is something I think I could do for hours. Now, watching River do just that makes my heart want to burst.
Merry Christmas!
getting ready for christmas
Well, we blinked and Thanksgiving had passed and now it's only 9 short days until Christmas. We had a lovely Thanksgiving hosting friends and family at our home and spent the day cooking, eating, laughing, and trying to fit all of us into our tiny kitchen. Many memories made, not one photo taken. I felt horrible letting the day go by and not getting one photo of River on his first Thanksgiving. Luckily, that weekend we put up the Christmas tree and took plenty of pictures.
A couple of years ago I made an advent calendar. I have been looking forward to sharing this with River and making new traditions and sharing our old ones with him. I filled all of the bags with a new thing to do each day--like go see Christmas lights, decorate cookies, have friends over for drinks, and watch Elf and eat pancakes for dinner. So, this weekend that's just what we did. River was a huge help with the pancakes... Last week we had friends over for a cookie exchange and last night we went to an ugly ornament white elephant gift exchange. I know these are pretty frivolous events, but I love celebrating holidays with our friends and community. I feel that more than ever this year now that River is with us. I just want him to look back on these years with fond and warm memories of love and togetherness.
