Christmas Hangover

I wish I had a good excuse for not blogging lately, like that I was in a full body cast because of a skiing accident or my computer blew up, but pathetically my only reason is that I've been crazy busy! Working on Christmas gifts, trying to find an evening job, being sick, weaning Claire.

We had so many Christmas parties over the last couple weeks. They were a blast but we're so exhausted! At our ward's Christmas party the YW did a skit where they lip synched and danced to the song "I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" (I love that song! If you haven't heard it google it right now and listen to it!), the girls did such a fantastic job. And Levi was in a skit as one of the wise men being interviewed by Blenn Geck on Box News. It was hilarious! He had a great big, long, black beard on and a dress thing and Claire pointed to him while he was on stage and said "dada". I'm still trying to figure out how she recognized him, I barely did.

We have just been going to party after party; Levi's coworkers, my mom's side of the family and each of Levi's families had get-togethers. It's always so nice to be around so many family and friends, I really wish we could get together like that more throughout the year. We got awesome presents out of the gift exchanges, 2 cans of Almond Roca, a super cute Christmas apron, hamburger coasters, and a gingerbread candle holder. What more could you want?

We also chaperoned a dance a couple weeks ago, which was super fun! It was so weird being on the other side of a church dance. And you may be shocked to find out that I actually got Levi to slow dance with me, not just once but twice! He hates dancing. I'm not quite sure why. There must have been a traumatic experience; produce thrown at him, slipping on a pool of his own sweat, toilet paper stuck to his shoe, who knows? I love dancing! Don't get me wrong, that absolutely does not translate into me being a good dancer but I do enjoy it. I did get out and boogie to "Cotton Eye Joe" it's amazing I still remembered how! He was so sweet, he complimented a girl on her dress (it was the most hideous thing I'd ever seen) and you should have seen her face light up! And to another girl he complimented her dancing. I was starting to worry about having to fight the girls off!

Christmas itself was so fantastic. Claire was really fun this year. She got the hang of opening presents pretty quick, but she was much more interested in snacking on the cereal puffs from her stocking than playing with any of the toys. We could have saved a lot of money. ;) It was a crazy whirlwind day of our immediate families and our close friends. Did I mention we have the greatest family and friends ever!? Because they really are! Thank you, thank you, thank you to those of you that contributed to Levi's Christmas present, I haven't seen him in days. He works so hard for our family, I'm glad he has something to help him unwind at the end of the day, he deserves it. And also a gigantic thank you to the sender of a very special Christmas card, we wish we could thank you personally. You will never know how much of a blessing that was!

I've been having the worst Christmas hangover the last couple days. I guess just from all the junk food and sweets. And not to mention all the sleep that needs to be caught up on. I also get a little depressed when Christmas is over. I just love everything about it. I love making homemade gifts (this year it was gifts in a jar and 2 tutu's), shopping, baking (killer rice krispie treats, muddy buddies, sugar cookies and almond roca, YUM!), Christmas music, being surrounded by family and friends and of course the whole reason we celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to me; I get my body back, Claire is done breastfeeding! So since Claire's birthday, I've been starting to wean her. Which she's not been too excited about since she loves boobie juice! I have loved every minute of breastfeeding her but I was just kind of ready to be done. At the beginning of November she was still nursing 5-6 times a day. About 2 weeks ago it was just before naps and bedtime. I last nursed her on Christmas Eve and she has been doing pretty well and thankfully I haven't had any major discomfort yet. But it's weird, now I kind of miss it since that was just about the only time she would actually cuddle with me. I think Levi's more sad about it than either Claire or myself, since that means she not really a baby anymore. The best advice I can give anybody that is trying to wean is to have daddy help with feeding. Levi would give her a bottle of whole milk before bed because if I tried she wasn't too happy and just wanted the good stuff. So a question for all you moms out there, how long did you (or are you planning on) nursing and how did weaning go for you?



Levi's favorite pic of Claire


Not the greatest family pic but the only one from Christmas time, oops.


Shh, don't tell Levi's g-ma, Claire's riding her reindeer.

We all had colds on Christmas :(

Already exhausted and Christmas day was just beginning

Claire looking under the beautiful rocking horse Uncle Hayden made her

4 Things...

I saw this on someone else's blog, so I stole it. :)


4 Shows I watch:

1. Biggest Looser

2. Glee

3. House

4. The Bachelor/Bachelorette (don't judge me) ;)



4 Things I am Passionate About:

1. Family

2. The Gospel

3. Friends

4. Crafting (if only I had more time!)



4 Phrases/Words I use a lot:

1. I love you

2. [Fill in the blank] is just too stinkin cute!

3. Shut up!? (as in "no way!" not "be quiet")

4. That's crazy!



4 Things I Have Learned From the Past:

1. To surround myself with happy/positive people.

2. It's all about your attitude.

3. Life is too short to hold grudges and be angry.

4. Don't lie, you'll get into a car accident and your parents will find out.



4 Places I Would Like To Go:

1. Visit Levi's mission - Tallahassee, Florida and parts of Alabama

2. NYC

3. Hawaii

4. Europe



4 Things I Did Yesterday:

1. Visited a friend and her kids/daycare kids.

2. Finished 2 pinatas.

3. Bought a b-day present for my nephew and Claire's Christmas stocking at Target.

4. Watched the 1st half of Elf with Claire.



4 Things I Am Looking Forward To:

1. Moving back up to Washington County.

2. Having more babies (don't worry, I'm in no rush).

3. Being in a bigger house.

4. Once we have that bigger house in WA county, starting up a daycare.



4 Things I Love About Winter:

1. How beautiful everything looks with snow on it.

2. Drinking at least one hot chocolate or hot apple cider per day.

3. All the yummy foods, pumpkin pie, Christmas cookies, roasts, soups, etc

4. Not having to worry about sunblock



4 Things on My Wish List:

1. World peace.

2. For my family and friends to be healthy and safe.

3. To always be able to stay home with my children.

4. A cure for cancer.

Okay so those are kind of lofty but I honestly can't really think of anything material that I want. Have a great weekend everybody! Go Ducks!

I am Thankful for (in no particular order)...

-a warm house on these chilly days.
-being "mama" to the most adorable, sweet, adventurous, loving little girl.
-my husband, whom I would be absolutely lost without and who puts up with my craziness.
-my parents, they really coudn't get any better.
-a healthy family. -that we're able to put food on the table.
-my brothers, brother-in-laws, and sister-in-law, I'm so proud of them.
-my adorable nephews and nieces, I love them to pieces.
-our ward. They have been so good to us and we've made such great friends there.
-modern technology. I could not survive without an oven, washer/dryer, running water, electricity, computers, internet, etc.
-for a big, wonderful extended family on mine as well as Levi's side.
-that I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
-our cars and that we don't have to take public transportation or walk.
-ice cream, chocolate, cheesecake, cupcakes, brownies, cookies. They keep me going on bad days.
-in-laws that absolutely adore Claire.
-friends that I know I can count on no matter what.
-chapstick and gum. I may be addicted.
-hot chocolate and apple cider. Mmmm!
-fuzzy socks and slippers for my always cold feet.
-doctors and pharmacists.
-Claire's naptime aka my break time.
-kisses. Any variety, Claire's, Levi's, chocolate.
-hot showers.
-this beautiful state that I live in and love.
-reading a good book.
-Netflix.
-that we live in such a fantastic country.
-makeup and you all should be grateful that I wear it too. ;)
-TV.
-a dog that likes to snuggle.
-the weekends.
-Facebook and Blogger.
-Christmas music, you can't be in a bad mood while listening to it.
-quesadillas and pizza.
-that we are able to record totally cute things like Claire saying "huppy" instead of "puppy".



Happy Thanksgiving everyone!