Christmas 2012

 

Can't believe Christmas is over! Its been a crazy December. We decided to stay in Utah for Christmas instead of traveling, which to be honest I'm glad we didn't travel though I missed my family a lot. Dan's Aunt passed away on the 21st pretty unexpectedly so I'm glad we could be here for his mom and for the funeral next week. 

 

We spent Christmas Eve Eve ;) through Christmas Day at Dan's parents and opened up presents there. Ava had a ton of fun. She liked to take her time and look at her present after she opened it. She got 2 books that she really liked that stopped gift opening for at least 15 minutes while she looked at them and then again when she opened a box of dinosaurs :)  

She loved her toy story dolls the most I think. Those were her big gift this Christmas and they were such a hit :) She has not put Woody or his hat down since she opened him up! She's such a sweet girl, I'm so grateful for her and the joy she brings our family! I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas with our sweet little girl!

Merry Christmas

Christmas with a nearly 2 year old was a ton of fun!! She suprised me with how much she was interested with everything else going on but not exactly unwrapping her gifts. She wanted to wander from one person to the next to see what they were doing :) She only focused on her own stuff for a little bit. This was our first Utah Christmas however I was totally sad that there was NO snow and that it has only snowed 2 (maybe 3) times this year... not even an inch each time. UM yes this is ME saying this! I guess I wanted a little bit of a winter wonderland for the year I'm not traveling... Now that Christmas is over we have our countdown till Little Miss turns 2!!! 2 1/2 more months (which also means spring will be here in 2 1/2 more months!) I am excited about that!

More pictures from our trip

Ava's 1st Christmas

I can't believe Ava's first Christmas is already over! It was so much fun! We couldn't have asked for a better day and a happier Christmas. Ava is so loved and for sure a first and only grandchild in this family! She quadrupled her toy count and was so happy to see everyone and play today! She even needed 4 naps today! We love Ava so much and what a wonderful day we had. I am also so thankful we were able to spend this Christmas in Arizona with my family.

Christmas Eve at Grandpas

In a motel in Saint George

I'm sitting awake in a motel in Saint George right now. I can't sleep (well I did from 7:30-9:30pm) but woke up wide awake after that. Ava and Dan are both asleep right now. We started our Christmas trip today with the intent of getting to Vegas. I knew in my mind if we encountered weather at all we would be stopping in St George because I wouldn't be able to handle the rest of the drive. The first 2 hours of the trip we drove through fog. Not fun. The last hour we drove through a complete scary down pour. As other cars passed us we could not see anything in front of us as our wipers could not go fast enough.

If you know me, you know I hate driving during any kind of weather. Snow, rain, wind. I hate it. I'd say I have a major driving phobia. I'm a huge chicken and its gotten worse since having Ava. I used to just be scared for myself but now I'm scared for my baby too. I don't want Ava to be afraid of the same things I am so I am trying to get help now so that she can grow up and not think its normal for mom to freak out while driving.

Anyway so we stopped here in St George and got a motel room. This is the first time we have ever done this and can I say, its not a bad idea. I love staying with family members but this does have the added bonus of not feeling like I'm imposing on anyone or worrying that Ava is going to mess something up at someones house. We all sat around this afternoon watching game shows on the king bed and it was so much fun.

Can't wait for Ava's first Christmas on Saturday. Dan and I got her 2 gifts... I had the intent on buying her more but with an overly generous family, there wasn't much else to get. So instead I finished her birthday and Christmas shopping at the same time. I can't wait for her big birthday present. Its adorable and a zebra print!

Sorry for my ramblings, this is what happens when I can't sleep in a strange place :)

Its Christmas Time!

We took Ava to see Santa tonight. I know she can't talk and doesn't have a clue whats going on but I love pictures with Santa. They are so cute. Anyway, the photographers are smart and told us to take her in with her back towards Santa so she couldn't see him till after they got her picture. This was great since once she saw him all she wanted to do was stare at him and grab his beard :)
Oh and we have a tiny Christmas tree this year. Its our first time putting up a tree and we got a little one up high so that to avoid any issues with Ava pulling on the tree. We'll deal with that another time :)

Christmas Date

Yay for Christmas! I am glad we are starting a little early since we only get a 4 day break together. Dan took me out for a surprise dinner at Claim Jumper, way too much food. I think I brought home more food than I ate!

Then we headed over to the Mesa Temple to see the Temple lights. I was in a bit of pain between my stomach feeling like I was carrying a bowling ball and my back hurting from sitting in Dan's car so we made 1 lap around the Temple before I was ready to go home!

Dan and I also decided to open our presents to each other tonight. Dan already opened a video game he got from me and his brother a couple of days ago so we just decided to finish our Christmas to each other. Tonight he opened a new green polo and a bib for Ava. :)

Dan had an extravagant way of wrapping my gift that took me about 10 minutes to find my gifts. He put my little gifts in a HUGE box full of crumpled newspaper! He got Ava a cute pair of footy pj's with sheep on the feet and he got me a pair of little skull candy head phones that I have been wanting! Anyway I love Christmas time and I am so glad I get to spend the next 4 days with Dan!!!

A Christmas Pug

Well we tried... it failed, but funny none the less!
Happy 8 month birthday to Tiny thou!

Kempton Family Christmas

Tonight was my mom's family's Christmas party down in Florence, Az. My grandma said there were 81 people there (85 if you count a step cousin and his family that snuck in and out the last 5 minutes during clean up)

Somehow I got wrangled into doing the announcing for the family white elephant exchange. Making a pregnant woman stand for that long is wrong! I ended up making my little cousin get me a chair cause I was dying.

I guess little is not a good word for her anymore! I was 11 when she was born and she is 12 now... 12 and officially taller than me! I am excited that she will be able to be around our baby girl at about the same age I was at when I helped take care of her!

Carley and I

Dan almost got wrangled into being Santa Claus, but something happened, then it was going to be my brother Chris, then that failed and I guess they nominated Brett to be Santa. Brett did an awesome job.

It was fun on the car ride home listening to some of the things the kids wanted for Christmas. Little kids are so cute! One of the kids asked for another horse, and one wanted more cows?! He said one of the little girls asked for a nutcracker!? So cute.

Dan squishing Santa
Brett and Meredith
Harrison and Kirk!

Sunday Pictures

Merry Christmas from the Lanes & Calkins

We opened presents at my Dad's house Christmas eve. This morning we did presents at my moms! My Grandma came over for lunch and then after my mom and I went to see "Marley and me" at the Theatre, both of us bawled like babies (our dog Mario is getting really old and sick and so I kept thinking of all my memories of him!). Then Mom, Dan and I went to the Mesa Temple to see the lights. It was a great Christmas!