What A Stud!

I still need to write about all the festivities of the past couple weeks (it was a whirlwind!), but it is going to take more time than I have right now. It is late and I am tired. However, I really could not pass up posting a few pictures of Trent...

He received this outfit from Grandpa Smiley for Christmas. He looked so stinkin' cute when I put it on him this morning, so we had a little photo shoot.

I even got a half-smile out of him! I told Trent that all he needed to get me for Christmas this year was a smile. I am happy to report that I got my wish! Trent began making a lot more eye contact a few days before Christmas and he smiled for the first time on Christmas day! It was wonderful.

I know I have said this before, but I am in love with this little guy! We are so lucky to have him in our family, he is a great addition. My only complaint is that he is growing too fast. It is amazing how big he getting. He is so strong. He holds his head up really well. He is such a happy baby. He only cries when he is hungry - once he eats he is happy again. I think he is going to have his dads blue eyes. He is also beginning to make cooing sounds. Oh, I love being a mom!

Well, that is all for now. It feels great to blog again, hopefully I will be posting again soon.

Time Flies

Time flies when you are havin' fun! It has been a crazy week!! There is sooo much to do and so little time. The problem is I create projects for myself. At the beginning of the Christmas season I knew I had two projects to accomplish for Christmas. This was very doable. And then I got an idea. And then I got another idea. All of a sudden I had about eight projects to do. Why do I do this to myself?? Well, first of all, when I get an idea in my head, I just can not let it go...I HAVE to do it. And secondly, I really do enjoy giving homemade gifts.

So this past week has been full of project after project after project. Will I get it all done in time?? Who knows, only time will tell. And since time is flyin by, well...we shall see. What I do know is that last year I was up until 4:00 am on Christmas Eve and I am determined to not do that to myself again this year. Oh boy, wish me luck.

Here are a few pics of this past week:

Speaking of time flying, Trent is now one month old! He is such a sweet baby. This is how I found him napping one day this week. Too cute.

We took our kids to get their Christmas pictures on Thursday. I absolutely love Ashlyn's dress. I probably spent more than I should have, but it was worth it. She looked adorable! And Trent is such a handsome little guy. I was nervous about how Ashlyn would do with Trent, but it went very smoothly. The pictures turned out well.

Ashyln fell and whacked her head on the corner of the oven door. Poor girl has hit her head way too many times since she learned how to walk. It seems as though she always has a bruise on her forehead. Luckily, this happened after we got the pictures done.

Christmas Gifts

I went Christmas shopping tonight. I am seriously behind. I wish I could say it is because I had a baby 3 1/2 weeks ago. But, let's be honest, I am seriously behind every year. I never start my Christmas shopping until after Thanksgiving. And I actually like it that way. I enjoy the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping. It makes me happy. I get excited thinking about what to get my family and friends, planning it out, and then making those purchases. Also, I don't like to ask people what they want for Christmas and I don't like to make requests for myself. I prefer the surprise on Christmas morning.

So, tonight as I was out on my shopping adventure, I began thinking of Christmas's past and gifts I have given and received. One of the most memorable gifts I have ever given was three years ago when I gave Brian a puppy. It was such a fun gift to plan out and give. Who wouldn't love getting a puppy on Christmas morning? I hardly slept on Christmas Eve because the anticipation was so great - I felt like a kid again!

Another memorable gift was the marshmallow gun I gave Aaron two years ago. I don't really know why...it was just a fun gift to give.

The most memorable gifts I have received are the sentimental ones. The books my Dad and Mom have written and given to their children over the years are priceless. I would not trade those books for anything.

I would love to hear what your favorite gifts are from Christmas's past. Both given and received...

Christmas Spirit

So it is only the 6th, and we have already been having such a fun and full holiday season! I mentioned this before, but on Saturday we went to the Festival of Trees and to Thanksgiving Point. Both of these events were fun and memorable.

On Sunday we were able to attend Maya's blessing. It was a beautiful blessing and I always love getting together with my family - they are the best. We went to Mindy and Marty's home afterwards for a delicious brunch, featuring my favorite - breakfast casserole. Later that day, I took Trent to my ward for Relief Society were he played a very important role in the Christmas program.

Monday night was our annual Lifferth Family Christmas Party and a good time was had by all! We love this party. My only complaint is that our family is so big, I never get a chance to talk to everyone. Santa made a surprise appearance, which the kids of all ages loved! I wasn't sure how Ashlyn would react, but she did really well.

Tuesday night we went to dinner with the Smiley's for Brian's dad's B-day. After dinner, Brian and I took our kids to a live nativity. I was so impressed by this production, I took my parents, Mindy and her girls again last night. It was so well done. I really can not give it enough justice. The props and scenery were fantastic. You really felt as though you were stepping back in time. They had live animals, including a camel, sheep, a llama, a donkey, goats, chickens, and a calf. Of course, the animals were Ashlyn's favorite part.

The nativity was set up so you walked through a series of scenes including shepherds, the three wise men, and then into the city of Bethlehem. In Bethlehem, they had depicted woodworkers, basket weavers, pottery makers, beggars, and an Innkeeper stating that there was no room in the Inn.

Maybe it is because I just had a baby, but I felt a new respect and love for Mary as I walked through this nativity scene. When I saw the donkey, I was overcome with emotion as I thought of what she endured. I can not imagine being nine months pregnant, riding around on a donkey, trying to find a place to give birth.

The final scene of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus was a very powerful and spiritual experience. It really got me into the Christmas spirit, the true Christmas spirit. This was a perfect way to start off the holiday season.

We have many more activities planned this month. It is such a fun time of year, busy but fun. With all the happenings of the holidays, I hope I will be able to keep with me the true spirit and meaning of the season.

I'm It...But You're Next!

My sister Mindy tagged me. So, here are some facts about Brian and myself...

• How long have you been together? Well, we met in high school. But I guess I wouldn't start counting until after he got home from his mission in May '99, so that makes 8 1/2 years.

• How long did you date? 2 years
  

• How old is he? Brian turns the big 30 in January. He is 17 months older than me, but not wiser ;)
  

• Who eats more? Usually Brian. Usually, because I think I out ate him during my pregnancy with Trent.
  

• Who said I love you first? Good question. I think it must have been Brian. Is it terrible that I can't remember?
  

• Who is taller? Bri
  

• Who sings better? Neither one. Ashlyn is better than the two of us combined!
  

• Who is smarter? Since Brian is a college grad, I'll give him that one :)
  

• Who does the laundry? Me. Brian makes me nervous when he does the laundry. I've had quite a few things shrink and change color when he has done the laundry in the past.
  

• Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Brian
  

• Who pays the bills? We do it together. We have bimonthly budgeting sessions. It works out really well for us. We both know where our money stands. We figure out how to pay off bills quickly. We don't hide any purchases from one another. We stay out of debt. And most importantly, we never fight over money.
  

• Who mows the lawn? That is a definite Brian. I hate to admit that I have never once mowed a lawn. Wait, I don't think I have ever even started a lawn mower! No wait, I haven't ever touched a lawn mower!! Brian thinks it's pathetic.
  

• Who cooks dinner? Me. But Brian is always willing to help with whatever I ask him to do. And of course, he owns and operates the grill.
  

• Who drives when you are together? Brian, but I am a really good back seat driver!
  

• Who is more stubborn? I say Brian, he says me... Who do you think is going to win that one?!
  

• Who kissed who first? Brian kissed me on my parents front porch.

• Who asked who out? Brian asked me.
  

• Who proposed? Brian did. Twice. That is a whole other story!
  

• Who is more sensitive? Me, hands down. I have seen Brian cry, but probably only a total of five times. He has probably seen me cry 100+ times.
  

• Who has more friends? Mi casa es su casa.
  

• Who has more siblings? Me. I've got him beat by two.
  

• Who wears the pants in the family? I think we are a pretty good team. I'd say it's a 50/50.

Okay, there you go Mindy. Thanks for the tag. Now, I'll tag my cousins Jen and Mark, and my good friends Emily and Jamie. Can't wait to see what ya'll have to say!

Back To Life. Back To Reality.

The vacation is over. After 2 1/2 weeks, Brian headed back to work today :( I am sure that none of you are feeling badly for either of us, but I think it is sad! I have lost my second set of hands! It has been so much fun having Brian at home and he has been such a big help. He has changed diapers, given baths, fixed meals, cleaned, vacuumed, put up Christmas lights, read books and played, and changed more diapers! And he has done it all without complaint (well mostly - he wasn't thrilled about cleaning the toilet!). I love you Brian!

Last night, Brian told Ashlyn that he had to go back to work in the morning and she said (with a bit of enthusiasm), "See ya!" But, I don't think she really understood what he was saying. I know she has loved having her dad home and will miss having him around all the time.

On the other hand, I do not think Trent knew this morning that his dad had gone back to work.

We ended Brian's vacation with a bang on Saturday. We went to the Festival of Trees and then Thanksgiving Point. Brian had never been to the Festival of Trees and I had not been for a few years. I was not sure if Brian would enjoy it, but he did! He even said he wanted to go again next year. Of course his favorite tree was the Darth Vader/Star Wars tree, decorated with over 250 Star Wars figurines.

Thanksgiving point was Ashlyn's favorite part of the day. We rode a horse drawn wagon around the light display. It was priceless to see Ashlyn's reaction! She kept saying, "I so excited! I so excited!"

Ashlyn also loved the horses and kept saying, "I see horses!" She had so much fun, she cried when we left.

It has been such a great 2 1/2 weeks. Thanks for everything Brian - you are the BEST!!