SLC, Thanksgiving, Christmas Trees, and Family Photos

I generally don’t consider my blog a journal. I think of it more as a place where I tell jokes only I find humorous as well as brag to the world about how fabulous my children are unabashedly. I also like to include tidbits of politics I think people will find helpful, as well as the occasional inspirational thought. (I do feel we have a responsibility to uplift each other in this sometimes dreary world.) Yet, in the spirit of giving and more importantly the ridiculous amount of photos I have taken, I thought I would give you the rundown of all that has been going on here the past few weeks…

First, as earlier discussed, we flew to Utah to seal and bless our dear Boston.

It went great. More details may or may not follow.
Yet in my haste to make the travel plans, I’d forgotten to figure in the never-ending power of Nana Pinky (aka “Sandra Anderson Living”) and the trouble she can cause me as a mother.
Now the kiddos want pancakes that look like this every morning…
Can you blame them?
Who would want whole wheat 7 grain toast anymore when you have tasted the goodness of chocolate chip teddy bear pancakes with a side of Trix? Honestly, I want some too.
And no, Vienna is not an alien. Her hair routine includes night caps to keep her hair hydrated and untangled. I opted for her to continue wearing it at breakfast time due to the high probability of syrup ending up in her hair. Luckily, she LOVES hats and insists on putting it on prior to going to bed. There have been many a night where she has refused to go to bed until we found her hat – a small price for her beauty and my beauty sleep.

Prior to leaving to SLC, I hosted our annual Harvest Soup Party with some dear friends…
It was so lovely. I can think of nothing better than inviting friends over to bring food for you. Can’t wait for next year.

In Utah, we had two fabulous and early Thanksgiving dinners. One hosted by Annie & Sandra Anderson Living and another by Granny Lewis. They were both just spectacular. It was such good food and even better company.

Since we already had all our home favorites, I felt no need to slave over my own Thanksgiving on the actual holiday. Not that I would know anything about it, but Boston Market has a decent Thanksgiving menu for only 17 dollars.We decorated for Christmas on Thanksgiving. I would love to tell you, it’s because I was naturally filled with the Christmas spirit and just couldn’t wait, but that would be a lie. In reality, the cleaning ladies were coming the next day and the thought of having to sweep up all the enormous amounts of tiny dot glitter on the floor like I did last year filled me with such Christmas gusto that nothing could have stopped that 12 foot tree from going up.

And so it was done.
Putting up Christmas, basically consisted of Vienna destroying every box or ornament she came in contact with while Ethan drank unmentionable amounts of hot chocolate – in between box sleigh rides by Daddy of course. Even Boston had a turn.

I will post photos of the tree soon. My main tree is still not quite finished, but I’m excited about it. Last year, I hated my tree. This year I went with a Gift of the Magi meets Peacocks theme and I’m in love. Don’t worry, I know how ugly that sounds.

Prior to the Christmas decorating festivities that morning, I tried to get a Christmas card family photo done in the bathroom using the mirror. The reason that sentence sounds ridiculous is because it is. Due the pending and then failed adoption, I didn’t book a photographer for our family Christmas card photo. So I thought we could do it ourselves in the kids bathroom. I know – why not just learn how to use the camera self-timer? Below are the results.

I don’t know if there will be a family photo in the card this year.

Consider our Christmas card photo officially pending. That’s all I have time for right now, my babies are awake!

Blog to you soon,