Hangin' out at home

Amidst the low buzz of general chaos, occasionally you can hear strains of actual civility from time to time in our home. I just loved this picture, captured one evening...with no planning.

There's no turmoil a little bit of guitar can't quell. Yep, I married well.

Bethany turns ONE!

My goodness how time flies! I can't believe it has been one whole year since this little bundle of joy came into our lives. She is an angel and a dream. Happy Birthday, Bethany!

Pizza for dinner (her first taste of the good stuff!)

Here's the cake!--but who can be happy when you're wearing such a silly hat??!!

"Happy Birthday to you..."

And a little swipe of frosting...

And a fistful of chocolate

And another...


It CAN'T be all gone ALREADY!!!

"It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to..."

Birthday wishes from Grandma and Grandpa

Mountain Madness

Thanks to the Johnsons for planning a fun family outing sledding up Little Cottonwood Canyon! We had a great time!

John

Timothy

Kate

Bethany

Natalie

Tiffany, Adam, and Thomas

Tim and Andrew

Ashley and Matthew

Adam, cuttin' it up

Elizabeth

Natalie and Thomas

Tiffany

Tim and Natalie

Adam

After we were all done, Tim stayed behind to let the big kids go on a few more runs, while the rest of us crammed into the car to try and get warm with "Horton Hears a Who" and hot-chocolate.

It was a great afternoon!

Auld Lang Syne

We had a very special New Year's celebration this year. Due to an unfortunate and sudden illness, my dear Aunt Susan spent her holiday in the ICU, but the blessing amidst the trial was that we got to enjoy the company of my cousins who came all the way from Texas and back East to be with her. I'm so glad we could see them! Love you guys!!!
Here are a few family pics:
me and the "bubbly" martinelli's (and my "party" shirt)

Here are Mom and Dad:

Can't you guys just KISS???????



Catherine and Doug

Jenn and Michael

me and the hubby

and Mom's famous Trifle...a perfect New Year

Seven is heaven

Natalie turned 7!!! I vividly remember that Christmas eve back in 2001 when I was having contractions, and despite my self-imposed bedrest to avoid a Christmas baby, I thought the baby was coming anyway. After our Christmas Eve parties, we went to bed, KNOWING in a few hours we'd probably be at the hospital having our baby...but she WAITED! We did some shopping exchanges on the 26th, and Natalie Noelle was born on the 27th (Auntie Carrie's birthday, too!) What a fun memory. Happy Birthday, honey!





Here is what I love about Natalie: she is a SWEETHEART. She is ALWAYS thinking of others. She got a gift-certificate to Build-a-bear for Christmas, and wanted to buy bears for everyone in the family! She is constantly making pictures and letters for everyone, and is the "huggiest" child I've ever known. She is loving and thoughtful, and a real nurturing soul. She always asks for "one more kiss" and "one more hug" at bedtime, before leaving for school, and loves to snuggle.

She is every bit a little princess, and loves to look "pretty" and feminine. She has MANY friends at school (she said to me the other day, "mom, all my friends keep asking me if they can have a playdate with me, and I just say, 'I'll have to think about it.'") So funny!

She loves having "company" whatever she does (is this a fatal flaw?) For example, "Natalie, please clean your room" is quickly followed up with a response of "what is Ashley doing?" But the best part is that she loves to hold hands and sit on my lap, and I hope she always does. She's a little angel, perfectly situated at the middle of our family to balance the rest of us out.

Love you, Nattles!

Christmas morning

Well, the kids slept well. In fact, I think I slept well, too...except for the second time in my life, I'm pretty certain I could hear Santa bustling around our living room in the night. I'm not one to spoil his Christmas secrets, so I lay quietly letting him get his midnight work done. He was very kind to us this year.





Christmas was a fun fun day. Love it all.

Christmas Eve

I once read somewhere that 6 months was an acceptable "grace" period for sending out Thank you cards from your wedding...and thus, here's my Christmas post, well within the confines suitable for "Dear Abby."

Just before we took off for Christmas Eve, I had to get a picture of the kids in front of the tree. I realize that I don't remember to take Christmas pictures, so if nothing else, I would have this one...


Of course we began the evening in Bethlehem: Here are a few random pictures of fellow travelers headed to the city, singing as they went:
Here's cousin Aaron (shepherd)

An angel (Natalie)

a "royal" pair (Ashley and Adam)

TWO Marys (Elizabeth and Madelyn)
Daniel and Michael (not the ancient ones, the Dustin ones)

Matthew--the shepherd version

Andrew and Eva--Yes, this time the Ancient version! ;)

The Loveridge bedouins

Tiffany and Kate

Joshua

Angel Thomas

and our THIRD Mary, Elayna

Here's a shot of the ancient appetizing food: Greek Salad, hummus, steak strips, chicken, pita bread, apples and grapes with honey, and of course, white grape juice.

And here it is: BETHLEHEM







Thanks to Mom and Dad for hosting such a wonderful event. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the atmosphere of Christmas eve at Grandma's house! We read some great stories, re-enacted the nativity, and had a wonderful time.
After, we stopped into Grandma Bytheways for a talent show and PRESENTS!!! Then we rushed home and opened jammies!!!


After the kids were nestled all snug in their wee little beds, John and I brought out the Martinelli's and enjoyed a relaxing evening, waiting for Santa to come...and COME HE DID!!!!