Meeting Santa

For a myriad reasons, and none really relevant at all (it's cold, it's late, she's young, we're lazy) we've never taken Norah to meet the big guy in a red suit. Santa, that is. I know, there are those diligent parents who buy new outfits and take their little one to the most convincing, jolliest Santa they can find each and every year. They take gorgeous professional photos that their children will always have to cherish forever. Or something like that. 

Not us.

But this year, I got my act together and we took our littles to meet Santa. Or, rather, my brother Geoff invited us to his work Christmas party where Santa was conveniently going to be, passing out candy canes and posing for pictures. Perfect. Norah was giddy with anticipation, and the moment she saw Jolly Old St. Nick her eyes lit up and she was in a magical trance. Norah asked for hairbows, kitchen toys, and books with the biggest grin on her face. Clayton cried. All-in-all, it was a success! Oh, and then we played ski-ball, which is of course the best arcade game on the planet, and Clayton forgot his traumatizing experience - until a few days later when happened upon Santa at University Mall and the whole scenario replayed itself. 

The Zoo

Norah loves animals, so naturally we've been wanting to take her to the zoo. We knew our days of great weather were dwindling, and we were wanting to go on a Friday to avoid Saturday crowds. A few weeks ago I checked the Hogle Zoo calender and they had major events scheduled for the next few Fridays except that one, so we last minute packed the kids in the car and headed to Salt Lake. A grand time was had by all and I'm pretty excited to go back in 2014 when the African Savanna Exhibit opens.

Norah

Dear Norah,

I am convinced you are perfect. When your daddy and I decided to add a baby to our lives, we had no idea we would be so blessed. Watching you learn, develop and grow in every way is such a joy. You bring a light into our lives that we never knew could exist. I love the way you call me "Mama" and how you are so delighted to be my best friend and shadow. I love getting ready with you in the morning, and letting you pick out what we're both going to wear for the day. Your smile brightens everything around you, and your funny little personality makes me melt. Pretty soon you are going to be a big sister and I am so excited for you to have a little buddy. I hope you know how much your parents love you!

Love,

Mama

Photos taken at our recent outing to Thanksgiving Point, we love spending time there as a family.

Curlers and a bed-time story

As a baby/toddler/child, I lived in pink sponge curlers. 

Which resulted in some beautiful blond curls (and while we're at it, check out those huge cheeks!)

So tonight I figured I'd extend the family tradition of golden curls and I set Norah's hair in nothing other than pink sponge rollers. I'll be honest, I'm not sure I did it right, but we'll see how it looks tomorrow!

Cousins

We just returned from a wonderful 8 day trip to Arizona to spend time with our family down there. I took 437 pictures ... so it might take me a while to sort through and post some of those, but I just had to post this one from the zoo. Norah had a total blast with her cousins and we hope it won't be too long before we see them again!

Alpine Loop

Tom and Cheryl came to visit in July and we had so much fun spending time with them in some of the beautiful places around our house. We spent one of the days driving around the beautiful mountains just behind our house. The views were spectacular and perfect for pictures!

Norah was getting a little fussy from being in the car, so the best way to get her to smile was throwing her around, she loved it!