Better Late Than Never

WOW! I'm completely off the blog wagon. I have so much to catch up on. I can't believe I let myself go this long without posting -- muchhhh has been happening. And most of all, many pictures have been snapped. First things first -- please tell me this is not the most adorable 5-month-old baby boy you have ever seen. I love him!

Moving on... One subject at a time: for today, CHRISTMAS.

Christmas was a crazy time! Fun, but a little chaotic. As I already said in an earlier post, the week of Christmas was no joy ride: my father-in-law was in the hospital all week, my sister-in-law was undergoing radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid cancer, my Grandpa Glenn passed away, my niece Olivia got sick and needed to be taken to the doctor, and I was 600 miles away from my family! At least I had Steve and my in-laws to keep me feeling loved and at home during this insane week!

Before Christmas, we had the nieces and nephews over to decorate snowman-shaped sugar cookies.

Christmas morning was a joy. Steve and I woke up in our little apartment, picked up Danny, and burst into the family room to see the tree lit, the stockings stuffed, and the presents eager to be opened. It was so much fun to just have a quiet and relaxing Christmas morning with just the three of us.

Danny thought his stocking was pretty cool. He got a teething toy, new bottles, and 6month+ pacifiers. Jackpot!

Steve was soooo thoughtful in finding the perfect gifts for me this year. We set a Christmas limit for each other, but I'm sure we, like many others... ahem... may have exceeded previously mentioned "limit." Oh well. I think that happens with everyone, every year.

Anywho, Steve got me the Shark Steam Pocket Cleaner (already cleaned and sanitized every surface available... in LOVE), the book "The Hunger Games" (which I read, and thought was disgustingly engaging... LOVED), and three separate certificates entitling "Rebecca Lowe" to (1) a roundtrip flight to CA during the dead of winter, (2) a Nikon D5000 photography class, and (3) a 4-part series of cake-decorating classes.

Could he be any more thoughtful!? I think the answer is no. What a wonderful man. I attended my photography class last night and learned LOADS of good stuff. I might even sign up for another course. I can't wait for March when I'll get to attend my cake-decorating classes!

For Steve, I got him this pair of sunglasses he's been asking me for every single day for over a year. Haha, a little exaggeration, but not by much. He is obsessed with these sunglasses and treats them like his baby. Jos A Bank was having a RIDICULOUS sale before Christmas, so I splurged on a couple pairs of slacks and Travelers dress shirts for Steve's (I hope) career outside of summer sales and BYU. Last but not least, Steve was obsessed with a royal blue Titleist hat -- so Santa brought it to him. He was in Heaven.

After our lil' family's Christmas morning, we headed to Steve's sister Mindy's house to gather for breakfast, games, and the cousins' gift exchange. Danny loved being around so many kids. All he wanted to do was jump up and run around the room. Poor kid is so inhibited by his lack of motor skills.