I WOULD LIKE ANOTHER PRESENT TO UNWRAP PLEASE.

Last night we headed over to Brent's parents house for a little Christmas dinner. On actual Christmas, most everyone but us and Stella's aunt Kathy are going to be somewhere far away so we got together early. Plus, we had a special treat because Brent's brother Peter and his family were in town too. I am especially sad though that John and Valerie won't be there on Christmas since they are moving to Virginia in less than a month, and I am certain to be lonely without my Valerie.

Well, it is official...Stella has finally figured out the deal with presents. We would hand her a present and with no help from us at all she got it unwrapped. Then she would say "oooooh" to whatever treat was inside, and then would want to open another present. Here is a photo vignette I have entitled...

"Stella Unwraps"

Aunt Beth, who generally spoils Stella, gave her a few super fun toys, but she also made Stella a book with each page featuring a letter of her name and then a picture of something that goes with it (an A is for Apple sort of thing). Beth also got her a toy that was a hit with both Stella and her cousin Chloe (same age) AND her cousin Nathan (a few years older) AND her Uncle Peter (much older)! Seriously, I came in the room and found Peter playing with the toy.

Stella sure had fun meeting and playing with her cousins. At one point, I heard some loud growling followed by some loud giggling, and I went downstairs to find Nathan growling at Stella and then Stella laughing with delight each time that he did.

Overall, it was a great night and I am sure that if Stella knew that there was more opening of presents to come she would be so excited, she wouldn't be able to sleep.

HOLIDAY FINEST

Ok, fine, I'll admit it...Stella looks absolutely adorable every single Sunday. But since this is a special Christmas Sunday I thought I would take a few pics of Bells in her holiday wear. Stella stuck it out through Sacrament today even though I could tell she was tired. She really loved all of the music and even clapped after the first song.

RELEASED

What an exciting morning I had! Daddy was released from the hospital today "for good behavior," as he says. I can't believe it--after almost 7 weeks he is finally home. He has gotten so much better since the ventilator was removed, and he was finally able to sign himself out of the hospital. Isn't it crazy when you can be grateful that you can hold a pen and write your own name? As they were getting the wheelchair to take him out he said: "Well that was an interesting way to waste two months of my life." And I told him that whether or not it is a waste is up to him. He will be able to gain a lot of strength from this time knowing that the Lord spared his life. He agreed with me of course and before we knew it he was getting wheeled outside to breathe in some delicious, cold, inverted Utah air.

I really can't describe how happy and grateful I am that this was our outcome. The torturous weeks when we didn't know what was going to happen to my dad already feel like a faraway dream or rather, nightmare. The Lord in His mercy has given us the best Christmas gift of all time.

SEEING SANTA

I honestly hate what Christmas does to my shopping life. Nothing is on sale to my satisfaction, and there are people everywhere! And the parking...oh the parking. So I tend to avoid the mall in December, but this past Tuesday I had a coupon that was expiring, so I had to use it and saw while I was there that the "See Santa" line was really short. I was on the phone with Ashley who told me I should just take Stella to see him and get a picture. I decided I was going to do it, until I saw that the cheapest package for pics was $20, and I was NOT going to pay someone $20 for a picture that I could take better myself. I then called Ashley and we commenced to make plans to take the girls to see Santa. When I told Brent about this he said: "I bet Stella will cry." To which I replied: "I sort of hope she does. I love those Santa crying pictures." Yeah, I am that mean some times.

So we started off the adventure with a lunch at The Cheesecake Factory. It was crazy busy, but the girls were really well behaved. It helped that the restaurant brought out a little kid plate and had a pretty decent kids menu. The girls decided to share a quesadilla since everyone knows that you should always share an entree at The Cheesecake Factory because they are too big for one.

Happy kids make happy moms.

After our delicious lunch we were off to see the man they call Santa. Both girls were still in great moods, but as soon as Stella realized that I was going to make her pose with that scary guy, she started freaking out.

The following pictures of the girls are absolutely priceless to me and I loved them all so much I had to post them all.

My mom then finally rescued Stella from Santa. I love this picture because Stella is still staring at him with disgust, and perhaps some fear.

Ava just seemed bored.

Look what a fun new family tradition we started! Can't wait until next year!