And So This is Christmas

I am totally NOT Bah Humbug, but we didn't put up a Christmas tree this year. Reasons being that Marc worked every single day from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve and I couldn't get it out of the storage by myself. Also, glass ornaments and Griffin certainly would not mix. I'll be sure to get some shatterproof ornaments before next years festivities.

So here is where our presents were presented.

We had a great morning! Griffin, however, doesn't like to open presents. "No paper, no presents." He would run and hide behind the chair when we tried to get him to open them. So we would take the paper off and then he was excited saying, "open it, open it!" And then while Marc or I was trying get the toys out of the darn twist ties/screws that kept them in the box, Griff would stand there and say, "Thank you! Thank you Dada, Thank you Mama!" over and over again. The more excited he got, the higher pitched his little voice got. It was pretty adorable.

Luke, on the other hand, loved the paper and boxes and his flashy new toy that lights up and makes music.

I love to see Griffin get down on the floor and play with Luke. It makes me so happy!

So, I'm pretty sure that this wrapping idea is gonna be a hit coming up on Pinterest. Not only is it very eye pleasing, we're going "green" people! All you need are a few used sheets of road construction plans and some white duct tape! I love my husband and his awesome creativity!

And it doesn't stop there! Rather than a stocking, I got a soccer sock filled with all kinds of great loot!

After the boys all napped we headed over to my parents for dinner with the Miller fam.

Papa Elf

We had our very own little Christmas miracle. Luke pooped! It had been 17 days since his last poop! Overshare, I know! And yes I know that's not normal, but for my boys it really is and I have taken them to the doctor and they are really ok, so please don't think I'm a bad mom. But he decided to wait until he was dressed in his cutest Christmas clothes to blow it all out so he had to wear the reserve outfit all day.

Hiding out in the corner planning his next scheme of mischief making...

Making humanitarian hygiene kits

Here is the family model all the way up from Mona! Work it Miss!

My beautiful Momma and her Bee themed gift from me

We never got a family photo with all of us that day so this is the best I could do!

It's that time of year...

...when there is a party around every corner! So here is our month in party pictures, and very important commentary, so listen up!

We started our partying with Marc's company party. It was "semi-formal" and included one free drink and dinner. They failed to mention that there would be a DJ and dance floor. What a nice surprise?! The DJ got bored when no one was dancing so he just sang into his microphone along with all of the songs that he was playing. But you'll never guess what song it was that did get people up to dance. Well, I'll tell you, it was the "Electric Slide." It was very much like "Thriller" from 13 Going on 30. Hilarious!

Too bad that most of the people Marc work with didn't stop after their one free drink. We heard that the party got more interesting after we left... because everyone continued to get more drunk. There was even dancing on tables. Man, too bad we didn't stick around for that!

Next we had the Thompson Orthodontics party at La Jolla Groves.

We had a yummy dinner and Dr. T gave a super cute gift boxes.

Maybe I just think that they were super cute, because I put them together and got to pick out all the stuff that went in them. I made 10 of these things. Did I mention that I have the best job ever?

The next partay was a couples party at the Bishop's. We had an absolute blast! The food was fabulous, the decor was darling and the friends were so so so fun!

Rein-beer, so cute!

We did a white elephant gift exchange where Marc and I totally scored!

Here's our whole group with our shwag

Next we moved onto the minute to win it games. So stinking funny!

These facial expressions are fantastic!

Here is Mark and darling little Hadley both decked out in their Holiday gitup

Now the invitation said to "wear something festive, use your imagination. Raf and Claudia were so creative as "Grandma got ran over by a Reindeer." I love it!

We tried not to disappoint with our festiveness.

And here are our fabulous and festive host and hostess for the party. And boy do they know how to throw a great party. We had so much fun and I have not eaten that much or laughed that hard in such a long time! I really think they should host us once a month! They were just so good at it! Thanks Mark and Torrey for such a fun night! (and all the great pictures!)

Next we move on to our family parties. Heath and Steph had my family up for the Miller family party. Griffin loves to go to Aunt Steph's because she has tons of awesome cars!

We put together a care package for my nephew who just left the MTC for the Des Moines, Iowa mission. We are so proud and here is his pround momma, Jill.

My amazing sister, Steph, is always a wonderful hostess who is constantly making sure that everyone is taken care of, before worrying about herself.

Griff fueling up with some juice so he has more energy to play with the cars

Marc and I got to be Mary and Joseph and Luke was Baby Jesus for a short and sweet little nativity. It still made me bawl.

Marc is such a ladies man

My sweet Momma made all of us girls an apron and gave us the book, "The Christmas Apron." It is a very sweet story about the importance of family. My mom amazes me every year with the wonderful homemade projects that she comes up with.

Baby Nuke did not want to miss out on any of the action and managed to stay awake all night until he finally crashed in his dad's arms about 3 minutes before we went home.

Another wonderful party with wonderful hosts, lots of yummy food and wonderful family.

And last, but certainly not least, the South family party. Always a good time with this group. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera that night but I got this group picture from Marc's sister Ashlee.

We did a cereal exchange. So fun, and the Reese's Puffs were a hit! Again, wonderfully delicious food, fantastic hosts and amazing time with family!

This is My December

There has been a lot more brotherly love going on at our place. Griff likes to lay down next to Lukie and chat with him. I just have to watch closely and stop Griffin before his fun turns fearsome.

This is a typical Luke face, "Huh?"

Griffin is getting bigger each day and he now insists on sitting at the bar every chance he gets. "A sit a bar." It makes me a little nervous because he is up so high but he is very good to wait for help getting up and down. Here he is enjoying one of dad's daily protein shakes. "Dada make a shake?"

The following pictures are part of the new chick-fil-a outer wear collection designed by Marc South.

We took Griffin to see Mater at the Christmas tree lot on Center in Orem. He was so excited on the drive over there and kept saying, "Go see Mater! Dad Gum! Go see Mater! Dad Gum!" Once we got there, not so much.

He was a little nervous to get too close.

So, we left and as soon as we drove away he said, "Go see Mater? Go see Mater?"

We also ventured out to Thanksgiving point to see the reindeer. Griffin was in love!

Momma tried hard to keep Luke warm, but he wasn't diggin it.

We took the boys to get their pictures taken with Fotofly Santa... that is actually Marc in a santa suit. This is how much Griffin cooperated. He really dislikes having his picture taken but really likes to look at the pictures afterward and say, "Griffin crying, Griffin Sad."

Luke, on the other hand, was much more cooperative.

Ok, so this one worked out alright.

Marc and I went for a date night out with our friends Joe and Hayley. We went to the Salt Lake Temple and did sealings. Oh my how I love the Salt Lake Temple! It is so amazing and beautiful! And then we did a quick jaunt through the freezing and crowded temple square. It was beautiful as well.






We finished the night off by having dinner at the Garden Restaurant where Marc got his very own Christmas tree!

And finally, we got Marc's sister, Ashlee, to snap some quick pictures of us so that we could give one to Marc's dad for Christmas... we didn't get Christmas cards out this year, so here ya go! Again Griffin did not want to participate in anything involving a camera so this is the best we got. Good news, Luke survived the choke hold I have him in, and that calf stretch that I'm working really loosened me up for the night. Oh, and can you tell that Marc works outside in the sun and wind all day? I really wish that those tan lines were from skiing instead of working.