Christmas 2009 wrap up

Christmas this year was the cherry on top of a wonderful year...it was the year my first child was born, a lot of new friendships and connections were made that make us feel so grateful for all that we have...I wanted to express my fondness for many of those friends...we made mango salsa and pumpkin bread for our friends...we thought we were being so crafty...apparently, we pale in comparison to many of the much more talented and creative people out there!

We headed over to Evanston to spend Christmas at Eric's parents' house...here is the Max on Christmas Eve.

Santa made a surprise appearance Christmas morning...
Here are some of the highlights of our spoils...a wii, a Ipod shuffle, a fly rod, a wii game and microphones,...

and Eric's parents and Eric surprised me by getting these paintings that I bought in China stretched, set and framed...BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER!!!!!

Some more highlights...Carli got these for Julie...

I, too, had to try them on...

We had our traditional Christmas brunch with Finnan Haddie, bacon, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce, bacon, English muffins, fruit salad, poppers, bacon, bacon and more bacon...Max had his first taste of bacon...and he is definitely a Phillips as he LOVED it!
On another day I made some crab cakes

and some Thai food...Chiu's Chowder...

we played some Hulk Operation...for about two seconds...

the boredom set in and we started doing weird things...Carli got a hand wax spa and managed to remove the entire glove intact...the gauntlet was thrown and we were all up for the challenge...

Can you match each person's hand....? My favorite is little Max's hand was thrown in for no reason...

You have to have tried this to appreciate how difficult it is...

We played a lot of wii fit and sang on the wii...then we went to see Avatar

I won't spoil anything...but, seriously, I stayed up for hours afterwards thinking about this movie...it's up there as one of my top 5 favorite movies, ever...it's liberal and flanked with politics, racial, ethnic and cultural biases...but AMAZING...a little existential, but AMAZING. I highly recommend it!

Twas the weekend before Christmas...

...and the stockings were (finally) hung by the (wood burning stove) with care...

We also had our ward Christmas party...we were happy to have had another successful party as activities coordinators...we couldn't have done it without our amazing ward leaders and members! Each family got personalized Kemmerer 1st ward ornaments and treats after a ham dinner and a white elephant exchange party. Eric and I had a great time and are just happy to be a part of such a great, growing and ever changing ward!

Here's Max playing with boxes while I put some finishing touches on the tree.

I'm not sure if any of you know Eric's youngest sister...she's just been called on a mission to...just kidding...we were trying on old clothes and noticed Carli looking very "sisterly-like" and we had nothing better to do so we completed the look...

Here's sister Phillips holding Max.

Eric and Max after a bath...my guys...they're so edgy!

We all had some last minute shopping to do, so Chuck, Carli, Julie, Eric, Max and I went down to Layton and Ogden and battled it out with the crowds. As reward for our successful day, we treated ourselves (and by we I mean Julie treated us) to Eastern Winds.

All of the food was great...as a testament to how good the food was, at one point Carli accidentally spilled her soda all over Chuck's leg...he was about to take a bite of food and even after the soda spilled, he was physically torn as to whether he should move or take a bite of food...it was classic...I wish I had it on video...we all laughed...I'm laughing now as I type this...oh, Chuck!!!!

Max enjoyed the food...but I think he liked the chopsticks the best...soon, my son!

Party at Pirate Island Pizza!!!!

Dylan turned 10 and we all headed down to Orem to Pirate Island Pizza!
The ambiance of the restaurant was stellar!!!

Max, looking like he's in the temple of doom!
Isn't Max so stinkin' cute? He arrrghh!!!
Here's the birthday boy sporting the thoughtful gifts we totally bought in advance (which also happened to be available in the restaurant gift shop). How cute is that little hook finger he's sporting?!
Some arcade fun...
The worlds biggest pizza, ever!!!
Eric thought it was so cute that Hanky ate his pizza like a cartoon character!
The joy that one balloon hat can bring to so many people!!! Who knew?!
We went to check out Carli and Chuck's new apartment...it decorated so well...straight out of a pottery barn catalog.
Sandra holding Max with Carli...Chuck's parents were so nice to let us ride one of their horses for Dylan's birthday. Eric and I once paid hundred's of dollars to ride horses that had flatulent problems. This experience was much more enjoyable!

The birthday boy taking the first ride of the day.I love this picture...Dylan's riding so happily while Brooke holds on for dear life!

Look at Max sporting his cowboy boots!!!
The Phillips family...onward, ho!
And people doubted my horse riding abilities!!!
Carless...
The Jarvis'...we haven't gotten used to Carless Jarvis yet!

Thanks, Dylan, for choosing to have a family birthday party instead of a friend party, thanks, Jody for giving birth to such a great boy, thanks, Geoff for paying for it!!! We love you, guys!!!

Looking back at the times I laughed...

A really popular quote my senior year was, " I always knew I would look back at the times I cried and laugh, but I never knew I would look back at the times I laughed and cry." While I'm not a big supporter of public crying... I viscerally felt the adage after reminiscing with some of my dearest friends. Here Sarah, Tamara and I are recreating a picture we took about three years ago.

Maddie (Sarah's oldest) wanted in on the action.

Curtis, Tamara' husband being Curty with Max. It's unfair to refer Curtis as Tamara's husband, as we were friends first...in fact, we all met in college while single, so we were all friends before any of us were married. That's something I've really cherished about these friends...with all of the sexual politics and proprieties, I don't think I really even know most of my current friends' spouses well enough to not need a buffer.

Here's my dad being silly...he put Max on the lazy Susan.

It was like old times...here we are before our amazing dinner.

Another night, we all went out with my brother and his fiance Kristina and her family...

It was so much good food...quality...that's one thing I really miss about California!

I'm not sure why people like to torture poor Max...but here he is in the trunk of my uncle's car...he was only in there for about 15 seconds...but it does make for a funny picture!

Since Eric and I had to leave Thanksgiving morning in order to make the Eldridge Thanksgiving...my parents made Thanksgiving the night before...my dad carving the turkey

...back in Utah..Max and Linzie...they were born one day apart...obviously fascinated with one another!

Carli and Chuck..oh, young love!!!

It was also Becky's birthday and Wendy made this AMAZING cake!

Thanksgiving was all I could have hoped for and more..it was filled with family,friends, food and fun times...everything that I am so thankful for!