Build-A-Bear

What a treat for Anna to go to Build-A-Bear with Grandma Black. It was such a fun, special outing for all of us. Anna was quite shy in the shop, but I could tell she was loving every minute of it. She was totally spoiled by Grandma. She was able to pick out any stuffed animal she wanted and then picked out an outfit, pajamas, and even slippers. After much consideration, Anna decided on the name Kit Kat for she new stuffed kitty.

Stuffing Kit Kat.

Anna kissed the heart, made a wish, and put it in Kit Kat right before he was sewed up.

Of course, no outing with Grandma is complete without lunch after. We ended up at The Cheesecake factory and enjoyed a pleasant lunch with Grandma.

Quite possible my favorite picture of these two to date.

Isaac's Blessing

We decided that since we would be in Utah for the holidays we would take the opportunity to bless Isaac so we could have the priesthood holders in our families involved. The blessing was at my parents house and between the two families, it was a packed house. Jeff gave a really lovely blessing to Isaac. We are so grateful for our baby boy. It is truly a priviledge to have been given stewardship over Isaac during his earthly life. I love Isaac so much. And I very grateful that Jeff holds the priesthood and is able to give such important blessings to our children.

The outpowering of love we felt from family this day was overwhelming. We had just about every member on both sides of the family present. Plus Amber and Johnny, our dear friends, made it.

Included in the circle were: Jeff, Dave Black, Larry Sollis (Isaac's grandpas), Nate Black, Josh Black, Dan Black, Matt Cox, Brian Hepworth, Karl Lundeberg, Chris Sollis, Matt Sollis (Isaac's uncles), Johnny Hatch (family friend), Brandon Muir, Brett Muir, Greg Muir, (Isaac's second-uncles), and Randy Muir (Isaac's great-uncle). It was a tight circle! Also present was my oldest brother, Matt. Presiding was Ryan Dial, bishopric member of my parents ward (Murray North 6th Ward).

After the blessing we had a wonderful luncheon and visited with everyone. It was so pleasant.

It was a bit bright outside-hence the squinting.

Cousin Joseph holding Isaac post-blessing. Anna got tired of wearing her dress.



Isaac and cousin Gracie.



The crowds.

Christmas with the Grandparents

The day after Christmas we flew to Utah to spend a week with our families. We stayed and Jeff's parents' newly remolded home. After arriving, Anna couldn't wait to open presents. She recieved a doll house and some Cinderella pajamas from Grandma Marlene and Grandpa Larry. She LOVED the doll house! Isaac opened some diapers. Lucky boy!

The next morning we went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Black. Anna got a gift-certificate for Build-A-Bear. As you can imagine, she was a little confused.

Our parents are always so generous and we love them so much. How wonderful to be with family for the holiday season!

Christmas Day

What fun Christmas morning is. Anna was thrilled with her stash and Isaac was content to lay on a blanket and look and the Christmas lights. I was terrible about taking pictures and didn't get even one of Jeff or I. Jeff completely surprised me this year. It's a rare occurrence when that happens, because he usually is too excited to keep secrets. He got me a super nice Zune MP3 player. It's prefect for exercising and such. After presents I made breakfast and we just relaxed and played.

I have to say, for the most part I really enjoyed having Christmas with our little family. They are the people I love most in this world. Plus, there is not much more joyful than watching Christmas unfold from your children's' eyes.

Isaac's first Christmas

Anna loot: Owl sleeping bag, backpack, and flashlight, Littlest Pet Shop, Carebear puzzle, Sleeping Beauty, building blocks, Pinkalicious (from cousin Amelia), and Mickey Mouse Fairytale Book

The stocking stuffers: stickers, crayons, hairbands, Tom and Jeffy DVD, mittens, socks, comb, toothbrush, water paints, and of course candy.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve

This was our first actual Christmas Eve together. (In years past we have had Christmas Eve earlier so we could spent time with our families.) Jeff had to work and it was a nice reason to refine our own Christmas tradtions. Anna and I spent the morning making cookies for Santa. We got a little crazy and attemped Candy Cane Sandwich Cookies. They were a lot of work and took longer than Anna's attention span would have prefered but they were delicious and I'm sure Santa appreciated the extra effort.

When Jeff (finally!) got home mid-afternoon, we headed off to Chili's. I couldn't bring myself to cook since that was never a part of my growing-up Christmas experience. I may have to change that. There was something slightly depressing about eating mid-grade, chain restaurant food. It made us miss our families.

But we quickly recovered from our moment of homesickness driving home and anticipating the party awaiting us. We had a spread of more food, chocolate, candy and nuts. After acting out the natvity and singing some carols, the kids open one present each. Then we set out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer and shooed Anna off to bed. It was pretty easy to convince her since she had a bit of a fever and was feeling pretty sluggish anyway.

Jeff and I continued the evening by watching Midnight Mass.

One Hip Daddy-O

Happy Birthday Jeff!

In honor of your 28th birthday I just want to say, you complete me, you make me want to be a better (wo)man, I will love you my whole life; you and no other, I may not be a smart (wo)man but I know what love is, I love you even when you're sick and you look disgusting, come what may I will love you until my dying day, I love you most ardently.

(Five gold stars for you if you can name all the movie quotes.)

It was not my most stellar performance in birthday celebrations, but it certainly was pleasant. After church, Jeff took a nap while Anna and I "planned the party." Anna colored the banner, set the table, and blew up balloons (as evidenced from this picture.) Jeff's meal of choice was Italian Sausage Soup and Bread Pudding. Mmmmm. That's pretty much it....oh, yeah, Jeff also got a rockin' tribute on our blog.

PS Anyone of the Black siblings that can identify the source of the tag line for this post gets double gold stars.

PPS Triple if you can name the movie playing in the background of birthday picture #1. Hint: It's one of Jeff's favorite. Another hint: We promptly turned if off when Anna woke up from her nap. Too scary.

Sumo Isaac

Thanks for the laugh, Karl!

Rolly Polly Boy

2 Months

14 lbs 5 oz

23 3/4 inches

Isaac is doing great. He is healthy and happy. He's starting to sleep better, only getting up once or twice a night. He loves to coo and smile. Isaac really likes to get his belly rubbed (rather violently) by dad. It always produces a huge grin. Isaac is obviously a great eater and only spits up once or twice per week. (That's right, I said per week.) Anna has really warmed up to Isaac and is especially sweet when he's crying. She loves to get diapers and wipes for me and thinks it's really funny when Isaac toots, which is often. On that note, we love you Mizzy!

I pretty much look awesome in this picture.

I am trying really hard to get up the motivation to back-blog. It. Will. Happen. First I just need some actual sleep and a few more hours in the day. (How can it possibly be December?!) Meanwhile, enjoy this gem of a photo and think good thoughts about me.