Hippo-pot-a-mus!

Cassidy loves to talk! What a smart little girl!

Christmas Highlights 2009

We had such a fun Christmas time it was sad to see it end. Here are a few of the highlights:

Mike made Cassidy a beanie and she LOVES it. Anytime she sees it she wants to put it on. When we are getting ready to go bye-bye she gets very excited to put her hat on.
Hooray for awesome dad's who know how to make cute beanies for their sweet little girls.




Mike in the spirit of Christmas wore one of his moms festive sweaters to work. Too bad they weren't having a contest, he would have won for sure!



This present was partly a joke. Everytime a commercial comes on advertising one of these we always laugh. The commercials are so cheesy! And then we see them in the store and laugh. I was teasing Mike he should get me one for Christmas as a joke. When I opened it, I laughed. And yet I was secretly excited. Our living room gets so cold. I can never keep a blanket on and do what I need to. But not now! Now with my Snuggie I can hold my little girl or have a bowl of cereal or even write this blog all under the warmth of my micro-fleece Snuggie! I love it!



We spent Christmas Eve day with Mike's family. The day consisted of Racquetball, Brunch, Mall Shopping, Visiting My Parents, Fondue Dinner, and Opening Presents. It was very fun!



This was Cassidy's first racquetball experiance. She is all geared up ready to go.

Cassidy and Griffin loved "playing" racquetball. They were sad when they had to leave the court so we could play.

Man this blanket sure it snuggly!....... Hooray for the Snuggie!

In honor of Dr Jon Bylund, the Christmas pajamas this year were scrubs. Roxanne even bought some for the little ones. But Cassidy's weren't so little....

Being the jokesters that they are, Mike and Grant took it to a whole new level.

Going without a nap, Cassidy was soooo Tired.

Grant did a great job wrapping the present he got for Cassidy.

Wonder Red!
Wonderific! You're Terrific!

Sisters!
Surprising we are only related through marriage.

Christmas Day we went over to my parents house for brunch. This year Ashley and I helped my mom make her traditional 12 layer jello. It was very delicious.I helped my mom redecorate her tree this year. DISNEY!! It was so fun. Cassidy loved it!
She also loved turning on all my mom's music decorations and twirling to them. So cute!

Such a fun Christmas. We are so blessed to have such great family to spend it with.

Festival of Trees 2009

This year I had the opportunity of volunteering at the Festival of Trees. I was there from 10-1 on Friday December 4th. The festival is a fundraiser to benefit Primary Children's Hospital. People decorate trees and donate them which are then sold to other people wanting to help out. All the money from the purchase of the trees to the tickets sold go to the hospital. It is a very awesome thing.

My Aunt Bonnie volunteered with me. We were in charge of a specific row of trees. Our job was to make sure no one touched the trees and then answer any questions people had.

If any of you have been to the festival before you know what a big event it is. They had just over 800 trees donated this year. Along with Christmas wreaths, Gingerbread houses, quilts, etc. Many people who donate do so in honor of someone. Some of the stories are very touching. My mother volunteered two nights before me and she was in charge of guarding a tree that two women decorated in honor of their two still born baby girls. It was beautiful. I felt honored to be part of an event that has such a great Christmas spirit.

Below are some of the trees I got to stand by.


This tree was decorated in honor of a fireman who died in a road rage accident. He left behind a wife and young son. Such a tragedy to be taken so early and from such an unnecessary accident.

This tree was decorated in honor of a loving grandfather who passed away this year. He had bought a tree from the festival every year since 1982. The tree was decorated with all his favorite things. Also sitting on the chair were two children's books he had written. I had the chance to read them and they are very good. They are on my list of books I want to get.


This tree was dedicated to two sisters who lost their lives traveling home from snow college for the weekend. One of them was supposed to get engaged that Valentines weekend. So sad. It made me feel very blessed to have never been in an accident every time we have traveled that canyon. I pray for my families safety.


My mom was there with Cassidy as I did my volunteer shift. She liked seeing all the "pretties" but got a little overwhelmed (understandably) and tired.



This was my absolute FAVORITE tree!!

WINNIE THE POOH! Hooray! I have always loved Winnie the Pooh and friends and my daughter is following in my footsteps. When Cassidy first saw this tree my mom had a hard time keeping her away. It was such a cute tree! I have never wanted a tree so much in my life!
If only I had lots of money...........

So cute!

Volunteering made me feel very blessed for the wonderful people I have in my life. I love my husband and daughter so much. I'm thankful I get to be with them.

It was so great to see so much charity at this event.
After all, giving is what Christmas is all about!

Christmas Stories

I went up to get ready for the day and when I came down to check on Cassidy she was happily sitting by the tree reading her favorite Christmas books from the basket. I was excited to get the Christmas stories out this year and am very glad Cassidy was excited too.
It has been fun to have the tree up. I decorated the top 2/3 very nice and the bottom 1/3 only sparsely with non-important ornaments. I have been very happy that Cassidy hasn't pulled as many ornaments off as I had expected. We will see how it goes at Grandma Higbee's with her new Disney tree. Cassidy is her mother's daughter and has a thing for Winnie the Pooh.