The Holidays

Well, I suppose I had better wrap up the old year now that the new year is upon us. Christmas was really great this year. We were the recipients of some very generous gifts, many of which were anonymous, and felt incredibly spoiled and incredibly grateful for the kindness shown to us by so many. Most of all, we were blessed to enjoy time with family and friends.

On the 19th we had a great time at the annual Trimble Christmas Party, where we had the opportunity to visit with wonderful friends.

On the 23rd the Lloyd brood came to our condo for the David Lloyd Family Christmas celebration. All of Cody's siblings were in attendance. It was especially great to see the Bates from Ohio and the Brandon Lloyd Family from Washington. All of the cousins had fun slipping and sliding around on the floor covering Ty provided (thank you!). We ate pizza, opened gifts, and had fun visiting. And last, but not least, Amy announced baby #2 coming this July!

Christmas Eve we went to my parents' home in Orem, where we ate the traditional homemade chowders, read the Christmas story, sang carols and enjoyed cookies and hot cocoa.

On Christmas morning Cody and I made a big breakfast, woke the Bubs up and ate together BEFORE opening presents. This is the first year we have made a big breakfast and I am certain it is the last year we will be able to eat before opening presents! It was fun to watch the Bubs open their gifts. Maeryn had a small meltdown when she mistook her ringpop for fruit snacks. Thankfully I had some fruit snacks in the pantry to calm her down! Afton was very excited about the Little People farm and helped Daddy put it together while Maeryn was completely entranced by her new box of colored pencils. Both Bubs had fun zipping around the house with their new dolls in their strollers. After we got ourselves bundled up, we headed back to my parents' house. We were greeted with the exciting news that Noelle is expecting Torres baby #1 in August of 2009! HOORAY!!! We enjoyed a nice relaxing day together, and to top it all off, my siblings and I shared our favorite Christmas memories that evening - so fun to reminisce!

A couple days later the Bubs and I (poor Cody had the awful cold the rest of us were later hit with) went to my parents' house for dinner and a movie. We all watched White Christmas (what a classic!) and afterward the Lott Family led us to a home in Lindon where the lights were coordinated to music.

New Years' Eve was filled with good food and fun games (I won Boggle and Mom truly crushed us in our Scrabble match!).

We certainly had a white Christmas this year - tons and tons of snow - and it was absolutely beautiful! I feel so grateful for the many blessings we enjoy and am excited about this new year that is upon us. Okay, so I'm not so much looking forward to the potty-training part of 2009, but everything else should be great! :)