Brian's GOLDEN Birthday

Brian turned 28 on the 28th of December....his golden birthday. I knew nothing about golden birthday's until his Aunt Diane informed me that they are a big deal. We had some delicious cake, even if it was lopsided, and a turkey dinner to celebrate. Joined by the Gaby's and the Eames family, we tried to make it special. Brian kind of gets the short end of the stick when it comes to his birthday...3 days after Christmas. I promised him that we would see National Treasure II and we waited just for him. Good thing we got tickets early-there is nothing else to do in rural Idaho and they were sold out by the time we got there!

Christmas in Rupert

Tis the Season to be....wierd?

Well we did not get to go to Disneyland with the rest of them, but Christmas was spent in the good/crazy company of family. Brian went back and forth while I camped out and watched movies, relaxed, and got addicted to some all day TV marathons. (Cam-it is so true, the Deadliest Catch is awesome....I will never make fun of you again). Some other highlights: *Company at all hours of the day *Grandpa Garth reading the Christmas story while Lusia steals baby Jesus *Brian's new video camera-watch out Lake Powellers, he's planning on making another documentary! *Mathis sporting the new belt buckle next to Uncle Jack *Brendon and Mat's snow cave *Duke telling Brian he needs help from "The Love Doctor" The list could go on and on.

If You're Nesting & You Know It...

Clap your hands! So while my entire extended family is in Disneyland and my husband is MIA, I have been listening to Christmas music and getting things ready for this baby to come! Some may say it's a nesting instinct, others boredom. Yesterday I put together the cradle. Today I bought a breastpump (exciting....I know) and put together the stroller. I think that in the end the only thing left for Brian to do is paint the wall if I keep up the pace. I am not counting my chickens (or children) before they hatch though!

Open House

Every year the mansion gets a Christmas makeover and they have an open house. Brian of course got to be there all night for two nights. I just popped in on Wednesday. Everything was decked out and the food was actually good! Although the next day, I got in major trouble from my physical therapist and a stern talking to. I had to swear with my life that I wouldn't wear heels again for Christmas. The havoc of wearing them only 45 minutes could wreck on my body-it was amazing! Do I look like I'm on drugs in this pic, or is it just me?

The Tree

Oh the time of year! Presents, kids caroling in the snow, mistletoe...well actually, none of that YET-but we ventured out and got the tree. I must admit, this is the one time all year that Brian and I get VERY close to having an argument. It consists of him getting frustrated about my version of Christmas and me laughing at his frustration. What can you say, when you grow up a block and a half away from the beach, Christmas is very casual. Those of you that know my mother understand that it was never that way at our house. We got through it without a fight and Brian even did the majority of the decorating. Here are a few pics of the occasion.

Arizona

So we finally got to use the last of the buddy passes and went to visit Mand, Cam, and the kids. Something we've been talking about forever, but saved until the last week I could fly. We had fun, however, it rained for 48 hours straight. The Balls fam can be quoted as "I can not remember this much rain since the year we moved here," that was a while ago. We still found fun things to do like walking around the block to look at Christmas lights, going to Chick-Fil-A where they have TOYS, getting stuck in parking lots, and looking at Cam's new project, a 3 million dollar house for a couple of doctors. Hopefully, next time we can have some sun!