Christmas Photo Shoot at Bellevue Square

Peeking into Santa's workshop...

We tried to go see Santa about a week before Christmas at the mall, but the wait was 3 hours and it would have been well past Maizyn's bedtime. So we just took a bunch of pictures of the festivities and beautiful Christmas decor at Bell Square insead. Some of the pictures were really cute.

12 Day's of Christmas from a Secret Santa

We were soooooo blessed this year with a Secret Santa that gave us the 12 days of Christmas, starting on the 13th all the way down the Christmas Day. They came at random times of the day and twice the gifts were in the mail. This was the funnest thing that happened this year and we really looked foreward to it every single day. We wanted to catch our little "elf" so badly and even tried to as they doorbell ditched when we were home a few times. They were really quick though and we never found out who it was. This wasn't just a small act of kindness with little knick knacks either... It was a TON of REALLY nice as well as practical gifts. We were / are soooo greatful. Here was the count down:

12 - rolls of toilet paper - "simple pleasures of Christmas"
11 - pairs of socks - " warm and toasty toes "
10 - cleaning supplies and a Christmas dress for Maizyn - "Cleanliness is next to Godliness"
9 - random things... and a baby swing for Maizyn's dolls
8 - food storage - "be prepared"
7- mylar bags for Water storage
6 - dollars for Baskin Robins - "sweet treats"
5 - $20 - "five gallons og gas"
4 - more cleaning supplies "Cleanliness is next to Godliness"
3 - NICE clothes for each of us (Maizyn got another dress, I got a nice blouse, Clay got a shirt and tie ) "Family of 3, to make you pretty"
2 - Cooties game for Maizyn "2 hours of fun for your 2 year old"
1 - Baby Alive for Maizyn "Santa is running late" - they came at 1:30 AM!

We absolutely loved it and were kind of bummed to never find out who it was from so that we could show them just how greatful we were for our Secret Santa. If you know who it was or if he/she is reading this.... THANKS a million! We hope to pass on the tradition and Pay it foreward in years to come.

Strep Throat and Christmas...

I have been sick for about a month now, since before Thanksgiving. Sometimes I would think I was getting better, but then got sick again... well, this past week I've been so busy running myself ragged, it finally caught up to me. Last night I was shaking with chills and fever, and my throat felt like it was closing, it even hurt to swallow my own saliva, so I was drooling and crying... Finally decided to go to urgent care at 4:30 am this morning... earlier last night I researched about strep on the internet and compared pictures with my own throat... Unfortunatley, I was right and the test came out positive. The doc sent me home with antibiotics, and was kind enough to write a perscription for Maizyn as well free of charge... We don't have insurance right now, so that was a huge blessing. Well, today I have been sleeping and resting and feeling horrible... Clay came home and took good care of me. Maizyn seems to be doing well and doesn't have any major signs of being in pain like I am... so lets hope she doesnt get it and we don't have to use her perscription. I sent Clay and Maizyn to our ward Christmas party tonight so I could get some rest. I was sad that I wasn't able to go. They looked sooo cute though! Look how adorable my little family is... I love them so much. They have been troopers with my crankiness of being sick. Love you guys!

Everyone out there - if you read this, don't be stupid like me - take better care of yourself and go see a doctor earlier than later so that you don't feel so crappy, like I do! My body finally caught up to me and is now screaming at me - SLOW DOWN and get some rest! Hopefully this penicillin will take effect and I will feel good tomorrow, I better be feeling good before next weekend when most of the Christmas festivities begin!

Oh Christmas Tree!

Finally! We have a tree. We originally decided not to have one htis year because our apartment is so small and cramped as it is, and we didn't really want to spend the money. Well, I told this to my in-laws recently and they said it wouldn't do and went out and bought us a tree and delivered as well as groceries to our house today while I was working. It brought tears to my eyes when I came home! how incredibly nice is that? Not only did they get us a beautiful tree, they also got Maizyn a little mini tree for her room. She was sooo excited! Here's some pictures of the finished product, Maizyn even put the gift for Daddy that she wrapped herself under it. We finangled our way into making this corner work. I'm so glad we did too, it feels like we finally have the Christmas spirit in our home now. I have the best in-laws ever! Thanks Mom and Steve! Talk about true meaning of Christmas. I love it! It is beautiful! :) Merry Christmas everyone!