Christmas Eve Dancing

This makes me seriously, delightfully happy.
I hope that Harper will always be this free spirited.
I hope that she will never be afraid to bust a move.

Christmas 2010

Having a child really does make Christmas magical.

 I could never receive a present again and I'd be perfectly satisfied 

as long as I could still see Harper open presents. 

We spent Christmas Eve with the Rushtons (Colt's moms' family).

My camera died only 5 minutes in, so this is the only photo I took.

Doesn't Harper look cute? She spent the evening dancing and climbing the stairs.

She danced until she threw up.... literally.

I got a seriously cute video of her party moves. I'll try to post it today.

Grandma Rushton gave her My Little Ponies and a book.

After the Christmas Eve party, Harper was exhausted.

Colt and I stuffed wedding invitations and waited for Santa to arrive.

He definitely came and he left wonderful surprises for Harper, Hazel, and Tucker.

Christmas morning was crazy.

Harper had a diarrhea blowout when she woke up.

Yay.

Seeing what Santa left was delayed while we got her cleaned up 

and started the laundry. That Harper is always full of surprises.

We didn't even bother to comb her hair before letting her see her presents.

Harper can get some crazy bed head.

Anyway, she was pretty surprised...

She picked up her bath crayons right away.

She looked at them for quite a long time.

I think she felt overwhelmed.

I'm sure my squeals of delight had NOTHING to do with that.

Then she wanted to watch one of her new movies.

Baby MacDonald can obviously get pretty intense.

Hazel was more than happy with her stocking full of treats!

After the movie, Harper played with her new doll.

 After we got ready, Harper, Colt, and I headed to his parents' house.

There all three of us were spoiled.

Colt's mom still makes stockings for her kids.

Lucky me got one too (she is just nice like that).

It was full of goodies, lotion, candles, and jewelry.

I also got a Barnes & Noble gift card and a pink kitchenaid blender. 

It matches my pink mixer perfectly!

Grandma Carrie and Grandpa Doug gave Harper clothes, books, movies, and a car!

She loved her car and took a spin around the house right away.

Then we were off to Colt's Uncle Roger's for the Adams family party.

Great Grandma/Grandpa Adams gave Harper a little riding toy.

You can see here that by this time, Harper understood all about present opening.

She didn't even wait her turn before diving right in.

She loved it!

Look how SLEEPY she is in this photo.

Christmas weekend was rough on her.

Well, that's it folks.

We had a wonderful Christmas.

Post-Bookstore Incident Update

I was so upset about last night's Barnes & Noble incident- like really upset. I even cried. It wasn't so much that I was mad at Harper. I wasn't. I was just mad at the whole situation and the various factors that brought such a nightmare about. I truly hate to be angry/stressed/frustrated. It always makes me feel like I've failed at controlling my thoughts and emotions, which should be a simple task. We all know that it isn't. The world is crazy busy and there is so much for everyone to do that it is so easy for negativity to overtake us. Once it does, we basically surrender our thoughts, and therefore our emotions, to anything and everything negative and hateful. This almost happened to me last night but I pulled it together and maintained control of my thoughts. I tucked Harper in and spent the rest of the evening reading (The Amber Spyglass is AMAZING!). By the time I went to bed, I'd kicked my anger right out the mental door. I was humbled to once again be reminded that my goal is Diligent Joy and that such a goal includes being positive even after a humiliating and unsuccessful shopping trip.

I'm feeling better today. I'm not quite ready to try again, however, so I just turned on the computer and ordered everything I wanted from Barnesandnoble.com. It was amazing and easy and I got free shipping because I spent over $25. Nobody hit me or yelled at me and no precious doggies were lost. Today I am so, so, so grateful for online shopping.

Barnes & Bratty

If you read my last post, you'll remember that I expressed worry about Harper turning into a mega brat by age three. Good news (I hope you caught my sarcasm), my friends. I no longer need to worry. Harper won't be a brat at three because she turned into one at only 14 months. To be more specific, Harper has become the kind of child that hits and yells at her mom in public. She does it at home, too, but it isn't nearly as mortifying when nobody is watching.

I took Miss Harper to Barnes & Noble tonight. I was hoping to use one of my Christmas gift cards (thank you, thank you, dear family/friends for knowing me so well). I planned on buying couple of books for myself and some prizes for Harper. I have a really long list of books that I want to buy and I chose a couple of them before we left, thinking that I was in for a quick and easy trip to the bookstore.

Wow, was I ever wrong. Was it quick? Yes. Was it easy? No. Did I leave the store humiliated because my child was so naughty (aka hitting me and telling me "No" the entire time because I wouldn't let her down to get lost in the store) that people were staring at her (and most likely judging my poor parenting skills)? Yes. Oh, yes. Did I get what I wanted? No. Did I still buy Harper a prize? Yes. Do I have anyone but myself to blame for her brattiness? Obviously not.

I was so angry during the drive home. Actually, I'm still a little angry... but not angry enough to miss out on how cute Harper looks right now, watching Barney and snuggling with her friends. It's so hard to be mad at someone that is so cute. It's actually almost impossible.

A Christmas Summation

Christmas was amazing.
It is a good thing that it only comes once a year. I'm exhausted.
We spent a lot of time with some wonderful family members.
We danced, played, and opened presents together.
We also ate together- we ate a lot. I already began paying my dues at the gym tonight.
Colt, Hazel, Tucker, and I were all aptly spoiled.
Our families are really too good to us.
Harper's Christmas was another story.
At this point, she is beyond spoiled.
I don't think a word even exists for what she is.
Let's just say that we couldn't even fit all of her presents in my car.
Colt and I had a great time helping Harper open her gifts.
Of all of them, she showed the most excitement over her new toothbrush.
Was I surprised at this? Not one bit.
She is slowly discovering everything else.
Harper prefers to come to new toys in her own time.
We just make sure they are in a place where she can get them when she is ready.

Here is a pretty accurate photo summation of a weekend spent watching our daughter become more and more spoiled by the minute. That's what happens when your child has 2 amazing grandmas and 2 amazing great-grandmas. As parents, we have no choice but to sit back and watch them shower her with love, all the while hoping that Harper won't be a complete brat by the age of three.

I'll post more Christmas pics this week.

I took over 200 photos this weekend.

I promise that you won't have to see all of them.

I'll share the best with you as soon as I get organized.

It's Christmas Eve!

Happy Christmas Eve everybody! I actually love today more than I love Christmas. I love the magical feeling that is in the air, which I am sure is a direct result of a world of children buzzing with anticipation for Santa Claus to come. Even as a child, I liked the 24th better. I love having something to look forward to.

We have got a busy weekend ahead of us. That is how it is with two sets of parents and two sets of grandparents. It's going to be really great and I'm excited. Mostly, I can't wait for Harper to wake up tomorrow and see what Santa left for her. I may not even be able to sleep tonight- that is how excited I am. Seriously, I feel like a six year old.

So, last night, Colt and I went on a little date. We dropped Harper at Grandma's house and headed to dinner and the lights downtown (Temple Square at Christmastime is one of the perks when you reside in Utah). We doubled up with our cute friends Niki and Tyson and together the four of us enjoyed dinner, drinks, laughs, and Christmas lights. It was the perfect way to begin this holiday weekend and it was really nice to have some Colt/Abby time (which doesn't happen nearly often enough).

Porcupine Grill- another Utah perk!

And yes, I was wearing heels.

Our favorite doubling couple.

Niki is the cutest.

Still wearing heels....

Niki is the smallest person I know and I'm even shorter than her.

Even when I wear heels...

Aren't we cute?

We are getting married three weeks from today!

Before I take off for three days of Christmas fun, I have one more thing to say. Today is my niece Crystal's birthday. I still remember waking up on Christmas morning when I was in third grade and having my mom tell me that my baby niece had been born the night before. I was so excited. She was by far the best present we ever got for Christmas and today she is 19 (yes, 19- which makes me officially OLD). Happy birthday to my beautiful, fashionable, sweet niece! LOVE YOU GIRL.

Crystal and Harper at the zoo last July.

And now let me wish you a wonderful weekend.

Thank you for letting me share my life with you.

Merry Christmas!

Be safe. Be warm. Be joyful.

The More, The Merrier

Harper loves to take baths with her friends.
It's all fun and games until someone poops in the tub.
Luckily, that didn't happen today.
Hey! Christmas miracles do exist!
It's happened before, however.
On more occasions than I'm okay with, there has been baby poop in my tub.
It happened once when Colt was home.
He was watching Harper have her bath.
He came out in a frantic way and informed me that Harper had pooped in the tub.
Then, for some reason unbeknownst to me, Colt disappeared for a few minutes.
Hmmmm..... Imagine that.
Anyway, aren't Harper's little friends adorable?

Harper is a fancy little girl.

I know this because she even accessorizes for the bath.

BABIES

Last night when I got home from the gym, I wasn't sleepy so I decided to watch a flic. Thanks to Netflix streaming video, my options were many. I chose the new documentary Babies. It sends the wonderful message that all babies are beautiful little miracles, no matter where they are from.

This movie is full of nothing but cuteness.

There is no dialog or commentary.

It is just and hour and a half of chubby-cheeked sweeties.

(Beware: there are quite a few big African boobies as well)

I loved it (the film, not the booby shots).

You should watch it.

Watch with caution, however.

This show could make nearly anyone baby hungry.

Christmas Week Eve

Is it really Christmas week eve?
I sure hope so because I can't keep Harper's gifts hidden in the closet much longer.
Add Colt's, Hazel's, and Tucker's to that as well.
I'm just not very good at keeping secrets/presents/surprises to myself.

Anyway.... Our weekend was great. How was yours?

I picked my wedding dress up yesterday. It is even more simple than I remember and I love it. Yesterday we visited our reception center and made all sorts of decisions. I think that our wedding planner was shocked at how quickly I can make a choice. I'm truly not a picky bride and things are pretty easy when you eliminate flowers, tuxedos, cakes, lines, and other such unessecary details.

After leaving the reception center, we went to Walmart for some last minute groceries and a fish (keep reading). Yes we are crazy. Yes, going to Walmart the Saturday before Christmas was a nightmare that I will hope to never repeat as long as I live. Heaven knows I can barely handle Walmart on a normal day. The parking lot alone gives me anxiety. Alas, Walmart was our only choice as it is the only place where one can purchase milk, bacon, and a pet fish simultaneously.

The stress was worth it because we were buying supplies for a white elephant party with our friends. The party was last night and it was fun. In an act of cruelty, I took a BYU t-shirt (our friends are Ute fans through and through) and Colt took a fish (complete with a bowl and food). My gift was not wanted  at all but the fish (aka Leonard) was warmly received. I was happy to receive a fb report that he was a alive and well this morning. Colt and I came home with foot massagers and a pillow of some sort (don't ask... Just know that it isn't a pillow pet). White elephant parties are the best.

Harper had fun as well and she also came home with a present. Harper's gift was, however, not a white elephant. She actually slept through that part of the evening. Harper's present came earlier from my dear friend Danni, who is the best party hostess ever and Harper's favorite grown up pal.

Today arrived and we did..... NOTHING. Colt and I have needed- desperately needed- a day of nothing for a while. We stayed home all day. We watched both of our Netflix DVDs. We played with Harper (who, by the way, learned how to point out her eye, nose, and mouth today! Baby genius if you ask me...). We played with our fur babies. We didn't go anywhere or see anyone but each other. It was wonderful.

Now we are ready and excited to greet Christmas. It is going to be a great week. Our shopping is done and I've got stockings stuffed for Colt, Harper, Hazel, and Tucker. We have family dinners, family parties, downtown lights with friends, and a visit to Santa to keep us busy until December 25!

An Afternoon With Harper

As luck would have it, Harper and I have one another all to ourselves this afternoon. We are trying, and slowly succeeding, to clean Harper's room and closet in preparation for Christmas. I'm moving toy bins to her closet and making room for her new doll furniture. Harper, helpful as always, is pulling toys and stuffed animals out of her bins as quickly as I'm putting them in. She also assists me by standing on the step stool with me. Not only do I have to worry about not falling myself, I have to make sure I don't knock the my little helper off as well.

(As I organize I'm hoping to find our missing Joseph. He went missing a day after Harper opened her nativity and hasn't been seen since. I've been checking all garbages/clothing hampers without any success. I'm hoping he is hiding out in a basket of plastic fruit or zoo animals.)

No worries, though, because we are having plenty of fun this afternoon as well. We just took a fruit-snack break. Harper made a really big mess, stood on her stool, and danced whilst eating her fruity sharks. My mom remarked this morning that Harper is already proving to have quite the imagination. I can do nothing but agree with her, considering the fact that while Harper was dancing this afternoon, no music was playing.

A Memory

I was really heartbroken to read about the Provo Tabernacle fire this morning. I actually called my mom in tears at 8:00 (7:00 Vegas time- and no, she wasn't up).

The Tabernacle has long held a very special place in my heart. Have you ever had a moment that was so amazing that it forever altered your life path? I've had several and one of the biggest took place at the Tabernacle when I was 12 years old. My parents took me to see David Glen Hatch's Christmas concert. (David Hatch is a grammy award winning recording artist and one of the best piano teachers in Utah.) It was that night that he and I met and a nearly 10 year long journey began. I will never forget the magic that I felt when David (Dr. Hatch as he will always be to me) began playing his arrangement of "Joy to the World." In that instant, I became a changed girl. That gave me the inspiration to take my piano skills to their limit.

As we left the Tabernacle that December night, I asked my mom to set up an audition with David. A week later I was his student, scared and excited at the same time. Over the next decade, David, a few other students, and I would travel through Europe, Russia, Japan, and China performing together. He would only take select students abroad and I was lucky to be invited each year. We travelled stateside for competitions and he was on the front row as I competed for Miss Utah. To this day David is one of my favorite people and he is still my hero, all thanks to one concert at the Provo Tabernacle.

Since then, I've attended many more concerts and even performed at the Tabernacle. Sounds came to life in building's main hall. The acoustics were so vibrant that they drew the audience members in and made them feel as if they themselves belonged to the music. I've been on the giving and receiving end of such an experience and am proud to say so.

It's no secret that I love old things- old books, buildings, furniture- and am so sad to see such a historical gem destroyed. It makes me really sad to think that I'll probably never again visit the Tabernacle for a concert.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my dad's birthday!

He is the strongest, kindest, wisest, and most giving person I know.

I am so lucky that he chose to be my father.

His love has been the guiding light in my life.

I love him and miss him and wish I were celebrating with him today.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Dad and me in St. George in 2007.

(I was almost always blond back then.... and apparently tan sometimes as well?)

Floppy Dog Contest Winner

Forgive me for not naming the winner sooner. Things have been so busy that I have kept putting it off. Thanks for all of your name choices. I had so much fun reading the comments on the contest post. There were some really great ideas. However, the moment a certain name was suggested, our decision was made.
My dear blog friends, meet SCOUT.

My cousin Penny suggested the name. You can see her blog if you go here. I don't think she even realized how perfect her name choice actually is. When we found out we were having a girl, I wanted to name her Scout, after the little girl in To Kill a Mockingbird. Having never read the book, Colt just didn't get it. So we opted to name her after the author, Harper Lee, instead. I'm glad we did, too, because Harper's name is perfect for her, and consequently, (and yes, a little ironically) Scout is the perfect name for her favorite companion.

Speaking of Scout, he is still Miss Harper's best pal and she takes good care of him. This week alone he has been to two malls, Sports Authority, Harmon's, and Ikea. Harper brings me diapers and clothing for him (and yes, like a good doggy grandma, I put them on) and she even made sure to give him a bath (it was in the toilet so I made sure to give him a more appropriate one in the washing machine). Just this morning she was feeding him a pork chop. It was a plastic pork chop but I'm sure he appreciated the sentiment. Hazel was probably a little jealous as she has never had a pork chop before.

Thanks Penny for the name suggestion. (E-mail me you address and I'll send your prize!) It is a perfect fit for Harper's best toy. Scout is a lucky dog to have such a special little girl loving him. I just hope he has it in him to keep up with her.