Temple Square

Gian has never ever in is entire life gone to Temple Square during the most glorious festival of lights A.K.A Christmas lights. I was shocked.... he has spent so many years in Utah during this frigid cold season. How has he missed all the fun friend trips. Then it dawned on me.... that's because he had never had a friend like me to show him the correct duties of Christmas traditions!!!!

So I declared that we were going to go before Christmas and that he would see what all the fuss was about. I didn't have to twist his arm, we was excited to have the love of his life linked to his arm to share a memory that would be unforgettable. ahahhaha haha hahahaha hahahahah I am just kidding I made that last part up. The truth is Gian really wanted to go and he was going to go with or with out me!!!

Even though it was about 20 degrees that night, and it looks like we dressed warm...we did not!!! We were so cold that we literally ran through. I cant say I remember much more then running and pointing, saying, "Look isn't it magical", "How long did this take?", "Look at those details", "Awe baby Jesus is precious." It was such a fast walk by, that by the time we got back to the car, it was still warm. So I am sorry there are not a million pictures, but you would run too!!!

Seriously, how long did it take to make all the trees look this wonderful? I can tell you they started in September...Gian and I saw them during our wedding, doing the trees right behind us.

This was on the refection pool in front of the Salt Lake Temple, they have these bubble lights that pop up out of the water. Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus in the center, and to the sides on the grass are white statues of the wise man, animals, and shepherd boy. This was hands down my favorite nativity of all time! It was very peaceful and spiritual.

This was another nativity scene that had music to go along with it. It was beautiful! I am so thankful for our Savior who has a wonderful season where we can focus on him and all the gifts and blessing he has given us!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

For whatever reason, it has taken me far too long to share these holiday pictures with you. I am soooooooooooo sorry for the long delay! But hey its still 2009, so it really could be worse. Here are the decorations we had to make our home feel more festive for my favorite time of the year!

I made this wreath last year...What do you think? Ugly or Cute?

PS I always say reef. I CANT HELP IT!!!!!!!!!!!

This little Holiday Teddy sits on our couch. She was given to me from my Mom!!

Nativity set, once again provided by my wonderful Mother!!

Gian really didn't like the shepherd boy (represents common men). He didn't get the point or purpose of him. So you will notice poor little shepherd boy is not a part of this scene.

I love this Santa and tree...Thank you MOM!!!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh My most favoritest part....THE TREEEEEEE!!! I must say I am very pleased with how everything matched and turned out. I loved our stockings (Target). It truly was perfect, especially when there were gifts under the tree. Look at the star, have you seen anything cuter? And the ornaments (Costco {can you believe it? $28} and the random ones are Target).....to me it was a winter wonderland in our little home. I LOVED IT!!

There she is, all naked and perfect. It was so fun to pick her out with Gian at the xmas tree lot just down the street from out house.

Our very first Christmas. It was just delightful and perfect!

Thank you again Mom for providing so many cute things for our home! It really brought everything together.

Love You Grandpa!!

My dad called me yesterday to let me know that my Grandpa passed away Thursday night. So I began to think of all the wonderful memories I have of him.

He really was a very sweet loving man. He always took such good care of my Grandma Joan, and loved her with all he had. He was always happy and joyful. I have never heard him say anything negative. He fought in WWII, which I did a project of him in the 6th grade where I brought in photos and badges... I always thought that was sooooooo neat!!

My favorite memory of him, is when I got to meet him for the first time. I was five years old and have never had a Grandpa before. My sisters and I were so excited, we wanted our grandparents to be so impressed with us that we each learned to play a song on the piano to play for them when they arrived. Brittany was the best pianist, and helped me to learn my song. My mom dressed us up so cute with ribbons in our hair and of course our favorite dresses. As we walked down the wooden pathway waiting for them to arrive we had huge smiles on our faces, we saw them turn the corner and just ran to them for hugs. I remember McCall and I just giggled with excitement. We were so happy and excited to have brand new grandparents!!!

In the last conversation I had with my Grandpa, which was just over a week ago, where he shared that same story, for the first time as an adult I heard his side of the story. He said "Grandma and I were so nervous to meet you girls, but when you guys came running up to us all those thought were gone immediately. You made us feel so welcomed." My throat became swollen with emotions of those memories.

A few years ago Grandpa's goal was to make it until he was 90 years old. After that wonderful celebration I had a fun date with him where I got to have lunch and spend the day with him and take him to the doctors for his check-ups. I told him that he needs to set one more goal, I asked him to be healthy enough so that he could make it to my wedding to do a Jewish ring ceremony. He was so excited and he immediately agreed to my plans. He told every nurse and doctor that day what his new goals were. Unfortunately he was not able to attend our wedding, however he was able to meet Gian (via phone) and to make it past my wedding day.

He also has lived to see FIVE GREAT GRANDCHILDREN!! He has accomplished all the goals he has set for himself, plus bless all of us with his great personality and love.

This was Grandpa's 90th Birthday Celebration!!

They were so in love!

Grandpa, you were the best Grandpa that we could have ever had! Thank you for always being so loving! You will always be loved!!!