Lovato's Lives: December 2010

Okay, I am skipping a few November events to get Christmas over with. Don't get me wrong, Christmas is great and all that stuff...but just so darn stressful. I feel like it gets worse every year. Here are a few (okay a LOT) of some of the happy times this season.

One of the things I miss the most about my old house on "Wakefield Way" was the spectacle that my kitty-corner neighbors, the Gowers, used to put on at Christmas time. It was so much fun to look at my front window and see this! We still drive by and check it out-the kids love it. There is also an awesome "Christmas Street" on the street that Matt grew up on that we visited as much as possible. I love Christmas lights!

We love living in West Valley and we have lots of city pride. We love Valley Fair Mall and that it is making a comeback. This year we were excited to see a giant Christmas Tree in the front. Woo hoo! The lights are set to music. The kids loved it. Here is a pic at the bottom of the giant tree.

If you remember, I have a huge family and on my Louisiana side-we draw names. Jamie drew my cousin Steven's daughter, Molly's name. I made her a jewelry box, well-I decorated the box.

I also made her a bracelet, and I bought her some bows.

I hope that little Molly enjoys her gift. There is a big party at my grandmas house where they do the actual exchange, it would be awesome to be there to see the madness...or at least the expression on the faces of the people that I drew....

Matt's mom's best friend, Jewel, hosts an annual outdoor Santa visit. The kids love to get to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they want. They were sooo excited! Check out their cheesers!

Jewel also has people bring food for the Utah Food Bank. She is amazing! She was a life-time friend to the end for Matt's mom. We just adore her.

Their wishes were: A pink Barbie bike and Buzz wings....

Fast forward...6 nights of minimal sleep and stress filled bubble guts for me...and we finally get to Christmas Eve. (sigh). The sight of Jamie playing so sweetly with my niece Maddie just melted my heart. Jamie usually tries to tag along unsucessfully with his sister and my niece Bella... he has been waiting for one of his younger cousins to get bigger so he could have a friend. Darling.

Here are the little buddies, Lauren and Bella. Do they look alike?

Tina is an amazing decorator, I love to see the settings she creates. She had these blue chargers (is that what they are called), they were super cool.

So, I had this GENIUS idea to get more pictures this holiday season! I thought I would give Lauren the camera and have her take as many pictures as her sweet little face could beg for.

She got some great shots and she worked hard to get a picture of (almost) everyone. The only negative is that when the picture-taker is shorter than you, SOMETIMES the angle isn't the most flattering...so I apologize for any unflattering shots taken of any family members who may read this blog.

Stephen gave a good smile.

Stephen's boyfriend Collin.

Matt's sister Kristen on the way out with her stash...

Matt's brother Greg. Handsome dude. Jamie just loves his Uncle Greggy.

Leo's wife Tina. Even though she was sick as a dog, she was still a great host. She also let me wash dishes after dinner, which I find extremely theraputic. Seriously.

Greg's wife Alex, and half of Maddie.

Oh, there is a picture of my cute little Maddie! She looks thrilled, eh?

She even managed the ever elusive self-photo! What a pro! I love that smile and that her teeth are FINALLY coming in.

She even got a picture of her little brother. Sweet Cheeks!

And a pic of her dear old dad.

And one of Papa Leo and Grandma TT.

Then she got creative and got a picture of Tina's tree.

She even got a picture of her mom and dad, awww, a decent one.

And then she encorporated extras!

And then she switched out the models. The girl liked being in charge.

Then it got a little creative, she posed Bella and put ribbon around her and asked her to make a dreamy face.

LATER THAT NIGHT.....the kids upheld a tradition that Matt grew up with, opening new PJs on Christmas Eve. Here they are in front of the fireplace, sporting new threads.

And I got a picture in front of the tree. OH how I love these two!!!

This was the first year that Lauren wrote the Christmas letter to Santa. Here is a rough translation. "Merry Christmas, I just wanted to remind you what we wanted for Chistmas. I want a pink Barbie bike and my brother wants Buzz wings. Thank you for what you brought last year." Precious!

AND fast forward a few more hours and here is what the finished Christmas Day scene looked like.

Okay, it was 3AM and I was super tired and I was done wrapping, so I threw their clothes in a box and put a garbage bag around the box. Eh, they don't care to open clothes anyway so it was win-win.

SANTA delivered! Pink Barbie bike and helmut and Buzz wings and Buzz laser.

Here Jamie is testing out the laser. Even with 4 hours of sleep, I snapped a few shots.

It was great fun to watch the kids open their presents. Jamie was excited to open his Buzz laptop.

I love having two kiddos. My own little slice of heaven.

There was no slowing Lauren down.

And here is a picture of my scissors...they were a good, loyal friend this season, they never let me down. Thank you, rest up for next season...I am gonna start earlier next year, I SWEAR!!!

And I had some company while getting ready for the day. Funny Oreo!

Lauren liked riding her bike around the house. Is it just me or is she the cutest thing EVER?!

And...only ONE hour late this year, we FINALLY made it to my parents house for Christmas dinner. I once again set Lauren out with the camera. She may need to work on the "zoom" function. A cute pic of my dad, anyway.

Another picture of Matt, with his new and apparently reflective coat.

Here is a picture of my mom and my nephew Zander. He is so big and so cute.

And yet another self-photo! She needs to give me lesson. I love these kids. I guess all the stress was worth the smiles I got that day.

She got a shot of Ashley's boyfriend, Victor. POSE! :)

And one with me, and the boys, oh, and her lamb.

And then Lenny the Scentsy Lamb got his own shot. This lamb smells like baby powder, mmmm...and he is oh so soft.

And she got a picture of my mom's tree.

I decided to take a picture of the photographer. What a poser. She looked so cute in her new blue shirt.

I had Lauren stand on a stool so as not to get an unflattering shot of my already double chin. Here is me and Ashley. Love my sister!!!

Ashley and Victor....cute couple.

Victor held this pose for a while for Miss Lauren. Woot woot, thumbs up!

We thought it would be funny to put Jamie in the baby bouncer. He fits, sorta.

My mom and dad. Great hosts, yummy food as always. PS..go Cardinals. My brother is a big fan and was at the game that day, my dad is showing his solidarity.