It was a holly jolly season

 As I was flipping through our pictures and videos from December today I realized how special Christmas was this year. Being able to be home with Calvin made the season slow down a little bit and I felt like I was able to soak it in.

Calvin only knocked the tree over once, chose one present to slowly unwrap throughout the month, broke one decoration, and developed a fondness for candy canes.

 I really talked Santa up and showed Calvin lots of pictures or decorations. But when the time finally came to meet the big guy at the Bateman family party, the inevitable Santa lap scream ensued. Priceless.

My family had the brilliant idea of riding the Front Runner train up to SL to see the lights at temple square, eat dinner, and have a gay old time. I had visions of us lounging around a nearly empty train, enjoying one another and eating snacks. Apparently I was envisioning a ride on the Hogwarts Express, because reality was nothing like that.

First of all, the only day that worked for everyone was Monday, December 23rd. Secondly, Jeff, Calvin and I nearly missed the train, then upon entering wished we would have. It was completely full and then some, with everyone going to temple square. The square itself was a madhouse, Calvin screamed most the time and had to be packed. Dinner was the shortest line at the food court: nasty chinese with a side of regret. And lastly, the train ride home found us stranded at the Murray station for an hour, then entering a train so full I'm pretty sure it violated all safety rules and standing next to a sign that ironically read "The more the merrier." Oh and Calvin screamed for much of the ride. Megan took the awesome picture below.

 We managed to get this gem of a picture and most of us are already laughing about the experience. Just don't ask me to ride that train any time soon.

Christmas Morning

 We got Calvin's bouncy horse a couple months ago and kept in the basement. Calvin had seen the horse and ridden it a few times - we couldn't resist - but I never anticipated his reaction when opening it. He started hyperventilating and waving his hands in the air. We put him on the horse and he smiled so big I thought my heart would burst. He had the audience of Jeff's whole family and ate it up.

 I couldn't have imagined Christmas morning going so well. I thought he wouldn't care about his presents, but the horse, soccer ball, and buckets were a win. Then he got spoiled beyond belief from both sides of the family.

 Christmas Eve night we couldn't keep him from climbing up the big pile of presents.

The most amazing Christmas dinner of smoked salmon was enjoyed at my parents' home that evening. We skyped with Collin for a couple hours and opened even more presents. That night the bubonic plague struck Jeff and the next day Calvin came down with croup. Boo. Luckily they healed just in time to ring in the new year with a party hosted at our house that went until 2 am and even involved a root beer keg! 

We spent New Year's day lunching with Jeff's brother Nate and his girlfriend Brittney, saw a movie with them, and hosted a game night with my family.

A look at the spoiled child's loot. He already dribbles his soccer ball around the house, which is the absolute cutest thing I've ever seen.


We had a wonderful Christmas and end to 2013. The year was full of firsts - some difficult, most welcome and long anticipated. I love the new year and the feeling of a fresh start it brings. I can't wait to see what it holds. Jeff already promised Calvin that it would be the best year of his life so I'm sure it'll be amazing!

A Very Merry Christmas 2012

 Another successful Christmas has come and gone. Our time was filled with movies, family, games, food, and skyping with my favorite little brother all the way in the Philippines.

We donned these glamorous sweaters to the Bateman family party and even forced Hobbes into one through doughnut bribery. We couldn't pass up such a classic family photo.

 Jeff has been growing a pretty serious holiday beard. He loves it and I'm pretty fond of it too...I can't resist petting it from time to time.

We were spoiled with gifts as usual, both from our families and each other. Jeff delivered on the diaper bag I wanted (how strange/sad/exciting is it that I am totally pumped about a diaper bag??) and he received his token boring (to me) electronic something or other. 

 Skyping in action

At first Collin took it pretty seriously. He had a list of prepared questions and topics he wanted to cover. It was basically the most adorable thing ever. We brought in the Max and Shep for an appearance in front of the camera - he teared up when he saw his beloved dogs. Seeing his nephews also brought a tear to his eye. Again, absolutely adorable. He eventually loosened up and had us laughing at all his crazy stories. It was by far the best present we could all ask for and we are counting down the days until we skype again on Mother's Day.

And our view as we made the journey from the farm to visit the Tuckers.

I put away all our Christmas decorations yesterday, which kind of made me feel like a humbug, but only briefly. The countdown is on for when this little babe will make his arrival...I can hardly believe the time is so close!

It's all about the stocking

Every year at Christmas I find myself so busy and so overwhelmed by the season  (in a good way!)  that I find it hard to articulate my thoughts and feelings on this special time. Yet with the recent school shooting in Connecticut, little brother Collin on the other side of the world, and this tiny baby boy growing inside me, I feel like I have to write something, even if its a feeble attempt.

It all comes back to family doesn't it? Family and love for others. There are so many awful and wonderful reminders of this in the world right now. And experiencing all of these things during the Christmas holiday only seems to heighten my feelings. Being at home with family all cozy in front of the Christmas tree is so comforting to me.

Many of our Christmas traditions are still being worked out, because let's be honest Christmas is just better with kids (and I have big plans I tell you...BIG plans). However, we do have some good things going so far. One of my very favorites is our stocking tradition. Each year I find myself putting more and more thought and time into Jeff's stocking than anything else. I did some major research this year to find Coca-Cola Light (the Latin American version of diet coke) for Jeff's stocking. He absolutely loved it when we were in Costa Rica. I just couldn't bring myself to pay $20 for shipping one bottle. Yay for Christmas restraint.

There's just something about digging little, yet meaningful things out of that sock on Christmas morning that I absolutely love. Growing up I loved the stocking part of Christmas. Santa did a great job of always giving the standard things like an orange, storybook life savers, and a movie, as well as exciting little surprises and luxuries. Perfume, MAC eye shadows, iTunes gift cards, etc. are always more fun from a stocking. Even the simplest things become exciting.

Jeff and I open our stockings from each other first thing on Christmas morning while still in bed. It makes for a great way to start off the morning with just my lovey. We love to sort through the little items that have meaning only to us. Plus, some things I stuff in his stocking are for his eyes only :)

Hobbes gets in the holiday spirit

need, want, read, wear

Last year in the world of Pinterest I saw a Christmas idea I really liked. The idea was to guide gift giving in four categories. So here's the Tucker family Christmas boards in my ideal world.

Jeff always wants boring/specific electronics or computer stuff that is so not fun to buy. Plus baby is still cooking in the womb, so his Christmas will be limited. This is mostly hypothetical...except my list of course...

Baby boy's wish list

need   read  wear  want

My wish list

  want need read wear

Jeff's wish list

read wear need want