It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

We kicked off the Christmas season Monday night by baking and decorating sugar cookies. I think Shelby's favorite part was the sprinkles. Just as we were cleaning Shelby up, we heard a light tapping outside. I looked out, and it was lightly snowing. It only lasted about 10 minutes, but it was a perfect way to kick off Christmas.

Last night we went to see Santa. Shelby was not scared of him at all. In fact, she didn't want to wait her turn to jump in his lap. She kept saying, "Claus! Claus!". However, despite her liking for Santa, we could not get a very good picture of her. She kept looking at the photographer like she was nuts for waving this stuffed reindeer above her head and yelling, "Shelby! Shelby!". So this is what we got. I think it is still pretty cute, but I'm biased.

17 Months

Between Thanksgiving, work, 8 trips to the doctor, and cutting a molar, I missed posting about Shelby turning 17 months. I kept meaning to, but then somehow it would already be 3 am, and I would say, "I'll do it tomorrow".

Shelby is so much fun right now. She can definitely have her moments, but for the most part, she is so sweet, loving, and fun. She loves to play Ring Around The Rosie and Patty Cake. She still really loves her books, and isn't too much into cartoons or movies. The only time she will sit still and watch a movie is during breakfast or while eating a snack. She will sit in her little papasan chair, prop her feet up, and eat her food and watch the movie on the laptop for about 15-20 minutes.

Thanksgiving

Things have been so crazy since we got back from Utah that I am just now able to post. We had a great time visiting family. It was the first time in years that all 9 kids have been together at once. Everything was kind of chaotic, as it normally is when my family gets together.

We kicked things off on Wednesday with a birthday party for my niece, Olivia, and my nephew, Parker, at Jump n' Jacks. Sadly, I don't have any pictures of all the guys wrestling at the top of the huge slide. I wish I had video of Jeremy and Nolan tumbling down the slide on top of each other. Thursday we had an awesome Thanksgiving dinner at mom and dad's house. Shelby didn't like the turkey so much, but she did me proud and loved the brussel sprouts.

Saturday was my brother's wedding. Tristan and Ana were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. It was my first time actually going inside this temple. It is more beautiful inside than I could have ever imagined.

Tristan and Ana McGrath




Not sure what Tristan was looking at...



The Guys



The reception was a lot of fun. Since Ana is from Venezuela, they had Latin music playing, and people really got into it.

Our friend, Wesley, and my brother, Sean, were cracking us up...


Original Video - More videos at TinyPic


Shelby Dancing With Her Baby


Original Video - More videos at TinyPic


My Mom made the cake (sorry the pic is grainy)



Of course, while we were in Utah, we had to stop by and see some special friends. Actually, the Materns were kind enough to watch Shelby while we were at the temple. We just love this family!





Sunday was also special, as we got to go to this cutie's blessing:

Mia Kate


We also celebrated Claire's birthday on Sunday. We didn't have birthday cake, since we had the middle tier of the wedding cake left.

So, as you can see, our trip to Utah was jam-packed with family and friends. We had a great time and we can't wait til we can all get together again.