merry christmas

we set up christmas before we even left for our thanksgiving trip (& by we, i mean ashton because he is the best husband ever),  that way we were ready to celebrate as soon as we got home. we had a full month of feeling the spirit of christmas, but it was still too short.

we did so much this month.

festival of trees to see ashtyn's tree. we love ashtyn & are so inspired by her fight <3 p="">

 our christmas tree

pictures with cousins

carol sing-a-long

ward christmas party. where we won best family themed costume.

here comes santa with the utah symphony at abravanel hall

lights at temple square followed with la luz de las naciones. rooney loved all the music & dancing. 

smith christmas dinner. grandkids & great grandkids with grandma.

cooking decorating (or eating in roo's case) 

santa came to visit. rooney has looked forward to santa all of december & saw him at both the sing-a-long & utah symphony concert. she was starstruck to see him up close. 

park lights

christmas eve! 

christmas eve with the smiths

christmas morning 

she loves her new kitchen! 

my babies.

polar express after presents & breakfast.

it was truly a winter wonderland. ps. ashton sang in church & did a wonderful job.

roo & that dress!

talking to elder thorkelson was the highlight of christmas 

day after christmas playing in the snow 

my post-christmas pregnant-lady miracle

you guys, christmas was beautiful. but before i tell you about our wonderful little christmas, i must tell you my story from tonight.


i am 19 weeks pregnant & just starting to get my appetite back. rarely having food cravings (mostly just beans ((more on that to come)) & chili's honey chipotle crispers so far...), but my food aversion towards pretty much everything has lessened big time. anyway, tonight i got a craving.


i wanted really good beans - like from the yummiest mexican restaurants, or rubios, but we don't have a rubio's nearby. i looked on yelp to see if i could find anything close. of course, there was costa vida or cafe rio & that got me thinking about a warm pork burrito...suddenly that & beans was just what i needed for dinner.


since we just spent $$$ on christmas, i didn't want to spend money on something silly like my bean/burrito craving. so i started looking for coupons. "download the app & get a free drink!" close, but i would still feel guilty spending money...


ashton asked if i had any cafe rio stamp cards. i quickly grabbed my wallet & found a card with six stamps on it. sooo close. i was heart broken. you guys, i really wanted this food! i dumped my wallet out & guess what i found!


another card with...


four stamps on it!!!!


we had it! i had 10 stamps! the hormones + my stomach + knowing i was going to eat what i wanted nearly brought tears to my eyes. i was ridiculously happy.


& I got my delicious pork burrito with a yummy side of black beans. i am a very happy 19 week pregnant mama with a very content stomach - though i have to say my burrito was seriously lacking in the pork area...oh well. i am still happy.

** if you have a delicious bean (black beans, refried beans, etc..) recipe, please send it my way. i need to make a large amount so that i don't have to go spending $ to satisfy this craving.

update

hello there. it has been a while. and life has been crazy, but absolutely wonderful too.


first of all.


when we were in with the fertility specialist, turns out i was pregnant. not very far along, but pregnant! and this baby has been sticky! i am nearly 19 weeks along. we find out gender next friday! it will make a wonderful way to ring in the new year.


next.


we moved. just about a half hour north into a basement apartment. our landlords happen to be some of my favorite people in the world. & ashton's parents. it's nice to be in our own space and we sure have spread out to fill this whole place. rooney spends most of her days running between rooms and leaving toys everywhere she goes.


then.


ashton to the ATSA (the air traffic control aptitude test) the monday before thanksgiving. we are waiting to hear his results and if he will be going to the academy in 2017. this has been one crazy journey and they keep making it longer - the FAA just extended the test to january 30th, which is a bit ridiculous because we were told everyone had to take it by december 15th. also, they released a study guide for the test around december 10th, well after most of the applicants took the test. i've got all the eyerolls about this, but ashton is patient and calm about all of it. because he's the greatest and everyone would be lucky to have him working in a tower or control center somewhere.


also.


i'm still working as a new teacher coach. this year has been different and eye opening. also exhausting as the beginning of this pregnancy had me wiped out/sick as a dog. still doing hoops&threads and loving all the custom orders i have been blessed to do recently. it has been a lot of fun and really pushed what i thought i was capable of. this will take you to the hoops i have made.


finally.


we are doing wonderfully & feeling completely blessed with where we are.