Monday, December 29, 2008

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.....A Little Late!

Is it possible that Christmas has already come and gone? Let's just say that Mia ate up every part of Christmas. I must say that she is at such a fun age. Santa brought her this rocking horse....with the works. They sure don't make rocking horses like they used to.

We are fortunate to live so close to our families, so we were able to spend time with both. My family started a tradition a couple years ago of caroling on a hay wagon. My dad uses his 2 Percheron horses to pull the hay wagon and we go up and down the streets of Fillmore singing our little hearts out. Because is was SOOO cold that night (10 degrees to be exact) leave it up to Grandpa Roper to equip the hay wagon with a generator and a heat source (truly the only way to go).

The annual Roper Christmas party was held in Leamington this year. In previous years the whole extended family would get together for dinner, a gift exchange and some wild and crazy games. This year was a little different. We still had dinner, but instead of doing the regular gift exchange we donated food to the Food Bank of Utah. And instead of the games there was a live band and dancing. This is one party I really look forward to each year.

(Shaking a leg with Uncle Greg)

Oh.....the Christmas sweater party. I looked high and low for the perfect sweater this year. I was thoroughly disappointed with the selection the D.I. had. I spent at least an hour looking through all the racks having no luck at all. I decided to check out the kids section, when I laid my eyes on this BEAUTY. It was a little small.....okay it was REALLY small (and uncomfortable too). I guess that's the price you pay for fashion :) Bryan was a good sport this year (as he is with any sort of dress up function because we all know how much he LOVES to dress up). His sweater is a repeat from 2 years ago and he wears it oh-so-well (blinking lights and all)!
Kelly (the one with the fabulous Christmas cardigan) was the winner of this year's "Best Sweater" (voted by our waitress). This won her a piece of heavenly pie.
We hope you all had a Merry Christmas and wish you a Happy New Year!

Friday, December 26, 2008

If all else fails.....

...just strap it to the back of the car!
(I guess when ya gotta go.....ya gotta go! )
Thank goodness for camera phones

Sunday, December 14, 2008

What We've been up to....

I feel like my blogging has been put on the back burner the last couple of weeks. As much as I try to prepare myself to get all of my Christmas stuff done early....it never seems to turn out that way...except for this year. I am happy to say that my Christmas shopping is DONE, Christmas cards will be sent out tomorrow and the Primary kids did an awesome job singing in Sacrament meeting today (I'm the primary chorister and I having been stressing out about it for weeks).
We have been enjoying this holiday season. Here are a few highlights (aka...entertainment on a budget) of our Holidays....
  • Doing "drive-by's." Def: Going to Maverick and getting frozen yogurt, cranking up the heat in our car as we drive by and look at Christmas lights.
  • Holiday People Watching: Def: Going to the mall and watching all the crazy holiday shoppers. If we are feeling a little wild and crazy, we'll go to Wal-Mart (it can be very interesting, yet entertaining).

Merry Christmas and we hope you are all enjoying your Holidays as much as we are.

Mia and I were able to spend a few days down in Fillmore last week. I find a lot of comfort in decorating Kate's headstone. I feel it's very therapeutic for me, even though I don't find much comfort at the cemetery. It's such a bittersweet thing, though, especially during the holidays. Last year, Kate was released from the hospital on the 23rd of December after being there for 3 weeks. We were so excited to have her home for Christmas, but she was still so sick that it was hard enjoying our time with her at home. On Christmas night, she ended up back in the hospital. Since losing Kate, holidays have been especially difficult for me. However, I try to reflect on the great times we had with Kate and look forward to creating new memories. Last Christmas our families, instead of exchanging gifts, decided to donate money to Primary Children's. It was such a special experience for our family. We are in the process of setting up the "Kate Rosenvall Foundation" and look forward to carrying on this tradition to raising money to help other sick children in need.

Since the weather has been, somewhat, decent, I've soaked up every minute of being able to run outside. Mia has especially enjoyed getting bundled up layer upon layer (you'd think she would absolutely HATE it, but I don't see her complaining).
For our date night, we went and saw the movie Four Christmases. It was okay, but probably wouldn't see it again.

Bryan showing Mia how cool his iPhone is.....totally uninterested.



Watching Finding Nemo with future BF, Shawn.



Mia is a girl after her mommy's heart....she loves her bubble baths.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Welcome Baby Finn

Last week we got a new little addition to our Family. Finn Erick was born on December 1, 2008 weighing in at a whopping 9 lbs. 14 oz. He is as cute as can be. With all these new boy cousins....Mia's going to really have to fend for herself :) Congrats John & Michelle!!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

The Jolly Ol' Fella

Last weekend Mia had her first "Santa" experience. Cousins + lots of excitement + lack of naps = one grumpy girl. With that being said, I thought Mia would not react well to good Old St. Nick. I'm pleased to say that it wasn't so bad.

"Hmmm.....not quite sure what to think of you....."

"Mom....who is this guy again and why am I sitting on his lap.....?"

"Yup....I've had enough! I'll take my candy cane and run"

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

When Life gives you a Lemon.....

....You EAT IT!!!



Monday, November 24, 2008

Wedding Bells!

Jalene & Jeremy were married 2 weeks ago (I know, I'm a little behind on my posting). It was so much fun, especially seeing people I haven't seen in years. Jalene made such a beautiful bride. We spent the majority of the day in the booming metropolis of Bicknell, UT. If you have never been to Bicknell, it is a must. Might I recommend the Sunglow Inn Restaurant? Apparently, they are famous for their pickle pie, kidney bean pie and oatmeal pie....yes, we had one slice of each. I can't say I loved them , but the raspberry shake and homemade scones were to die for (just as a side note). Anyway, congrats Jeremy & Jalene!!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

And They Say "30" is OLD.....

....I beg to differ!!
HaPpY bIrThDay to ME!!!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Blast from the Past!

Miranda, Katie, Helmet Hair, Monica, Jamie and Ali
(Gotta love the professional rommie pictures)

I must say that my college years were some of the best. I made some amazing life-long friends. After 11 years, getting married, career changes, having kids and makeovers (ummm...someone should have told me that the lampshade/helmet hairdo is a serious no-no) we still manage to get together quite often. It's been a tradition that with each first baby, we get together for a baby shower/sleepover (except for Jamie because she was in Virginia when little Tyler was born)! Sweet Miranda is expecting her first in December and so we celebrated in Park City. I guess the only thing that is different now than when we were in college is that we used to be able to stay up all hours of the night and manage going to class and still function the next day. Now, we stay up all hours of the night talking, laughing, crying (from laughing so hard) and it takes me a week to recover. Oh well....it is totally worth it.

We haven't changed a bit (okay, maybe just a little)!!!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Christmas Cards....

So, I really don't even like thinking about Christmas at least until Thanksgiving is over. I LOVE Christmas, but I also LOVE Thanksgiving and I feel like we start thinking about Christmas so early and forget about Thanksgiving. I must admit that I have started early on my Christmas cards this year. My sister-in-law, (Kirstin Roper Photography), has a great Christmas "mini session" deal going on right now. The package includes:

*a 45-minute family photo session
*30 custom designed cards & envelopes
*2-8x10 prints
*2-5x7 prints
all for $150!

Kirstin has done some great designs. Here are just a few she did for us.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

To Set the Record Straight....

....No, I'm not prego (see Halloween post), but I know a few who are! I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of our new little buddies (all boys) in December!

My darling sister-in-law, Michelle

Kate's nurse, Amber

Angelina Jolie (see Halloween costume below)....I mean, Miranda

Thursday, November 6, 2008

6 Months....Already???

Actually, Mia is now 6 1/2 going on 7 months. Where is the time going? We went in for her 6 month check-up yesterday. I always look forward to these appointments (minus the shots). She weighed in at a hefty 16 lbs. 2 oz. and is almost 25 inches long. Over the past couple of weeks she officially.....

....sits up on her own

....got her first ear infection

....sleeps through the night....Hallelujah!!

...puts anything and EVERYTHING in her mouth

....takes shorter naps :(

....loves butternut squash, sweet potatoes, applesauce and bananas, but is not a fan of those nasty canned meats....YUK!!!
...loves wearing big, annoying flowers on her head!!

I love each new phase that Mia goes through. She is such a fun baby girl and I am so lucky to be her momma!!!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Spinning + Neil Diamond = Tears to my Eyes!

In spinning class tonight.....I had a moment. I was already feeling patriotic with it being election day and having the opportunity to vote. So, the last song of the class was none other than Coming to America by Neil Diamond. Tears filled my eyes as we were all singing TODAY.....TODAY (you've all sung it, I'm sure). It was quite a sight to see (I can only imagine). Good thing all the lights were out. Classic!!!

Monday, November 3, 2008

HaPpY hALlOwEeN!!!

Introducing....Princess Mia!! My good friend, Vicki, let us borrow this darling dress for Halloween. It was actually her daughter's when she was a baby. I was a little worried because with the rate that Mia has been gaining weight, I didn't know if it would fit her come Halloween, but we made it work.
We made quick stop to see Snow White(Laney) and Dopey(Grayden) before going to see the Grandma's and Grandpa's. I must say that is the cutest Snow White & Dopey I have seen!
Lacey and Nate threw a Halloween party on Saturday. I must admit that I do like dressing up. Bryan.....not so much. But, he was a good sport this year. I knew my old uniforms would be useful one day. I've been trying to keep this a secret, but.....I am 6-months along and it's all Coach's fault!!I voted and the scariest costume award went to Joe Dirt (Nate)....YIKES!!!

Cleopatra(Lacey) and Psychedelic Go-Go Girl(Shelby)

Nate & Lacey sure do know how to throw a par-tay!

Yummy!!!

Maddy the cute little witch!(disclaimer...no I'm not really pregnant!!!)