Christmas Part 2 + Laila's first birthday party

More Christmas happiness! Enjoy...

Dad & Patrick showing off the new kicks.

Delicious calorie ridden breakfast!

A group of my high school friends got together for brunch, it's been ten years since I've seen some of them - and less for others. They're all as wonderful as they once were, and I was thrilled to be with them!

We went tubing in Park City, but I left my camera in the car. Here we are at a fun dinner afterwards, then it was off to the Nutcracker after that. Thanks mom & dad!

My pretty new dress, on our way to the Nutcracker.

The day kept on going... we had delicious mugs of hot cocoa downtown after the performance.

Laila lovin' her uncle Matt at her first birthday party.

She had a beautiful birthday cake that she daintily partook of without making a mess.

The other adorable almost one year old Meggie danced & met every person at the party.

Christmas Eve in Utah

Christmas is the best! A most stellar time was had by all in Sandy, UT this year! Please partake in some of the glorious images from Christmas Eve.

Cute little Patrick who turned into a man.

My mom and Lauren... all smiles. Lauren warmed up a little bit to Matt this go round too = progress.

John, Kaylene, and Laila family portrait in front of the tree. What a bunch of cuties.

One of Matt's best pictures - As he avoids the attack of the killer king crab leg.

Ryan & Ali looking quite poised while they partake of some bubbly (apple cider).

Pretty baby Laila

Handsome dad enjoying some delicious eats.

Lauren turned into a princess when she put on her new tutu that Kaylene made her.

Ali has serious skill - she made this little plushy baby doll for Laila for Christmas.

Ali also made these sweet mittens and hat. Work - they're awesome!

Precious Megan and her new hat - she's constantly moving, so this is the best picture I could get of her that night.

Christmas in Colorado

The last two weeks have been wonderful - if not a little busy. We started off with a CO Christmas by taking Doris, Mickey & Ginger out to a great dinner as our gift to them. This year we went to Luca D'Italia which didn't disappoint. Afterwards we opened gifts by the fire.

Our beautiful tree.

Delicious caramels Ginger made Matt. He's not sharing.

Sweet helmet Matt bought me for Christmas. I'll be safe, yet stylish on my bike & the slopes from here on out.

Start Spreadin' The News!

New York flat out rules!

Matt is always full of such great ideas - including going to New York in December to partake in the extensive display of commercialism and sparkles. Besides being a bit on the nippy side, we had a magnificent time and wish we had a vacation loft in Soho in order to make more regular visits.

Here is a small taste of last weekend.

Macy's theme "Believe" ... I believe!

The tree in Rockefellar Center - we were a bit far away, but didn't feel like crowd surfing. not the best pic of either of us... but it had to go in the montage.

There was no shortage of delicious treats had. This was a low calorie, burger, fries, and milk shake meal. Oh wait, not low calorie, just tasty.

We shopped 'til we dropped, getting Christmas ideas a plenty!

no caption required

We saw both Irving Berlin's White Christmas, and Wintuk - a Cirque du soleil winter production. Both set the mood!

Room service at midnight (including tuna tartare and filet mignon), clearly we know how to travel.

Sushi & other scrumptious Japanese bites at Morimoto - what a place! And you've got to check out the bathrooms while you're there!

Santa pub crawl - we were cracking up.

Vat of unbelievable chocolate that's clearly making Matt go crazy!!

Our super sweet hotel "Hotel on Rivington" - with a cool beehive like entrance.

The restaurant at our hotel - I love NY

Thought provoking - really.

Ha ha!! Matt's umbrella got caught in the escalator at FAO Schwartz, he totally destroyed it and nearly took out a family of five behind us. The looks and frantic blinking were hilarious!

Matt + Edward

The window displays were so incredible... they deserve their own blog. So stay tuned!! and Merry Christmas, we're almost there!

Christmas carols

As all of you are aware, George Michael's song "Last Christmas" is the worst Christmas song ever.

I can always imagine someone getting murdered to the soundtrack of "Carol of the Bells."  I like the song but it does have a bit of something frantic and threatening within it's festive melody.  

This song is a welcome new addition to the standard Christmas catalog of music.

"Christmas time is here" from Charlie Brown, is nice but is the closest thing to audible melatonin.  Listening to this song is like counting sheep while drinking a nice warm glass of milk-great but sleepy, too sleepy.

Jews are awesome but please stick to you own festive songs.  I'm looking at you Neil, Babs.

Silent Night is still my all-time favorite.  I don't care if it's cliche, it's beautiful and makes me very happy.

Candice loves:

O' Holy Night

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Sleigh Ride

Baby it's Cold Outside  

Hates:

Christmas in Killarney

Belated Thanksgiving... hey, every day should be a day of thanks

Thanksgiving was awesome, and oh so long ago... We did more than make pies, but taking pictures wasn't one of the things we did. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!! More to come...

Merry Christmas to all. Here's a cover of the Misfit's song "Hybrid Moments" by Switchyard. I know it has nothing to do with the holidays but I like it for a lot of reasons, most of which should be obvious.