Family

What do this decadent chocolate cake...



... and these two cuties have in common?



They are both waiting for Cam! My brother lives in Cleveland and had to come to SL to interview for a dental residency at the U. Unfortunately he had to leave the rest of his family at home since he's here for such a short time, but it is so very fun to have my brother here! I miss him. Especially around Christmastime! Croz and I went with Mom to pick him up at the airport. It was just a good day; lots of excitement in the air it seemed.



Cam and Miles



We are all so excited to have you here, Cam!



The other night Crosby got to spend a little time at (Great) Grandma Beck's...



She had this snowman dancer she thought he might like, and boy was she right. He was totally fascinated with the thing and I was trying to video the little dance Crosby would do but I only got a little bit of it at the very end. So cute, I almost took the toy home!



CHRISTMAS FUN
From: Joanna

1- What is your favorite Christmas song? Silent Night sung slowly, a cappella, and with emotion. I love the Enya version because her voice is so pure. Even though it is in her language, I get chills because she sings it with such reverence.

2- When was your most memorable Christmas? Lots of nice memories but I recall around 5 years ago me, D, my parents, and brothers all hauled coats/sweaters to the homeless shelter on Christmas Eve in the stark freezing cold and it felt SO GOOD to do something like that on a night like that, all of us together.

3- What is your favorite Christmas treat? Les biscuits de sucre by Kim

4- What do you dislike most about the Christmas season? Idiotic drivers and pushy people. No one seems to say excuse me anymore; manners are out the door most of the time. It's so much more peaceful and easy when shopping is done throughout the year in order to enjoy Christmastime.

5- What do you like best about the Christmas season? Being in touch with a feeling of peace on Earth. Christmas lights, too, I LOVE! And I love how it is a given that Christmas day is all family, all day, with fun traditions.

6- Who is the hardest person to shop for on your Christmas list? No one really; I can always find a little something for someone as long as I know them well enough.

7- If you could receive one gift without money being an issue, what would it be? Hmm, that's a toughie... maybe I would wish for a perpetual stream of $$$ so I never have to fret about budgeting.

8- What is your idea of a perfect Christmas Eve? A fireplace, a family, a story, and snuggling. And some kind of cold fruity drink because that sounds really good right now.

9- Which do you like best, eggnog, or hot chocolate? Depends on the mood, do I want an ice cold drink or a steaming hot one?

10- Do you prefer a fancy Christmas tree, or one decorated by the kids? Depends but I love meanings behind ornaments and so it's neat to accumulate those and have a tree full of memories to reminisce about! I love dressed-up sophisticated trees too. Like Lucy's pink tree in an adult size sounds awesome. At the thrift store I saw a KILLER aluminum vintage Christmas tree, so all the branches were shining silver and it was about the coolest tree I've ever seen. Price tag? $99. Ha!

11- What is your favorite family Christmas tradition? Excitement all through the night, sleeping with my brothers all in one room and saying, "Shhhh. Did you hear that? That must have been the reindeer." Cam wearing Dad's watch and checking it every 10 minutes, being awe-struck by the bit-off cookies Santa munched on, not being allowed to look when you pass the living room, piling on Mom & Dad's bed together for a prayer. I remember as we got older we knew we were about to be lavished with gifts and there was something about that that made us feel overly grateful for our blessings and made us want to stay forever huddled on the bed together as a family! Traditions with me and D: stockings, laying on the couch staring at Christmas tree lights forever, prayer before presents, creme brulee French toast every Christmas morning.

12- Do you like fruitcake? I can honestly say that I've never tried it.

13- Do you prefer skiing or snowboarding? Not much experience in that department, considering the first time I skied was at the age of 18. I went with my pro friend who "accidentally" took me on a Black Diamond (where I scooted the entire mountain down on my butt) and to top it all off I fell off the lift. From quite a ways up. I will admit now though that once I got the hang of sailing down the mountain (for one run!) the sun on the snow was exquisite and it was so freeing and beautiful.

14- Are you dreaming of a White Christmas, or do you say “Bah Humbug” to snow? I think the snow is really pretty and this is the first year I've felt so loving towards it! I used to be such a summer girl. At the store today there was a guy who looked EXACTLY like Santa wearing a sweatshirt that said, "Ahhh Bumhug," ha ha.

15- What was your favorite gift from Santa when you were a child? I got a waterproof Cabbage Patch Kid so she could take baths with me! I also remember the smell of my strawberry LipSmacker that I'd get in my stocking, which I really loved.

16- What is your favorite Christmas movie? California Raisins singing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" on a Claymation thing.

17- Have you ever eaten snow? Yes. Crosby and I ate some two days ago, fresh from the sky. I love the texture of it!

18- Who do you wish could be with you this Christmas? My brother Cam who has to leave Christmas Eve day ) :

19- When do you put up your Christmas lights and decorations? First-ish week of December.

20- Real or artificial Christmas tree? Fake because I am severely allergic to pine. Too bad, because I love the smell!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!