A very long (and possibly annoying) post about Christmas

This last Christmas was a little much, in the best possible way. I was going to break it down into three or four posts, but I know most people are sick of hearing about Christmas as it is.

So for those of you who aren't on Instagram or any type of social media (ahem... Dad), this post is for you. Otherwise you've probably seen most of these photos, and you could probably move on to doing more important things, like make New Year's resolutions or take a nap. 

Presenting 36 things about the month of December:

1. I made close to 13 batches of toffee this year. That's 13 cups of sugar, 26 cubes of butter, and waaaay too much stirring.

2. June's first time at the temple. She was pleased. VERY pleased.

3. William showing June the Christ statue. I think she was moved... well at least I was.

4. Our lights on our little home. C7 bulbs are the way to go.

5. I wish that hat wasn't so expensive.

6. Our advent calendar found here. (We got to about Day 14.)

7. Lots of time outside... Arizona has the best weather this time.

8. Stacking blocks, over and over and over and over and over again.

9. Fuzzy tree

10. Four suckers at once. It's how June gets things done.

11. My favorite handmade gift for Kent, from Tauna. All knitted... Tauna is so talented.

12. I heart sparkle.

13. Toffee plate constructing.

14. Bathtime.

15. I cut lots of tags while I was sick.

16. One of my favorite Sunday dresses.

17. Christmas shopping with Grandma.

18. Recording our Christmas song... Thanks for listening!

19. June found a plate of donuts. This pleased her very much.

20. Favorite Christmas dress on June.

21. A GORGEOUS setting at the Coombs Christmas party.

22. The kids table is getting so crowded... I love it.

23. Dance party that occurs every year after the talent show.

24. Santa (Dad) passing out gifts.

25. June laughing at Uncle Ryan and Aunt Sara... her new favorite comedians.

26. Merry Christmas from me.

27. Merry Christmas from William.

28. Merry Christmas from a girl who can wiggle out of your hands faster than you know.

29. June trying out her big gift this year, a new bike trailer. SHE. LOVES. IT. Can't wait to ride bikes more this year.

30. A shot of William taking June for a ride.

31. "Ho Ho Ho".

32. A hipster in the making. 

33. My handmade gift to June this year: an A-Frame Tent. She LOVES it.

34. My gift to William: a Nerf gun. I've been shot too many times, and therefore regret giving it to him.

35. Our ginger bread house... I'll let you decide if that's a British flag or a Confederate flag.

36. Hooray!! The End!!!

Here's our Christmas card this year. Shot by The Langs. Designed by me. Sent to you.

And that was our merriest Christmas! Thanks to everyone who made it magical!

Now on to Twenty-Thirteen!

Sometimes ups outnumber the downs

1. Good-looking cousins with good-looking kids.
2. Cornhole with June... a Utah staple.
3. A-COOL COOL COOL TRICKS.... YEAH!
4. Water-watchin' at City Creek
5. Good times and a good hair day on the Alpine coaster.
6. View on the bridge at City Creek
7. Locked out, but don't mind since we don't experience AZ weather in UT.
8. Booty shake with William's good-looking cousins
9. My first Park City visit. AHHHH-MAZING.


In July, June and I went to Utah twice.


The first time, we flew up with my mom and visited mostly her side of the family. The trip was so fun and again reiterated my belief that I have the funniest family on the planet. They are also the best storytellers (it helps that they also have the best stories to tell). Thanks to my mom for letting me come and treating us to shopping days and good eats. Thanks to my Aunt Carol and Judy for their amazing hospitality. Thanks to Jane and Susan (June's 3rd Grandma) for having such a beautiful home and a perfect lunch. Thanks to Katie and Aileen for traveling great distances to meet June. Thanks to Amy for just being plain awesome.


The second time we went to Utah, we went for a funeral. Then it turned into two funerals. I am so grateful that I got to know how wonderful Grandma B and Uncle Richard are. But I probably won't eat anymore funeral potatoes for a while. 


And of course, it's also always great to spend time with my in-laws: BBQs (my favorite meals), dance parties (complete with costumes), settling Cataan, and Alpine rides with NO BRAKES. Thanks to my in-laws for creating the best memories... and for being so good to June, even though times are tough for her when she's jet-lagged.


Now, a note:


Dear Uncle Reed,


While in Utah attending two funerals, hearing about your sneaky heart attack nearly gave me one. Please refrain from those Dana treat cravings.


Love,
Niece Jenny

A Day of Laziness and Close Calls.

(My Dback hot dog (they lost) and the only Fourth of July decor in my house was a drawing of fireworks on our chalkboard.)

Our 4th was pretty spectacular, to say the least. Of course, I planned several things to do on William's day off. But plans changed after we went to Walmart and Barros, then took a very long nap (because nothing says 'America' like Walmart, pizza, and laziness). 


This was probably the most exciting thing that happened for June:

Probably the best fifty cents we've ever spent.

Lucky for us, my mom planned a great evening of hot dogs, chips and salsa, pies, cupcakes, neighborhood rides (the weather was a m a z i n g, right?), and of course fireworks. 

June clapped after each firework. It was the best. 


We also had a horrifying moment when we lit what was supposed to be a "tame" firework. Instead of peacefully spinning itself on the ground, it flew up, barely missing the top of our heads, and went over the neighbor's house. 


My life flashed before my eyes and all I saw were delicious hot dogs.


And of course, June applauded.

These Days

1. Happiness at Ikea (she was about to eat her ice cream cone)
2. Mother-Daughter photo shoot (you can hardly see it, but June loves putting on her costume jewelry)
3. Curling hair and playing dolls at Grandma's (We're still trying to figure out how to curl her hair better! It never turns out as planned.)
4. Gilbert Temple (They have a visitor's center, it's worth going.)
5. The most amazing cat sweater I've ever seen. (I'm still kicking myself... I should have gotten it for you, Sarah and/or Daphne.)
6. June had a fever for a couple days. We stayed home and watched dog movies all day. My girl loves her dogs.
7. Playing at Barnes and Noble... it's got everything for June (books, toys, puzzles) and everything for me (air-conditioning, a quiet atmosphere, magazines, benches).
8. My first green smoothie... We scored a Vitamix (thanks again David!!) and we love it. It's the best thing to happen in this house since half-priced donuts at QT.
9. Splash Padding it up... June loves her summertime.


Follow me: @jennybsnaps

While we're on the subject of food...

Yogurt // Free Donut Day at Krispy Kreme //  Grilled corn and burgers //  Sprouts Sandwich //  Free QT donut // Strawberry Colada Bahama Rama Mama //  Taco Night //  That's a cookie and it was delicious // My favorite restaurant in Gilbert (Joe's BBQ)

Last night William and I watched the documentary, Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead. It got me thinking of all the food I eat regularly, which basically can be found in the above photo collage (a series I like to call, "Insta-Ham: Watch Me Eat My Feelings").  The film promotes going on juice cleanse, which I know would make me healthier, but it would also turn me into a crusty, cantankerous banshee.  I asked myself: would the juice fast be worth it?

I decided very quickly I would skip the juice fast. However, I was completely inspired to add more fruits and veggies to my diet.

So here's how it went today:

For breakfast I ate an apple and a slice of whole grain bread.
For my mid-morning snack I reached for a banana, but they were too green.
So instead I ate potato chips.
Now I'm eating leftover smashed potatoes for lunch (which are incredible, by the way), and I plan on getting a half-priced donut at QT when the clock strikes three.

Somebody help me, please.