Christmas in utah

Christmas did not disappoint this year.... because we were in Utah with family. It's been 2 years since we've been able to enjoy the holiday in Utah. We flew home Christmas Eve and enjoyed a nice 4 hr layover in Seattle before touching down in Utah. (Which by the way Harper is an incredible flier... I couldn't ask for a better baby for our trips home. Even on the day fights, I time it just right with her naps.) Then we spent the holiday with my family before taking off to St. George for a few days to be with Jeff's family. We, especially Harper, were spoiled by both families and we feel so lucky to have the families that we have.  

Being around cousins is always a blast, especially now that Harper is getting older and can interact with them. The following pic makes me sad because Harper is no longer the baby of the family... but she sure did love Lucus.

Before we headed south to St. George, Tip and Lola met us for lunch in Utah County. We were sad this was the only time we got to see them... we sure love being around them and were sad we didn't venture north this time home. They mean so much to us and are the most thoughtful, supportive grandparents ever.

Christmas with the Harris's didn't disappoint.... well what holiday would with all this family around. We soaked up as much time as we could with late night chats, family breakfasts, bowling, movies and just relaxing while the kids ran wild. Harper loves older kids so to see her reaction to them all was priceless.

 

And what family get together doesn't end in a talent show full of super heroes??? That's completely normal for all families... right :) Well the tears of laughter were worth it all... sure love the Harris family. 

And of course we can't go to Utah over Christmas and not see the lights at Temple Square. It was a fun last family outing with my family where we enjoyed dinner at Rodizio Grill then a quick walk around temple grounds before it started to get really cold. 

November/December

Nothing new is going on with us. Harper though is just growing like crazy and is developing the cutest personality. Jeff and I just can't stop kissing her soft cheeks all day long. 

Sundays are homemade carmel popcorn night and Harper was facinated with our popper. Unfortunately she is to young to enjoy the goodness.

A girl and her dog... she is obsessed with Chewy and we love the interaction they have together. They are going to become best friends.

I would love if this girl took on my horse obsession... although living her in Alaska we don't really have the means to enjoy horses. So I attempted to let her enjoy this rocking horse and she wanted nothing to do with it. I would take her off and she would stop crying but the second we got close to it she would cry... silly girl.

Our favorite time of day is playing on the bed... I don't know what it is but Harper loves our bed and usually goes crazy on it... thrashing back and forth, jumping and all to often almost falling off (ok actually she has fallen off a few times but the second we lay her back on the bed she is fine)

 Jeff and I look TERRIBLE but I love this moment of us all hanging out.

One day I was running some bath water for ME and I ran to the kitchen to grab something and the second I came back I saw  this. Apparently Harper didn't agree with my plans to take a nice relaxing bath... alone. This girl is so hard to keep out of the bathroom whenever tub or shower water is running.

This girl is so content playing in her room. As you can tell she goes from one thing to the next, but this is the one room she is allowed to wreck havoc in. She is also obsessed with books and is often found sitting quietly reading to herself. We truly have been blessed with such a self entertaining easy little girl. I don't know how we got so lucky.

Seriously.... i know I'm her mom but she is just so gorgeous. I love dressing up my baby girl.

Getting ready for christmas pictures with Santa. It is so fun having kids during the holidays! Harpers face was all smiles until Santa decided to move her closer to his beard and she didn't know what to think... but luckily a cookie from Santa's elves fixed that and we ended up with a darling family photo in the end.