Favorite Holiday Family Tradition- THE NUTCRACKER

My lovely, lovely husband takes me to see the Nutcraker every year, and every year we have seen a different one.  We really enjoy comparing them and seeing the many differnet interpretations of this wonderful holiday tradition.  It's also fun for me to walk down memory lane and remember the nerves and the butterflies I use to feel waiting in the wings during every performance when I was younger.  I'm so thankful for the experience I had to be on stage and to perform when I was younger and it's so fun now to remember all those little stresses and growth experiences. Like that time I slipped on the snow when I was on pointe and I had to just jump right back up with a smile on my face (when I really just felt like running and crying off stage!) 

This year is a little different- my parents are taking us this year to see the San Francisco Ballet AND its the first year that Harrison will be coming with us to see it.  We have never brought him before because I was convinced he wouldn't want to see a ballet and would not be able to sit through the second half.  But he begged us to take him with us this year and is actually very excited about it.  He went with James to pick out a nice outfit to wear that night and is full of questions about what it is going to be like.  This weekend really will be the highlight of holiday season for us and I can't wait to see him experience the magic of a live orchestra, beautiful costumes and engaging performances. 

Doesn't it look like it's going to be wonderful?!  Only two more days until we get to see it live!

Park City 2009

So many great memories were made this past weekend with the Murray Women.  A few highlights:

• Snow, Snow, Snow- it started the first morning we got there, and is probably still snowing! I left when it was 6 Below!
• Manscaping, er, I mean "scapegoating."
• The "hellicopter", "ugly lady", "fruit basket", "snail"...what else am I forgetting?
• Haul your own.
• That's what she said.
• Grandma breaking the fireplace.
• Cold showers then scalding hot showers.
• Being my mom's personal heater.
• Best of all- the shopping spree we went on at Motherhood Maternity- SO.MUCH.FUN! The best shopping experience ever!
• Surprising everyone with this baby that's growing so big in my belly!

Here's some pics of the weekend!

Our Holiday Service Project

This year we made cards to send overseas for the troops to help them celebrate the holiday season.  Harrison was so excited for this project.  Here are some of the cute things I saw him write to the troops:

"Dear Army Guy,..."
"Dear Mr. Soldier..."
"You Rock!"
"You're Awesome"
"Hope you get to see your family soon"
"Hope you have a GREAT Christmas"

If you want to send some holiday cards to the troops as well, I recommend the "Holiday Mail for Heroes" program ran through the American Red Cross. That make it very easy and offer some tips on what to write, and what not to write.  Here's the link to their website: Holiday Mail for Heroes

Favorite Holiday Song - Oh Holy Night performed by Josh Groban

Holiday "Oops" Moment!

So, have you ever left the bag of giblets inside the turkey while it roasted all day???? Because I did just that on Thursday!  James found the bag when he went to empty the cavity to carve the bird.  Thanks to Butterball's Turkey Hotline, we learned that if the bag is paper- then it's okay.  But if the bag is plastic and was melted or changed in any way, then you have to throw out the whole turkey!!  Luckily....our bag was paper-so no harm done!  Whew....I was wiping sweat off my brow...

Went. Saw. Loved. This...

Any one else switching to Team Jacob???

Halloween Catch Up

We had a very busy Halloween week here at our house.  First, I had my halloween costume and decoration contest at work.  Then had to hustle over to Harrison's school to put on the "Harvest Party" and then we went trunk or treating, followed by, of course, trick or treating in our neighborhood. 
The theme for this year's contest at work was "TV show"; you had to select a TV show, dress like a character and decorate your office like the show.  Here are a few of my co-workers:

 At Harrison's Harvest Party we did a few fun things: We decorated mini-pumpkins for the kids to take home, we decorated (and ate) sugar cookies and we had a scarecrow making contest.  The kids were suppose to take a bag full of supplies and build a scarecrow like this:

But then one of the boys got the idea that HE was the scarecrow and the contest turned into this:

And this:

Doesn't she look pregnant? They stuffed all the newspaper up into her belly and no where else. The kids had a blast! And then of course, it was Halloween and Harrison dressed up as .....(for the third year in a row....)

A ninja:

Here's the cookie and pumpkin portion of the Harvest party.  I'm already busy planning the next Holiday Party for the kids- there are 34 kids in his class and it gets crazy in there. He's teacher deserves a medal!