Spreading the Christmas Cheer

I love getting Christmas cards.


Seeing them hanging in my kitchen reminds me of the people I love who took time during the holiday season to think of me.

This year, I found some really cute designs on Shutterfly.com and can't wait to use this one for my Christmas cards. 

The best part about it is that they are offering free Christmas cards to bloggers! They always have amazing deals and discounts, but this is my favorite so far. Click here to check out the promotion yourself.

P.S. They also have really fun birthday card designs  & calendars (which make for great Christmas presents).

My Little Present

It's amazing to think that one year ago today we were expecting little Ellie to arrive. 

{Me and Ellie on her "due" date. A comical term, really.}

Five days later, we welcomed her into our hearts and into our home. 

Instead of a Thanksgiving baby, we got a Christmas baby. And as cheesy as it sounds, she is by far the best gift I have ever been given. That is the best way I can describe how I felt when she was born. 

When she was put in my arms as a whole, healthy, beautiful baby—then when we got to take her home with us—I felt like I was given a gift I didn't even deserve. It felt like Christmas. 

Happy {expected} birthday, Ell-Bell. 

Halloween!

Storytime at the library

Halloween is a big deal at the Christenson household. This year, Ellie was a plump chicken, I was a pig, and Clay was a . . . bloody butcher. I'm sorry (kind of) to say we don't have a picture of that one.
  



Posing at Kate's Halloween bash. I guess I really wanted to show off that piggy tail. 



Surprised Ellie and crying Carson

Spooktacular at the Ben Museum. Love these girls and their babies! 

Anchor

I love this song (and music video) from Mindy Gledhill. You may have heard her on some EFY CDs, but this is totally different. Listen and love it. Her CD is definitely on my Christmas list.

Cornbelly's & Farm Country

Clay and I have a tradition of going to Cornbelly's every fall. It's something we started when we first got married and we always look forward to it every year because it means Halloween and all the other holidays are right around the corner.

We went last year when I was pregnant, and we were so excited to think the next year we went would be with our little Ellie. It was so fun to bring her this year, and even more fun that my sister Jeni and her kids were here too!

First slide experience . . .

I guess she is finally growing out of her newborn-size jeans!

While Jen was here, we went to Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point. So much fun! Ellie can't get enough of animals. Her favorite books at home are her animal books and she loves to make the animal sounds for cow, horse, monkey, dog, cat, duck and sometimes owl. Every time we see a dog or cat she starts jabbering in a high-pitched tone and reaches out for it. I just hope she's not allergic to them like her mom is!

How cute is Ellie's cousin Katers?

Bird's the Word

I miss having a camera. In the meantime, I am borrowing pictures from friends. (Thanks, Jessie!)

Danny, Jessie and Max made the trek from Nephi and we went to the Tracy Aviary. So many birds, so little time.

An Australian Kookaburra (obviously my favorite bird at the aviary) They sound like monkeys! This one was just chillin' with a mouse in it's beak.

 Our little family

 Max goin in for the hand

 Check out Ellie's new diva smile (tilted head and everything)

 Meant to be

Thanks Jessie and Danny for the fun outing (and the pictures).

A Bridal Shower + Funny Photobooth Pics

This girl is getting married.

{My sister, Kira}

Her bridal shower was quite a hoot.

 {The hostess, Ashley. A great party-thrower and photographer!}

My neice, Katers. 

She has really slimmed down from this: 

 I loved seeing Kira's sheepish expression when she opened "naughty" gifts.

 Isn't her smile infectious?

 The happy couple

The fun really started with some quality photo booth time. Prepare for a picture overload and probably some laughs.

 

Can you tell which one is me?

 I think my nose looks pretty attractive in this one.

awkward arms ...

thumbs up!

I hate this one because I look almost normal—just slightly deformed.

Another really hot look for me

I look like a weird man here. Jeff Goldblum-ish?

My sister Haley looks like John Travolta in Hairspray, right?

Don't ask about my skeleton arm pose.

Solo shot #1. I'm thinking about entering the Cosmopolitan model search with this one.

Or should I go with this one?

If she's my competition, I'm in big trouble . . .



 The end.