all is calm, all is bright...

Joy to the world, we can take a break.
Or is that even possible?!!!

Christmas 2008 was a hit! (did I ever tell you 8 is the BEST number) Of course it was!!!

A URIBE FAMILY PARTY

Uribe family Christmas party was fabulously put on by Dawnie and Kasey in their BEAUTIFUL home this year. They made everyone feel so at home, even Santa! We did this on the Monday before Christmas so no one had to share Christmas eve. It turned out to be perfect!

Get ready for some pictures!

My favorite pic.
As you can see all the kids so excited to be sitting in front of Santa, except for little Lukie! He is definitely not a fan of the big scary guy, until Christmas Day when he didn't have to see him but got his Hungry, Hungry Hippos!

Savvy always complains about not having a sister, however there are 5 girl cousins right around her age. I had sisters but not cousins, which would probably have been better, because Dawn stole EVERYTHING of mine! This is the whole gang, lots of grandkids for my Mom and Dad. Thats what they get for having so many kids! We were even missing a few!

Santa!

The giant on Santa!

Santa telling Carter to say "I love you" to others. We love Santa! Carter told Santa he would do it as long as he brought him a long sleeved, Manchester United, Christiano Ranoldo jersey.

Savvy telling Santa she would love a Nintendo and American Girl Doll!

This is as close as he would get!

But the girls will get close! We asked Santa for a Christmas Party one day where every single person in my family could be together. It may not happen but I hope it will. This year we were missing Lee and Ricky. It's amazing how you grow up thinking life is Christmas and vacations and games and laughter, and easy, and then life happens. It's much, much more. More bad. More good. Families torn apart, and families together. There are highs and lows. For me this holiday season has been a high. It started with this night, and I am thankful for my mom and dad and for the family they gave me. They do good!

definitely dance...

The Christmas season wouldn't be complete without a performance from our cute little Savvy. She only had one recital this season because she is taking a break from Ballet and Musical Theatre. She misses those classes but it sure is nice to have a break for a minute! This was Tuesday night and she did fabulous with her striped tights and suspenders on wrong because of her lame jock mom! No one told me to cross them in the back. Where were you Corbie?? We sure think she is just the cutest dang thing!

My goal is to one day be able to get her ready for ONE dance recital without making her cry and smear her make up. Know that she cries REALLY easy and it is almost impossible to get her to stop once she goes. I planned ahead, started getting her ready early so I wouldn't be yelling Hurry, Hurry! I made her eat long before we had to leave, so she wouldn't be hungry and cry. It all went down hill when I asked her to wash the ketchup off her face from dinner and then found her singing in the bathroom with soap suds on her forehead, cheeks, chin and nose. (She already had her make-up on). It was sordove automatic when I yelled "What are you doing?" She then had little spots from the soap on all those places and she started the lip quiver, and then it happened. She cried. And cried. And cried. And smeared her eyeliner. And got tear lines on her cheeks. And those red spots from crying on the sides of her eyes. I spent a good 10 minutes apologizing and hugging and yelling a little more...maybe. She did stop eventually and we were ok and made it only a few minutes late. We still love each other. Maybe next time I will be able to pull off the 'makeover with no tears'.

Nana and Papa came to watch her and Lauren dance along with Dawnie and Taygie. Thanks for coming and going to dinner afterward! I am so thankful Savvy has Taygin. They are sisters born as cousins. They have so much fun together just like their mom's! There is nothing like a sister for a best friend. My mom called the next day to tell us how much her and my dad loved spending time with us and the grandkids. My dad said that the best present he could ever get was that night, to just be together. I couldn't agree more Dad. Love you!

much to be thankful for...

I know, I know, I am a couple weeks late and it's Christams time, but Thanksgiving this year was fabulous. I love Thanksgiving at the cabin. It is much more relaxing! (no traveling from Mimi's to Nana's) Everyone cooks together and cleans together. Two ovens, two dishwashers = fabulous! It was even more convenient this year because we could drive right to the cabin, when we usually have to snowmobile up the mountain. There was just a little snow, so it wasn't as beautiful as it usually is, but more convenient and warm!

This was taken at oh, about 4:00 in the morning!

It was a very memorable Thanksgiving. It was our first attempt at shopping in Park City, first and last attempt at shopping at Wal-Mart (we should have kept that promise to ourselves), and first time Ambree got to come with us. We showed that teenager how women shop! Savannah lost her first tooth right at the Thanksgiving dinner table! Then she lost another one the very next day. If she shows me a loose tooth, I HAVE to pull it out. Even if it is at the dinner table! She was so excited to get a dollar for each tooth, and she was lucky enough to even get a note from the toothfairy! She had a very vivid dream of seeing the toothfairy that first night. I don't know where she got that imagination! Her note was so my favorite. She can't believe she was lucky enough to actually have the toothfairy write her a letter with her wand!

First one gone....

Second one out!

At least she's "sincill" about it!

I am actually a complete emotional mess right now. Much is going on. I can't stop crying. I am so thankful for so many things. I have the best friends, an amazing family, (all of them) it's Christmas and life is good! This is the best time of the year. I am reminded everywhere, everyday that Jesus was born that night in Bethlehem. Because of His life, I have been given mine. I've been given such special people in my life and I am thankful.

drum roll please...

Hats - 172

Gloves - 214

Socks - 309

Bonus: 14 coats, 9 scarves, 2 pair of boots

For the Warmth of the Children 2009 was a huge success! Thanks to ALL of you who donated, we are amazed at how many neighbors, companies, friends and family members gave to the boys and girls in the Jordan School District. Many times we didn't know the names of people donating and sometimes they were just left on the doorstep. People are good. People are giving. I feel so lucky to be surrounded by people who care about each other so much. I am a very lucky person, I know I have been given much. I hope that my kids will remember the feeling they had when we went to the school and they saw those children who needed these things. The school was out of gloves again this year and I hope they realize that they can be angels to someone else no matter the time of year. I hope that I can remember to be as giving as children. Those little treasures are taught something and they do it.

There is nothing like giving during the Christmas Season. I know you have probably given to someone in need this season, and I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Flyers are ready to take out!


I thought this was a cool picture, I didn't realize it until we got home that he was looking at baby Jesus. This is the reason we do this.

Mission Complete!