Winter is here!

It's been cold in Salt Lake City over the last few weeks. We've enjoyed the snow storms, but it sure is nice to be inside with a warm cup of cocoa - which is one of my favorite things about the cold, cold winter. Despite the cold, we've kept busy & we've been having fun. James loves the snow - actually, he loves eating the snow. He hasn't quite figure out that it's fun to throw or roll around in... but he does like to say, "eat snow - yummy!"

We've enjoyed time with friends over the last few weeks as well. The picture below is Reid and James with sweet Hudson - the son of our friends Matt & Kelly. Just last week, Matt & Kelly moved to California - exciting, but sad! We'll sure miss our great friends - but we're excited to visit them and hit the beach!

My little brother, Kevin, and his fiance, Casey, came to visit a few weeks ago. We had a blast with them. We were able to enjoy a long weekend with them, eating, laughing, enjoying the great fall weather and learning a new dance from Kevin & Casey - as they are demonstrating in the following picture... thanks guys, for showing us the "shark dance!"

James and Daddy - yes, there was snow on the ground and, yes, Reid is wearing shorts...and sandals...brilliant! At least he has that hat on!

Mr. J lovin' the backpack ride...

We were so lucky to have my Mom & Dad here for Thanksgiving. It was a great Thanksgiving Day - we had 13 people in our house, including my parents and some of our wonderful friends. It was really awesome to just spend the day with family and friends - enjoying my Mom's tasty cooking! James sure enjoyed the visit as well. He loves his Bop & Nana!

Playing with Bop! James was given a little guitar... thanks Bop & Nana - he loves it. He was trying to pick up some skills from Bop (who was jammin' on the mandolin) - James didn't get the strumming skills down yet, but at least they were both able to make a funny face.

And finally... the Christmas tree! James had fun decorating the tree - for about 5 minutes. He was quickly bored with the process, but has since spent much time in front of the tree, checking out all the ornaments, touching as many as he can get his hands on before we tell him they're "not for him" and telling us about the "pitty yee-ites" (aka: pretty lights). We are so excited to celebrate Christmas this year! James will be so much fun! We're headed to Colorado next Saturday and are excited to spend that time with our families - then it's off to New Orleans for my little brothers wedding. Yay! It will be awesome to be a part of their special day and to see friends and family - from Virginia to Alaska (yay for Brian & Melanie!) who will join them to celebrate. We hope you all have a blessed and peaceful Christmas.