Chocolates, Cheeks, and Christmas Cards

It is most DEFINITELY the most WONDERFUL time of the year.

CHOCOLATES abound...

{these aren't any chocolates...they're HOMEMADE by my friend Penny. She works magic with sugar...it's taking all I have to not dig in and wait 'til Adam gets home!}

a CHEEKY grin from my little B.

Our CHRISTMAS CARD...oh how I love Christmas cards :)

Only 3 more sleeps people!!!!!

A Lover's Cruise {as told by my iPhone}

As the title implies...this post is filled with iPhone pics because some sand got in my camera right where the cord connects it to my computer...so I haven't been able to download any pictures of the cruise from my camera to the computer :( But LUCKILY phones are so convenient now days and can capture some decent shots...and you'll notice that I found a few new favorite photo apps (Instagram & Pocketbooth). So enjoy the iphone pics as they tell the story of our cruise...

Enjoying paradise, just the 2 of us :)

THE SHIP:

Royal Carribbean ~ Mariner of the Seas

BON VOYAGE!

CABO SAN LUCAS

SCUBA DIVING IN CABO

I loved the festive tree at this restaurant :)

and the massive, painted map of Mexico on the wall.

MAZATLAN

(actually just before we got off the ship...all the pics from Mazatlan are on the camera)

PUETRO VALLARTA

I love all the [mostly handmade] treasures at the shops...

Christmas in the air!

BEST fish tacos & coconut shrimp EVER:

BACK ON THE SHIP

You'd think eating near a STUNNING chandelier you'd eat all proper...

and I put a spoon on my nose...that's me ;)

That week brought back sweet memories of the days when it was just the two of us. Just with a change of scenery :)

I. Loved. Every. Minute.

But it also gave us a better appreciation for our little family and how true happiness is when we're ALL together.

it's oh so good to be back...

Adam and I have been talking about a specific vacation with just the two of us for quite some time...and just a few months ago Adam surprised me with getting us plane tickets to LA...where we'd take off on a cruise!! :)

That's where we've been this past week...at sea, escaping Utah's chilly winter and visiting Mexico's beautiful and sunny cities of Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlan.

{relaxing on a lovely little beach in Puerto Vallarta}

Brooks stayed with Grandma Kjar for a few days, our good friend Penny for one night, and his Grandma Stum (my mom) came into town to stay with him the last few days. They are all ANGELS to watch out sweet Brooks.

And let me tell you,

I have never missed a human being so much as I missed my boy. On the cruise, Adam and I talked about how we knew we'd miss him immensely, but we were surprised (especially me) by how much we really felt that we were missing a part of us. Honestly, it was hard to fully enjoy the first couple days...I drove Adam Ca-Razy by wanting to check my email (news about Brooks from Grandma K) about 25 [thousand] times a day.

But overall, Adam and I soaked up some wonderful R-and-R time together...and enjoyed every minute of it being just the 2 of us. I LOVE THAT MAN!...and I was reminded constantly of why he makes me the luckiest girl in the world.

But it is SO GOOD to be back with this little guy...

{picture of Brooks my Mom sent me while on the cruise}

Can't wait to record the rest of our trip! But for now, unpacking and doing loads upon loads of laundry are at the top of the list...right below catching up on my snuggles with Brooks!!! :)

PS - that little sore on Brooks' right cheek is a patch of eczima :( Do any of you Moms have little secrets of how to get it healed up??

xmas movie delight :)

So this music video is actually from last Christmas Eve...you can tell because of my baby bump :) So fun to think my little B was in my belly dancing with me!

My parents and 2 younger sisters came from WA & stayed with us for Christmas.

This is my beautiful sister, Corrie (in the red scarf)...she's the best. Adam, Brooks, & I love her to death :) We decided to be spontaneous and provide some entertainment on the Eve of the best holiday ever. We went with the classic Drifters' version of "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas"...we used COMBS for our microphones and our glasses are 3D. oh yes.

Every time I watch this I laugh so hard I cry...i love it :)

Hope it makes you smile!