Birthday month...oh and Christmas....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

So I turned the age that I am going to be the rest of my life this year, or so my mother says. I don't know. I haven't had an age yet that I haven't liked. So for my unattainable birthday gift I asked my sweetheart for "Birthday month." A little something everyday leading up to and including the day of my birth. To give you an idea of previous unattainables, it has been the same one for the last 9 years, to make me dinner. That's it. That's all I ask. But because I recognized a lost cause when I see it, I shook things up a little and asked for something different this year. A little something everyday, like a back rub or a couple snuggle bucks redeemable upon request, that sort of thing. I'm not asking for diamonds here people. I have my friend Dar to thank for this idea.

He laughed at me, but my mom took me seriously and sent me a gift to open everyday until my birthday. And I had the best birthday ever because yet again the thoughtful, sweetest, kind heartedest woman ever-even Lavinia-came shining through, super hero cape and boots and all. She made me my birthday dinner on the eve of our Utah Christmas Extravaganza. Then her honey did the dishes while my honey watched the U game while Lavinia and I watched Eclipse. In terms of birthdays it was kinda perfect. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you are and all you do. You are some of the greatest friends ever....we are so grateful everyday for you and for all I have learned and am learning from you!

And then we journeyed through snow, wind, ice and rain (the roads were actually fine, but it's poetic) to get home for Christmas. As the poem goes, over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we went.

The kids loved opening presents with everyone.

How much do we love this man? The second the kids see him they light up and are not content with anything short of being wrapped in his 100% attention. They adore him.

We also got to go to the BYU Museum to see the Carl Bloch exhibit. It was....there aren't words to describe. It was remarkable and so moving and incredible. It took them 10 years to even get the exhibit. Our sweet Grandma Mary works there once a week and was able to take us through after her shift. It was so wonderful and moving and just perfect. I could have sat in front of the Garden of Gethsemene picture forever. If anyone out there has the chance to go...DO IT!

FYI Ute fans....While there Bella was informed that that would be her first and last time on that campus. Oh Daddy....

And the little Everett we all want to take home. How sweet is he!

We got to go snow shoeing in our beloved Park City. We broke the trail and waded through up to our hips in some places. And then proceeded to pig out on Greek Pizza from PC Pizza...our fav. It was such a pefect date.

Me and the absolute hands down greatest ever...the Hike-a-deb. No that is not her christian name. Bella gave her that name when she was 2 and it stuck. I have learned so much from this remarkable soul. A kindred spirit and gentle friend if ever there was one. We love you!
This is the view from Kristin's spot. A Geographical location appartenly at least according to the Hike-a-Deb. It is the place the I always stopped and made everyone I was with stop to enjoy the view. It is breathtaking everyday of every season. I still dream about this spot. Me looking at the view from my spot.


Outdoor rule #1 When you see a moose with her baby.....Do NOT stop to take a picture. This is all Kent and I am in front with quiet variations of "Um honey....keep moving."