Soulful Christmas Dance Video 2011

girl christmas party!

pretty glow

Although this tree fell down as I was putting the lights on, I readily forgive it.  It has got to be the prettiest, Christmas tree we have ever had!  Thank you Alpine Tree farm!

family pictures by auntie meikel

So- I have in my possession absolutely no pictures of myself with my husband and all three children- and- my cousin, Meikel, got a brand new camera that shoots on film, so, we scheduled a time and finally got me in a pic with my sweet, little family!  Huzzah!











...and by this time Josy was done.  But anyway- Meikel did a great job and I am so happy to have these! 

let that pendulum swing!!

(This last shot is my attempt for Zoolander's 'Blue Steel')              

 Swing back to the days where a girl with curves was the model for beauty and desired proportion!  Swing back to being robust over skeletal, hourglass over emaciated!  It has taken two decades of my life to realize that my tall frame and predominantly endomorphic tissue make up are actually lovely.

For two decades my eyes have roved over magazine ads, glossy pictures, TV shows and movies where tiny, skinny women with the figures of prepubescent boys (no hips, no breasts) have been held aloft as the beacons for what is considered pretty or desirable.  No thank you!  No more!  I am done worrying about 'skinny' and dare others to do the same.  Muscles- yes, health- yes, curves- yes, yes, yes!              

uncle/elder scott

Waiting...



waiting...



There he is in a purple tie!  Uncle Scott, I mean, Elder Nelson!  Oh Happy Day!  My baby brother Scott served a faithful LDS mission in Minnesota and got to stop over in Utah for four days before heading home to my parents in Cali.  



Big brother and little brother.  Sweet.


Aunt Melodee was there too- and after the airport she fed us a lovely lunch at her house in SLC.



Scott is quite the musician and so it wasn't strange to see him traveling with a little ukulele.  I bet he can't wait to get a hold of his collection of guitars at home.  He stayed with us over the weekend, attended our open house in his honor and then flew home to Sacramento Sunday morning.  Love you Scotty!

thanksgiving in mapleton

Our family was invited to the Mapleton Lamberts' home for Thanksgiving. And this was a treat because my Aunt and Uncle truly know how to entertain. Everything you eat there is perfection, the company is cheerful and their log cabin style home is cozy and warm. We had a lovely time!







This is cutie Charlie with his Momma Annie.



There were two of these smoked turkeys- both stuffed with apples and onions, and fresh herbs.  Delicious.



These pewter cups and pouring jug are something I would like to get myself- they keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot.





Everything is handmade.  These are my Aunt Becky's rolls and they are divine.





My other Auntie, Lisa, brought down the house with her coconut cream pie that got eaten by everyone in about 5 minutes flat as soon as it was topped with fresh sweet cream!



Thank you to my relatives for creating such a wonderful holiday for me and my family!