Christmas Day 2013

This was Kara's first Christmas, so did we go crazy on the presents...No! Our present this year was a trip in November to see the California Monson's. So we had a small Christmas to open on Christmas day, which was perfect. Kara got 3 toys, some 12 month clothes, a couple of books, and a movie for Christmas.

We woke up Christmas morning and had breakfast before opening presents. Kara didn't know the difference, so we just took our time. Kara helped opened her presents while sitting on our laps. It went pretty well. Matt and I each got a couple of items but nothing crazy.

Before we were done with presents Kara was already tired, so she went down for a nap at 10 am. We had to wake her up at Noon, because we were late to go to my parents to be with my family. We joined them for a late brunch we we got there. Breakfast casserole and cinnamon buns.

We then headed downstairs for presents. Most had been opened since we arrived later than expected, but we did get to talk to Lyndsay and Chelsey on the phone though. My mom's present from Lyndsay made her cry, so that was fun to watch.

We hung around for Kara's second nap and a movie, before heading to Matt's parents. We saw his brother and his family and also our niece, Kaylynn and her fiance, Johnathan. We stayed there until 8. We home and put Kara down. We then got some bubbly for ourselves and watched 1 movie and went to bed. Day with family is fantastic. Too bad we missed some of our family who are out of state!

Matt's coworker gave him this small tree. Cute and Kara's size.

Action Shot

Love this little girl!

Kara enjoyed the box that her present was in. 

Blocks for Kara. She doesn't quite get the concept, but Leili likes them. 

Bath toys that are a total success. 

Kara got me a Willow Tree figurine of a mother and daughter.

This shows Matt's real feelings about his present.
He didn't really want them, so I took them back. 

Rocking piano! Kara loves banging on the keys and uses the bottom as a drum too!

Matt got me a new Iphone case, because he doesn't like the one I currently have.
It went back to the store needless to say. 

Like the bag, it was Matt's Christmas stocking this year.

Matt kept the shirt, but would have preferred it being short sleeve.
He told me he doesn't like long sleeves. Still learning new things about him. 

Kara's best present...left over wrapping paper and boxes

At my parents. 

At my parents

Leili opening her gift from Kara. 

Gram and Kara

Matt enjoying Kara's present its a book that has a piano attached.

Leili and Kara playing on the floor

My mom opening her present from Kara. 

Leili is quite found of my mom and didn't like Kara on her lap.

Kara and her Grandma (Matt's mom)

Kara and Kaylynn

A present with a bow...what does Kara do?

Kara's reaction to my present from my mom.
Hopefully it goes better this summer!

Christmas Eve 2013

What to say, but this Christmas Eve was different...no big Christmas Eve party with my mom's family. We had it the Saturday before Christmas, so everyone could get there. Hard to coordinate spouse's families, so you can enjoy all the holiday festivities.

Well we made our own tradition. Since I wasn't pregnant or too laid up from surgery, we ended going sledding on the perfect size hill at a park within walking distance from my house. We also invite Kali, Leili, and my mom. We went for about an hour and enjoyed ourselves. Kara did well also, but wasn't too happy about being a human marshmallow.

After sledding, we came back to our house for something to drink. My mom and Kali left and Matt and I laid Kara down for a nap, so we could get ready. We decided to go out for a Christmas Eve meal. We tried Zupas first, but they closed early. We began to doubt if any restaurant would be open. To our surprise, yes there were alot open. We ended up at Chile's for dinner. The food was good once they got the order to come out and for the trouble we got dessert on the house. We enjoyed our waiter so much we tipped him 30%.

After dinner, we came home put Kara in pajamas and watched her finally figure out what a Christmas tree and lights were about. We then watched a movie and went to bed. It was a different, but pleasant and memorable Christmas Eve. Especially since it was Kara's first!

Annual Gingerbread Houses 12-23-13

Well we did made gingerbread houses again with Matt's parents this Christmas season for the second in a row, so it is now an annual thing. Matt is so funny about making traditions, but I think this one is a keeper. Especially since his parents really get into it. His dad is always the last one to be working on his house. This year, Matt and I shared our house as Kara wasn't going to be neglected from the fun.

Matt put the house together and decorated the walls, which looked fabulous. Then I got to decorate the roof. My style was definitely different, but we had fun anyway. After we were done, we put Kara down while we watched a movie. She did pretty good for not wanting to sleep.

Kara...9 months old

Weight - 16.8 lbs = 15%

Height - 27.5 in = 60%

Head - 17.5 in = 75%

• Crawls like a gorilla
• Loves food
• Has 2 teeth
• Likes Sledding
• Sleeps pretty well
• We still call you Kara-bean or just Bean

Oh, my sweet Kara. Can't believe you have been here longer than I was pregnant. I can't wait for the day you have been in our lives longer than we waited for you to arrive. You have made our lives full of purpose and love. We love you so much! We get to play with you and watch you grow. It has been an amazing 9 months and we can't wait for the next 9 and the next after that and forever to continue as our little Bean. 

Temple Square Lights

On 12-17-2013 we went downtown to meet our friends, Brandon and Kim, who we hadn't seen in quite awhile because of Matt's and Brandon's work schedule. They had been working opposites. We arrived early to walk a little bit around temple square before dinner. It was a little chilly, but Kara got to see her first temple square lights and candy window. I didn't last long in the cold because of my knee. So we went and hung out at City Creek and then ate at the Cheese Cake Factory with Brandon and Kim. So nice seeing them. Hopefully we get to do more with them.