Elmo, Tripp, and Christmas!

Well, the holidays are over and I'm happy about it. I loved them while they lasted, but they sure can wear a girl out!

We were able to spend Thanksgiving in Idaho Falls with Bryant's Mom, Grandma, sister, and brother. It was a really great weekend. Bryant and I were able to go to Island Park for an afternoon and take in the beautiful scenery and see some of our friends and a few of my relatives. It really made my week to go up there! We have decided that we are going to move there someday. And we really mean that.

December 8th was our 3 year wedding anniversary! Wow, we're starting to feel old! We kept it pretty simple this year and ate at Carinos and saw the movie "The Blind Side." It was good to just be together. Three years really has flown by, and we learn to love and appreciate each other more each day!

Trippster's second birthday was December 5th. I decided it needed to be an "Elmo" birthday. We had a custom Elmo cake made and I bought him a big Elmo balloon (which by the way is still stuck to the ceiling-it came detached from the string). I don't think I've ever seen a more spoiled and loved little boy. We were so happy that so many of our friends and family could make it! Tripp really got into the "opening presents" part and was able to rip and tear to his heart's content. He loved all his gifts, but some of his favorites include a little Elmo doll from Uncle Allen, The "Cootie" game from Jake and Britanie, and the little barking puppy from Grandma Gibbons.

Blowing out his candles

Taking his new "puppy" for a walk

What a mess!

He wanted cake...NOW!!


Christmas this year was wonderful. Bryant and I had my family over for dinner on Christmas Eve and we had a feast! After that, my Dad read us the Christmas story in the Bible, and read about it from the Book of Mormon. It really put the Christmas season into perspective for me. It is such a blessing to see Tripp point to baby Jesus in the Nativity set up at my parents' house. Christmas day was great, and we were able to talk to our missionary Chase on the phone! That was the highlight of my day! He sounds like he's doing great. On the downside, I did have to work that night. At least I've got many friends there to help me keep a good attitude!
He loves his new train set!


Modeling his new outfit from Grandma Teresa

Now that the holidays are behind us, Bryant is busy working on finals and I am busy keeping up with Tripp and trying to get over my morning sickness. It's slowly getting better and I am so grateful. I am 14 weeks along and can feel that little munchkin beating me up already! It's so neat to feel the little pokes and jabs. It is starting to feel so much more real now because of that.

As for Tripp, he has decided he is in charge of the world and every person in it. He's become quite the talker and is talking in frequent five word sentences. He won't go to bed at night until... "Mommy, prayers!" It is so sweet that he wants to say prayers every night! He whispers along with me as I pray and is always good about saying "Amen." What a blessing this little guy is in our lives!