How do you sum up 3 terrific weeks with no responsibilities and being with the ones you love.
Here's a quick sample: (definitly in no particular order because computers give me grief!)
Celebrated our 5th year anniversay. What an amazing adventure it's been.
yes, I went to the Neil. And yes, we sat between two older folk who didn't even stand when others did, and yes we were in front of a family who all wore diamond studded shirts, and yes, we stood and pumped our arms and screamed along to the words of Sweet Caroline (which he sang twice, and yes, I sure missed my Brad, but Amy was fun and dinner before with the rest of the family was to die for (get the steak sandwich at Salt Lake Brewing company if you ever get the change) and yes, Neil Diamond is immortal!
Christmas p.j.'s
Brad surprised us and took us down for a free ride on the "train". Couldn't have been more fun for chloe to stand and wait for it to come and then ride it and watch the other one pass by. Everything is so exciting and new for her. I love it and never get tired of her joy.
Took the Chambers family picture.
Drove up to Logan and visited Great Marie and Grandpa. They are so spry and healthy.
Merry Christmas from Brad, Mel and Chloe Chambers. In front of my parent's christmas tree. My mom always decorates her house so "magical". She even leaves us a chocolate on our pillow when we come to town. She always has the christmas lights twinkling and her house just feels warm and smells good and I just love being there so much.
Christmas morning. I've heard of kids not really getting into the presents or whatever but this kid couldn't stop looking at the train the Chambers have. She watched it go round and round and never did decide to open her presents.
My family goes bowling on Christmas Eve. We have had this tradition forever. We all bring food and the bowling alley even sets us up a little table. The same families are usually there bowling as well. My dad gives quarters for strikes and wearing christmas color, etc. The Nelson family with a few missing.
The grandkids. The oldest is 17 (not pictured) and the young is 16 months (not pictured) The kids always have a great time. This year was fun because they sort of just took little Chloe and watched her and played with her and loved her.
Chloe liked to bowl.
Brad and I had this wish list of all the places we wanted to eat while we were in Utah. My mom took part in granting most of those wishes. Here we are at Neil's fish and chips. Best halibut fish and chips in town. Quite expensive though.
Ahhh....Temple square. Love it there.
The first day I was there my mom and I baked and baked. This was so great because Brad and I have been "off sugar" for a couple weeks in preparation of the anticipated Christmas goodies. We just talked and baked.
These are my cute college friends (with one missing) we try and get together when we can. I love seeing my old friends and especially seeing what cute babies they all make.
I'm sure my sister doesn't love celebrating her birthday so close to Christmas every year, but it always is a great excuse to go to lunch with the girls. We have a lot of pictures just like this.
Starsky Chambers meet Diesel Dean.
And that, combined with a couple ski outings, shopping outings, lunch outings, movies, Play Nine, 5 crowns, delicious food, and much more...WAS OUR CHRISTMAS BREAK.
This is Chloe with her best friend Taegan. She pretty much worships Taegan. They play pretty well together and then fight for a second and then are friends again. It's been really fun to have such good friends while we've been living in K-ville.
Chloe is super independent these days. She talks alot and puts a lot of sentences together. "sit by you." (she'll pat the seat next to her)"I yuv eww." (this isn't said to us, but rather she sings it to herself and the rest of the Barney song when she is in her bed along with twinkle twinkle and the abc song.)"Boogers my nose". "I want potty." (we bought her a potty about 3 months ago and periodically she gets really into sitting on it, but mostly its just there next to the big toilet for the time when she's really ready!!) She says, "I wanna jump."Yes, we let our child jump on the couch. How do you discipline your child but still let them be a child and have fun? and how to do you be stern but still understanding? Oh, these are the questions I ask in my head daily and I think I'm figuring it out slowly. it's just such a wonder to watch her explore and learn new things. Last week she fell off a chair and hit her head on a table at the library. she split her head open. First site of blood for me on my child. we got through it with a trip to the doc and a popsicle.
Today we had a snow day. It took her a while to realize she could actually get these snowpants wet as opposed to her regular pants. She actually let me put gloves on her, too, because she is starting to get that warm gloves equals warm hands. Look at that face!
On Sunday, Brad's bro Steve came for a quick visit. (and we had a great time having him here)That was the start of my feeling like I was at deaths door. I got so sick saturday night and am still feeling the lesser effects of it now. After a doc visit, blood draws, ultrasound (not that happy fuzzy feeling kind of ultrasound you're thinking of), a CT scan, and an iv, I am pleased to say that there is nothing seriously wrong with me. As my sister said, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now and am on my way to willing myself to a full recovery. It was pretty scary there for a second, but I learned to not read the internet and to let people help you. This is the first time I have been truly sick and still have the responsibilities of being a mother. I have the nicest and dearest friends here in Kville who would do anything for us- and did.Thanks to you all. You know who you are.And way to go Brad for stepping it up and "neglecting" his studies to be Mr. Mom for the week. I'm the happiest girl in the world!
