A Baltimore Christmas

Since we weren't able to fly anywhere due to my impending due date, we celebrated our first Baltimore Christmas, here. I worked on Christmas day, so we did most of our celebrating on the 24th. We woke up in new Christmas pj's, ate a big breakfast of pull-aparts, eggs, bacon, and OJ, and then opened up everything under the tree as we listened to Christmas music. We received so much stuff... I think our families felt bad for us that we had to stay out here. Thanks mom and dad, and all our sibs for so many great gifts. It was fun to celebrate our own little Christmas together. Later on we took a nap, went out to see the movie "Enchanted" (it's great) and then went out to dinner.

On the real Christmas morning, I went to work, expecting to be there for my full 12+ hours, but came to find out that I won the "lottery" and got to go home early! Yay! I stayed at work till about 2pm. The Pediatric ICU is always a special place, but it was actually kind of cool to be there on Christmas. It is sometimes hard for me to know that most of the children there don't have much longer to live, and really have no idea that it is Christmas. But I still opened up a stocking for my tiny little patient, and read him his new book, and wrapped him in his new Christmas blanket. As he stared at me with his huge dark eyes, I could feel that there was a special spirit there that made me grateful that I was able to serve these children on Christmas.

Chad picked me up from Johns Hopkins and we got to spend the rest of the day together. We went to visit our friends the Hales who just had their little boy a few days ago. It made us so excited for our much anticipated holiday package... our little baby who should be here in just a few weeks. We can't wait. I think Chad has been "nesting" even more than I have as he has cleaned out and organized all of our storage, and every single square inch of our house from baseboards to ceiling fans to drawer compartments in preparation for this little guy to come. What a great husband!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!!

Mary and Joseph

Chad and I were asked to be Mary and Joseph in the live nativity outside the Washington D.C. temple. They dressed us up in the full costumes complete with a beard and mustache for Chad. We had to practice a couple of times to get our parts right, and then we were on. It was such a great experience for us, we loved every minute of it... what a way to put us in the Christmas Spirit. My friend Katie and I (who are both pregnant right now) were talking today about how neat it is to be pregnant with a little boy at this time of year. It brings a special spirit to the season. Merry Christmas everyone.

Washington D.C.

On Monday night we went with our friends the Skinners and the Austins to D.C. and had a lot of fun. First we stopped by the Smithsonian and visited the National Air and Space museum, and part of the American History Museum. It was great to see everything and the boys even got to ride in the flight simulator. Then we headed over to our FAVORITE restaurant Chili's on our way to the Washington D.C. temple. The temple was beautiful with all the lights. The visitor's center was all decked out as well with nativity scenes from around the world.... so cute. Here are a few pictures from the night.



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The "FIRST" Tree

No, this isn't the first year that we have put up a tree, but a few years ago when we did put this tree up as our first Christmas tree, we decided that we would always put it up and decorate it the same way that we have since our first Christmas together. One day I would love to have a different themed Christmas tree in every room of the house, and the First tree will be there somewhere. Besides being our first actual tree, all of the ornaments are a "First" milestone too. We have 1st Christmas together, 1st jobs, 1st house, etc. and this is the new first that was added this year.... First pregnancy. (thanks mom). Tonight we put on Christmas music and decorated the tree together, then sipped hot chocolate and ate cinnamon crumb cake in our fluffy white robes as we admired our work. I love this time of year!

4th and 18...

Can I just say that I love BYU? My family went to the BYU vs. Utah game on Saturday and it was a great game. We even talked my Dad (a vocal U of U alum.) into wearing BYU gear. And he was glad that he did. Utah fans may complain about calls, but all I can say is 4th and 18! It was so much fun to be back in that stadium, cheering our cougars onto victory. We had some great seats on the North side, about 10 rows off the field. Here are some pictures of us at the game, right after the BYU win. Notice everyone in the background rushing the field. Gooooooooooo Cougars!

Thanksgiving!!!

Chad and I were able to get away from Maryland for a few days and spend Thanksgiving in Utah! We had such a great time, but the trip was way too short. Thanksgiving dinner was fantastic. It was so great to be surrounded by family and share that special day. Friday was a shopping/dinner out to a play day, Saturday we went to the BYU-Utah game (see next post for pictures) and on Sunday we got to lounge around after church and then hang out with our friends, the Welchs. Monday night we got spoiled with a baby shower for our little guy. It was awesome, catered by Cafe Rio and all! Thanks everyone for all of the great stuff. So, now it's back to the grind in good old Baltimore and the baby count down continues... Only 8 more weeks!

Seven Months!

Here is a new shot of me 7months along... Definitely getting out there. It was fun to watch my belly during church today and see the waves our little guy was making as he was moving all around.

Lately Chad and I have been really busy, and trying to spend time on the nursery. It is so much fun. We fly out to Utah on Thanksgiving morning and can not wait to see everyone there. We miss you guys!

ps- I am trying to fix my blog now by re-adding all of my contacts to the side. If I forget to add you. Please let me know.

Blogging SOS

So, I tried to change the html on my template to try to get a more original background.. and look what happened!!! I lost all of my friend blogs that were on the side. Has anyone else had this problem? What can I do so that it doesn't do this next time? I get the worst blogger ever award.

Halloween Fun

Here are some pictures from a couple Halloween parties that we went to this year. The first one is from our ward "trunk or treat". Back when my mom was pregnant with #3, she and my dad dressed up as Hefty and Glad trash bags, so we decided to bring back the good idea. The second picture is us at a Mystery dinner that our friends hosted. Chad was supposed to come as an Airforce pilot, and I was a rich, French Lady. So, there you have it. (thanks for the pics Hannah!)

Tag... I'm it.

So, Lindsay tagged me the other day, and here we go...
A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.



1. Chad and I love to share everything. We split both meals at restaurants, drink from eachothers cups constantly, sleep on the same side of the bed (I like the edge, and he has to snuggle right up next to me) and he even lets me wear His pajamas.



2. The longer I live in Maryland, the more I realize that I LOVE Utah. The past four years on the East coast have made me really miss: family, mormons, cinnamon bears, CAFE RIO, the Malt shop, American Fork canyon, Rhodes rolls, snow shack, mountains, DRY/non-humid air, BYU football, mexican food, and good customer service.



3. I am completely obsessed with making lists, crossing items off lists, feeling my baby kick, planning parties, pottery barn, diet coke, guacamole, New York City, Wicked the musical (we have seen it 9 times I think.) mint ice cream, fall leaves, and Halloween (my fav. holiday).



4. I am not all into gameshows, I actually hate watching TV, but somehow, (not sure if this is lucky or unlucky) I have been a contestant on The Price is Right, and the Wheel of Fortune.



5. I tend to take on too many things at the same time, for example: Running a marathon 2 weeks before my wedding, or Working 12 hour shifts in the ICU of the #1 hospital while being pregnant. Hmmm... not sure why I do this to myself.



6. I am 6 1/2 months pregnant and can not wait for our little boy to get here. I am so excited to be a mom I can hardly stand it. we've been working on the nursery lately, and it is going to be so stinking cute.



YOUR TURN! I tag: Hannah, Chanel, Jami, Carissa, Adge, Lacey