Yes, Virginia...

There is a Santa Claus. His Holiday Spirit is very real and we are so grateful for it. We don't know who our Secret Santa(s) is/are and if you even read our blog, but we feel an overwhelming need to thank you and this is the very best way we can think of.

Just the other day I was listening to a concert from a local musician on the radio. He spoke about how he had been hospitalized last winter due to a serious medical condition. He explained how difficult it had been for his pride to know that friends and family were shoveling his sidewalk and taking care of his home and family while he was confined to the hospital. One day he was thinking about the lyrics to one of his favorite Christmas songs and the words, "Let Earth Receive Her King," really struck him. He realized that part of "receiving His King" was being humble enough to receive those who wanted to serve their King by serving him.

It's no secret this past year has been a difficult one for our little family. We are doing fine--we really are--and are probably doing better than most people in our situation would be. Our cupboards are far from bare and Santa Claus certainly wouldn't have forgotten Garrett and Abby, but the kindness and generosity of our Secret Santa has brought a feeling of magic and joy to our house we really needed this Christmas season. Just knowing that somebody took the time to remember us, in spite of their own holiday hustle and bustle, means more than we could ever express.

The prideful part of us wants to track you down and pay you back (or at least properly thank you), but we are trying to be humble and just remember that when we gratefully receive you, we are also receiving our King. I can't help but think of the lowly circumstances in which our Savior--the Greatest of all-- was born. Perhaps of everything we could learn from Him this holiday season, humility is the lesson we need most of all.

So to whoever you are, where ever you are, we thank you from the very bottom of our humble hearts. This Christmas is going to be our best one yet and we will remember it for the rest of our lives. Thank you for your goodness. God loves you, and so do we.

A Family in Need

Cache Valley is grieving this Christmas for a family who lost two young sons Saturday morning in a tragic car accident. A good-hearted friend is organizing an online auction to help raise money for them. Please read the news story, visit the blog, give whatever you can, and share this message!

A Christmas Compromise

You may remember reading about our very sad Christmas tree biting the dust. I wanted to get a new (decent) one, while Greg wanted to fix the old one or get a real one.

BEHOLD The Compromise:


Why is this a compromise? Greg built this lovely stand to get us through this Christmas and we will shop for a new one on the after-Christmas sales. AWESOME!

Look at this beautiful tree... (Okay, it's a bit crooked and the ornaments are mostly hand-me-downs, but we like it.)


We took the little elves to see St. Nick at the town library. You never know how it's going to go, but both kids did great. No tears were shed--a Christmas miracle!
When Santa asked Garrett what he wanted for Christmas, Garrett responded with, "A present." DONE AND DONE, little boy! So easy to please.

May I just add how much I am loving Christmas this year with Garrett. He loves it all--the lights, the songs, the stories, the snow, all of it! He is old enough to enjoy it, but still too young to be greedy. He loves the Nativity every bit as much as he loves Santa (if not more) and he has been so sweet. He loves to talk about Bethlehem, the baby Jesus, the Shepherds, angels, etc. (A very nice change from the Witch kick he was on there for awhile.) We are loving this holiday season and every day is bittersweet because it will be over way too soon. (That's all my opinion, by the way. I happen to be married to Mr. Scrooge/the Grinch and he would be all too happy not celebrating Christmas at all. Unfortunately for him, he married the wrong girl on that one.) :)

Grandpa Willy gave Garrett an early Christmas present--his very own tool bag and tools to work with daddy. He loves it!

Abby reached a major milestone in her life: the Pebbles Flintstone hairdo. Love, love, love it!

'Tis the Season...for 50 Free Christmas Cards!

Sending out Christmas cards is something I've really enjoyed doing, especially since I've had kids and an excuse to take family pictures. But let's be honest, for a young family on a Christmas budget, it adds up quickly to buy the cards/envelopes, print the pictures, and then drop 50 bucks at the post office to mail the darn things. Hence the reason I am SO VERY EXCITED about this killer Christmas card giveaway from the awesome folks at SHUTTERFLY! I have had so much fun looking at their website and browsing their cards. I kept thinking to myself that there must be some sort of catch--like maybe they display their cutest designs but make you choose your free ones from the hidden ugly collection, but nope! You really get to choose your favorite from their literally hundreds of delightful designs and get 50 FREE CARDS just for blogging about it. Seriously, it's that easy. Well, it's really not that easy because you have to agonize over which darling card you are going to add your mugshot to, but at least it's free, free, free!

Here are a few of my faves:

Aren't they just the best? And aren't you just so hoping to be on my Christmas card list this year? :)

Don't wait--head on over to this site right now and check it out!!!

P.S. Don't forget to add ME to YOUR Christmas card list because I can't wait to see your fabulous SHUTTERFLY card!!!

TWO GLORIOUS DAYS...

...is all we enjoyed with our lovely Christmas tree before it was broken by this little elf.



We're still not sure what happened. I was in the bathroom getting ready when I heard the dreaded crash/shattering. I walked out and Garrett said, "It's really bad." I asked him what happened and he responded with, "I broked our tree."

I probably shouldn't have been, but I was actually really surprised because for the whole 2 days it had been up, both Garrett and Abby had been really good at leaving it alone. The tree itself wasn't anything super special--just an old one Greg's cousin's grandma (did you catch that?) gave us the first Christmas we were married. Somehow the plastic stand on the bottom broke in the fall, so the tree is currently propped up against the wall until we decide what to do.

Mrs. Claus would love to just get a new tree--you know the nice ones with the lights already on them that come in three pieces you just snap together and then plug in and decorate? (Mrs. Claus spent multiple hours assembling this old tree, fluffing each branch and then putting it in, wrapping the lights around the tree, etc.) Santa Claus, on the other hand, thinks he can fix the old one or make a trek into the hills and cut down a "real" one. The only problem with this is that Santa Claus is a busy man this time of year and I would like to have a functional tree before New Year's Eve.

Stay tuned to see what happens...it should be interesting.

Sadly enough, the only ornament that didn't survive the fall was this darling one I brought back from NYC a few years ago. Sad. :(

For Mal and Mike...

He's gone. As of 1:15 yesterday afternoon, Greg's darling baby brother is now an "Elder" and the MTC in Provo is enjoying the Matt Phillips show we've all enjoyed for the last 19 years. (Okay, not all of us have known him for 19 years, but close enough.)

This post is lovingly dedicated to Mike and Mal, who happen to be living the high-life on the other side of country and missed the festivities. It was a perfect day: A teary Matt gave a wonderful talk, the chapel was filled with lovely ladies who are hopefully now home baking cookies and writing spiritual epistles in hopes of impressing the handsome Elder, the food was FABULOUS, the company couldn't have been better, and it only dumped about a foot and a half of snow the morning of his non-farewell. Yes, it was all great.

La Casa de Phillips was overflowing and many of Matt's guests ate quickly and left before I had a chance to get pictures, so here's who was left when I finally busted out the camera.

First things first: Miss Abby-Cakes. She's missing her bow and a shoe, but at least she has Grandma's scriptures. :)

Cute Cousin Adrianne and Baby Jack. Abby and Jack are only 12 days apart, so it was really fun for Ady and I to chat and watch them play together.

A portion of the dashing Darke family.

Uncle Gary and his two darling daughters.

Garrett giving Uncle Gary a big squeeze.

The Man of the Hour himself with sweet Aunt Rosalyn.

A precious picture of Grandpa and Grandma Riddle. So sweet!

Speaking of sweet....

Notice Aunt Diane's weepy eyes...bless her heart. :)

I love this picture of Greg with his Grandpa. Undoubtedly sharing hunting stories...what else would you talk about with Grandpa Riddle?

Cousin Amy and Matt. Notice her teary eyes as well...she must get it from her mom.

Eric and Cute Gini.

Grandpa Willy and a sleepy-looking Abby.

The G-Man and the Elder.

Josh with his lovely lady, Becca.

I love this picture of Greg's cousin, Isaac. Check out that smile.

Grayson, Shannon, Miles, Carla. We were so thrilled when Shannon told us she is expecting a baby girl this Spring. You can't tell in this picture, but she has the cutest little baby bump! YAY!!!
Awesome picture of the missionary with his parents. At least you can always count on Jan to smile and look nice in a picture.

Speaking of cute pregnant gals, here's Cathy! She said absolutely no belly pics. At least she has a lovely face!

As things were winding down, Garrett settled in to watch his new favorite movie, "Bednobs and Broomsticks." (Garrett is obsessed with witches to the point that it's getting embarassing/disturbing. Okay, that's slightly exaggerated, but it's pretty funny. More to come on that in a later post.)

Garrett wanted me to "way" by him, and I was more than thrilled to oblige. The night before had been a rough one with a teething (or something) Abby and I honestly don't think I could have gotten more than 3 hours of sleep. I was out before my head even hit the pillow. Thanks to Greg for taking such lovely pictures of the little man with his Sleeping Beauty (or "Mrs. Beauty" as Garrett would say). Have I ever mentioned how much I love being the #1 girl in Garrett's heart? He'll discover there's better options out there soon enough, so I'm trying to enjoy every moment.

Here's a few more sleepyheads...

Matt was "set-apart" as full-time missionary on Tuesday night. Here he is with Bishop Albertson and President Call.

The night before a missionary leaves is always so bittersweet. Laughing one minute, crying the next. Poor Garrett didn't know what to think about it and was quite concerned. Whenever Matt got teary, Garrett would give him a big hug and say, " It's okay, Matt." Super sweet. It was also really sweet when Matt asked Garrett if he wanted to be a missionary. His response: "No, I'm good."

Abby was just happy to be there. (Mal, this picture is for you. Check out her little boots. Totally ridiculous, but oh-so-cute!)
This fine couple has now sent off FIVE missionaries. WOW! (Matt says they saved the best for last. Naturally, I'm inclined to think they hit the jackpot on the first one, but Matt is a close second. ) :)

I was really hoping to get a good picture of Matt with the kiddos, but forgot about it until they were in their jammies and totally beat. This is the best we got. Oh well.

It's so crazy to think that Garrett will almost be 5 and Abby will be Garrett's age when Matt "returns from his mission in glory." (Name that movie, anyone???)

And there you have it. Unfortunately, Greg had a project going at work he really needed to be home for on Wednesday, so we had to come home and miss the Brick Oven lunch/kick the Elder off at the MTC curb experience.

Maybe next time...which will be Garrett in about 16.5 years...WAAAHHHH!!!