Merry Christmas to All

So far Eva has loved just about everything to do with Christmas- touching the ornaments on the tree and trying to pull them off, play with ribbon and tape while I wrap presents, and suck on candycanes given to her by her dad. But there is one thing she hates. When I use scissors to curl ribbon on a present she screams her head off. I don't really know why. Maybe it is the sound that bothers her... a mystery.

Even though she doesn't know what is going on, I am really excited for Eva's first Christmas. I thought she would be crawling by now, but she isn't (which I am a bit grateful for) so I pictured her getting into everything under and on the Christmas tree. But I think she will just sit and try to suck on as much wrapping paper as she can.

I'm also excited to go home to Salt Lake with Eva and Eric to be with all of our families.

We hope that everybody has a wonderful Christmas and a New Year filled with health, peace and joy!

Sleigh Ride & Play-Doh for Dr. Ballou

For Eric's office Christmas party we went on a sleigh ride at Bogus Basin ski resort. It was freezing, but fun! We bundled up and rode on an actual sleigh pulled by horses through the snow to a little cabin where we had a nice hot dinner and listened to a cowboy play his guitar and sing some country classics. I think the best part was coming into the cabin from the snow and having hot chocolate ready waiting for us. And then to top the night off, the staff gave Eric and Dr. Peterson each a Dr. Drill an Fill Play-Doh set that you can actually make teeth out of play-doh and stick it in some plastic gums. Then you can drill them and fill them with some gold play-doh. I think it's going to be his favorite gift this year. He played with it as soon as he got home that night. They also gave us a gift card to our favorite restarant which I'm way excited about. Eric has a great staff and we are grateful for all that they do!

Meanwhile, Eva was hanging out with her Nana and uncle Quinn. They were in town for a couple of days so Eric could take Quinn's wisdom teeth out. He was a great sport. Nana bought Eva a high-chair. Yay! Look how cute and tiny she looks in it!

Thanksgiving in Island Park

We had a cozy Thanksgiving weekend in Island Park, ID at Eric's mom's new cabin. Craig, her husband, is a builder and contractor and he just finished building a beautiful cabin there, where he is from. We had a great time helping decorate the place with old skis, snowshoes, artwork and we even put up Christmas tree and stockings. Most of the weekend was spent sitting by the fireplace and eating. I did try to follow my own advice from my workout tip, although it was extremely difficult to do when we had such a fine cook. My mother-in-law that I often refer to as Wonder Woman cooked a different meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner all weekend long. She is a great cook and it is something that she really enjoys. Eric and I were so excited to take Eva out for her first time in the snow. I think we had more fun than she did, but she sure looked cute in her bear suit!

It was so nice to be with family for Thanksgiving. Our last 4 years we have been in VA and every year we had Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant we loved in Washington, D.C. It was a fun tradition and great memory, but it sure is good to be home. Plus, it's about time I learn how to cook a turkey from the pros!