Christmas Just Wouldn't Be The Same Without...

That energetic feeling that makes you just want to explode with excitement. Or in Gracie's case...what appears to be a "Christmas Coma"!

Matching Pajamas for Christmas Eve. And yes...Gracie - take some lessons from your Mom. I realize I look REALLY lively in this picture. We'll blame that on the egg nog!


Our Family!!


This year for Christmas, we gave a piece of Montana to both mine and Jody's parents. The log bench we are sitting on, in this picture, is from some of our Pine Trees that dotted our yard from our home in Butte!


The Perfect Winter Wedding! Jody and I were able to attend the Salt Lake Temple and see my former college roommate Amelia sealed to her husband Christopher.


Yummy Christmas Dinner!


A Trip to "Christmas Street" to see all of the Lights! Temple Square at Christmas Time is also a MUST. We did go this year - but have no pictures. Nothing is quite as beautiful as viewing the Nativity in front of the Temple!


And Stopping with Kylene and Greg for Scones and Hot Cocoa at Winder Farms after seeing the Lights!


Christmas Parties with Good Friends. Here I am with Ashley, Annika, and Emilee at a festive dinner Emilee planned. She even crafted these amazing homemade decorations and name tags. (Even the babies had name tags in front of their assigned highchairs...so cute!)



Dressing Up Like Elves!


Our Own Little Elf!


We had a beautiful Holiday Season. It was a blessing this year not having to drive away from family after Christmas was over.

Did Someone Just Wake Up?

This was Gracie earlier this week after a cozy nap! No gel or mousse was involved in this creation!


She likes to nestle her head into the corner of her crib...the end result looks quite marvelous!


And here is a more "contained" version. Kylene helped me give Gracie her first taste of Pigtails. She seemed to have a whole new confidence while sporting her antennas! :) Maybe with pigtails, strangers will stop calling her a boy! It happened again the other day while we were out to lunch. "He is just so handsome....It's a boy...right?" Said the man at Bajio Grill. Hmmm....I guess the bows, purple pants that say "pretty" and her pink shoes just aren't enough to let the world know...she's a little girl! Bring on the Pigtails!

Gracie has really figured out the art of walking. She is doing so well toddling around! This video is from about one week ago, and she's really come a long way. But at least you can all see her marching around.

Happy Birthday To the Love of my Life!

On December 6th we celebrated Jody's 29th Birthday!
Gracie was a big helper unwrapping the presents!


Jody is such a mellow, caring, astounding and wonderful person. He is Never quick to get angry, and he's Always willing to help! He is such a good father to Gracie and someone who keeps me laughing. He's very accommodating too...he was supposed to be born on December 26th...but just to make the Christmas season a little less hectic and more enjoyable - He came three weeks early. From day one - he wanted to make life easier for everyone around him. Jody - I love you. Happy Birthday!

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night...

The morning of Jody's Birthday - my parent's church ward held their Christmas Breakfast. But this wasn't just any breakfast - This was a Shepherd's Breakfast! So we grabbed our robes and canes and headed off to Bethlehem. Jody opted to play football with his friends. Since it was his Birthday, we let it slide. :) And he told me anyway he doesn't look good wearing a bath towel on his head....but I beg to differ!


And a visit from Santa! Gracie thought the Jolly Man in Red was hilarious. She just laughed at him! (Maybe she was laughing because she could see a dark mustache under the fake white beard...hmmm...)

Look Who Is ONE Now!!

November 26th marked Gracie's FIRST BIRTHDAY!
I can't believe our baby is growing up so quickly. I'll never forget the first time I held her in the hospital - it was the most spectacular moment! I always thought it was appropriate that she was born right around Thanksgiving - because she has given us SO MUCH for which to be Grateful! She melted our hearts a year ago. And now she continues to make us laugh and enjoy each new day watching her learn and grow!


Gracie could barely hold back her excitement as she waited for her guests to arrive for the party. She even kept most of her sponge rollers in her hair!




We celebrated with friends and family. Everyone looked STUNNING in the Party Hats!


Gracie received many sweet and thoughtful gifts. Thanks to everyone for making her day so special!




She really liked listening to everyone sing "Happy Birthday" to her. She was a little hesitant with the Cake at First...But Then...


She realized with THAT much sugar in front of her...The Party Had Just Begun!


Enjoying the Party with Gwama and Papa Tait.


Having Fun with Grandpa and Grandma Wiscombe.


And in other Gracie Good News, our one-year-old took her first steps just days before her birthday. She is getting braver and faster everyday.

Playing in Paradise!

Jody and I flew to Hawaii this month and really, REALLY took a vacation!


The trip wouldn't have happened if it were not for my parents. They have a timeshare that many years goes unused...so they have "weeks" of vacations that build up over time. My parents rarely travel, because it's just too difficult with Michael; so being able to share this trip with them was a wonder! They were able to book two rooms at the Marriott's Maui Ocean Club on Kaanapali Beach. Thanks to Aunt LaMae for graciously watching Michael and Mom and Dad Tait for taking such outstanding care of Gracie. My mom and I both had our separate melt-downs. I lost it on the plane ride over and couldn't stop crying...I just missed Gracie so much! My mom had a hard time, but she and my dad needed a break from their daily routine. They haven't been on a vacation without Michael in 9 years. We love you Mom and Dad!




While in Maui we snorkeled and saw all different kinds of fish and huge sea turtles. The turtles were just an arms-length away from us. It was so great. We also went on a "Dinner Cruise"...which should have been called a "Booze Cruise"! We don't drink, but those who did provided some great entertainment!


The weather was incredible, and the views were just stunning! We enjoyed building a sandcastle on the beach...


We also shopped around in the adorable town of Lahaina. Thanks to the Lahaina Loony... for making our trip so memorable. You know who you are. Straight Up!


Also while we were on the islands, my dad celebrated his birthday! My dad is the hardest working person I know. He is always looking for ways to lend a hand and ease the burden for someone else. Thanks Dad for everything you do!


We also drove the narrow Road to Hana. (I nearly threw up....it was worse than I thought it would be) We got out of the car quite a few times to enjoy the scenery. Jody led us on a hike through a Bamboo Jungle. It was intense. Jody informed me later that he's read about deadly large snakes that live in Sugar Cane and bamboo rainforests...Hmmm...Glad I didn't know that during our little adventure!


Our hike took us to these waterfalls. Jody is taking in the moment!


Jody and Dad showcased their surfing skills!



All Washed Up!

We went to a Luau and ate foods from Tahiti, New Zealand, Hawaii and Samoa.

Halloween was SO Last Month...

So I'm finally posting our Halloween pictures. Each day seems to be a new adventure since we moved down to Utah. Getting Settled, House Hunting, and Jody starting his new job have all been fun. We made the long trek from Montana the day before Halloween...so we should have dressed up like Zombies...because that's how we felt. Jody opted to bust out the ever-spectacular Banana Costume, I was a witch (if you consider wearing a hat a costume!) and Gracie was our little bunny rabbit!


It was so warm this year Trick-or-Treating in Utah! Papa Tait helped Gracie around the neighborhood, where she got lots of treats.


We ran into Aunt Kylene and Uncle Greg Trick-or-Treating. Check out this girl's hair! Wow. They made some radical 80's rockers.


We were so excited to actually BE in Utah, not just for a visit, this Halloween!! Here we are with Michael's and Gracie's Jack-O-Lanterns that my dad carved.


I found an old Halloween picture from 1984 of me dressed as a bunny holding Michael. I guess the bunny costume is the way to go!