December 2010...

The month of December was MUCH more slow paced than I would typically prefer but being 8 months pregnant, completely exhausted ALL of the time plus health issues on top of that did not lend itself to anything other than "taking it easy." I had all of my Christmas shopping including stockings done (most of which was done at my computer off of Amazon - thank you Amazon Mom!) by the first week of December and it's a good thing because little did we know that our little man would come a whole week before Christmas! Anyways, we did manage to have some fun...

This is the third year Alyssa and I have thrown a Christmas party together. Ahem... except this year... she really did the whole thing...

A favorite things party with girls in our ward - this was TWO DAYS before he came. In fact, I even complained that night how my family doesn't go into labor and then my water broke two days later. ha!

Alyssa's house is the perfect place to hold a party

These favors were so cute. We put Chocolate peppermint cookies inside each box for the guests to take home.

And next...

Brooke and Livi at the ward Christmas party. It took us by surprise when they went off by themselves and snuck desserts at the dessert table. When did they get old enough to do this?

Love this.. no explanation needed.

Brookie had a mini-recital at her dance studio.. luckily we snapped this before it started because she ran off of the stage 5 seconds into the dance. Ironically, she really does love dance!

Brent and Brooke before the dance recital

We decorated the tree while listening to the First Presidency Christmas devotional and the night before that we saw a fabulous performance of the Messiah (no picture). This is a tradition that I grew up with and it was nice to be reminded of how much I love Handel's music. It definitely put me in the Christmas spirit and reminded me of my sweet Grammie who passed away last October. She would always go with us to the sing-in at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake. I will never forget listening to her sing those words and admiring her beautiful voice. She instilled in me a love of classical music.

Guerisoli home - Christmas 2010

Thanks for coming early, Bray. Mommy and Daddy thank you for the tax break!

June 2010 - Alyssa's baby shower

Although I was not up to my game, we put together a book shower for Alyssa. Everyone brought their favorite childrens book as a gift and we did the food and decorations centered around Dr. Seuss and his books.

Very very cute and fun to do...

The hosts + Alyssa

We did it at Kendee's house... can you believe those mobiles that Crystal made?

To see baby Madeline who is now 8 weeks old, go here.