We've been so busy with family and getting back to our routine, I haven't had a chance to post about our Christmas this year.

Christmas eve, I had to work, so I didn't get home until the late afternoon. After I got home, we all got changed and headed over to the Humbert"s. We had homemade pizza for dinner, we each got to make our own. I went with my standard pepperoni and black olive :) We enjoyed spending time with Ryan's family that evening, Great Grandma Humbert was there too. Zoe always has a good time there. Grandma read her some Christmas stories even though she was a little distracted. When the evening was winding down, we took Zoe home and put her to bed in her cute Christmas jammies.
Then Ryan and I got to work. We filled stockings and pulled out all the remaining gifts. We cuddled up and watched a movie and headed to bed.
Christmas morning, 8 am. Zoe was still sleeping, and we had to get over to the in-laws by 9am. so we woke her up. She's a lot like her mama, and doesn't appreciate being woken up. She started crying and I had to carry her out to the family rooom to show her her presents.
She stopped crying as soon as she saw her tricycle. We had stacked up some of her other presents on the seat of the bike and she pushed them off so she could sit on it! I was so happy that she loved it! Now she sits on it and says, " Vroom, Vroom." She can barely reach the pedals but she loves to sit on it.
Then we headed over to the Humbert's again, in our pjs and enjoyed a yummy breakfast and lots of presents.
After that, Naps for all!!

It was a wonderful Christmas filled with lots of joy and cheer. We did take our Christmas tree down the day after Christmas, it was getting a little to crispy for my comfort. Since the tree was going down, all the rest of the decorations came down too. So we're ready for our fresh start in 2010.

{If I would have sent out Christmas Cards, this is what they would have looked like}

Every year I debate sending Christmas cards. I kinda feel like it would be pointless, considering everyone I would send a card to reads the blog, so I thought it would be kinda redundant.

And then I see all the cute cards that come to my house and I think, maybe I should send them, I like getting cards, maybe others would. But by that time, it's usually December 22nd....and they cards won't get there in time.

So this year, expect a Valentine's Day card instead :)

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

PS. If you would like a Valentine's Day card,

leave a comment with your address and I'll make sure you get one!

{It will probably contain conversation hearts, because I'm in love with them}

Zoe's last day of Daycare before Christmas.

They made these cute ornaments out of cinnamon applesauce playdoh, it smelled the best.

Ryan is finishing up finals tonight so Zoe and I are staying out of the way.

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

We also had a lovely dinner with our BFFs the Stauffers. Beef stew, rolls and yummy peanut butter brownies, mmm. This week we're planning on completing some traditions and fun things we haven't had a chance to do this year. Also, I've past my 200th post and I promised my first giveaway and that's on the schedule. (I didn't forget :) XOXO, Holly & Co.

Sorry for the catch-up but the last few days have been a little busy. Thankfully, we only have one other item on the calendar for the rest of the month. Posts should resume back to normal. XOXO, Holly & CO.

Last night we were able to finally get out of the house all together. We went to Red Robin for dinner. Zoe got a balloon when we left. It only lasted 10 minutes after we got home, because she and Campbell were playing with it. Luckily, she didn't throw a fit when it popped. Here's cute picture I snagged of her before it popped. We attempted to make a gingerbread house with Zoe but she was too tired and wasn't grasping the concept. So we put her to bed and Ryan and I put it together.

Ok so I didn't really take this picture, but...Have you seen this? So adorable! I watched it with Zoe on Hulu tonight. Today was the White Elephant/Potluck Extravaganza! I had 2 different potlucks at work. The first I made the gift tags for, I ended up back with the gift tags. The second, was a bigger one. I arrived a little late, but ended up being first to choose for the white elephant gift exchange. The first gift I opened was a singing gorilla, than it was stolen, so onto the leopard print Santa hat, stolen. The EDS book, stolen. and finally I got a cute little reindeer advent holder. I don't have a radio or a CD player in my car, so on the drive home I usually sing to Zoe, but today I sang Christmas carols to myself, I was surprised by how many I remembered the words to. I think "Away in a Manger" is my new favorite, the second verse especially. I just love Christmas time! XOXO, Holly & CO.

mmm...comfort food. I had a rough day today, so Ryan made dinner. Homemade pizza and orange juice. Weird combination, I know, but whenever we had pizza as a kid my Mom used to serve it with orange juice...ya know, for the vitamins :) I have 2 potlucks at work tomorrow, along with white elephant gift exchanges so I made some gift tags as my white elephant gift. I made them using my new Cricut and Cosmo Cricket's Jolly by Golly line. And, I could really use some, so hopefully no one wants them and I can steal them away:) XOXO, Holly & CO.

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

Mom's Awesomely Easy & Delicious Sugar Cookies 3 Cups Flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 Cup butter 2 eggs 1 Cup sugar Sift dry ingredients except sugar. Cut in butter with pastry blender. Beat eggs in a separate bowl. Add sugar to eggs and beat well. Blend egg mixture into flour mixture. Chill well (8+ hours) Roll to 1/8 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet (airbake) 6-8 minutes at 375 degrees until edges are barely golden. Cool, frost, and enjoy! I've been wanting to get back to scrapbooking, but lately I've felt uninspired. I'm hoping the pictures I ordered will be here soon and those will inspire me. XOXO, Holly & Co.

Tonight was our Ward Relief Society Christmas Party. Lots of yummy food and singing. Not much else to say as I am tired and feel a cold coming on...Good night...back tomorrow. XOXO, Holly & Co.

This year I've really tried to take more pictures, especially of Zoe doing every day things. I've caught some great moments and hope to continue to use my camera more and more. (Reading the manual and learning about all the settings helps a LOT!) Isn't it pretty? This was my Big Black Friday score! We were waiting and waiting for it to be available online the night before but nothing happened, so we went to bed. Zoe woke me up at 2am, so after I got her back down, I decided to check if it was available, just in case. And it was! 3 or 4 clicks and it was mine. No standing in the cold, no long lines, no biting, fighting or scrambling. Onto Dec. 2nd. XOXO, Holly & Co.