A Few of Our Favorite Things...

Mmm, I have been dying for Cafe Rio for MONTHS. (Why, why, why can't there be one on the East Coast??) Of course, I am currently suffering from a horrible aversion to lettuce...or all food for that matter! - but that wasn't about to stop me from enjoying a pork salad. Mmmm. (I just ate around the lettuce!)

Best buddies reunited. Seth and I caught up with Eric for a few hours before he headed down to the Sugar Bowl (so jealous!). If there were a way to clone a Maryland-Eric, we would!

Slip-Sledding-Fun!

Seth, Ben & Phil took the kids sledding this afternoon, I think Seth was the designated photographer. I'm trying to figure out how to get these two little guys to fit in my suitcases...they need to come to Maryland!

Gaufin Girlies!

We got together for a tasty brunch (thanks for the food, Kel and Karen) with the Gaufin girlies. Apparently, unknown to me, I was the main attraction, actually...I wasn't, but Peach Pit sure was!
Me and the Little Mudder
Aunt Barb, Kellie and me
DeAnn, Karen, Tressa and Thea
Stephanie, Aunt Cynthia and Meredith

I highly recommend checking out the onesies in the album, we are some seriously talented girls!

Gaufin Girlies Shower - December

A WHITE Christmas!

Seth and I decided it would be a great idea to fly home on Christmas Eve, we prepped ourselves for the worst at the airport, but were pleasantly surprised to see no lines! Fabulous! We had a pretty uneventful flight, minus the part where I puked after we landed...ah details... We were supposed to be meeting Dad, but apparently he had picked up a few fan club members on his way to the airport, we were greeted with a three year old sprinting towards us, through the airport yelling, "Unca Seff! Aunt Gewi!" Ah, Drew. We scooped him up and he hugged us for the next ten minutes! Love that kid. He didn't disappoint, he immediately asked Seth, "ya okay, Unca Seff?" (This is our favorite phrase of his.)

We headed down to Orem to settle into our Christmas digs. The sisters and their fams came down soon after and we enjoyed a seriously tasty fondue dinner. (It's possible it helped that Mom was a little generous with the cooking wine in the sauce!) Hehehe. We had a great time visiting with the fam before they headed home, Seth and I tucked ourselves in, in anticipation of Santa.

We were exhausted by 6pm- definitely from a different time zone!

Seth and I were still on East Coast time, so we were up around 2:30 (yes, at home we do wake up around 4:30 normally). So, we laid in bed for a while, but by 5 am we were tired of just laying there, we got out of bed and discovered it had SNOWED! We bundled up and went for a walk around the neighborhood, it was so beautiful. We got home, and decided we'd give Dad the day off and we got out the shovels and took care of his walks and driveway. It was so much fun!! I have desperately missed the snow!

How much do I love the snow??? SOOO much!

Mom and Dad were finally rolling out of bed around 6, so we gathered around and waited for the conference call with Elder Dougie in Hungary. He's just fabulous. I can't believe he's been out over a year, and I am most definitely counting down the months until his return. How cool is he?? It was awesome talking to the kid.

We opened some gifts with Mom and Dad, and then prepared for the Gaufin Christmas Breakfast. It wasn't as big as usual, due to arranging around Doug's call, but the sisters and their fams were there and that's what matters. Who doesn't love waffles with strawberries and whipped cream? Tasty!

Christmas morning, NEVER gets old!

Seth and I had a good time giving to each other. Always fun to see what we come up with!

Kellie made us the most incredible calendar, we just need to find an easel to put it on!

Phew! That was a full meal, my stomach is nearly exploding, oh wait... I was just excited to have a meal stay where it belongs!

Christmas was wonderful this year, it was so nice to just relax and hang out with the family. I love that we like hanging out together. Time with my family...exactly what I wanted for Christmas, Santa did deliver!!

Gaufin Christmas - December Photo Album

Ho Ho Ho!

There have been a few requests to see our sweet Christmas decorating. So, for all two of you that asked...here you go!
I'm really proud of this wreath, it was my first attempt at "creating" a wreath. I have proven once again, that I am, indeed, my mother's daughter. I picked out the ribbons, the wreath and the little balls all by myself! I even made the bow myself (totally not as hard as some people say!). I made the wreath Thanksgiving weekend, but then let it sit in the safety of our cozy house for two weeks before Seth had had enough. He said it was time our cute little wreath brave the cold, wind and rain. It was time it went outside. Little did we know the wreath would survive the harsh elements better than our roof. (That is a story for another day.)This pretty much wraps up the extent of our Christmas decorating. No, those presents aren't ultra big, the tree is a little "petite". I bought some other decorations, garlands and such...hmmm, maybe they'll make it up next year. We didn't want to overpower the tree!

Family Picture Time!

We braved the bitter cold to document the family for Christmas cards. Seth rocked the auto-timer and we survived. Needless to say, I was totally bummed when we got our cards back from good, ol' Walmart and they were printed yucky. So...for those that received a dark, barely visible picture for a Christmas card. Here is proof that they did look good pre-Walmart!

Book Suggestions?

So- Seth and I are "lucky" and get to fly to SLC on Christmas Eve. I need some good books for the trip. (I'm preparing for the worst- ie: stuck in some po-dunk airport). I am not picky, I read just about anything. Let me know if you've been reading anything good lately...thanks!

Susquehanna Christmas Festivities!

Just like last year, the Ward Christmas Party was a lot of fun. We had a tasty turkey dinner, and then we were entertained by a nice program. Each of the presidencies was asked to sing a song for the program. We ladies of the Young Women sang a variation of the "12 Days of Christmas"...but instead it was "12 Days of Young Women...my leader gave to me..." I have to say, it was pretty fantastic. (Yes, I'm bragging). Seth and the Elders Quorum presidency also sang a song, they pulled in some ringers from the younger boys. I recorded a little bit of their song (I missed the ringers, but you'll get the idea...) I hear there is a video of the YW song floating around, once I find it I will get it posted.

Mmmm. I like this kid.
We had good company at our table, love Grandpa and Grandma!
Just picture it..."...5 days at camp, 4 regional dances, 3 degrees of glory, 2 pregnant leaders and a new, blue Book of Mormon!"



This is a pretty short video clip, Seth preferred it that way!