Tis' The Season!

We have had a fun filled December and we still haven't even hit Christmas!  We started off the month having my Lake Street girls and their families over to our house for dinner.  As I started to do this post I realized that I don't have any photos from all the fun we have been having, how lame!  I love getting together with Jenica, Katie, and Kristin, they are so much fun and their families are too!  We got to chat and eat, what more could you ask for!

We also got together with Kevin's friends and their families at the beginning of the month.  We always end up laughing a lot and having a great time when we are with them.

On December 4th, IKEA hosted a complimentary breakfast with none other than Santa!!  The food was great, we got to decorated a ginger bread house, we got to see Santa, and we even went home with a stuffed doggie.  Milo wasn't too sure about Santa, but did a great job, no fussing or crying!

IKEA treats us so great, I got a 5 year anniversary gift, and a great Christmas present from them this year.  I can't believe it has been 5 years, a lot has happened since I started there.

I think my favorite part about this month is that Kevin and I have been able to go on some free date nights that were much needed!  We first were able to attend a fancy dinner at the Salt Lake Country Club that was hosted by the Utah Mechanical Contractors Association.  Kevin's bosses couldn't go and had already reserved a seat, so we were able to attend.  It was so much fun!  We got to dress up and eat amazing food, all on someone else's dime!   The food was a buffet of salads, fruits, veggies, seafood, fish, chicken, and prime rib.  You better believe I ate my fair share of crab legs!  After dinner there was a huge dessert bar and dancing.  My mother in law was nice enough to watch Milo for us, so the only thing we paid for that night was the tip for the valet, it was so great!  Especially since it has been a long time since we have had a real date night.  Lack of money and hating to ask for babysitting makes date nights hard.

Last Thursday was Kevin's work party, another fun date night!  Katie, Josh, and Julian were so nice to come over and watch Milo.  They saved us, we had asked tons of people to babysit and no one was available.  Kevin's party was held at a West Valley Golf Club.  The dinner there was yummy too.  Fruit, appetizers, salads, steak, fish, and veggies, can you tell I am starting to get my appetite back, yay!  The dessert was assorted cakes and pies, I had the chocolate mousse cake, so yummy.  And to think I am wondering why I am gaining weight, lol!  His work had an awesome raffle, Kev had helped get a lot of the prizes donated and there was enough for every employee to win something.  They gave away a TV, a tablet, digital camera, gifts cards, and a lot of other great prizes.  We went home with an awesome fire pit we are super stoked, it will be so fun to use it in the summer, our favorite time of year!  It was another fun night and we are really enjoying having Kev work for KHI.

On Friday night we decided to take an adventure downtown to see the lights at temple square.  We went with Kevin's brother Jeff and his family and really enjoyed ourselves.  We decided to ride TRAX, so we wouldn't have to deal with traffic and parking on a Friday night.  I knew Milo would love it too, he has started to like trains lately since Grandma Taylor has her Christmas one set up in her basement.  It was the Taylor girl's first ride too, and everyone enjoyed it.  It really is the way to go, we got there quick, and even though it got a little crowded as we approached downtown, it was so nice!  It was fun to see how City Creek has come along.  Kev worked down there with Jacobsen and worked on a lot of the buildings.  I am excited for it to open, Milo and I are probably going to be making more TRAX trips downtown. 

Here are Milo and Daddy on the train, he loved it despite the look on his face.

 The Taylor family, Jeff, Valisa, Sarah and Kinzlee.  My camera didn't focus very well on this picture, boo!

 Here is our little family.  Don't mind me in my maternity coat, I am just a big marshmallow!

Sunday night we got together with Kevin's family on his Mom's side for the annual Bascom Family Christmas Party.  It is always lots of fun to see everyone and catch up.  Of course there was tons of yummy food, everyone in that family can cook/bake, here I go talking about food again!  We played the traditional white elephant gift exchange and actually this year we weren't too upset with what we took home.  Last year there was a live mouse, thankfully this year things were more mellow.  We went home with a multi-colored stuffed animal cow that Milo loved, and a chia pet.  Honestly, I am super excited about the chia.  I know I am a dork, but I always wanted one when I was a kid, so I am stoked!

This week has lots of fun in store as well.  Tonight I have my department Christmas party at work, although spouses aren't invited to this one, kinda sad.  Then on Thursday we head down to sunny St. George to enjoy the rest of the Christmas holiday!  I am excited to see my parents, and spend quality time with my family.  Randall, Traci, and Eli are coming down too.  We will have to take advantage of the nice weather and ride the Surrey.

We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and remembers the real reason for the season.  We have been VERY blessed this holiday season by lots of people, especially those anonymous ones.  We are so grateful for all of our friends and family and love you so much!