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Family Christmas Party December 30, 2010

Posted by Emily in : Christmas, Family, Thoughts, Utah , 2comments

This year, my family rented a big cabin up in Aspen Grove (it’s just above Sundance for those of you not familiar with Provo Canyon . . . Sundance as in Robert Redford and the Sundance Film Festival) for our family Christmas Party.  It was a one big sleepover with lots of fun things to do . . .

We didn’t sleep over though . . .  it was the night of Hannah’s performance in the Nutcracker, so my little family didn’t join the party until the morning.

Honestly though, it sounded like no one got much sleep in the big cabin with lots, and lots of bodies.  (He! He!)

We braved a big snow storm to get to the party.  It was a “chains or 4-wheel drive required” kind of drive.

It didn’t stop snowing ALL DAY LONG.  The kids didn’t care though, Hannah LOVED sledding!  (And do you think I was responsible and brought my camera?  No.  Pics courtesy of  the iPhone.)

This hill is really quite long and steep.  I heard through the “Probst family grapevine” that my nieces and nephews (the older ones, like eight and up) were up until 1:00 AM sledding on that hill.

Oh.  My.  No wonder no one got any sleep!

I know it’s practically impossible to tell in this picture, but those little ant size dots on the snow are skiers at Sundance.

David and both let out a sigh when we saw them, skiing on fresh snow.

Seriously, we haven’t skied in 12 years.

TWELVE.

Not that I was a big ski bum or anything, but it is fun.

We had a lovely family party and it’s nice to have some of my family nearby to share the holidays with!

Christmas Morning Video! December 28, 2010

Posted by Emily in : Christmas , add a comment

It’s a Christmas miracle!  I have a Christmas video ready to share with you, and it’s not even next year yet!  David put this video together; it’s a few segments from our Christmas morning.  Please keep in mind that I had no idea how to take videos, so . . . just know that some if this is out of focus.

What can I say?  :)

Enjoy!

2010 Christmas Morning from Emily on Vimeo.

Christmas Morning! December 28, 2010

Posted by Emily in : Christmas, Family, Little Man Dallin, Princess Hannah, Utah , 1 comment so far

Santa found our house again this year (it doesn’t matter how many times we move, he still knows where we live!) and he didn’t disappoint!

The morning started at 1:00 AM when I finally went to bed.  At exactly 5:45, Hannah jumped out of bed, ran to me, and in a very, very, loud whisper said, “MOMMY!  I THINK SANTA CAME!!!! DO YOU THINK HE CAME?”

As I earnestly tried to awaken my body from it’s sleep deprived coma state, my lethargic body won and no matter how hard I tried, I could not will myself out of bed.  In an effort to buy myself some time, I somehow mustered out the words, “Hannah, go see if he came.”

Well, out she went, quick as a flash, and back she came into my room in 2.5 seconds, poking  my coma-state-sleeping body, literally yelling, “HE CAME!  HE DID!  HE REALLY, REALLY DID AND HE BROUGHT PRESENTS!”

That did it.  Nothing like a voice as loud as a fog horn to wake you and the entire household!

This is what Santa brought.  I was busy taking pictures of this set up at 12:30 AM, so I blame my need to incessantly take pictures for my late night.  (I would never just stay up late for no good reason.  What?  You think I would mill around following my nose all night?  NEVER!)

Dallin is a bit OBSESSED with Cars, and obviously, Santa knew that because he brought him almost every car from the collection!  It’s too bad that Mack doesn’t carry more than six cars, Dallin has been trying to figure out how he can carry 50+ Cars . . . no luck yet.  :)

This is Sheriff . . .

And this is Sarge.  They are both new to his collection.  The Cars were his favorite set of presents until . . .

He opened his electric train set which Santa just knew he would love!

It has kept him busy ALL DAY LONG, EVERY DAY since he opened it.  THANK YOU SANTA.

Hannah scored a lovely collection of Barbies and Polly Pockets.

She loved this outfit so much, she wanted me to take a picture of it.  She intentionally closed her eyes (she is not blinking here) and when I asked her why she closed her eyes, she said, “Well.  Mom.  I really wanted you to focus on the ice skates, that’s why I had to close my eyes.”

Smart girl.  :)

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

Our “White Christmas” December 27, 2010

Posted by Emily in : Christmas, Family, Little Man Dallin, Princess Hannah , 4comments

Who said it wasn’t going to be a white Christmas in Utah?

We have been coved in fog for the majority of the holiday weekend!

I’m spending today recovering from too many treats and late nights.  My old, decrepit body can only take so much treat-eating-late-night-wrapping-and-movie-watching!

Christmas morning was ADORABLE and seriously, if you have to borrow kids for Christmas, DO IT.  It makes Christmas morning magical!  I could hardly sleep on Christmas Eve, as I eagerly anticipated the kids’ faces when they noticed Santa had come!  Really, I could have wrapped up all the ornaments on the tree and given them to the kids and they would have been DELIGHTED with them as gifts!  Little people are SO EASY to please!  I cherish this time when they are young and have ZERO expectations of Christmas because I know they are going to be a bit more particular about what they want when they are older!

I only took video footage of the kids unwrapping their gifts because I knew pictures simply could not convey Hannah’s excitement.  Her voice is about 10 octave’s higher during her gift unwrapping.  You all know how video retarded I am, so I hope to have a little segment posted on my blog by next year so you all can share in our morning.  :)

Last night we drove down the street to the next neighborhood to watch the “Holdman Christmas Lights.”  It is worth going to see, even if you have to wait in line for a while.  You may remember I posted a video of the lights display on my blog last year, but here it is again:

P.S.

Today is my sister Jenn’s birthday, and she always reads my blog but NEVER comments.  Drop a happy birthday note in the comments for her!  Maybe she will start commenting!  :)

Merry Christmas Everyone! December 24, 2010

Posted by Emily in : Christmas , 1 comment so far

Merry Christmas everyone!

I’ll be back blogging in a few days!

A Little People Christmas Party December 22, 2010

Posted by Emily in : Christmas, Friends, Princess Hannah , 1 comment so far

Yesterday, we had a Christmas party for a few little people.

I felt a little out numbered (Dallin was part of the party too, but we didn’t let him make a crown, so he is not pictured.) but it was still fun for everyone!

They each decorated their own crown with stick-on-puffy-sicker-things.  (I’m not a crafty person, so I have no idea what they’re called.  I just tried to come up with an age appropriate activity that required little-to-no-help from an adult.)

We made snowmen out of marshmallows using a pretzel to hold them together.  Reeces Pieces for the eyes and buttons, and bell shaped Reeces Peanut Butter Cups for the hat which are available at Christmas time.

Last, each little person made a Christmas card which was Dallin’s favorite part because he got to to participate!

We’re ready for Christmas!  I’m pretty sure I’m more excited for Christmas than my kids are!  I can’t wait to see their faces when Santa comes!

Little Miss Sassy Pants in The Nutcracker December 20, 2010

Posted by Emily in : Princess Hannah , 1 comment so far

Oh, how I wish I could have photographed Hannah’s ADORABLE performance in the Nutcracker!

This is the best I could do . . . this is her right before she left the house for her show:

She was feeling a bit SASSY.  Is it obvious?

This close up that shows how much make up I shoveled on to her face to combat the bright spotlights that drown out all color on your face.

OK, so true story here  . . . Hannah’s “Nutcracker Mommy” (her stage mommy) said that Hannah looked up at her a few times during the Party Scene (Act I, Scene I) and said, “Mommy, this is a really great party!”

That girl knows how to get into character!

She’s already asking why she wasn’t Clara (the star) and when she can be her.

Oy.  :)

My Head is Going to Explode December 17, 2010

Posted by Emily in : School, Thoughts , 8comments

I really have no explanation for this . . .

But my head does need a break.  I just finished my finals for the semester at AAU, and really, I need a break.

I’m ready for some casual reading over the next few weeks between semesters.  Any suggestions?

The Perfect Gift December 15, 2010

Posted by Emily in : Deals, Photography , add a comment

Gift certificates are now available for photo sessions with me!  This is a perfect stocking stuffer to give or receive!

Contact me at emily@emilylesher.com to purchase yours!

Nutcracker Dress Rehearsal December 14, 2010

Posted by Emily in : Photography, Princess Hannah , 3comments

Hannah was feeling a bit sassy in her red lipstick and Shirley Temple hair as she got ready for her Nutcracker dress rehearsal.

You too can get this look with a gallon of gel, tons of sponge rollers, hairspray, a hair net (to protect them while you sleep) and lots of patience.

OK, so now she is really sassy.  (To see more, bigger, and better images from this shoot, check out my photo blog.)

Come see Hannah perform this Friday night (December 17th) at the Covey Center For The Arts in Provo!  The Nutcracker starts at 7:30 PM, be there!