Holiday Happiness

It's hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone already. We have had a fun month, filled with many activities and opportunities to help us remember what this season is all about.
This year we had to break from tradition when it came to Christmas Eve. For 38 years (yes, that's a long time)the Linton family has attended some sort of a Christmas Eve party with the Lauritzen side of the family. Because my parents and Tanner couldn't be here with us this Christmas, the Lowe family was on their own this year. I think we did okay!

So... we had no ham, no rolls, no potato salad and no Christmas bingo. Instead, the kids and I (poor Mark had to work) took a trip to Murray and went to visit Grandpa and Grandma Lauritzen. We had a wonderful time having lunch, watching a movie, and listening to Grandpa tell the same funny stories, AGAIN. In some small way, being with them was the most 'normal' part of Christmas Eve.

After we left Grandpa and Grandmas, we drove into Salt Lake and picked Mark up at work. We told the kids that they could choose anywhere they wanted to go and have dinner. After much deliberation, the back seat of the car had come to a unanimous decision....CROWN BURGER!

Who needs ham, rolls, and potato salad when you can have the best burgers, grilled ham and cheese and fries on North Temple! Maybe this is the beautiful beginning of a new Christmas Eve tradition! We finished off the night by opening Christmas jammies, making Santa some cookies, and watching a movie - "The Christmas Story".

Christmas Day came and went so fast. The kids were up early, and after lots of hard work of trying to get Mom and Dad out of bed, we were finally opening presents around 8:00. In a time when the economy is hurting...our children certainly were not left wanting for much this year. They got a good spoiling and we enjoyed watching the excitement in their eyes as the wrapping paper came off and the anticipation was finally over.


Happy Holidays to all of our family and friends...it is our wish that the New Year brings much happiness and peace to you all!

All I want for Christmas....

It is always my goal to have the Christmas Shopping done by Thanksgiving. This year was no exception. Mark and I officially finished on the Wednesday night before Turkey Day at 10:30 pm. Phew! Just barely made it!

The Christmas Tree is up, the presents are wrapped and the Christmas cards are ready to be sent. It has started to look and feel like Christmas...we even have snow! Avery is still waiting for her front teeth. Maybe Santa has some special tricks up his sleeve to help them come in for Christmas!

With the work of buying presents taken care of, we have been able to spend some time during the past few weeks doing some fun activities that have helped us enjoy this Holiday Season.

FESTIVAL OF THE TREES

Don't worry...we really did look at the trees!

MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Lindsey came through with tickets for us this year!

Lindsey...YOU ROCK!

Ladies night out

DINNER AT MOOCHIES

Moochies...what a place! If you've never been there before, it is worth a visit. The food is delicious. The decor, well..it's like nothing you have ever seen before. Avery was totally fascinated with the bathroom. She was wondering how people could take a bath with all those plants in the tub. Of course we had to take a picture, you don't run into something like this every day!
It was so fun to see Spencer and Brittany..wish we could have had more time to spend together...come and visit us again soon!

We are looking forward to more fun...we'll keep you updated! Enjoy the Holidays! We love you.