Christmas 2010

I know it's been forever. My computer is stupid and it may be time for a new one as it takes me so long to blog and that's one of the reasons I don't as much. I had to blog about Christmas as it was a terrific one!

On December 23, a member from the High Priest group from church called and said he had something to deliver for me. I told him to come after 5. I was figuring it was a fruit basket or plate of cookies or something like that. He called me later and asked me to open my garage. I come out to his mini-van and there several bags of gifts in the back seat. I figured that one of them was for me. He said they were all for me and Gabby. I was certain there was some mistake. All he could tell me is that he was just asked to deliver them by the Relief Society. All of them were labeled with mine and Gabby's name. I was so overwhelmed and astounded. I called our Relief Society President and all she could tell me is that someone from church has been a single mom before and wanted to make sure Gabby and I had a wonderful Christmas. I felt kind of guilty that we were given so much. Gabby and I have been very blessed temporally and we haven't really had that kind of need. My Relief Society president just told me to feel loved. I felt so incredibly loved! Gabby was so excited and couldn't believe all the presents. There were even 2 gift cards. Our Secret Santa went above and beyond in showing love and generosity. I will admit that I was totally excited for myself. I understand the true meaning of Christmas and that it's about the miraculous birth of our Savior. I love giving gifts and experiencing the magic of Christmas through Gabby. I'm not gonna lie though, it was really fun to have so many gifts to open on Christmas morning for me. Everything was just so nice and the best gift was just how loved I felt from God and also from my Secret Santa.

This is everything from our Secret Santa. Isn't that unbelievable? Gabby fell in love with the bear right away and named him Mr. Fubbles. She was so excited to introduce him to her other toys. She named him Mr. Fubbles because it goes with Bobolo.

Maggie and David gave Gabby a magic set. It has everything!

Gabby was very grateful to David for the fun gift

David, Maggie, and Gabby getting Sants's cookies and chocolate milk ready.

They all slept in the same room. They were actually all asleep by 7:15am. Granted they were awake at 5:30, but that's sleeping in for DeVauxs on Christmas morning. We didn't let the kids out until 6am as Santa was getting a puppy set up.

Opening the stocking, Tangled coloring book.

A baby doll set from Secret Santa

New light up Skechers. Her last pair had a light that broke and she refused to wear them with a broken light. Here's hoping Santa's last a bit longer

Scarf, gloves, and hat from our Super Secret Santa

A Secret Santa gift Gabby was working hard to open.

Santa list: Pink Build-a-Bear. Gabby named her Hearts

Gabby really wanted a pink laptop for Christmas, but she ended up being ok with the green one that was a better deal than any pink ones ;)

Gabby, Hearts, and Bobolo. Hearts and Bobolo are already best friends.

David got a DS for Christmas this year. Gabby was playing one of her new games.

Third Annual Birthday Extravaganza Weekend

I went to Phoenix over my birthday weekend (otherwise known as Labor Day weekend) with Jessica to visit our friend Pauline. We left Friday evening and came back Monday night. It was a total girls weekend and FABULOUS! I love getting away and being with my friends. Gabby stayed with her grandparents in Utah.

We spent Saturday morning at the mall shopping. This is the purchases that all 3 of us made.

We had the most heavenly pedicures after shopping. It included a sugar scrub, hot wax, and hot stone massage all while sitting in a massage chair. Pauline had wanted us to get matching toes, but changed her mind at the last minute so Jess and I matched.

Pauline and Jessica suprised me with a dinner theatre. By the way, I'm completely gullible and incredibly easy to surprise. We saw the play "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change!" It was a wonderful musical about just about every stage in a relationship. It was so much fun and a terrific surprise. Thank you Jessica and Pauline!

We had a pretty low key weekend. We did some swimming, lots of eating out, lots of talking. We thought about hiking, but it was still so HOT and we ended choosing sleep over getting up early.
We went to the Mesa Temple Visitor Center Monday before going to the airport.

Jessica and me

Me and Pauline

Gabby's 1st Day of School and Her Utah Birthday

Gabby started Kindergarten this month. She loves it and wishes it were longer. I'm not a fan of the 3 hour kindergarten either. She went with her new backpack and first homework assignment. I was actually surprised how emotional I was after I dropped her off. I'd been so excited for her. A lot of it was because I wasn't anything like the other moms dropping their kids off as they were obviously stay-at-home mothers and were lingering at the school while I rushed off to work. Gabby had a great first day and I'm fortunate to have a job that is flexible so that I was the one to pick her up and drop her off on her first day.

Gabby had a birthday celebration with me and her dad once we were back in Utah.

Nick let Gabby pick out something from Toys R Us the week before and went for a Barbie Escalade. It's pretty cool. It has a working radio and she cruises our neighborhood in style now!

Gabby's 6th Birthday

We celebrated Gabby's birthday in Arkansas since all of her cousins were there and we love to have a party.

Gabby doesn't consider a party a party without party hats and balloons. We were well-stocked with both.

The birthday girl in front of the always popular pinata. And it does look like my parents live in the forest if you're used to living in the desert.

CANDY!!!

Make a wish! She wishes for a puppy every time.

Olivia checking out Gabby's new jacket from Grandma and Grandpa

Twirling her new umbrella.

The video's speak for themselves.

Gabby had a wonderful birthday!

I Just Love Arkansas!

Gabby and I went home for a week in August to Arkansas. We had a fabulous time and needed some time away as we hadn't had a vacation since Christmas. Gabby tried hard to convince me that we should move there and shot down every reason I gave her for staying in Utah. But back to Utah we came. Gabby is hilarious to travel with as she says whatever comes to mind. I'm still working with her to self censor. She asked a random guy if his was name was Big Billy. His reply, no my name is Eric." Gabby's reply, "Oh, you look like a Big Billy." She also asked a pilot why he looked so much older in real life than on his picture id. The pilot valiantly tried to defend himself, but Gabby would not be convinced that he was anything but old.

Me and Averi. She's grown so much!

Cousin time in the Anderson's backyard.

I do wish Gabby had more time with her fun cousins. They get along as well as 11 kids can.

Run and jump!

Thomas, Madison, and Gabby jumping together.

We went to Mid America Museum on one day, a Hot Springs classic. It brought back so many memories of my field trips when I was Gabby's age.

We went to Garvin Woodland Gardens one morning with my mom. I'd never been. It was beautiful, but that humidity kills me. I've gotten spoiled and soft living in a dry climate.

I love how green it is in Arkansas. Gabby thinks my parents live in the forest because of all the trees. I think Arkansas is so beautiful. I forget how loud nature is too. It's teeming with life, birds, frogs, bugs, that make a continuous ambient soundtrack where ever you are.

Grandma helping them to the cave.

Gabby is increasingly uncooperative in pictures.

My Place

I've lived here for 4 months now. I can't believe how fast time flies by lately. I love my place still! Here are a few pictures for those of you who have yet to visit me :). I do have a guest bedroom and visitors (most) are always welcome! I didn't take pictures of the bedrooms because there isn't much to them except they're all a bit bigger from our last place.

Oh how I love my closet! I love the built-in and that I can sit in my closet and just hang out if I feel like it. The other side has 2 racks as well and they are all full. There are also shelves for all my shoes. I'm glad I have the whole thing to myself though.

My bathroom is also fabulous. I love the big tub and separate shower and huge counter. Like my closet, I like just hanging out in my bathroom. It's bigger than some of the bedrooms I've had!

This is my front room. It's also more spacious than my last place. It took some getting used to having the tv further away, but I like the extra space. I'm still trying to figure out exactly where to put my treadmill. I can roll it against the wall, but I may move it upstairs.

I LOVE the extra space in my dining room. I have a bigger table that I just got so it's easier to entertain larger crowds without having people sit on the floor.

Isn't the kitchen beautiful? I'm a big fan of the granite and stainless steel appliances. I love having a gas stove again as well. Oh and I have 2 pantries which I'm currently trying to fill up with food storage. It also has a big laundry room and 2 car garage. We love it! Gabby still hates change, but she's grown accustomed to it as well. We are very blessed!