Christmas in Qatar

As you may know, Dan spent Christmas this year in Qatar. I sent him a few Christmas decorations hoping he would be able to make the best of it!
Of course, there was coal from Mrs. Clause in his huge stocking.

Warming his hands by the fire

The week before Christmas Dan had the opportunity to fly into Cairo. He flew right over the pyramids, catching a hazy view!

Christmas at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center

This is not how we intended to spend Christmas 2007. But as Dan and I have learned, things don't always go perfectly as to how you may wish them to go. With Dan away in the desert for Christmas, we thought we would join him in his misery. On the Friday before Christmas Sam and I were admitted to the hospital. I thought I would take Sam in for a check up on a small cold that I wanted to clear before our plane ride home to New Jersey on the 29th, but unknown to me it was more than your common cold. Sam had RSV! My poor baby, what did I do to him? I thought it was deja vu as I saw Sam being hooked to the oxygen and heart monitor. My heart broke for my little Sam and I was having a hard time holding it together while not having Dan to lean on, which made it even tougher!

Luckily we had family to there for support that really pulled through and came to visit several times, bringing smiles, goodies, presents for Sam, blessings and all the love and support we could ask for.

Like I said before, things don't always work out to exactly how you have planned and I thought for sure we would be out before Christmas, but not so. Sam and I spent Christmas Eve in the hospital. I thought it would be quite depressing, but thanks to my good parents it was more memorable than anything. Dad bought us a steak dinner and brought it to the hospital, along with a garland strung with Christmas lights to cheer our room up. He also went out in the snow searching for a speaker attachment for our Ipod so we could listen to Christmas music as well. So with the decor, steak dinner, and the Christmas music our evening was filled with cheer. We were also lucky enough to receive a visit from Santa. He brought a warm blanket and hat for my Sam.


On Christmas day we received more visits from family, which Sam enjoyed unwrapping all of the Christmas presents they brought.

My Christmas Day Meal

With delight and surprise, at 9 pm on Christmas day Sam's doctor called our room and told us we were being released from the hospital. That evening Sam enjoyed freedom from his chords as he played on my parents living room floor. As all hard trials or unwanted events, I learned a few things. I was reaffirmed about how wonderful families can be. Wishing that Sam had his dad to be there for him I was reminded that Sam not only has Dan as his father but Heavenly Father is also there to rely on in his time of need. Then my dad reminded me that even though we were there on Christmas day, I was blessed with the BEST Christmas gift ever, Sam. We knew that this RSV Virus was going to shake off in a matter of time and we would still have our little Sam. We sure love our little guy and times like these remind me how much of a blessing he is for our whole family!
NO CHORDS ATTACHED, WE'RE GOING HOME!

4 Year Generation?

No not quite, but if you replaced me with Dan it would be! We had the chance while in Utah to go visit Sam's Great Grandma Mathews in Logan. Grandma Mathews is almost 90 years old, so we are grateful she was able to meet Sam. He was a hit with her and all of his great aunts. We had a great visit, lunch at the Blue Bird Cafe and enjoyed great grandma's homemade apple strudel.

35!

So my 35th birthday has come and gone and even though Dan was not here to share it with me, I cannot be ungrateful for those things of which I did have for my birthday this year.
*As my cousin Lisa pointed out to me, it was my first time to celebrate it as a mother!
*I had my family with me to celebrate!
*Last but not least, I enjoyed the evening of my birthday at the Nutcracker!

Merry Christmas to All

Our friend Kristina told us about a great special at a photography center where you could get your child's picture taken for only $9.95. I thought it was a great deal to have our child's first Christmas pictures taken for that low of a price! So I brought in his cute Christmas clothes and they took a bunch of adorable pictures. The next thing I knew, it wasn't just $9.95 I would be spending. I guess you could say that as a new mother I just couldn't resist leaving the other pictures behind! So enjoy our baby's first Christmas pictures.

Christmas Jammies

It's always been a tradition to get Christmas Jammies for our family and I couldn't resist these cute Old Navy Jammies for Sam! Besides, it's so much fun being a mom and getting to dress my little boy in cute clothes.

Festival of Trees

During our stay in Utah, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see the "Festival of Trees." My mom and I took Sam and his cousins Liam and Tristan, and boy did they have fun!

Newport Beach

While we were in California, Sam had his first experience at the beach. He was a little unsure when the water touched his toes or when he felt a prickly sea shell. He did kick his legs out of excitement when I was holding him and he was able to enjoy the ocean from the safety of mom's arms.






Finally, what a better way to end a day at the beach, with a "Sprinkles" Cupcake!

Thanksgiving with West Coast Cousins

While daddy was away for Thanksgiving this year we managed to have a part of him with us by spending Thanksgiving with his family in California. It was real special for Sam to spend some time with his cousins. Thanks to Aunt Jenny for making our stylin' turkey hats.

Nutcracker

It has always been a tradition to see the Nutcracker for my birthday in December and last year my husband decided to make it special by taking me to New York to see "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" performed by the Rockettes. Since Dan is away this year for my 35th birthday, my sweet parents are taking me and my sister-in-law who shares a December birthday with me to The Ballet West "Nutcracker!" I can't wait to go! So out of excitement and anticipation for the ballet and my favorite holiday of the year, I thought I would share some of Dan and my favorite Christmas carols.

Hangin' with Chuck E. Cheese

My parents decided to entertain 5 of their grandsons on Saturday at Chuck E. Cheese. Little did we know how much fun it would be for the littlest ones.

"Mom, look at me!"

Oh boy, it looks like my sister Suzie and I will have our hands full with this duo."Man,are we cool!"

Me and My Pal

It was Sam's 8 month Birthday today and what a great way to spend it, with his friend Scotty! Our friends the Addams were in town visiting their family, so we got together for lunch and play time for the kids. Scotty is just 2 days older than Sam, so it was fun to see them together. Thanks for the great time Kristina, Robert and Scotty!

Trunk or Treat!

For Sam's first Halloween we went Trunk or Treating. We were lucky to have my parent's ward hold there trunk or treating on their block. It was fun to chit chat and party with old friends and neighbors, sip hot chocolate and show off our little Hot Dog as we strolled through the neighborhood! I don't think Sam quite understood it, but he smiled through it all showing that he is the cutest Hot Dog ever!!

Party Time with Cousins

Wow, what a cute bunch of cousins! Only one cousin missing, Luke. We had to take the opportunity, having all these first and second cousins together. My dad's twin sister's son Russell and his cute wife and daughter were in town from New Haven, so we all got together for a little Halloween Party! What a fun time catching up with everyone.

(Spider Man)Christan Bean, (Luke Skywalker)Bronson Bean,(Piglet)Samantha Bean, James Farr,(Hot Dog)Sam Stromberg, Tristan Denam,(Bob The Builder)Liam Denam,(Duck)Megan Farr and (Shrek)Thomas Farr

Ghouls Day Out

It's finally fall, and Gardner Village has a lot brewing. It makes for an unforgettable autumn as they celebrate Halloween the way only Gardner Village can. Gardner Village transformed into a spellbinding wonderland filled with witches and fun, pumpkin fudge, Halloween sugar cookies, candy corn, caramel popcorn, autumn leaves on the trail and little kids running around with witch hats and wands. What a perfect ghouls day out!!

7 Months and Proud of It!

7 Months Old and enjoying every minute of becoming a big boy. Every day Sam is discovering that he can do something new. Today we went to the park with cousins and he had his first experience on the swing and slide. It was a hit!

Sam with Cousin Tristan

Sam with cousin Sammie