{And So It Begins}

I have one resolution for this upcoming year and I hope that February proves to be lucky for us. I have to admit that I'm petrified and I wouldn't say no to any prayers in our behalf.

{I'm Grateful}

That Scott fixed the disposal today.
It hasn't worked for 9 months and I was sad about it. Especially when it backed up into the bathroom sink.

{Buon Natale}

Last year Scott and I decided to start a cultural exploration tradition. Every Christmas we would celebrate the traditions of a different country. Naturally, we started with Italy. The national Italian Christmas dinner unfortunately turned out to be fried eel (what no gnocchi!?) Not being that dedicated, we went with the runner-up, pasta al forno.
Afterwards, we walked over to our favorite neighborhood Christmas light show. It was sooo much smarter to walk this time instead of drive (that street has it own personal traffic jam). If you haven't been there, just imagine Clark Griswold to the 10th degree and synchronized with music. We always wonder if this house is the 9th circle of hell for the neighbors. We love it though.
Later we watched Il Postino and desserted on traditional Panettone and some dolci. I'm pretty sure Il Postino isn't a Christmas traditizone, but it is Italia and that is bene.
What a lovely Buon Natale we had!

{Colby, You Are Funny}

Colby gave all of us this present for Christmas. He makes me smile. Inside were 2 breath mints and two candy canes. The boxes were handmade too.
Colby, you are one funny kid.
He also likes to hide birthday presents in random places and he once made a book about Scott. It was about (farts) and it was illustrated.
Thanks Colby for keeping life silly.

On a side note I was wondering if it was time to stop eating Christmas cookies for breakfast? Keep going until they run out?

{Jingle, Jingle, Jingle, I am Old Kris Kringle}

Christmas Eve day was spent eating grilled cheese and watching Rudolph. It had been years and years since I had seen it. We used to have it on VHS, self-recorded. The commercials are the best. That more than anything makes me feel old. Remember how scary Bumble the abominable snowman was? He was my favorite this time around. Thank goodness Bumble's bounce! We also tried to go to Silver Fork for a good mountain Christmas breakfast, but like the previous 2 years before, we missed breakfast by 15 minutes. A new Christmas tradition?

{Warning}

I'm interrupting my regularly scheduled Christmas programming to share some words of caution. If you happen to be high-strung, like to control things, refuse to accept defeat and irrationally cherish your favorite clothes, listen up...
If, hypothetically, you have a brand new white winter coat never, ever wear it to buy makeup. Especially red lipstick makeup. And if, hypothetically, you manage to get red lipstick all over your brand new, beautiful, white coat because the makeup counter was filthy with makeup grime (even though you were super, super careful), don't try to clean it off yourself with Tide-to-Go and Zout. Whatever you do, don't ever apply water to aforementioned lipstick stain. You need to take your coat directly to the dry cleaners. They are your friend. If you do attempt to self clean, try not to cry and/or get your feelings hurt when they (dry cleaning man) tells you you've ruined your coat through your own impatient incompetence. Last but not least, try not to spend 4 hours trying to track down another copy of the beloved coat. Accept the fact that it is sold out in your size, in every color, in every store in the country. Try not to spend another 2 hours trying to find a similar coat at another store. It is okay if, Macy's, Bloomingdales, Dillards, Banana Republic, Gap, Anthropologie, Old Navy, Nordstroms, Saks, Anne Taylor and JC Penny's are all sold of all the swing coats in your size. It is only a coat after all. A little perspective is crucial.
I'm just saying.

{We Laughed...I Cried}

Scott and I love watching this and this every year. If you have never listened to Scott laugh as he watched this you are missing out. Here are a few of our favorite quotes;

And WHY is the carpet all wet Todd? I don't KNOW Margot!

Why don't you kiss her instead of talking her to death?

The little lights...they aren't twinkling.

A toast! A toast! A toast to Mama Dollar and to Papa Dollar, and if you want to keep this old Building and Loan in business, you better have a family real quick.

Little full, lotta sap.

A toast to my big brother George: The richest man in town.

And if it wouldn't be too much trouble, I'd like to get something for you Clark. Something real nice.

He's making violent love to me, mother!

It's people who make the difference. Little people like you.

What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary.

Honey, do you honestly think I would check thousands of little lights if I wasn't sure the extension was plugged in.

Merry Christmas Mr. Potter!

Well, I don't know what to say except, it's Christmas, and we're all in misery.

Now you listen to me. I don't want any plastics and I don't want any ground floors. And I don't want to get married *ever* to anyone! You understand that? I want to do what I want to do.

Russ, when was the last time I overdid anything.

Ha, ha, ha, ha! My mouth's bleeding, Bert! My mouth's bleeding! Zuzu's petals... Zuzu...

Sweetheart, your grandma Nora's got a real painful burr on my heel. If you rub it for me, I'll give you a whole quarter.

You see George, you've really had a wonderful life

What? What happened? Whoof! I guess it wouldn't be any... Whoa! It wouldn't be the christmas shopping season if the stores were any less hooter than - hotter than they are. Whoo! It is warm in here.

Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends.

Audrey's frozen from the waste down.

Hot Dog!

Well, see the plate runs right underneath the part here. See, over here, nothing. But, here if this gets dented, then my hair just ain't going to look right.

Look, Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.

I did it.

{It's Not That I Don't Like You...}

I'm fairly new to the Christmas cardlalapalooza festivities. Last year was my first sending them out and I found it strangely satisfying (I'm participating in a Christmas tradition. Yay me!)
I'm a little paranoid that I missed someone though and if I did maybe that person's feelings are hurt and wonder if I don't like them. I'm here to say I love you and want to send you a card. I really, really do, but if you haven't gotten one it is because I don't have your address.
Sad.
So please, please email me your address at lindsey.greenapple@yahoo.com and I will put one in the mail pronto. They are super cute and you should really feel a very strong desire to possess one. If it is any incentive, Scott licked all of the envelopes.

{My Feet Were the Only Thing Warm}

Last night was too cold to see the lights. It was all my idea and I don't know what I was thinking. It was too cold to take pictures, too cold to hold hands with hubby, and too cold to hold my hot chocolate. Stupid hot chocolate.

Scott kinda looks like the statue in the picture above him. Creepy. Kind of.

The view from the car where it was warm...er

{He He}

This and this made me laugh out loud today.

Disclaimer: if you are tired of Twilight spoofs, skip the 2nd link. I love them so bring it!

{Meet My Feetsies New Best Friend}

Why did I ever choose to live in a world that didn't include these boots? My energy levels are directly related to how cold my feet are and thanks to these, I'm seeing winter in a new, rosier light.

Traipsing through a snowy wonderland with Oliver?
Sure, no problem.
Photo shoots in Arctic conditions? Why not?
Shoveling the driveway? Definitely a possibility...maybe.

These boots are my own personal winter miracle.

{Saturday Awesome}

Scott and I had a blast doing this on Saturday. I giggled and laughed and froze my katoshie off. Kind of expensive, but so, so, so much fun. We went down 10 times, and man was it the best. Afterwards we headed over to Salt Lake Burger Company for some much needed sustenance. Dates nights are the best!

{These Look Fun}

Scott and I are going small (really, really small) for Christmas this year, but it is still fun to dream up a wish list.

Digital Rolleiflex-Urban Outfitters

Or better yet, the real thing-Ebay

Robot alarm clock-Urban Outfitters

Some real nice bedding-Anthropologie

I'm not sure if anything I own is as stylish as these boots, but I'm willing to put my clothes to the test-Anthropologie

.

A much needed staple-J.Crew

More Polaroid inspiration-For the Love of Light

I love tarts, a lot-Williams and Sonoma

Pie plate-Williams and Sonoma

I always read Lynette's-Real Simple Magazine

Floor Cushion (we need more sitting space)-Crate and Barrel

This tumbler reminds me of my Grandma Colby- Anthropologie

I'd like one of these in an L or S-Anthropologie

These dresses are cute-Anthropologie

{Classic}

Someone was a little anxious to put his swimsuit on.

{Favorite Christmas Books}

How The Grinch Stole Christmas! By Dr. Seuss

I was reading Lizzie's post on some of her favorite Christmas stories and it made me think of some of my favorite ones as well. So, in no particular order here are some that Scott and I love to read every year. I like finding new ones, so I was wondering what some of your favorites are?

Christmas Day in the Morning, by Pearl S. Buck

Letters from Father Christmas, by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, By Barbara Robinson

A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens

A Christmas Memory, by Truman Capote

The Gift of the Magi, By O. Henry

The Night Before Christmas, By Clement Clarke Moore

The Polar Express, By Chris Van Allsberg

{Oh Buddy}

Just imagine Scott saying, "Oh Buddy" in a high voice and you will have what is going on in here.
Yes, we know Oliver is huge. He can dance cheek to cheek with Scott...not like that happens or anything.

{We Finally Got the Tree Up!}