Going to Hell

Yesterday morning I got a phone call from Tara that dramatically changed my life forever (or at least for the weekend). It seems that Brant found 8 tickets to the U2 concert for Saturday night. I have two problems with attending the concert: 1) Each ticket costs $80 and we're broke! 2) My mom's big Thomas Clan Christmas party is on Saturday night. What a moral dilemna! Dare I spend all the remaining money from our tax return on the tickets? Will I be able to stand having my mom hate me from skipping her party?

After weighing all the issues, Tara came up with an interesting solution: She would send me to the U2 concert with Brant and she would attend my family party without me (Talk about taking one for the team!!!!) How could I go to a concert and send my wife to a family party without me? Come on, I have a soul!!! Well, maybe not. I may be going to hell, but at least I'm going there after watching U2 on Saturday!

Kennedy's Big Day!

I can't believe it! We have a little one year old running around our house! Well, I can't say running, since she isn't walking yet, but she is the fastest crawler around. We celebrated Kennedy's 1st birthday today by starting with her favorite breakfast foods, pancakes and scrambled eggs.

After breakfast, Kennedy opened a couple of presents from Nana and Papa, including a cute Anne Geddes doll, that has blue eyes, just like Kennedy. After some play time with the new toys and a way too short nap, we headed out with Alicia, Chloe, Liam, Nana, Papa, and Jason to Thanksgiving Point, to enjoy a chilly, but fun trip to the Country Farm. Kennedy loved all the animals, especially the sheep, horses and the ducks. We ended the trip to the farm with a cold pony ride with Liam and Chloe. (Note for next year's birthday-it is usually cold in December-maybe plan an inside activity!)

We headed for home and went to dinner later with Jared's family to Tres Hombres. What one year old doesn't want Mexican food for her 1st birthday! Kennedy quite enjoyed mom's chimichanga, but was more excited by the fried ice cream brought out by our cute waiter. After dinner, it was back home for some pie and a visit from Aunt Char and Jess. I think it was a pretty full day for baby Kennedy and for the family. We still have a big party with the whole family coming up on Sunday. Hey, it's her first birthday, we need to make the most of it!

On Your 1st Birthday

Dear Kennedy,

As your 1st birthday comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment and write you a note to let you know how important you are to your Mommy and me. Thank you for finding your way into our family. For years we always wondered what having a child would be like, now we can't imagine a day without you.

I love getting on my hands and knees and watching your face light up as you crawl across the room to "get" me. I love getting "A-wa's" (kisses) and "loves" (hugs) and watching you sleep in my arms. I love to listen to you talk about "whatever" (you have really been blessed with a gift for gab). Your smile, your laughter, your personality - all add up to one amazing little girl who has stolen my heart.

This year has gone by quickly and I can't believe how incredible you are. Keep being patient with us, we're new at this parenting thing. As you learn from us, we will learn from you and, hopefully, we'll get this thing right someday. I love you little Kennedy and can't wait to see what comes up in year number two. Happy Birthday!!

Daddy

Gift Fight at the Desert Edge

We had our big company Christmas party earlier today at the Desert Edge restaurant. There are times when you think, "Oh no, not another boring company party." However, the Gift Fight always brings a smile at the end of the year. Each Christmas our department has everyone bring a White Elephant that can be shared as part of the Gift Fight. The rules are simple: take a present from the pile or take a present from someone else. Once a gift has been taken, it's officially dead.

Once Michelle opened her present I knew that I had my prize. A fun little tie-dyed star pillow that would be perfect for Kennedy. So, I waited patiently since, with number 8, I would be one of the last people to make a selection. 11, 10, each person took a new present from the pile. With number 9 finally up, I was on deck. Of course, what do you think he did. The pillow was now dead and I would have to draw from the pile. I selected a Medieval Knight Light (a nite light shaped like a medieval knight - clever). A perfect present for the Middle Ages Enthusiast who has everything. Someone took that from me, I don't know why, and I went back to pile to select from the last few presents. It came down to a small package, which looked like it may be a toy or a large bag (possible candle or ceramic snowman). I decided to take the small package and it was ..... a pocket calculator. The large bag contained.... The Best of Will Farrell on SNL. There is no justice when involved in a gift fight.

Another Girls Day Out

So the Houtz girls made another day of it today. Every year, the girls try to get together around Jessica's birthday (December 12th) to have some fun. This year we went to the lunch at the Lion House Pantry and the Kurt Bestor Christmas concert. We used to go almost every year to his concert, but it has been awhile. The last time we went, we invited husbands. After all the sarcastic comments we received from the men while leaving the concert, we decided that men were no longer invited to our day out. They don't seem to be too fond of Kurt Bestor. No biggie-just saves us money on the concert ticket I don't have to buy for Jared! Anyway, as always, Kurt Bestor was very good. He has a way of capturing the Christmas spirit in his music.

I had to head out right after the concert to attend the annual 4th ward Christmas party. After getting Kennedy all dressed up in her ice princess dress, we headed out. We had some great food, (even some yummy mac and cheese for Kennedy), good
pumpkin pie and a cute nativity by the Primary kids. It was a full day. It seems that this time of year is always busy. We are having lots of fun, especially sharing all these times with Kennedy. We can't wait to share Christmas with our baby girl!