Have Yourself a Very Kerri Christmas...

Dear Blog,

Merry Christmas!!!!!

Kerri (my mother-in-law) has done it again. She has really outdone herself but everyone enjoys the feeling it creates in her home. Juniper is always excited when we come over and there is plenty for her to look at and be entertained with. So here they are, the pictures displaying her lovely, one-of-a-kind domicile.

So I am by no means a professional (obviously) but I had a hard time not getting such yellow pictures or having light fixtures totally overpower the shot. You'll see what I mean. I use Kerri's Canon Rebel T1i. Anyone know how to fix that?

The front entry way...

Again incorporating old family photos into the decor

The living room...

I love how the tree is decorated with cute little houses and such. She's been collecting

them for quite a few years now and it's so fun to look at them all.

These elves are supposed to be me, Heath, and Juniper

The dining room...

I love the ceiling

The stairs...

Juni's little stocking

The family room...

The Nativity (Notice what's playing?)

The front of the house...

Wow! Lots of pictures!!! Don't you just love it, though?

I hope your Christmas was wonderful and that you all got to finally relax. We love you all and Happy Holidays!!!

Sincerely,

Emily Wilcock

I Really Could Go For A White Christmas

Dear Blog,

When Heath and I were in the early honeymoon stages of our marriage he showed me this from his days at Mesquite High School:

I apologize for the poor video quality. I'm not so good with computers and

the only way I could figure out how to get this uploaded was to record the screen.

I loved it and it never gets old.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Love,

Emily Wilcock

Juniper Meets Santa (and Grandma's Christmas House Preview)

Dear Blog,

Last weekend was our Ward Christmas Brunch. Juni had a great time. It is so lovely when your child enjoys themselves so much with so little. For instance, she got to run around with other kids and explore while holding and munching on a breakfast sausage link. Yes, I know she's running with food in her mouth (but it's more like fast walking). She worked on eating that thing for a good 10 minutes or so and had a death grip on it! Once it got down to the stub I thought she wouldn't eat it and took it from her. She quickly let me know that was not what she wanted and

let out a loud and piercing scream.

But of course, the highlight was seeing Santa! And she did so well!!! I thought for sure she would cry (she doesn't like very much to be held while sitting). On the contrary, however, Santa gave her a candy can and she was very calm. She was a bit hypnotized by him probably wondering what that fuzzy white stuff was on his face. No smile, just wide-eyed with mouth agape.

It wasn't until after a long stare that she looked towards me with an expression of Do you see this guy?

***

I'm going to post more pictures of my Mother-in-law's home. It is beautifully decked out in Christmas decor. She has a talent and it's so good I've just got to share it with you. Because everyone should partake in this and it's not fair if we keep it from you. Until I get the pictures loaded onto my computer here is a small taste from last year's Christmas so you can begin to anticipate.

Christmas Eve is tomorrow, Yeah!

Sincerely,

Emily Wilcock

BRIGHT STAR

Dear Blog,

Last night after we put Juni down to sleep, Heath and I snuggled up on the couch with a cup of delicious homemade hot chocolate and watched the movie Bright Star. It is about the young poet John Keats and how he and the girl next door fell in love. Oh my goodness was it sad, romantic, mushy, lovey-dovey. But oh how I loved it!!!!

I wanted to watch it again while Juniper took her afternoon nap but since it was from Netflix, Heath had taken it to put back in the mail on the way to work this morning. DARN!

So, I've been watching as many trailers and clips on youtube as I could find.

In the movie they have what's called a human orchestra and they do Mozart's Serenade in B flat major. It's awesome and beautiful.

Loved it, loved it, loved it!!! Christmas list?

Sincerely,

Emily Wilcock

'Tis the Season

Dear Blog,

I am enjoying this Christmas season very much. I've been anticipating this time of year for the whole of 2010. I would even listen to my favorite Christmas CD's every once in a while throughout the year. Heath told me honestly that he thought that was weird but I had my reasons. Last Christmas was a great Christmas. Juniper had just arrived and it all felt surreal. So surreal, in fact, that I feel I didn't even experience the Holidays that were going on at the time.

Juniper under the Christmas tree, 2009

December 1st to 31st of 2009 was the fastest month of my life!!! It was so crazy that we didn't even put up a single Christmas decoration. Not even a Christmas tree (Luckily Gramma goes all out so we weren't totally deprived)! So basically, I feel like I need to make up for last year and not hold back on my enthusiasm.

Away in a manger, asleep on the hay

The tree has been up, I've got a lot of my Christmas shopping done already, I've been listening to Christmas music constantly, and Juniper has been loving all the lights! And the best thing...Christmas is still two weeks away. I LOVE this time of year...(sigh)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

Love,

Emily Wilcock

Party, Party!

Dear Blog,

Juniper's party was A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!! And the weather, perfect mid-70's and partly cloudy. But the huge downside... Juni was teething and running a fever. I thought she would be squealing and laughing and very animated, but she was very mellow and ate very little of her cake. Made me sad. I was imagining her squishing her fingers in her cake and having chocolate from her head to her toes. That's alright though. I just wanted her to feel better.

Anyways, for those of you who missed the party here are some pictures...

First, I want to show you some of the pretty details

And the people

Juni LOVES her grandma

Next, the kids running around

It's time to sing "Happy Birthday"

Many thanks to Kerri!!! She helped make Juniper's party the party of the year!!!

It was a lot of work but a lot of fun throwing this party for my special little girl. She deserves it in every way, especially since she hasn't been feeling well. Mommy and Daddy love you June Bug!

Sincerely,

Emily Wilcock (Mother of a one-year-old!)

One Year Ago Today....

Dear Blog,

Exactly one year ago today I went into to labor with my first child. That's right! Juniper Lucy is 1 year old!!! Holy crap! Isn't that just so exciting??? Well, it is for me.

We're going to party on Saturday!!!

I've made the party hats, the suckers and candies, and the practice cake. I've also made her a cute little birthday dress to match her party hat. I must say I have felt pretty creative and crafty. I never thought I could. I think with my mom's mad sewing skills and Kerri's inspiration have rubbed off on me and my confidence levels have risen to just go for it! Anyways, I'm probably talking this party up too much.

Enough about the party. Let me tell you about my little birthday girl.

-She gets funnier every day

-She still only has one tooth!

-She loves playing "bull" "I'm gonna get you" and "peek-a-boo"

-She's still a terrible sleeper

-She's a people person

-She loves attention

-She loves to dance! She's got some rhythm

-She gabs all day long

-She enjoys looking at herself in the mirror

-One of her favorite expressions is "Opa!" while bobbing her head up and down (I should get this one on video)

-She has become very cuddly

-She loves to reading time before bed. Reading books also helps calm her down if she's screaming for no apparent reason

-She's just an ordinary 1 year old who is absolutely extraordinary to me!

I love you, my little June bug. Here's to a good 2nd year.

Love,

Momma Wilcock