Merry Christmas 2011

Merry Merry Christmas! We have had a great Christmas this year and feel very blessed. We stayed in Colorado as we are about two weeks away from baby boy #2 joining our family.

We went to the Electric Safari Zoo and saw a lot of lights, animals, and Santa.

They had the best Santa. Sam told him all the animal sounds, gave him high five, and told him he wanted a train but would NOT sit in his lap.
It was nice to split up our Christmas with church on the day we celebrate our Savior's birth. We got to split the presents before and after church. We had our traditional scones for breakfast and Sam was so worn out he took a 4 hour nap! We loved skyping with family.


Sam was very delicate as he tried to open the presents. He would tear a little and then say, "stuck!" He was thrilled with the little things like the slinky, toothbrush, and ball that lights up.

Chistmas 2011

It is pretty late but worth documenting. Christmas was so great. Santa made it just like we when we were kids. Santa also knit stockings for all of the new additions to our family.

It is our tradition to line up from youngest to oldest before we see what Santa brought. Finally McKay has people in front of her… and Craig makes sure those behind him cant be seen.

Now you can see us.

Claire made Sam an alphabet book about each person in the family. It probably took her 400 hours. She is so thoughtful and talented. When I saw the page for "F" (Forever Family), I burst into tears.

Christmas In Utah Part 2

We got to spend December 26 with Poppy, Bick, Mom and Dad. They waited to celebrate Christmas with us. I love all of our traditions of sleeping in, scones for breakfast, lining up for pictures, Carpenters Christmas music, and a yummy dinner.

I was lucky to live with Poppy for 4 years and love every moment I get to be with her.

Bick has always spoiled us rotten!


Dad surprised my mom with a laptop. The best part was seeing her reaction to the surprise. She ran and jumped on his lap and they hugged, kissed and laughed. It is funny how I was grossed out as a kid at how they would always kiss in the kitchen but they are such a good example to us of how to be after 34 years of marriage.

Christmas In Utah Part 1

We wanted to catch the blog up on the Christmas/Holiday break. We flew out to Salt Lake City on Christmas Eve. We spent that evening with Cheyney's family and extended family.

Christmas day we were with my (Ryan's) parents. We woke up and opened our presents after a goods night rest. The first time Cheyney and I were at my parents in 2006 (when we were engaged) Cheyney went swimming in the wrapping paper. This year my Mom took the dive

Here is a picture of the parents from the morning I especially liked. (Wendy, I was able to get the picture right side up!)

Christmas is a time you miss family that are no longer with you. It was strange not to be able to visit my Mom's parents on Christmas like I always did as a kid. My grandpa died last year and my Grandma a few years before. I miss those who have passed but am grateful for those still with us. Thankfully we were able to go visit my Octogenarian Grandma Lindgren who is a hoot. She is sharp, charming, and funny. Here we are going to say hello late Christmas morning

After a good visit we went to see Sherlock Holmes and convinced Grandma to come along. I think a few of my grandmas quotes summed in up, "This is not the Sherlock Holes I remember" and "This is more of a Halloween type movie." She was a great sport to sit through it with us, not complaining one bit.

After that we went out to eat and then we spent the rest of the day with the family napping and relaxing by the fire.

What a Christmas!

Here are some random photos from our Christmas in Bainbridge.
Highlights from the trip included:
*Branagan got engaged. Claire will be an addition to the Webb Family on April 11th! HOORAY.
*Canoeing/kayaking down the river in 80 degrees
*Christmas traditions like going to the Square to hear the BBBB (Bainbridge British Brass Band), scones on Christmas morning, and swimming in the wrapping paper.
*The Zoo with the Harpers
*Family pictures in the Harpers amazing backyard (watch pictures to the end to see some cute ones of Branny and Claire)
*Spending time with cherished friends and family

We hope your Christmas was wonderful too!

Tis The Season

The Christmas tree has been put up at the Lindgrens.

Christmas 07

We hope all of you who frequent this blog had a wonderful Christmas. Christmas here in Raleigh was low key. We weren't able to go to Utah or Georgia for Christmas and we had to go back to work the next day. We did have a relaxing day at our little apartment. We went for a walk, went to a movie, and caught up with some of our families and friends on the phone.

Here I am showing off one of my new t-shirts and showing off a present we got from Cheyney's parents.

Here is Cheyn relaxing after opening the presents.