Ten Christmases

Once upon a time, I shared a Thanksgiving with one of my roommates. It rocked.
That night we had a relaxing evening and Oliver came over after the family dinner he had gone to. We listened to the radio and the radio host announced: Tomorrow's Christmas!
We were so surprised and excited to know that Christmas had come so quickly. It became an inside joke. Although I don't think I would have remembered it except for what happened on "Christmas." Oliver granted me with our first kiss.
That was ten years ago.
Fast forward to a month ago where I was skimming through pinterest and found an idea of giving gifts to your spouse for the twelve days of Christmas. Clever, I thought, but I want to make it more meaningful. Thus began the surprises twelve days before our own "Christmas."
It was fun to offer little gifts to him to let him know how important and special he is, like making one dinner specifically for him (chile rellenos) or giving him a bottle of 7 hundred and 50 mL of sparkling grape juice. Some of them were a little odd like a serving of 3 Tbsps of hot chocolate or 4 on the floor(a little drive somewhere). He was supposed to get chapstick so his 2 lips weren't chappy, but I couldn't find the brand I was looking for. He got 6 socks and 8 mini pies. A DVD so he could watch the 9 Avengers. He was shocked on the first one and asked a few days in: So are you doing this until Christmas? Two of them were more intimate than actual gifts like a 5 minute kiss and a 10 minute massage.
On Thanksgiving I gave him 11 reasons why I'm thankful for him and then proceeded to give him slips of paper throughout the day that contained one reason each.
On "Christmas" morning, I rolled over, kissed him, and made him read his last one that reminded him of our special memory and to let him know that kissing him for the last 10 years has made me extremely happy.
And this record of it is to remind us both that we have been in love for a long time and should keep sharing special moments together.
Maybe I'll do it again...in ten years.

Leaves

Recently

These things have happened this week.

Don't worry, that's Tropical Punch Kool-Aid and hot chocolate mix. All over the chair...and floor...and Evan.

Sunday afternoon we went on an adventure to Timpie Springs Waterfowl Management Area.

On Tuesday we drove to Utah County. I just thought it was funny that these two teachers were kind of attached to this kids computer game at the Dinosaur Museum.

Ryan was very committed to playing on this side of the water and sand area.

Natalie and Rachel trying to build sand castles.

Natalie and Rachel being overrun by the hurricane monster. (Evan had so much fun-we bought him a shirt at the gift shop because the one he was wearing was soaked).

Ollie in front of a triceratops.

The reason for heading to Utah County-Mitchell was driving through (with cousin Rachel and friend) from California to Illinois. Ryan was thrilled.

The photo that resulted after they both zerberted my cheeks while trying to get a nice sibling shot. Punk kids.