Our Sweet New Ride!

So, on Christmas Eve, we were driving home after spending the evening at my parents house when we noticed that the heater in our car, a 2008 Honda Accord, wasn't blowing hot air. Aaron made an appointment with the dealership to get it in and have them look it over this past Monday. Well, Monday afternoon we got a call saying that the "heater box" wasn't working properly and it would have to be replaced (under warranty). They said they ordered the part and that it would arrive on Tuesday and we should get the car back on Wednesday.

When Wednesday afternoon rolled around, they called us and said that they had mistakenly ordered the wrong part and the correct one would arrive on Thursday morning and the car would be done by Thursday evening.

Well, on Thursday afternoon, Aaron called and found out that due to bad weather, the part had not arrived yet and we likely would not get the car back until Monday at the earliest! :( This didn't make Aaron very happy and he demanded that they give us a loaner vehicle to drive until our car is fixed. Well, here is what they hooked us up with...not exactly a luxury vehicle, but it's better than driving the Jeep around, burning through a tank of gas everything three days...

When we went to pick up this beauty, Aaron had to get the car seat out of the Accord, and this is the sight that awaited him...

Christmas with the Dollahites

Our final Christmas was with my family. My brother and his family came in from Idaho and my sister, Melinda, finally came in from Ohio...after having her flight canceled multiple times, she finally made it in 3 days late. It was so much fun having the whole family in town for Christmas. We haven't all been together for Christmas for about 4 years.

We put off having Christmas until Melinda got there, which meant we had Christmas on the 27th. After church, we all went to my mom's house, had dinner, opened presents and played the present game.

With all her newfound experience, Chloe didn't even need to be told to open presents...she just went to town. Her favorite present was the toy pizza that "cut" into pieces and had cheese and red peppers that you could shake on. My parents got Aaron some jeep stuff (what a surprise, huh?) and I got some scrapbook stuff and a beautiful cream-colored coat (that I will hardly get to wear because I am a mom, but hey, I love coats).

It was a wonderful way to end the Christmas season and, of course, it has been a wonderful time to reflect on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his birth.

Christmas with the Searles

This year, it was our turn to spend Christmas day with the Searle family. We spent the morning at Aaon's sister's house and then had dinner at his parents. Aaron's sister Paula and her family came down from Idaho this year which was so much fun and made Christmas morning even bigger. We had four different families opening presents, which made for five hours of opening gifts, five huge bags of garbage, lots of treats and a few jealous cries (mainly from Chloe, who didn't like anyone else playing with her toys).

Santa brought Chloe a big red Radio Flier wagon and she loved it. She spent most of the morning climbing in and out of it and the rest of the morning playing in the tent and tunnel that she also got from Santa. We weren't sure if she would like the tunnel, but she loved it. We have had it up in our bedroom ever since Christmas. Chloe also loves her new baby with a stroller, high chair and crib that she got from Grandma and Grandpa.

Aaron got some more stuff for the Jeep and I got a memory foam topper for our mattress. I have been sleeping like a baby ever since. I also got a new tripod for my camera and some new clothes. I surprised Aaron with a BYU car flag and a year subscription to JP Magazine.

Chloe was so excited to open presents and she was constantly telling us that "ho ho" (Santa) was bringing her toys. Her favorite Christmas song has been "Santa Clause is coming to Town". I would sing the part "Santa Clause is coming..." then Chloe would finish in a high falsetto voice "to town."

Chloe has just loved this whole Christmas season. She points out all the reindeer, Santas, snowmen, lights and trees that she sees. She will be sad to see it all go, but I think all her new toys will ease the pain. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

Christmas with the Fowlers

This year we had a lot of family in town so we had to spread the Christmas celebrations out. We started off by having Christmas with my Dad and Kelly at their house on the 23rd. I was really excited for this Christmas because my dad had made something special for Chloe. I have been trying to find an easel for Chloe that has a magnetic white board on one side and cork board on the other. I didn't want chalkboard because chalk is too messy. So, after searching without any success, I turned to my handy dad and asked him to make one for Chloe. He did and it turned out beautiful. Thanks Dad!

Happy Birthday Aaron

Yesterday was Aaron's 28th birthday and we had a fun party with his family. His mom made us dinner and then we had the rest of the family come over for pie. Aaron got stuff for the Jeep--which of course he picked out--and some fun new tools and movies.


One of Aaron's sisters was in town with her family and it was fun to watch Chloe play with the kids. As soon as we walked in Camryn (who is only 4 months older than Chloe) came in, took Chloe's hand and they walked off. It was too cute!


Aaron, I hope you had a great birthday...I love you!

(Sorry for the fuzziness...camera battery was dying)

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Fowler

Today, my Dad married his sweetheart, Kelly, and I couldn't be more happy for them. It was a beautiful wedding and the Bishop gave some wonderful advice; some of it being not to use so much sarcasm...hmm...he must know my dad :). After the ceremony, we had a nice lunch at Kelly's house and then they were off on their honeymoon. I hope they find continued happiness together and we are so glad to welcome Kelly into the family!

Little Moments

Yesterday morning, Chloe woke up early and wanted to come in bed with mommy and daddy. So, I brought her in and tried to go back to sleep for a short while. After laying there for a minute, Chloe leaned over, put her arms around my neck and gave me a kiss. Then she said, "Love you." I, of course, said that I loved her, too. Not to be out done, however, she said, "Love you more!" How sweet was that? I love it when she tells me she loves me or gives me a kiss with out me asking her first! She is just the sweetest thing!
This was her on Sunday in a dress that Heather gave her as an early Christmas present. Thanks, Heather...super cute!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

It's finally starting to feel like Christmas to Aaron and I. Up until yesterday, we were listening to Christmas music, had the house decorated, lights up, watching Christmas movies, etc, but it still didn't feel like Christmas. We were missing one thing...SNOW! Well, we got some and more! On Saturday, there wasn't a lick of snow, but when we woke up on yesterday morning we had 6 inches on the ground. It stopped snowing yesterday, but started again last night and it hasn't stopped yet. Now we can finally say "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas."

Here's a picture of our Christmas tree with Chloe in her favorite piggy pajamas.