Recently

December is a friggin crazy month. I know everyone agrees, but I swear I get through this month and I want to collapse. Any who, this last weekend we braved the storm to travel up North and attend Ross' grandma's birthday party/his mom's family Christmas party. The roads weren't too bad, even though we still passed 12 wrecks on the way up. Do people not understand that if the roads are wet, they should drive slower?

So we made it to the party alive and had fun playing a few games, opening presents and eating. Usually I would bake something, but the smell of things baking is still not desirable so much right now, so I just made 7 layer been dip instead - always good, right? Anna had fun playing with all the other little kids and going up and down the stairs. (Please note the candy dish in the lower left of the above picture - it comes into play later) Ross tried to get a picture of her smiling, but she wouldn't show her teeth, she just kept smiling like this.

He then realized she mad a mouth full of m&m's she had snuck. Dang kid!

After the party we dropped Anna off at my parents house and then drove to Salt Lake to go to Ross' work Christmas party. It was at the Grand America, so I was super excited for dinner, naturally. And I must say that it was all very tasty (minus the large amount of red onions on my dinner salad - once again, the smell!) I was hoping for salmon, but settled with halibut and it did not disappoint. What was disappointing was that we went another year without winning anything in the raffle. They give out a bunch of $200 gift cards to places like Lowes, Best Buy, Target and the like (I know, but they are nerdy boys) and a flat screen TV. Oh well, there is always next year.

We spent the night at my parents house so we could be there on my mom's birthday (Sunday). We went to church with my fam and when we got home it was time to start making dinner. My mom wanted a Cafe Rio like dinner and it was going to take a while to make everything that we wanted. Oh and this dinner was heavenly. We made everything. The yummy pork and chicken, the tortilla soup, and all the delicious sides and toppings. Some of my faves include:

Guacamole - my brother in-law made this because he makes the guac at Sonora Grill and it was muy bien if I do so say so!

Pico de gallo - made by yours truly. Hey, my husband has taught me a few things from his mission...so what if they are food related ;)

Cafe Rio rice - made by Ross. We decided it was the most 'authentic' Cafe Rio dish on the table.

After dinner Anna and my mom opened their presents (we did a combined birthday party).

The grand kids were fighting over who got to sit on grandma's lap. Anna was literally pushing Maddie away because she wanted my mom all to herself - which was probably my mom's favorite present.

Happy Birthday mom! Thank you for all that you do for me, my family and everyone else. You are a great example to us.