What's New With You?

So, I keep looking at everyone's blog's hoping to see an update on their lives, and then realized that I haven't updated ours since before Thanksgiving. So, I guess it's my turn!

The holidays were a lot of fun! Especially since I wasn't on call for any of it! Thanksgiving was pretty low key. We went down to Dwight's house (James' brother) for a delicious dinner with his kids and grandkids and Grandma Palmer and then we had Steven stay with us for the evening because Zachary and his mom were down in St. George at his soccer tournament. Unfortunately, they didn't fare too well and ended up coming back on Saturday. I hope he had fun anyway!

December was pretty much a blur. With all the concerts and parties we had it definitely went by quickly. But we did have fun. Zachary had his annual Christmas choir concert and they did a wonderful job again. Then the next night Grandma Palmer had her annual Christmas concert. I must say that it's quite adorable seeing all these sweet elderly ladies singing and dancing to old fashioned Christmas carols. Luckily the conductor was sitting in a chair this year because for the past couple of years James and I have secretly worried that she would twist, turn, and then tumble to the ground with all her peppy moves! We had a couple of friend's parties and then the real day was upon us. Christmas Eve was spent with my family at my parent's house with all the grandkids. Only my sister (who moved to Connecticut) and her family were missing. James called and rubbed it in though, just to make her feel at home :o) Christmas morning was also quiet. I woke up early with Finn, made some yummy breakfast (the Kneader's delicious french toast - hope to make that a tradition) and then waited for Zachary and Steven to come join us so we could open presents. They finally came around 10am (I must say that it's teaching me patience to wait until 10 to open presents!). At that time Finn was down for a nap and Steven just wanted to take a bath, so James, Zachary, and I opened presents in peace. Later we went to Grandma Palmer's house for Christmas dinner with James' family. It was fun to see everyone. And one of the best parts was that we got to talk to Spencer who is in Argentina. He has about 9months left on his mission and is doing great! As expected, Finn's first Christmas he was more interested in the wrapping paper than anything else! I had the whole next week off and went up to visit my grandparents and also to my cousin's homecoming from Romania (where he was born coincidentally).

Zachary at his 9th grade Christmas concert.


James and Zachary at Shirley's Christmas concert


Finn and me: ditto above


The Palmer clan present at the Christmas concert


Finn on Christmas Eve


The cutest couple ever!


Finn as his charming self on Christmas morning in his Christmas p.j.'s


Zachary Christmas 2010


Finn with his loot


Christmas 2010


Christmas 2010



Visiting the great grandparents in North Ogden - this is rare form for my grandpa, he's leary of holding little ones :o)


Homemade Christmas dinner a little late - what a beautiful spread!


Finn's snowsuit. He wasn't quite sure what to think about it.



Just a quick update on our lives:

James: started a new job with Comp Health and is now doing medical recruiting. I think he likes it okay but you'll have to ask him. Now he has to set his alarm every morning. First time in about 10 years I think he said. He's done with the fall tennis leagues and he did really well, especially for it being his first year ever of playing tennis. I hope he's going to play again in the spring. Right now he's keeping up his skills with some racquetball. Not much else but he's getting used to being a dad to a little kid again. Finn loves his daddy!

Me: I have six more months left of residency. Now I'm in the midst of looking for a real job. Not so much fun... Unfortunately I still haven't lost all my pregnancy weight. Still have 5 pounds to go, but I don't think it's going to go very far because I'm not doing anything about it. It probably would help to exercise a bit, but I'm so lazy at the end of working all day to do anything active. As a new year goal I'm planning to actually go to the gym because we got a membership again which has babysitting. So, that's my big plan for the year.

Finn: just turned 6 months old. He's absolutely precious! Unfortunately he didn't miss out on the bronchiolitis season and came down with a case of it himself. Those pesky boogers! He's sitting up really well and plays with his toys. He babbles like a champ (most of the time, he does have his quiet periods). He has recently decided to start rolling from his back to his front and every morning he wakes up in a face plant. Good thing he's a little Houdini and manages to wiggle out of all his blankets so that he can at least use his arms. He'll bear weight on his hands and knees for 2 seconds, but is definitely not going anywhere soon. He's surprised everyone by deciding to be a redhead. Every time we take him somewhere, people shockingly ask "does he have red hair?" It's not like he's a mutant or anything, it's cute! Might be nice if it'd grow though. His eyes are still that steely blue and I wonder if they'll stay that color.

Zachary: is in 9th grade and may try out for soccer at the high school - if transportation can be arranged. He's still singing in the choir and loves his ipod and games. He's quite the creative one and has even made up his own complex game. Can't believe he's 15 and can technically get his learner's permit.

Spencer: 9 months left of his mission to Argentina and is thriving.

Steven: turning 18 this year. Sweet as ever!

Well, that's it for us. Maybe I'll update more frequently and make it less of a saga for those that might still be reading this :o)