big red EP

Borrowed Uggs

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 03:46:00 +0000

These boots that Adrienne borrowed from a Florida friend have certainly come in handy! There is still snow on the ground.

Day after Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 03:38:00 +0000

Holiday Aunt Camp headed to Portsmouth, Rhode Island last night to visit the Truscotts. We had a great time. It was nice to sleep in, eat perogies and treats, play games, watch "What About Bob?", run errands, finish a puzzle, and hang out with dear friends. We hit two Walmarts, had lunch at Five Guys, and stopped at IKEA on the way home. Both Adrienne and I are teaching lessons at church tomorrow so we're in preparation mode.

Secret Santa

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 20:10:00 +0000

Merry little Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 20:08:00 +0000

Adrienne gave me this little bookcase of origami books that my sister-in-law made for me. It's really cool.

Christmas breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 20:07:00 +0000

Christmas Eve

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 02:43:00 +0000

Adrienne and I spent Christmas Eve with my friends the Petersons. We enjoyed delicious appetizers and sharing our talents. I played "Swans on the Lake" on the piano -- my recital piece from when I was 8! It was fun to spend time with good friends. They have a few nativity scenes in their home and this was my favorite.

Waiting for Santa Claus

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 02:42:00 +0000

Heirloom Santa

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 02:49:00 +0000

If I have my facts right, my mom's cousin made this Santa (I better find out!). It always hung on a doorway when we were kids and it was filled with candy canes. I pinned it to my quilt last night since I don't really have any doorknobs in my condo (except on bathroom doors).

Oh Christmas Tree: Phase 3

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:45:00 +0000

Adrienne and I put the ornaments on the tree last night (just in time!). It was pretty with just lights and now it's prettier with all my ornaments on it. It's nice to have a helper around (aka "Cinderella")

MIT Lab rat

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 02:15:00 +0000

Adrienne went to work with me Monday. She did some shredding for me. We had pizza at the Stata Center. She loved MIT. A friend of mine is getting a Ph.D. in Chemistry and showed her his lab and some chemistry stuff.

Macy's Christmas display

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:15:00 +0000

Holiday Pops

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Tonight we went to the Holiday Pops with my friends Leah and Alicia. It was fantastic. Adrienne plays the baritone horn in the high school band and knew she'd love hearing the Boston Symphony Orchestra. When I went to buy the tickets the woman suggested I pay a little more money to get in the balcony (as opposed to the cheapest seats which were literally in The Last Row). We were on the first row of the second balcony and close to the front. They were terrific seats. That's Keith Lockhart in the red shirt. It was a really fun night; getting dressed up, taking the subway, and listening to a wonderful concert. I've been humming Christmas songs all night.

Phoebe's blessing

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:35:00 +0000

Today was Phoebe's blessing. And, as luck would have it, it was in the Arlington Ward. Phoebe and her family recently moved to Cambridge but their ward canceled church today and our ward had a 5 1/2 hour delay (and Sacrament Meeting only) so I got to be at Phoebe's blessing. It was a special day.

Note: Phoebe's big brother Bruce is crazy about her.

Florida girl

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:20:00 +0000

Snow Day at Aunt Camp

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:05:00 +0000

Adrienne has never ever ever been in snow. (The patch of dirty ice she saw one summer in Liberty, Utah doesn't count.) It was a fun first for her today! Church was postponed until 3pm so we'll venture out this afternoon.

Let Holiday Aunt Camp begin

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 22:12:00 +0000

My 14 year old niece Adrienne arrived this morning. [I told a friend that my niece was coming for Holiday Aunt Camp and she said, "I've never heard of that" and I said, "Oh, I made it up!"] She'll be here two weeks and we have a long list of things to do, projects to complete, and places to go! I'm only working one day that she's here (hooray!). Day 1 has been great so far. I'll be blogging about all the Holiday Aunt Camp adventures!

Note: We're expecting a BIG snow storm tonight (8 inches). Adrienne has never been in snow, has never been sledding or made a snow angel. This Florida girl is in for a treat!

Old Santa

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 22:09:00 +0000

I drove by this Santa last weekend and wanted to take a photo but didn't have my camera. I went back today and took a few photos. He seems vintage-y to me.

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 04:59:00 +0000

Christmas stories

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 04:45:00 +0000

I love Christmas stories. Here are some links to a few of my favorite stories from my blog archives.

Holiday Stop for Train Number Seven

Choosing Christmas tree evokes battle memories

A Story of Riches

Greatest Gift

Do you know a Kunz out in Utah?

Big Apple Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:23:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:10:00 +0000

Heirloom Santa pitcher

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:10:00 +0000

Oh Christmas Tree: Phase 1 and 2

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 04:59:00 +0000

Thanks to my friends the Sipherds, my tree is assembled and it has lights. Phase 3--ornaments--will happen in a day or two (I feel like the tree needs a few more strands of lights). My tree is tall and it's beautiful and I love sitting in my living room with the Christmas tree lights on.

Worldwide Candle Lighting

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 04:57:00 +0000

My mom asks me to participate in this every year in memory of my brother Robes. Tonight I burned my Christmas Wreath yankee candle from 7-8pm pacific coast time (since I was at a concert earlier).

Ward Christmas Party

noreply@blogger.com (ellen) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:40:00 +0000