1 year and Christmas break

A little over a month ago we celebrated Caleb's first birthday.  I feel like such a parent saying this, but seriously where has the time gone?? It feels like a week ago that we were bringing home a newborn from the hospital, and now I have a toddler running around with a personality of his own.  Also, am I the only parent who feels like I deserve an award for surviving the first year? Just kidding...kind of.  Parenting has its challenges but we are lucky to have such a sweet boy.  He makes life more fun and we can't imagine it without him.

Blowing out Caleb's candle...

he needed a little help

Playing with a new birthday toy.

Who needs a shirt in December?

Every year before students go home for the holidays Darden throws the annual 'Darden Ball'.  Basically it is an excuse to get dolled up and go out, which as a stay at home mom I was excited about.  It had been a while since we had gotten dressed up for a night out (date night for us is usually casual) so it was fun to do for a change.  

Dressed up for the ball

After Kyle finished finals we flew to Utah for the holidays.  Flying 6 hours with a 1 year old is not what I would call fun, but we made it there in one piece.  Once we were there we enjoyed some much needed time with our families.  We made gingerbread houses, sledded, snowshoed, went to movies, caught up with friends, ate lots of food and relaxed.  Unfortunately I was terrible about taking pictures but did take a few.  

Caleb hanging with his future girlfriend Eliza

Christmas Eve night

Temple Square

Our bizarre but awesome gingerbread house

Caleb discovering himself in the mirror

And it wouldn't be Christmas without being traumatized by Santa

We had a great time in Utah but it is always nice to be back home.  Kyle has spent these past couple of weeks interviewing for summer internships, and we found out about a week ago he will be interning with Bain Consulting in Dallas this summer.  We are excited for another adventure! And after freezing in Charlottesville these past few weeks, Texas sounds pretty good right now. Growing up in Utah we should be used to cold winters, but spending the past 3 years in California spoiled us. We are definitely ready for spring! 

Dressed up for interviews- couldn't 

resist taking a picture

Random picture of Caleb putting his stamp 

of approval on Cheerios