Dove

 I'm sure everyone and their dog has seen the latest ad from Dove. If not, or if you need your memory refreshed, have a watch:

Dove Real Beauty Sketches

I thought it was pretty great the first time I watched it. And then I read this and then this. My impression was changed (though I don't think it's racist like the first author implies). Tyler thinks they were written by a couple of Negative Nellies who try to find something wrong with everything, but I think they make some valid points. The message that we're too critical of ourselves is a good one, but I also think that we're way too caught up on looks being the only form of beauty.

What are your thoughts? Do you agree with me, or are you more on Tyler's side? I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

P.S. This parody is def worth a watch.

Christmas - Eve and Day

 I started a new tradition where the kids got to open a new Christmas book every day of December until Christmas. The girls loved it!


We went to the Squires' for our traditional candlelight Christmas Eve dinner. This usually conflicts with my grandma's family party, but this year she decided to have hers on the 23rd. Until I got married, I went to her house every year on Christmas Eve, so it was nice to not have to miss her party and see so many cousins

 The little kids

 Bigger kids

 Oh, Tyler!

 Somehow our entire family fit in the recliner

 Kate got to be Mary for the Nativity. Look how cute she and Keaton are!

 I think Ada was a sheep and Maddie was an angel

 Ada sporting her new owl hat (notice the angel baby ornament behind her)

 Getting ready to serve dessert

 The girls sporting their new jammies

 Tyler and I love playing Santa. This is what the living room looked like before we went to bed


Our Christmas morning always starts with us gathering in the girls' room and reading Luke 2. We then open and enjoy our gifts, eat breakfast, head back to the Squires' for more gifts, and finish off with our Honey Baked Ham dinner at my parents' house. This year was the first in a few that my entire family was together for Christmas, so it was extra nice.

 Anxiously waiting to run downstairs

 So happy they got their light-up shoes, Leapster Explorers, and a few other items

 Lyla opening the gift from her sisters

 Cute Kate

Cute Ada

 Cute Tyler

Not-so-cute me

Christmas morning chaos at the Squires'

 Kate was so happy to get a CuddleUppet

Tyler and I got a game where you use your mind to move a ball. It's pretty cool. My mind is crazy so it's no surprise that I stink at it! I love watching everyone's faces when they play

Enjoying the festivities at the Dickson home

Happy Holly-days

There's always a lot going on in December. This year was no exception.

Making gingerbread houses at the Squires'

Lisonbee Christmas party

New Christmas outfits

 

Kate's preschool Christmas program. Sadly, this is the best picture we have

Tyler and I also got to attend his work holiday party. We ate dinner at the Clark Planetarium and then watched The Hobbit in 3D on the IMAX screen. Tyler's parents were kind enough to let the girls sleep over so we could go. It was the bomb.com!

Halloween and Thanksgiving

Remember how I'm awesome at keeping up on my blog? Here are some holiday pictures from forever ago. We'll start with Halloween:

Ada as a witch, Lyla as Pebbles, and Kate as Snow White

I bit the bullet and dressed up as a Utah cheerleader for the Squire party. Tyler was a Utah football player...sort of

Whitesides family

Bischoff family

Steed family

The "other" Squires

Nancy and Kim. Hunger Games, anyone?

The whole gang



Now let's move on to Thanksgiving, shall we?

Grandpa Squire and Lyla

Tyler and me, probably watching football

The obligatory game of Pit

The kids were sent to watch Brave on the laptop so we could watch football in peace ;)