Yes, she played with the box more than she did with her new toys. 
Why we even bothered to buy her toys at all is still a mystery. 
As this is a huge milestone (and one that totally SUCKS, by the way (not that I know, being only 21 myself)), I was going to throw him a party. But . . . alas . . . life and promises made to others happened instead. (Plus, he told me he didn't want a party. The big party-pooper.) 
Yeah, that's the steak we ate last night (half-finished). The thing was bigger than my face. (Face? Try bigger than my whole head!) We got the Porterhouse for 2. I've never seen so much meat in my entire life. Although, Mike told me he could have finished it himself. 
He wanted the chocolate bread pudding. YUMMY! Although, we discussed it and we think Ruth's Chris needs to serve this dessert with whipped cream. It is really rich and we needed something to cut the sweetness. 
(If only this were true from Mike to me.)
It's my favorite time of year! I love, love, love Christmas time. Love, love. LOVE. 
And this year, it means that Lucy met Santa for the first time! 
We had a hard time getting her to smile, because she really needed a nap, but she didn't scream, so I'd say it was a win. 
I've got to say (and Mike will laugh when I admit this) the trees were a little disappointing this year. 
The "U" on top lit up. It was awesome. I must try to find one for our tree. I'm betting Mike would prefer that to the purple butterfly that adorns our tree now. 
But, mostly, it was a disappointment. Seriously (and I'm not sucking up so Santa will bring me more presents!), my mom's Christmas trees are a lot better than most of the trees we saw. 
The fact that Lucy will sleep in the car. (And sometimes that is the ONLY place!)
My 2 nephews, my niece, and Lucy as a ladybug:
Yes, that red and black lump is Lucy. We got her that costume so she would be warm just in case Mike got his way. (He wanted to take her trick-or-treating. I said, "No." How do you take a 6-month-old trick-or-treating?! Obviously, who is the candy really for in that situation?!)
If Lucy wants to give you a kiss, prepare to get wet! 
I really don't understand what is so fun about sitting in the cold and getting wet on purpose. Guess that's the girl in me.
Lucy is being a ladybug. 
After 4+ years of dating, Tom & Stephanie made it official. 
Having never been to a Catholic wedding before, I didn't know what to expect.
And they did very well. I told them that they had better be exceptional because most of Tom & Stephanie's friends are actors (and we all know the harshest judges are actors), but they didn't let that phaze them at all.
Could be because her dress was so beautiful (thanks for the dress, Grandma!):
Big Mike even insisted on dancing with her:
She was tuckered out after all that partying.
As the best man, Mike was required to give a toast (which he didn't know about until 2 minutes before). Even on the fly, he did a really good job and I swear he got choked up at one point (he denies it, even though I have video evidence).
This trip was also a bunch of firsts for Lucy. Besides her first plane ride, Mike couldn't let her go to California without going to: 
Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles
Not my favorite, but Justin loved it so much he tried to convince us to go back again the next day.
Lucy wasn't really a fan of the sand. 
Oh, and a miracle happened.
I was sad to wake her up because she really needed the nap.
It's a mystery. 
“First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU (or in our case, U of U) logo stain her tender haunches. May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Beauty. When the Crystal Meth is offered, may she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half. Guide her, protect her when crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age. Lead her away from Acting, but not all the way to Finance. Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes and only have to wear high heels if she wants to. What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You, because if I knew, I’d be doing it. May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers. Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen. Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, For childhood is short – a Tiger Flower blooming Magenta for one day – And adulthood is long and dry-humping in cars will wait. O Lord, break the Internet forever, that she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers and the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed. And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister, Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, For I will not have that Crap. I will not have it. And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, that I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 A.M., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back. “My mother did this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. “My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental Note to call me. And she will forget. But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes. Amen.” -Tina Fey
If you'll recall, the last time we went to Provo for the BYU/Utah game in 2009, this was my view the ENTIRE game: 
And, unfortunately, this year wasn't much better: 
Naturally, we had to sit behind the 3 most obnoxious freshman alive. I really wanted to pants the kid in the middle. Whoever told him that it's cute to wear skinny jeans, but then have your pants hang off your butt is seriously disturbed. 
Hmmm . . . way to support your team, BYU fans. 
