The White House: Pre-Christmas Ho Ho Ho!

So Ross has developed another charming skill. This is the face he makes:

And then he says "oh oh oh" and sometimes ( I think it's because of the season) he says "ho ho ho"! How appropriate! His cuteness - which we didn't think could possibly increase anymore - has captured the hearts of anyone who even casts a glance his way. He keeps us laughing all the time. The funny part is - when he makes the face - automatically everyone else makes the same face back. He's conditioning everyone to his ways!

Well we survived Steve's finals week which was insane. He studied his brains out and was running on fumes by the end. But it all paid off with A's across the board! He is the smartest, handsomest, kindest, most patient amazing father and husband. I was actually more excited for him to be done than he was I think! I think he was just still in shock that he had made it to the end of the week. And now we're enjoying a nice long vacation. Since we headed to Utah early for Christmas we decided to have our own little Christmas before we left so we didn't have more stuff to pack. Here's Ross's cute Christmas!

Inspecting the gift trying to decide how to go about it.

Maybe you eat it?

Some nice ribbon to play with.

Discovering it comes apart.

What he always wanted! A teething cloth book!

He wouldn't look at the camera

Feeling pretty good about himself.

Playing Angry Birds

Steve was quite excited about his presents as well. He got the Angry Birds board game and the classic Where's Waldo books. When he opened the books he looked like he was ten again and got exactly what he asked Santa for. We stayed up late the couple nights before we left looking for all the characters. Those books can get REALLY hard.
We set off and made it safely back to Utah. Ross did great on the way here. It was getting used to not sleeping in his own bed that was the problem. After a few days of smashing himself up against the side of the crib every night he settled into it though. We have loved spending time with family and friends and doing all the festivities! Ross has been thoroughly enjoying all the attention everyone is giving him. Here are some of the highlights:

We met up with our good friends the Dilles for a night of Winger's and seeing Mission Impossible 4 on the mammoth screen. We were all in awe! Maren just had a baby too. Allison Jane - Ross's betrothed. We're already planning their wedding! She's a natural I've decided in the motherhood department. I'm totally impressed how well she's doing! We LOVE the Dilles. I couldn't WAIT to hang out with them when we got here!

Jordan decided to be a poser in the pic above - here's the "nice" picture. :)

Visiting my baby sis at Cafe Rio! We just HAD to embarrass her while we got the much needed pork salad I've missed for months and months!

Grams and Ross catching up on some reading. :)

Getting ready to see the festival of lights with some old family friends! Ross is so excited as you can see.

Enjoying the ride! Steve wanted to be included :)

Ross couldn't take his eyes off all the lights. He was SO good.

This is an artist's camera shot - very intriguing...or maybe I just turned off the flash and Steve wouldn't hold still.

Hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies after!

Mmmmm

Ross really wanted some.

So our friend's little girl is just over a year. She's weighs 21 pounds while Ross at 9 months weighs 23 pounds...however - she has chubbier legs than Ross. I think Ross just compacts his weight in - more in his belly. :)

Here's the evidence!

Going to see Santa at the Riverwoods. The lights were SO pretty and there was this cool toystore right across from where Santa was.

Here we go...

Ross is wondering what is going on and why is everyone taking so many pictures...

The signature look for the pictures...

This is my favorite picture we got. He's realizing there's someone behind him holding him. They're eyeing each other from the side. Is that Santa???

Santa??

Shhhhh

The moment of truth...will he cry or will he smile??

Neither! Just hanging out with Santa.

Good ol' family pics. Love that Ross's shoe is off...his shoes ALWAYS come off about 30 seconds after having them on!

Going to the Temple Square lights with Grandma and Grandpa White!

Our brother Young went into the MTC the next day to go to Taiwan!

Grandpa White taking the reigns!

Out of order pictures that I don't want to take the effort to fix....Ross and Steve playing blocks! Steve would build. Ross would destroy.

Ross and Uncle Garrett enjoying some ear phones.

Back to the lights!

Steve and I had a picture take here when we were first dating. He later had it turned into a painting for a Christmas present our first Christmas together. We had our wedding day picture taken right here too. So of course we need an updated family picture here too! :)

Steve and my dad having a friendly little pool competition. They are both pool sharks!

Visiting our friends the Youngs and Ross's little friend Addison.

Dads getting their pics.

Everyone trying out the "oh" face! I love this one!

Another visiting Santa pic

This whole tree was made of candy in the toystore. Nuts!

Pretty Lights :)

We went to see the lights at Temple square AND see Meghan sing. It was beautiful. She did a GREAT job! Ross showing how impressed he is. I told you he was into the "oh" face!