Playing Mary & Joseph + Sunny Arizona Christmas

This year at the annual Snarr family nativity re-enactment, Ryan and I got to play Joseph & Mary. While we're not the only expecting parents in the group, we were cast the parts because our baby is due the soonest. Plus, as Uncle Danny, the handlebar-mustached mayor, said to me, "You're looking BIG." (Yup, he's known for saying it like it is.) While our narrator read the Cliff notes version of the nativity, I could relate to Luke 2:6:

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

I can hardly imagine how Mary rode a donkey to Bethlehem. Poor gal! It's hard enough for me at 34.5 weeks now to even sit in a car. Since I shared 29 surprises of pregnancy last month,* I've encountered quite a few new surprises: All my maternity clothes are too snug now, my fingers swell so bad they go numb in the night, and even walking is a challenge. Forget about bending over! I gained 10 pounds in a three-week stretch (ahh!)...but I'm trying not to think about that too much.

I remind myself as I feel our girl wiggling around and entertaining us with the waves she causes on my belly that there will never be another time in life it's THIS easy to take care of her. Right now she's well-fed, quiet, diaper-free, and I always know where she is. It's worth it. I'm willing to be uncomfortable for awhile so she can be a healthy, full-term baby.

As you can see in the picture above, we had the special treat of holding little four-month old Sawyer, Ryan's cousin's baby. Soft and sweet, she played a cheerful baby Jesus. She looked at all of us in our costumes, curious about unfamiliar faces. I couldn't help but say a few times, "We're going to have one of these soon!" It's exciting and somewhat surreal that sometime in the next three to seven weeks, we'll meet our daughter.

Sunny Arizona Christmas

The next day we left for Arizona for a week. It literally warmed my soul to replace Utah's 30-degree weather with bright and sunny days in the 70s. Ryan missed having a white Christmas, (we have clashing feelings about snow) but we'll have more than enough white for months, says I. Soaking up the rays, I spent happy hours outside, picking oranges and lemons from my parents' trees, and going on leisurely neighborhood walks.

It was so nice to see family and friends down south! Between school + work, we honestly don't get full days dedicated to playing games, catching up with relatives, and eating good food. We got pretty used to sleeping in, too. I wish I'd taken more pictures with my mom's side, but here are some highlights:

On Christmas Eve, we visited the beautifully-lit LDS Mesa temple. It was warm enough, my uncle wore shorts. 

With six kids + spouses + parents, it sure was a ginormous pile of presents. We're spoiled.

Was so nice to have ALL siblings in one place for Christmas - doesn't happen every year.

Yes, I know. I'm huge. Sigh...it's for the best of causes.

My sis Emily was pretty pumped to get her favorite Sariachi sauce. It's the little things in life.

What do you get a soon-to-be-grandpa who has everything? This year we opted for a shark fin for pool time. Big hit.

And that's a Christmas wrap folks. Hope you had a happy holiday. Wishing you well in the new year!

*One never knows who's reading out there, but my surprises of pregnancy post surprised me itself: It's had 1,382 views so far - a new Our Beck Treks record. Thanks for being part of our treks.

We Saw a Polar Bear in Arizona

No joke. Big bear!

An antique shop is home to the second largest polar bear ever found. We saw the Artic goliath this weekend in his 1600 pound, 10'8" glory in Crystalee's hometown, Glendale, AZ. Thanks to the glass case...or we might not be here to tell the tale.

We had an early Christmas this past weekend seeing family and one of our activities was a guided tour of Glendale Glitters. Between loads of lighted palm trees, throngs of happy visitors, carnival-type booths, and antique shops, who couldn't feel merry? (Shout out to tour guide of the year, sis Crysti.) We particularly enjoyed the antique shops, discovering rad odds and ends from yesteryears gone by.

It's always nice to go home, and we appreciate the thoughtful gifts from Dad and Sue. Once again, they royally spoiled us. Thanks, we love ya.

Santa Already Came to Town

We found another reason to like living in Ogden: Christmas Village!

Every year, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, downtown Ogden transforms into a winter wonderland. This year we got to see it. There's a big parade (which we could hear from our apartment), with Santa himself on the caboose float. Afterwards, Ryan and I waited along with thousands of others (not kidding, it's a BIG event), for Santa to make his appearance on the downtown amphitheater stage. I think embarrassed Ry with my "Elf" movie imitation, I'd shout out, "SAAANNTTAA!!" like Buddy does. Love these Buddy quotes:

Buddy: You smell like beef and cheese, you don't smell like Santa.

Buddy: [phone rings, Buddy picks it up] Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?

Gimbel's Manager: Why are you smiling like that? Buddy: I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite.

Gimbel's Manager: 6-inch ribbon curls honey.
Jovie: That's impossible.Gimbel's Manager: 6 INCHES!

After the countdown, the jolly guy switched the giant fake ON/OFF switch, and the place lit up, including fireworks up above!

Lucky, lucky me - MarketStar's right across the street from the glowing city, so every night I can look down from the 6th floor and see it. It's magical, indeed. Ry's interning at R& O Construction, and here's the house they built:

Our First Date: Holiday Magic

If you've never been to Temple Square during the holiday season, it's a magical must. Honest. Every year, there's a wonderful LDS Christmas Devotional to ring in the season. This year's will be on Sunday, December 4, at 6:00 p.m. MST. You can enjoy it here

Dec. 2006 | LDS Conf. Center | President Hinckley turned right as I took a picture!

Exactly five years ago, Ryan and I went on our first date to the Christmas Devotional at Temple Square. Back in 2006, I was 20, Ryan was 22, and he'd waited all semester to finally ask me out. Smitten with his deep dimples, I thought he was the "cutest guy in the ward." My roommate and his were dating (still our awesome friends, Mr. & Mrs. Hustedt!) and that night we had ourselves some monumental moments. Here are snippets from that date, copied straight out of my college journal:


December 3, 2006

The Christmas season has officially begun for me today. I went to the Christmas devotional in Salt Lake! I went on a group date with Ryan Beck in the ward, and it was an incredible night. Mattie went with her boyfriend Josh, and Rob Martin brought a girl named Krysta.

We were invited for dinner at Mattie's house. The Morgans made us a feast - roast, mashed potatoes, candied yams, homemade bread, jam and salad. It was heavenly.

We got to the Conference Center just in time, and made our way to our seats. Guess where I got to sit? THE SECOND ROW! When the First Presidency came in, I was just 40 FEET away! the whole devotional I was brimming with gratitude to see the living prophet of God. The devotional tonight was one of those memories I don't want to forget.President Hinckley said that "shining through the dark is the assurance and faith of the true meaning of Christmas: the reality of the Atonement." The Conference Center was breathtaking! I could look at it all day and my eyes wouldn't tire of the vibrant colors and warm Christmas feeling.

I had a great time with Ryan wandering the brightly-lit Temple Square. The glistening lights and glowing temple promise a romantic mood, plus there was a full moon. We took pictures, heard a bell choir in the visitor's center, and enjoyed each other's company. At one point, I was talking to these sister missionaries, and Ryan told them out of the blue: "She's either going on a mission or marrying me." Haha! I blushed. Ryan held my hand! It was a spontaneous, spurred-by-the-mood gesture, and I don't know if it'll happen again, but I enjoyed it. Like I texted him, it really couldn't have been any better - it was a FABULOUS night!

Little did I know, I'd be going to see the lights with Ryan four years later, as his wife. Turns out my journal, my white beanie, and my Ryan are all keepers.

Thanks for spending time on Our Beck Treks. Happy December. Like this post? Your comments are as good as wrapped presents; I love them. Do share...

12/7/11 Addendum: It was mentioned this post makes it seem like we dated for four years. Nope, we both had some growing up to do. Above you read of what we call "Round One," which was really just few weeks of flirting. Three years later, "Round Two" launched strong and he popped the question nine months later. It was all about the right timing. But that's a whole new post...