Arizona

The day after Christmas we headed down to Phoenix/Mesa to spend the week with my family down there.  On Tuesday we took family pictures and I can't wait to see how they turn out, but it will probably be awhile before we see them.  It was great spending time with my sisters and their families. The cousins had so much fun playing together. Joel was able to go to Top Golf with some friends from Grad school, then we went to a trampoline park with their families. We enjoyed the nice weather at a park with the kids. Mary and I experimented with puff pastry and homemade laminated dough. We made cotton candy out of hard candy- Werther's cotton candy is delicious. We played games, talked, laughed, ate, and had a great time. I'm so glad we took the time to go down and make those memories!

At family pictures, between shots

Playing Pie Face in the driveway. 

 Audrey and Samuel

 Me at work with my selfie stick again!

It's a long car ride.

Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year! As always, it was filled with fun, games, puzzles, movies, and food. Since Christmas was on a Sunday this year we had to shower and get ready for church after presents were opened. I thought it was nice to go to church on Christmas to add to the spirit. Christmas is definitely, and probably always will be, my favorite day of the year. I'm always sad to see it end. But I'm so grateful we get to do it every year. Merry Christmas!

 Christmas Eve picture in front of the tree.

 Her first bike!

 Joel had William this year and got him an Almanac AND an Atlas. They were both happy about that present.

 Mom got a selfie-stick in her stocking! I thought it was funny at first, and now I love it! We can get our whole family in one picture!

Cookies

You know what else Christmas needs? Cookies. Always cookies. Thank goodness I've got so many great helpers to frost cookies. They were pretty tasty!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

 This time of year means many things to me: beautiful decorations, Christmas trees, time with family, giving the perfect gift, school concerts, etc. One thing that Christmas wouldn't be complete without is homemade caramels. I love making caramels and giving them to friends and family just like my Mom did. And who could ask for a more precious helper? She's the best stirrer I know.

Jim Gaffigan

Joel and I have a bit of an issue. When is comes to music concerts, we can't really go together. Well, we could, but chances are one of use wouldn't enjoy it much. We just don't really like the same kind of music. What is the solution to that problem? Jim Gaffigan. We both love Jim Gaffigan. Who doesn't? So when we found out he was coming to Salt Lake it was the perfect opportunity for Joel and I to go to a show together. We were even able to stay in a hotel within easy walking distance to the arena. We had a great time, and the show was so funny. We really enjoyed the guy who opened for him, too, but now we can't remember his name. He was hilarious as well. It was the perfect little getaway for us!