Utah

We love January Weddings/Sealing in Utah!  Last year we got to take a trip up there for my cousin Tara's wedding and this year we got to go for Mallory and Bradee's sealing!  We are so happy for them, they are a wonderful match and we pray that God will bless them with faith and strength that they can enjoy a happy life together! They deserve it! Love that girl SO much!

I totalled my car right before Christmas and we still had not bought a new one by the time we were going to leave for Utah.  We were going to rent a car and then Spike said we could all ride with him.  It was a lot of fun to spend that much time with him.... crazy..... but fun!  He was a great sport, luckily he loves my kids!

Bradee's parents were nice (CrAzy) enough to let us stay in their amazing home so we could all be together. Other than the trip to Salt Lake for the sealing and the boys day trip to go snowboarding we hung out at their house together.  We had a blast riding horses and snowmobiles, talking and playing Kinex in the warm house!  Us Arizonans are not use to below freezing temps! 

 After the sealing.

Christy, Mom, Mallory, Me

 Patrick, Bradee, Eddie and Spike.

 Karsten and her BEST friend!

 My family does not know how to all make a good picture face at the same time:)

Here's a goofy one.

 Karsten and Blaine LOVED riding the horses around in the snow.

Bradee's parents were so sweet to take them.

And then there were these three MEN....

they did not have the nicest snowball fight.  

                             

Fun with Grandpa! 

 Can you imagine why my kids both came in crying?

   

  

 Bradee pulled us behind the snowmobiles!!

Camryn, Karsten and Blaine!

                                      Camryn and Mom!                                     

My lovely sister Christy!

Camyrn and my Dad!

Blaine, Mom and Cami.

 Mallory and Bradee.

It was Blaine's Fifth Birthday while we were there! Mallory threw a little party for all my kids there since she will miss their birthdays later in the month. 

 So sweet! 

She invited cute little kids over to play with them, they had so much fun!

I can hardly believe another Christmas has come and gone! I love Christmas, and this year did not disappoint!  We had many fun filled days enjoying family Christmas activities. It is always busy with both sides of the family living in town but it really wouldn't feel like the holidays without them and the busy schedule! The older I get the more I appreciate the traditions from my childhood. One of my favs is making doughnut holes and listening to Christmas music while we decorate the tree together. Not to mention all the reminiscing of old, usually ugly, ornaments with some sentimental value (they go on the back of the tree!).  I love that my kids are getting old enough to participate and hopefully remember these time together.

I was not good at pictures this year, most of the ones I am posting are from someone else's camera:( 

 So, I am too cheap to pay 25 dollars for a picture with Santa! 

Sonjia stole this shot with her camera and proceeded to get dirty looks from all of Santa's helpers:( 

Not the best pic but it is cute!

 We went up to McCormick Ranch Park the night before Christmas Eve with my family.

It was a blast! We had HOT soup and coco in the cold weather and walked around enjoying the lights!

I would definitely recommend it!

 Mallory and Bradee sent all the boys coordinating Sesame Street shirts for Christmas....

it's funny how the shirts fit their personalities:) 

 Mallory also made all of us girls necklaces. WE MISS YOU MAL AND BRADEE!!!

 We enjoyed an impromptu slumber party at Grandmas on Christmas night.  It was so fun to ALL be there together.  We stayed up late working puzzles, playing cards, EATING and laughing! 

 I think it might become a tradition:)

The week after Christmas Antie Suzie had the girls over for an American Girl doll Tea Party! 

The girls have so much fun being together and playing with their dolls!

Thanks you Antie Suzie!!