Mesa Temple lights

Our Annual trip to the Mesa Temple to see the lights.

Not super great pictures this time.  I was still trying to figure out all the settings.  arg...

Inside the Visitor's Center

A Visit from Santa

Mimi has great connections and was able to get us a private visit with Santa very close to Christmas.  

We had a very nice Sunday Dinner and were spending a quiet nice evening together when IN walks Santa!!!  So exciting!

Here is Kenna's shot with Santa.  Thrilled. Loved every second.

 Still a little upset.

Mimi and Grandma Webb

Maddy and Santa

Sweet Hallie

Livi was more excited about the Candy Cane than anything... but she had no problems climbing on Santa's lap

The whole gang minus Me and Miriam

The girls all wrapped up with their gifts from Santa

Snug as a bug in a rug

Maddy had the right idea.  Cuddled up by the fire.

Livi's first Ballet Recital

Livi's first Ballet Recital.  It was really fun to dress her all up for the performance.  Thought we'd get some pictures of this.  It may be the first of many for this little girl.  She loves to dance.

Diva anyone?  My VERY opinionated little girl!

Something was clearly not making her very happy... can't remember what.  

Finally a smile

My little Poser

My other two helpers.  Hallie practicing her dramatic bow

Ugliest Christmas Sweater Party

Travis and I put together a last minute Ugliest Christmas Sweater / White Elephant Party.  We had an Unbelievable time.  We had contests for the best Ugliest sweater, best Mistletoe kiss, and best White Elephant gift.  This was the most fun I have had since i don't know when.  My cheeks hurt the whole night from laughing SO much.  We will definitely be doing this again.   Travis ended the party with a gigantic pair of Batman underwear which he LOVED.   I ended up with an old set of Bonanza DVD's.... Some of the funniest gifts were home canned elk sausage.  (It looks like poop in a jar), a box of chocolates with bites taken out of every chocolate and a signed picture of the culprits included.  We had a lot of laughs and spent a really fun night with great friends.  Here is a picture of mine and Travis' mistletoe kiss

Here's a few pictures of the gang of people who were here.  You might be able to get a look at some of the great sweaters that were worn. 

Travis came up with this idea for Mormon Mistletoe... broccoli and grapes.  He thought it was Hilarious!  I didn't get it.... but I humored him.  Here is a picture of the broccoli and grapes.  It actually was great... it saved me traveling all over in search of real mistletoe.

Awkward moment under the mistletoe

Hallie Student of the Month

Hallie was chosen to be Student of the Month for the Month of December.  She is such a great student. We are so proud of her.  This was a tough year switching schools and trying to keep up to a much different curriculum, but she has done an amazing job and we are so proud of her!

Classic Hallie... Those sad puppy dog eyes.  Just had to throw this picture in here.  

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was at My house this year.  I decided to try my attempt at a festive table scape.  I made this wooden box and filled it with candles leaves, berries, nuts.  I then made this grey Paisley table runner to help tie in my grey floral china to all these fall colors.   I also put the grey runner on top of a layer of burlap.  It was fun to make this and the girls enjoyed setting the table.

Travis' mom opened up an adorable Pie shop just a couple months prior to Thanksgiving.  So, Travis' mom was super busy this past Thanksgiving week filling Pie orders.  We usually have a Fabulous Thanksgiving meal at her house but since they were beyond busy this year, we had it at my house.  I really wanted to carry-out a fabulous meal this year.  So, after we split up duties I went to work finding a great Turkey recipe.  I used Alton Brown's technique for brining a turkey.  Used his red wine gravy and OH MY Gosh.   Best turkey Travis and I had ever had.  I got compliments all night on how moist it was, even the white meat.  I don't take credit though.  I merely followed EXACT directions from Alton Brown.  BUT, if you ever need an amazing recipe, use his!!  It was a great night with lots of great food!  Cheryl brought pies, pies, and more pies.  Oh it was wonderful! We had a huge assortment of pies and it was so fun to try all of the ones we had been drooling over the past few months. 

Washington DC Trip

Travis travels to DC pretty frequently.  He's tried to get me to come along over and over again... but because of kids and babies it just hasn't worked out.  This time things worked out and we were able to get the kids taken care of and just by the skin of our teeth... we made it out.  This is DC in November.  Hurricane Sandy just come through a week or two before we got there.  So, they said the leaves and fall foliage were even more gorgeous the weeks before.  But, to us Arizonans it was gorgeous!

It was SOOO cold!!! Travis may only look like he's wearing a hoody but he really has on 6+ layers. 

We were limited on time and this being my 1st time to DC, we had A LOT to see.  So, the first day of sightseeing we spent the day checking out the indoor museums while they were open and then checked out all the outside attractions at night.  Brrrr.... It was beautiful to see everything lit up, but Oh my gosh.  Cold, cold, cold.  

Lincoln Memorial

World War II Memorial

Jefferson Memorial

Travis hanging out with Thomas Jefferson... I think... It's all a little fuzzy now.

The White House

Travis with this really cool George Washington Statue.  He loved this and the meaning behind it all.  If we could manage it, I think he would love to have this in our house. 

A few pics from some of my favorite Exhibits

The Hope Diamond

From the First Ladies Exhibit.  Former First Ladies' gowns.  It was spectacular! I loved every minute of this one!

Loved this horse drawn carriage

They also had china sets laid out from all the previous first Ladies.  I didn't get a clear picture of them, but this has a few pieces ... some way back from James Madisons' wife.

This was such a great trip.  Way different than previous trips we've taken.  But we both agree that this was definitely our favorite trip and can't wait to go back.