Christmas (photo dump!)

Christmas is my favorite time of year.  I love the traditions that have been made in my family.  They are traditions I hold near and dear to my heart and hope to pass them on to my children some day.  On Christmas Eve we read the Christmas story out of the bible and we sing Christmas songs in between different verses.  I played the piano this year for the songs.  Another tradition is opening pj's every year on Christmas Eve.  I made some for Jon and me.  They both had penguins on them but Jon's is fleece and mine are flannel.

Mom photo bombing us with her pajamas.

I also made Jon a pair of flannel pajamas as well.

On Christmas morning we were planning on sleeping in, but thanks to a text from Darin, we were up at 5am.  We laid in bed as long as we could and went into the living room around 7.

Santa brought Jon a Pea Coat!!!  He loved it.

Santa brought me a folding table!!! I love it!

Coat fits Jon perfectly

Dad opened an under seat storage container for his truck.

Grandpa opening his new hat

It looks great

Mom opening boots I got her

Lisa's family came over Christmas afternoon for dinner then we opened gifts with them.  The kids had so much fun with all their toys.

Tyler loved his truck that held cars.

Olivia got these goofy pair of glasses, so we all tried them out.

Merry Christmas!!!

I am so thankful for this time of year to reflect on the birth of the Savior.  I am thankful for his sacrifice and the blessing that has brought into our lives.  I know my Savior lives.  I am so grateful for the Atonement and the chance we have to return to our Father in Heaven.

More Christmas fun

I love all the free activities that the town has this time of year.    On Friday December 19th, I invited my Sister Lori and her roommate Chantel to go downtown with me for a free horse drawn carriage ride.  I tried to go last year, but they didn't do it that night because the guy that did it fell and had to go to the hospital.  So this year I tried again.  It wasn't quite what I thought it would be, but it was still fun.  It's more like a horse drawn wagon ride.  There were quite a few people in the wagon with us.  It took us around some of the streets downtown and we had a great time.

After the carriage ride,  Lori and I took Chantel out to one of our favorite places that have lights.  we have gone there the last couple of years.  We had such a fun time all hanging out together.  We are always impressed with how many decorations this house has.

This is a house down the street.  Their house looked pretty cool too.  It was fun hanging out with the two of you.  Thanks for hanging with me!

On Tuesday Dec 23, 2014 we did a "Team Building" activity and frosted cookies at work.  We had a lot of fun.  I enjoy that they let us do things like this at work.  I have the best job ever!!

My awesome cookie!!

All of our Cookies

We had a special someone who  dropped of this little package.  What a surprise.  Thanks to whoever did it!!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

We have had some fun decorating for Christmas.  I didn't put as much up this year, but have really enjoyed having up what I do.  After our Paris date Jon and I put up our Christmas tree.

On Saturday December 6th,we took some friends with us to the Journey to Bethlehem that the Seventh-day Adventist church puts on.  It is a live nativity, but you travel through the city of Bethlehem, pay taxes, visit the wise men, see the shepherds when they receive word from the angels about the birth of the savior, and of course you come to the stable where Christ was born.  They bring in live animals and everything.  It is a really cool thing they open to the public every year.  We absolutely loved it, and the Zigens, who we took with us, loved it too.  It sure puts you in the Christmas spirit. 

Last night on Saturday Dec 13 we had a Christmas party with some friends.  We had a potluck dinner, played games and had a gift exchange.  It was such a blast!

I made sure I had all my decorations all ready to go, and set the table for a festive dinner.

We had a great time.  Thanks everyone for coming!  Merry Christmas!