Cutting down the tree

On December 1, we made the trip up to the Jemez to cut down our tree- my favorite christmas tradition!  We went with some friends, the Yorgasons.  It was so warm out- for sure the warmest it has ever been when we cut down a tree.  Last year there was snow everywhere!  We walked around for quite a while before finding this beaut...  

someone was hoarding the candy canes...

Posing with the tree

so pretty up there

This is how you know you're getting close to Albuquerque... see Abe Lincoln in the mountains?!  It's his profile, and you can see his forehead, eyelash, nose, and chin!

I did not skimp on the lights this year.  I wrapped every branch meticulously to see if it made a real difference... it looked awesome!  (but took about 1-2 hours!!)

This was not the tree's good side... :)   You can't be too picky when it comes to these trees!

Idaho/Utah trip: Grandma's house/ Salt Lake City

Next we stayed at Grandma and Grandpa Hollands house with her hundreds, maybe thousands, of barbies!  Not joking :)

The next day, Saturday, we went to temple square for my cousin's wedding and to hang out up there.

  

We took some family pictures since we were all there

I love my family!

This is in the Joseph Smith Building- so pretty!

we went to the new mall!  It was amazing!!!

my gorgeous girl on the bridge

We met up with my Aunt Linda who showed us around the Relief Society building.  It was such a neat experience to see all of the beautiful things they have kept there over the years.  It was like a museum.  We also were able to peak into the offices of the Presidencies. It was fun to see the things they keep in their offices that inspire them.  The spirit was very strong there!  There was this amazing quilt hanging in the stairwell that inspired me so much!  I would love to be able to make something amazing like it one day!  Wish I had a pic...

This is the display that is in front of the entrance to the RS building in the underground parking lot!  We thought it was very "Relief Society like!"  Especially since none of the other entrances have any sort of display :)

Next we took the kids over to the Children's museum.  

Kenna on the climbing wall

Jace the fireman

Kenna the news anchor

Then we went the temple Square to see the lights!  So pretty!  I hadn't been there since college.  This is my sister Kara and me!

Stacy and me!

 my love and me

Then we went to my cousin, Danny's, wedding reception!  We had the best time dancing!  I love that my siblings/spouses know how to have a good time!  We had soooooo much fun!  What a long day!!  It was so fun and I love my fam so much!s