Christmas

We spent Christmas in Carlsbad this year at my parent's house. The weather was so nice, and it just felt so good to be home. We got to be there for a week and a half this time which was great since I really don't get to see my family a lot. All of my siblings still live there (2 still at home), so we were able to see all of them while we were down. I always love to sit under this tree and look at all the ornaments I grew up with. Here it is Christmas Eve when Santa had already come for my kids, but not the rest of us...

Christmas morning- can you say spoiled?

yet another princess polly pocket- I think this completed her set!

Jace's matchbox car garage

This was for Jace and Makenna, but of course Jace plays with it a little more!

My princess girl!

Makenna's highlights- littlest pet shop, princess stuff, barbie stuff
Jace's highlights- the above gifts and a wooden train set
Me- Garmin forerunner, and blender
Scott- Miter saw, badminton!

Aside from all the loveliness of giving and receiving gifts, we were blessed to be able to reflect on our Savior and that we celebrate Christmas because of His birth. He is what truly brings the spirit of Christmas into our homes all month long. We watched the movie "The Nativity Story" a few days before Christmas and I was truly touched by the sacrifices Mary and Joseph had to make and by the humble circumstances of His birth. (Great movie, by the way) There was a grand purpose to His birth and His life, and we are so blessed because of it.

Nativity

Our family tradition on Christmas Eve is to act out the nativity. This year was a little ghetto if I do say so myself because we didn't start until 8:30, and my video camera wasn't working! Oh well, I'm sure the kids didn't notice too much! Jace actually wanted nothing to do with dressing up. That kid does not like to wear anything remotely uncomfortable. That will have to be a future post because it is just so funny. Anyways...


here's Mary

Mary and Joseph (he looks a little more like Joe... )

Mary and her donkey, Charley the dog

Gingerbread casas

We got together with the Burns a few days before Christmas to make some gingerbread houses!

Jace had to make sure everything tasted ok

Makenna's

Jace's

Rudolf Dance

luminarias

luminarias are one of my very favorite things about New Mexico. At Christmas time, you will see them all around Albuquerque. Many people decorate their houses with them, and hotels and churches are also adorned with them. I think they are beautiful. Since I am not a photographer, I stole this picture to show you what they actually look like...

So last night we went to see a display of luminarias in Rio Rancho. It was really great, a little cold, but worth it. They had hot chocolate, candy canes, and carolers. The kids also got to make ornaments and meet Santa. It definitely put me in the Christmasy mood.

We got a picture with Santa and the Mrs. They took this sweet polaroid for us cause my camera died. Is it just me, or does Santa look a little creepy?

Aquarium

I know I have a million posts on the aquarium, but I thought you could use another.

that guy was weird

they are best buds 75% of the time... (this was not posed btw :)

did you know jelly fish have no brains? weird

I stinkin love going to the aquarium when no one is there. It is sooo fun and relaxing. I could sit in front of this tank all day and watch the sharks, sting rays, fish, and turtles go by.

super duper random

We had fun taking pictures the other day. She's my BFF.





my gorgeous nativity set. I love the way it looks in this window.

Her new trick... bahahaha


She comes to me later and says, "mom my body maked me get lots of spots! (in a completely serious tone) It must be the chicken pox!" I'm like whaaa? Where did she even learn about chicken pox?! "little bill," she says. :)

The other day, too, she says, "mom when I have kids I'm only going to take them to 2 stores, not three. If they say 'mom, can we just go to two stores?' I will say 'yes, we can go everywhere you want to go'." Such torture. Someday she will be the one dragging me to stores, I'm sure.

Her latest thing is "I hate to tell you this..." which usually ends in telling me a humongo mess that was just made. Story of my life.

Did you guys know there is actually a stage called terrible fours? Yeah, I didn't either. But there is. Luckily, my sweet angel has returned, but I was going crazy trying to figure out where in the heck she learned such naughty things?! Then, she flipped, and I had my fun, silly, cute, spunky woman back. Thank goodness. :)

Christmas tree hunting...

Last weekend we headed on up to the Jemez mountains with some friends to find our Christmas tree! Makenna had the best time this year running around trying to find the right tree. The kids also LOVED the snow! Too bad there wasn't enough to sled. They still had loads of fun. The goal this year for our perfect tree was silvery blue, and quirky. I think we found it!

yeah my eyes are closed

decorating, or rather taking the ornaments off

Maybe I'm strange, but I think this is one of the cutest christmas trees ever!

Thanksgiving...

Thanksgiving is one of those holidays I never take pictures at! I think it's because, who wants to take pictures when you could be gorging yourself with food?! I chose to gorge. I don't want to leave it out though so I'll just write out what we did... no pictures. We got there late Wed. night so I missed out on the pie making...boo, but that's ok! Thurs. after cooking all morning we headed over to the Worth's house for Thanksgiving dinner. It was supposed to be at 1?? But of course, it didn't start till 2:30-3, which was still technically on time! hehe Highlights of dinner: sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls, stuffing, turkey, and ham... yummmm. I made my Aunt's recipe for GB casserole, so it would feel like home! And it did. We had a great time talking, laughing, and then of course after eating there is the resting. Somehow I managed to fit some pecan pie in my alread-maxed-out stomach! Of course the day could not be complete without a little argument! This time it was on modesty, namely Cowboys cheerleaders. Yeah, that was an interesting convo!
Friday was, of course, BLACK! We got up at 3:45ish because, well, we are a little crazy. It was AWESOME though! I got some good stuff at Walmart especially, and also found some great boots for ME for cheap cheap cheap! Merry Christmas to me!! I love BF!!
That night we played games with my in-laws. Scott's mom and I rocked the men playing Sequence. They try so hard to beat us... so sad... :) I am a little competitive! Just a little!
Saturday we helped get up their Christmas decorations. We also saw Justin, Scott's best friend from high school, while we watched the BYU-UT game. (BOOYA by the way!!) That night we hung out with Scott's boy Karl from high school and his gf. It was really to catch up with him! It's a lot of fun to see Scott around his high school friends. He's really funny! :)
Well that's the weekend in a nutshell! I'm glad we have the Lee family close so we are never lonely on holidays. They are a lot of fun and I think the best in-laws you could ask for. I think I gained a few pounds that weekend too...

Ok here's one pic. These cousins were having so much fun together! Of course the second I took out the camera, Gigi gave me a frown! I love that Makenna has so many cute cousins her age. She is super lucky.

Kenna Pics

A friend of mine just casually shot these, and I think they turned out amazing! I wanted to show you. We took her hair out of braids that day, it's not usually so frizzy!

Here is one I snapped the other day on a perfect fall day (just don't compare with the above pics!)