First Christmas together

Our first Christmas together was pretty hectic.  We managed to spend some time at every celebration that both sides of our family put on.

On the 23rd my hubby took me out on a fun date.  We grabbed two of our favorite ice creams and hit the town to look at Christmas lights. We drove down main street, went down Christmas Lane, and drove around for a couple hours trying to find lights synced to Christmas music (the search was in vain).

                              



Christmas Eve started out with bowling with Brett's family. It was so much fun getting together with friends and family to just have a good time.  First time we have been bowling in probably a year!

After bowling we drove down to St. George to have dinner at Grandma Benson's house.  It was a pretty quiet evening compared to previous years (it was the off year; everyone seemed to be at the in-laws this year) but it was still great to get to see some of my family that we rarely see. After a sketchy drive back to Cedar (roads were very slippery) we spent the evening at Keith and Donna's Christmas Eve party, read a Christmas story, and opened our Christmas Jammies.

 

The next morning we woke up and opened our presents from Santa, headed to Keith and Donna's to  open presents there, and then went out to Matt and Jo's for Christmas Breakfast.  Trent made breakfast and it was delicious! After spending the morning with Brett's family, we went out to New Harmony to spend time with my parents. We played cards and watched Knox and Krew open their presents from my parents.

All-in-all, it was a very hectic day, but well worth it.  Christmas is definitely the best time of year!

Christmas Parties

Dani and Donna decided to take cute little Addie-pants out to Kanarraville to see a live Nativity and invited me to tag along.  Although it was FREEZING!! it was in a cute little barn and put on by a bunch of kids in the ward (I think).  When Mary and Joseph brought out the miniature donkey I'm pretty sure that everyone could hear Addie say, "It's a cow!"  It was really cute and well worth the drive out.

The cow :)

Donna and Addie watching the Nativity Story

After we were done with the Nativity, we hustled back to Cedar to go to Carol and Danny's Christmas party.  Carol cooked the best enchiladas I think I have ever eaten! After dinner, all the kids got together and played Would You Rather. It was so much fun to get together and enjoy the season with family.

Would you rather

Sweet treats of Christmas

December 9th

My family has a tradition of getting together and decorating gingerbread houses.  This is one of my absolute favorite Christmas traditions and I tend to get pretty into it.  This year, Brett and I made a two story gingerbread house with porch and deck. On the roof is Santa, his sleigh, and reindeer and on the porch was two rocking chairs.

Our gingerbread house, complete with Christmas tree (left) and Fire pit (Right)

Santa, sleigh, bag of toys, and reindeer

Balcony with two rocking chairs

The brilliant masterminds

December 16th

My mom also has another Christmas tradition of making Christmas treats for all of our friends and neighbors.  So, Brett and I decided we would help her out so that we could take some treats to our friends as well.  We made Marshmallow Popcorn, Coal Rice Krispie Treats, Peanut Butter Fudge, Peppermint Bark, Christmas Crack, Chocolate Turtles, and even a couple bowls made out of melted candy canes.

Brett, my dad, and Krew were in charge of unwrapping the Rolo's

Mer, Mom, and Hunter

Me and Hunter-Bug

NFR 2012

This year, for mine and Brett's Christmas present, my parent bought all four of us tickets to the NFR Thursday and a nights stay in the Luxor. I had never been to the NFR or stayed in a Vegas hotel so this was very fun and exciting for me. We got into town just in time to head to the Thomas and Mack and find our seats. The rodeo was so much fun, but was over way too soon.

After the rodeo, we checked into our hotel room. It was so crazy walking around in the hotel...I can't believe how huge it was.

The next morning we woke up and while my parents went to The Bodies Exhibit, Brett and I drove up to Fremont Street...another first for me. It was in the middle of the day, so I couldn't get the full effect but it was still really neat. Then after a few hours at the Cowboy Christmas we headed home. It definitely was a very eventful and fun mini-vacation. Thanks mom and dad!

1 Year Old :)

My youngest nephew turned 1 today.  Friends and family got together at my parents house to celebrate.  We decorated cookies, ate cupcakes, drank chocolate milk, and watched my sweet little nephew open presents and destroy a cupcake. My sister-in-law, Meredith, did a wonderful job with decorating and planning the party.

Look at that smile!!

He tore into that cupcake :)

Oh Christmas Tree!

 So the Christmas festivities started out with the tree. I have always had a real tree for Christmas, but this year we had a fake tree, pre-lit, for free so we figured we would use it. With decorations and lights donated by my mom, our tree was 100% free! Can't get much better than that! So pretty...

The next activity was going with my family to help them cut their trees. We didn't have to travel far, but the trees ended up perfect for everyone's wants.  Love spending this time of year with my family!

                                 

Examining the trees                              Off we go!

Posing with Rick and Gina's tree         

Even Ryker and Kaiser got to tag along!

Turkey Day

This may not be my first year not spending Thanksgiving with my parents, but it is was my first year spending it with my new family...and they made me feel as welcome as ever. Brett had to work last night, so while he was sleeping this morning I went over to Keith and Donna's for Thanksgiving breakfast and to make some food for dinner. I am not a huge fan of cooking, but it was fun to get to spend some time with Dani and Donna.

When we got out to Grandpa Matt's and Aunt Jo's, all the girls were helping finishing cooking, while the boys watched the football game downstairs. The food was great and the company was even better.

After dinner, we decided to take advantage of having everyone together and took some family pictures.