Our "Home for the Holidays!"

Well, we barely survived, but our home is finally ready for Christmas. Justin has been working hard to decorate our house with lights, and I think they might be up all year, so come and enjoy when you'd like. Just kidding! He fell off of the roof once in the process, and suffered a mild concussion, but got right back up to finish. He's such a trooper.

Ryan's favorite part, of course, "Frosty the Snowman!"

Decorating the tree...

We had a great time decorating the tree this year. Ryan is old enough to help, and Austin is old enough to get into everything. SO FUN! Ryan had a great time putting some of the ornaments on the tree, all in one place, but he had fun.

Just as soon as the Ryan put an ornament on the tree, it was pulled off by Austin and it was in his mouth! I'm not sure there were any ornaments he didn't chew on!!!

A tradition that my family had growing up was getting a new Christmas ornament each year. The ornament we got usually pertained to an interest we had or something we did that year. All of my ornaments from growing up are on our tree now, and I loved that tradition, so Justin and I decided to carry it on in our family. This year be got the following ornaments for the boys.

Austin was born this year, so he got a "Baby's first Christmas" snowman!

Ryan loves Mickey Mouse and went to Disneyland for the first time this year, so he got an ornament with Mickey and Minnie. (He also loves Frosty, so this one was perfect!)

Our Christmas tree in all it's glory!

I love Christmas and the spirit this season brings! I especially love the opportunity we have to reflect upon the life of the Savior, and particularly his birth. Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

(My new Nativity that I love!)

SANTA!!!

Tonight for Family Night we went to... to see Santa! Ryan was very excited and talked about it all day. I was excited to see if he would actually sit on Santa's lap since he never has before without screaming. He was a little timid, but walked up and climbed up after staring at him for a minute. Austin sat right on his lap, looked up at him, smiled, then snuggled his face right into the white fur on his coat. It was adorable!We then wondered around and checked out some of the fun things they had for the kids to do. Ryan LOVED watching the trains...coloring the train...and playing the shooting game with Daddy!Since Austin's too little to do all of these things, he hung out in the stroller with Mommy and flirted with everyone who walked by. My big, blue-eyed baby!My boys are so stinkin' cute and we can't wait to celebrate Christmas this year with our two greatest blessings!

Christmas tree and lights to see...

For family fun night we headed to the tree lot we've been getting our tree at for the last few years to pick out our Christmas tree for this year.

Austin just rode in the carrier and smiled at everyone, while Ryan was more involved with and worried about his candy cane.

After we picked out our tree, we drove by a house here in Manteca that is decorated and covered completely in lights. We go every year, and it is so much fun to see all the light, trains, and characters all over the house and yard and how different it is each year.

(view from the front)

(view from the corner)
(view from the side)

"Snowflake Lane"

The evening after Thanksgiving we headed to Bellevue, WA with Ben and Patti to visit "Snowflake Lane." It's a mall that's indoor and outdoor where they have a parade with drummers and music, and they even make it snow every night through the Holidays.

The boys getting ready for the parade!

After the parade we got to see some of the characters and drummers up close.

Here's Rudolph!

Frosty the Snowman, Ryan's favorite Holiday character!And the drummers who were paying along the sidewalks!The whole mall was decorated beautifully with snowflakes...
and little drummer boys!The boys had a lot of fun and enjoyed watching everything and everyone around them!

Thanksgiving in Washington!

For the Thanksgiving Holiday, we headed up to Washington to visit with our family. This of course called for a 13 hour drive with a 3 year old and a 9 month old which we were dreading, but they did really well since we drove all night. Once we got there, we were really excited to see everyone! We celebrated Thanksgiving with our family at Kirstin and William's house. Thank you for always making us feel so welcome!!!

Ryan enjoyed playing with his cousins...

and so did Austin!

Grandma even had some fun chasing Austin and Piper around.

We enjoyed some great food! THANK YOU!!! (Just some of us!)

Austin enjoyed his first try at eating turkey and mashed potatoes and loved it. But, what doesn't this kid love to eat, just look at the chunky monkey!

And Ryan of course enjoyed the pumpkin pie that he helped Grandpa make!

Harrison really like it too! I love his face in this picture! :)
We had a great time while in Washington and wish we could visit more often. We love you all and thank you for making us feel so at home!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

It's that time of year again where we can take some time to reflect upon the things that we are most thankful for. For as long as I can remember, my Dad has always asked us the things that we are thankful for on Thanksgiving. It's a few days away, but I have been giving it a lot of thought lately. I am so grateful for all of the many blessings my Heavenly Father has given me.

*I am grateful for my family. The one I was born into, the one I married into, and the one that I have created.

*I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and my membership in it.

*I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and for his atoning sacrifice for me.

*I am grateful for temples and the knowledge that my family can and will be together forever.

*I am grateful for my home.

*I am thankful for a prophet in these latter-days.

*I am grateful to live in the "land of the free and the home of the brave."

*I am thankful for the scriptures.

*I am thankful for friends.

I have been blessed with so many things, too many to mention, and am eternally grateful for all of my blessings. I am especially thankful for.................................................................................................................................................................

my two little turkey's...

and one great big one!