Happy Thanksgiving

So this year was not the so called traditional Thanksgiving that we are used to. However, we sure had a great day! We were not with our family this year, which I have been pretty bummed about. Basically, that is the reason we began to celebrate Christmas so early this year...as we seemed to skip right over the Thanksgiving holiday. Dave and I and our 2 beautiful kids went to Golden Corral. Apparently, we were not the only ones with this great idea because we waited in line for a half hour in the brrrrr cold. It felt more like a nice sunday dinner....out, but we didn't have the cooking or clean up to worry about, and it wasn't Sunday.

After our lunch, we headed to the Festival of Trees and met Josh, Lindsie and baby Ava there. It was a perfect day to go because there was no traffic, and no crowd. Macie did a craft with Matti's help, and both Macie and Dalan got to sit on Santa's lap. We had a great day, but I am hoping next year we can celebrate Thanksgiving day with our families.....at Golden Corral!

Time to gear up for Christmas! I made Dave go shopping with me on black Friday and I can say that we had a great time. I just love the hustle and bustle of this time of year because even though it can get stressful trying to find the most perfect gift for each person on your list, the feeling and the whole Christmas spirit out weighs all the stress and head-aches! I hope you have all caught the fever!!

Happy Birthday BIG Buff Stud-Muffin Dave!

A happy birthday letter to daddy from the kids.

Macie got daddy a puzzle for his birthday for him and her to do together!
Dalan got daddy a set of sports balls to teach him to play catch!
I took Dave on a hot date out to a nice dinner and then dessert. We went with a few friends of ours and had a great night!
Look at some of Dave's presents....he already opened a few! I didn't have a chance to bake him his favorite yellow cake with chocolate frosting so I wrapped it instead. Our babysitter, Rhianna, made it while we were gone! Totally on her own....so cute and sweet of her!

He did get a couple new pairs of jeans, a nice shirt, a belt, a new CTR ring, a motorcycle figurine, and a new coat! OH, he purchased a new grill for his car all on his own too! Happy Birthday!!
Isn't this bithday boy so cute! He is one hotsy...and I love his smile!

Happy Birthday to my sweetie. I love this day because a very special person was brought into this world 29 years ago. He is an amazing daddy, husband, provider, and friend. I love so many things about this man. He still makes my heart thump. He makes me laugh. He takes me out on dates once a week. He is the man I dream about. The one I love seeing before I close my eyes, and then wake up to each morning. I am amazed at how much he loves the gospel and what a wonderful example he is to me and our children. He continues to make me weak in the knees and melts my heart daily.

We are going on a hot date tonight to a restaurant called "Lock Stock and Barrell," which has amazing prime rib we have been told. We are then going to a french bistro for a chocolate souffle that is to die for!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABA!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Look what we woke up to this morning! The news called it "flurries" but the kids and I determined it to be snow. It was all melted by noon and the sun was back to shining. I told you it is winter now and it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Oh Christmas Tree....Oh Christmas Tree

The Stockings were hung...
Macie's own little tree for her bedroom

My favorite little helpers!!

Here are some pictures of our Christmas tree this year. Like I blogged about before, I finally bought a new tree this year and new ornaments as well. I am so happy with the way it turned out! I even got great feedback from 2 of my closest friends up here, who are both awesome decorators. Thanks girls (Lindsie & Amber!) Our house smells like Christmas and now it looks like it too, even though it is pre-Thanksgiving! Maybe I will inspire you all to get your trees up....then we get to enjoy the holiday season a little bit longer! Love you all and hope your holiday season is filled with much joy and happiness. I sound like a Christmas card!

Ho, Ho, Ho!

By the way, I am very aware that the bottom portion of our tree is untouched. We did not decorate the bottom for a reason....the toddler in Dalan has one mission only...DESTROY!

Christmas in November??

We are already getting in Christmas mode. I had this bright idea to go ahead and put our tree up today. Usually, we wait until atleast the day after Thanksgiving, but not this year. I made a purchase while I was in SG and bought new Christmas tree ornaments and decor. ps. I have been using my mom's old hand-me-down's and finally decided to get my own, which I am so thrilled about. Stay tuned for photos!

We have Christmas music playing and cookies baking. Oh, how I love this time of year! ps. We feel like we can celebrate early since we are currently living in winter wonderland. All you St. Georgians....you must wait until December or until atleast the temperature drops below 70 degrees!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL....AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!

The bride and groom!

I have to say what a beautiful wedding this was. Ron and Amber's sister-in-law Kira is amazing. She is a caterer and she also does amazing flower arrangements. I am bummed that I didn't get a picture of the food, but trust me when I say it was incredible....again, all made by Kira! It was asian themed so there was poached salmon, teriyaki chicken, shrimp, some other fishy thingies that I heard were amazing, salads, chips and dips, and of course....the chocolate wedding cake! They also gave out fortune cookies dipped in chocolate! It is fabulous to see Amber smiling and so happy again. She deserves it and I just love her guts!

This is just the beginning of a life full of happiness! Congratulations you two!!

The Wedding Party

Here are a few ramdom pictures of the guests at Ron and Amber's wedding. What a wonderful day it was!

Cousins Day!

We had such a great time in St George for Amber's wedding celebration. Me and my kids especially enjoyed the warm weather. It was beautiful all week long, 75-80 degrees! I was a little mixed up as I packed for winter because where I came from, it was already cold! Park days are the best...especially with cousins!!