thanksgiving and the holiday season

Thanksgiving has come and gone and now we are the thick of the holiday season! It's been a busy one but great!

Before Thanksgiving, we had our 20 week ultrasound appointment to find out what gender our baby is! And guess what?!? IT'S A....GIRL!! YAY!! We both always felt it was a girl from the beginning. Daren wasn't surprised but I was. And I don't know why. HA! We are SO excited for baby girl to join our family. Daren's parents were able to come with us to the appointment since we weren't going to see them for a few days. We made the announcement to my family through my dad's birthday present. I do believe both families are excited! We have decided on a name, as long as she looks like the name...We are going to name her Dora Lillian. Named after Daren's grandma and my grandma. We will call her Doree. With 2 e's...like her mama! Little baby Doree! Can't you just picture her with chubby legs and pig tails running around?!

Thanksgiving was spent with my family. We actually spent a couple days down there. It was great fun! I didn't take very many pictures. The one I did take perfectly sums up my dad and brothers! It cracks me up!

The day after Thanksgiving, the children (us and my brothers) had a glazed donut contest. You know, because we didn't get enough sugar from all the pies. HA! It was actually pretty fun! Daylight donuts won by the way...

When we came home from the weekend, we set up our Christmas! This was the first year we didn't cut our tree down from the mountains. We actually bought a fake tree last year and so far we are LOVING it! Plus, the lights change colors on it! So awesome! We added lots of fun things to our Christmas decorations this year. Mostly on the outside. I need to take a picture of it.

A few weekends ago, we attend Cheri and Adam's annual Christmas party! Every year is so fun! Dinner, games, white elephants, and a service project! It's just great! This year we play the mouth guard game and it was HILARIOUS! 

One of my favorite parts of the whole night is seeing all our friends some together and serve those around us who need it. This year we collected coats, blankets, and warm clothes for the homeless shelter. The basement was FULL of stuff. It makes my heart so happy to see the success we have!

Last week we went to the Hancey Christmas party and had a great time! We were a little late but didn't miss out on the fun! We had lunch, the kiddos did the nativity, Santa came, and we did a white elephant exchange. We haven't been able to go the past few years and I am so glad we were able to make it this year!

Later that evening, we went to dinner and Eclipse 6 concert with my family. It was a good time! Grateful to have some traditions with both sides of our families!

Tonight we went to one of our favorite holiday traditions! We went to the live nativity in Nibley. It's so simple but so wonderful. We love seeing the nativity played out, petting the animals, and going on a hay ride! Plus, spending it with family is always a bonus!

Last but not least...I can check something off my bucket list! We bought part of a cow! HA! I am so excited! All the beef is in my freezer! Say hello to Bessy.

Can't wait for more holiday fun in the next couple weeks! Starting in January...it's baby time! Gots to get ready for the babe to get here!