christmas bells are ringing

Christmas has come and gone. Seemed to happen kind of fast this year. Every year though, we are reminded how blessed we are. We have amazing family, friends, ward members, and neighbors. Each of them impact our lives on a daily basis...for the good. Life is good.

Our Christmas was good as well! We have both had a few days off of work...5 of them! It's been great to be able to spend a few days with my family and a few days with Daren's. We have really enjoyed being together. It's our last Christmas with just us and Bear doggy! Next year we will be have baby Doree here to make it even more magical!

We traveled to Salt Lake Friday morning. We spent all day Friday, Saturday, and half a day Sunday (Christmas) with my family. My dad has been really into Star Wars recently so him and Daren decided to have a Star Wars marathon. I think they were hoping to get through all of them...but only made it through about half. I'm sure they will finish it in the near future. We spent a lot of time relaxing, playing games, and laughing...mostly at my dad who is still trying to master the art of a selfie.

On Christmas Eve we had a nice prime rib dinner and then headed to Hogle Zoo to see the Zoo Lights. It was rainy and a little cold but we had a great time! We even rode the carousel! It was great fun! My mom lead us around the zoo with her magical star wand. HAHA!

On the way home from the Zoo Lights, we stopped by the Holladay Cemetery to look at this giant LED tree. I think the picture would do the tree justice...it was huge and so bright! Very beautiful!

Christmas was on a Sunday this year. It always seems to make it a little bit more special. We had breakfast in the morning and then went to church. It was a nice meeting, especially for my parent's ward. We sang Silent Night as the closing song and I couldn't sing it...I was too emotional! Pregnancy hormones! After church we came home, opened presents, and then had a nice lunch with my grandpa and Aunt Val. 

Oh! And overnight it snowed like 10"! We woke up to a white Christmas! I had one happy husband! 

I didn't take any pictures of us opening gifts at my parent's house! Boo on that! But I did take a picture of the favorite gift of the year...my mom and dad went to Build a Bear and stuffed Doree a teddy bear. My mom was SO excited to give it to us! It sounds like they both had too much fun making it for her! It is so cute! Her name is Princess Dora!

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We ventured back up to Logan after lunch. We were grateful to make it home safe. The roads were not ideal conditions! We headed over to James and Susi's for more fun. But first...Daren HAD to open one of his presents. I think he knew what it was and wanted to take it to James and Susi's...haha! He is like a little kid. I love him! And on't worry...he was right about what it was. His collection is now complete again!

We spent the rest of the night  playing games and making memories! By the time we got home to do our Christmas it was 11:30 at night. HA! Long day! But somehow we mustered up the energy to open more presents! Luckily, Santa had everything ready for us when we got home...

This is one of my presents...it looks nice from the front...but then I turned it around and half of it wasn't wrapped. HAHA! I guess he "ran out of paper"...even though we have almost a full roll of that kind! HAHA! Too funny!

Bear doggy got a new bed for Christmas this year...he actually got it about a week early. I think he really likes it! It's much more fancy than his last one that had almost no stuffing in it!

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is playing games! Last night we spent hours playing games with James and Susi. I haven't laughed that hard is so long! I was worried I was going to go into labor...or Susi...but I think she would prefer to go into labor! Me...not so much!

We have done a few more fun things this Christmas season. Last week, Ang and her family were in town so we have a big Christmas party with Daren's family. We ate, played games, opened presents. It was chaotic but great all at the same time! Especially with all these wild boys around...

We also went to a Christmas Sing along at the Tabernacle. It was actually pretty fun. Kind of long but fun! I think we would go again next year!

It's been a great season. A busy one, as usual, but wonderful. I am so grateful to be able to spend so much time with family and friends! It really does make things more wonderful. Next year we will have a tiny one to celebrate with. Eek! That is wild!

Merry Christmas!

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!