Christmas Wrap Up

We were surrounded by family the entire weekend.

We were able to see some of my extended family Christmas Eve which was very nice, and then we were able to spend the rest of the time with Tylers family. We were also able to SKYPE my family on Christmas. That was a lot of fun!

My favorite part of Christmas was when it was just Tyler and I at our apartment cooking our first little Christmas dinner together. I am so grateful for all of the gifts I have received this past year, the best one being that I was able to marry my best friend in the Temple.

1st Christmas

Crazy to think this is our 1st official Christmas together!

I had so much fun shopping for Tyler, and we had fun starting new traditions throughout the month. We have already thought of a few things to remember for next year!

You HAVE to have new Christmas Eve PJs!

Our favorite gifts.

Trip to Colorado

My BFF moved to Colorado and I finally got to visit her! It was so much fun to catch up with her and see her new city!

Highlights Included:

Seeing Breaking Dawn

Ate a lot of great food

Took at ghost tour at the Stanley Hotel

Volunteering at her Christmas Kids Work party

Thanks for such a fun weekend!!

See you soon.

Christmas Eve

What we Made:

Dutch Pancakes

Dill Dip & Veggie Tray

Muddy Buddies {hadn't eaten these since 3rd grade}

Cookie Dough Dip

Where we Went:

Temple Square to see The Testaments

Deseret Book {bought the CUTEST Nativity}

Syracuse for lunch with family

Tylers Parents for Christmas Eve Night

Home for Christmas Eve Pajamas and reading the real Christmas Story

It was a good day.

Christmas Eve 2011.

Gingerbread Sleigh and Temple Square

Just some more traditions...

Lights @ Temple Square

&

Decorating our gingerbread sleigh! {Growing up we decorated a sleigh every year-- I have missed this tradition since moving away from home!}

Tylers Side

My Side

The front!

Christmas Baking

We love to bake! We made some treats to share and it was a blast.

We made...

Mint Fudge (All Tyler)

Sugar Cookies w/ Peppermint Kisses x3

Hello Dollies

Pecan Sandies

and

Sugar Cookies (All Tyler)

We gave to our Home Teachees,Visiting Teachees, Friends at work, Family, and ourselves!

Traditions.

My family has a fun tradition of going bowling on Christmas Eve. It is one of my favorite traditions. Read about duck pin bowling in 2008... I have only missed 2 years of this tradition! I knew we would be too busy on Christmas Eve to go, so Tyler and I went on Saturday. It was a night of firsts-- Tyler and I had never been bowling together! How weird is that?! Also-- I have never been bowling with just one other person! Those games go F-A-S-T!

I love this tradition and I am so glad that we are going to continue it with our family!

Festival Of Trees

I love traditions. I love being a part of traditions and I love starting new traditions. I do not think its ever too late to start a new tradition! It is our 1st Christmas together {last year we were engaged and I was NOT in the holiday spirit...just ask Tyler about the meltdown I had in the mall parking lot last year over socks} and I am LOVING carrying on and starting our very own traditions! We were able to go to the Festival of Trees and see all of the beautiful trees {and gingerbread houses} on display.

Love the colors!

The Up House!

Sisters.

I feel so blessed to have such wonderful sisters. It is tough to live so far away from them and feel like I am missing out on so much, but it has made me very grateful for the time I do get to share with them. I love talking to them on the phone, and texting them about what is going on in our lives. I am already looking forward to seeing them this summer!!

They both make me so proud.

I love you ladies!!

Thanksgiving

As usual, Thanksgiving was AMAZING! It is so nice to be surrounded by family and friends.

Hightlights Included

I was able to fly out a little before to spend time with family.

I got to see Emily in her cheer competition-- so fun to be there!

I got to see Cara perform up at school-- so talented!

Tyler surprised us all by flying out early-- I have never been so surprised in my life!

Bureau of Engraving with Tyler and of course Bens Chili Bowl!

A LOT of laughing, eating, and NERTZ!

Team TOG (The Old Guys) Winning.

I had some time to reflect on things while I was out there, and while I came up with a lot of different things the most important is that, when it really comes down to it we have so much to be thankful for.

Already looking forward to JMTP9