Thanksgiving 2011

Our trip to Las Vegas Nevada for thanksgiving... It was a last minute decision to go to Vegas and spend Thanksgiving with Drew's Brother and sister in law and his parents.... we had a really great time and the kids enjoyed spending time with grandma and Grandpa.... and uncle Kyle and Janelle.

As we entered Vegas the girls were excited to see all the lights and the casino's .... so later in our trip we thought we would show them a little of the strip and go to the M&M store and the Coca-Cola factory. This is Hailey and the Coca-Cola Bear... she thought it was pretty cool.
The strip was sooooo busy and we decided it was time to leave.... lots of crazy people. This is Zac Me Ashley and Janelle.
We were able to get all the kids Grandpa and Grandma with the Coca-Cola Bear.... Taylor wasn't quite sure what to think.... he had Grandma laughing with all his unsure expressions.
Zac with the Bear.... he was scared at first and kept telling me the Bear wasn't for real.... i think it made him feel better as he was trying to convince himself the bear was just a man dressed up.
Grandma with the kids in Kyle's back yard.... even though Taylor was being a goober it still turned out to be a cute picture.
Zac with Orange....
Taylor had picked a hat up off the table and put it on....
Our ginger bread house we made .... the kids grandma and I.... Pain in the butt but the kids really had a good time.
My goobers with Red ..... My favorite :)

We had such a good time spending time with family.... feels like we don't get to see them very often so it was nice to get away and have some fun. While i was there The girls (Me Janelle and Grandma) went to Mannheim Steamroller. It was sooo good and fun to hang out with the girls :) Drew and his brother also slept outside RC Willey to get me a touchpad for Christmas.... i've had so much fun on it and LOVE it :) We hope to make it down to Vegas again this coming year but if not this year next when Drew's brother graduates college. Thanks for having us down we miss you guys!!!

The BIG day... Drew's Birthday
We didn't do much for Drew's birthday because we were celebrating it in Las Vegas with his parents and Brother. So we just kept it simple ...... he still was quite spoiled though!!!

YES you didn't look at this wrong.... those of you that know Drew... knows that he hates the thought of cell phones and has refused to get a cell phone for well the last 12 years...... I FINALLY talked him onto getting one and well guess what.... he LOVES it!!! I was finally right (doesn't ever happen :)
The kids and I made him Breakfast. And since it was Sunday he had meetings and not much time before heading back to church... his choice was cinnamon and sugar German pancakes with sausage and juice..... and it can't be a birthday without candles
Dinner .... Steak citrus grill shrimp baked potatoes and a family mix to drink.
I didn't get any pictures (good ones anyway) of his dessert but it was yummy :)
Happy Birthday Drew, I hope you had a good day and got everything you wanted... or didn't want

Christmas Excitement

Knowing we were going out of town to Drew's brothers house for Thanksgiving we decided that for Drew's birthday (November 20th) we would put up our Christmas tree....
Well it was the Wednesday before (November 15th) that i had decided to get things started and i reorganized the 2 front rooms so we could put our Christmas tree up. Drew had church meeting so while he was gone the kids and I pulled out all the Christmas boxes and the Christmas tree.
Since I was excited and couldn't wait any longer I put up our tree and decorated the house all by myself (the kids helped decorate the tree).... Drew came home after about 3 hours of meetings and the decorating was mostly done and the tree was up.
Drew decided this was his best birthday present ever.... house decorated and Christmas tree up all before his birthday and he didn't have to do any of it... (well inside anyway... he put the Christmas lights up on Saturday the 19th).


My favorite colors this year for my tree is Red and Gold.... along with the kids ornaments
Every year my mom makes these beautiful snowflakes that she crochets throughout the year....
My dad made some wooden ornaments.... i think they look so awesome on my tree
My angel.... LOVE this angel not exactly sure why but one of my most FAVORITE ornaments
The finished product i think it looks pretty and i think i did a good job putting it together .... it is almost twice the size of me. Of course it's not like the Utah trees it's not one of those beautiful REAL trees you cut down by yourself that is huge and full.... Here in New Mexico you either get a fake tree or a snoopy tree... so I LOVE my tree!!!
A couple new bulbs I bought this year... I really like the gold with red
Our stockings that Drew's step-mom made of each of us (still waiting on Taylor's) and our stairs all wrapped with garland and lights
another view of our stairs
The outside of our house... the girls helped Drew put the lights up... all in all i think out house looks pretty good!!!
I hope that you all have a Merry Christmas that you are able to reflect on our Saviors Birth and enjoy being with those you love...... and a Happy New Year!!!