Christmas Holidays

We had such a wonderful Christmas season this year filled with fun and family.  Mirian was old enough to make Christmas really fun.  She got to meet Santa at our ward Christmas breakfast and she has been obsessed with him ever since.  Mirian still talks about Santa a month later.

 Mirian got to make a snowflake ornament at the Christmas party.  She had so much fun!

On Christmas Eve, we went to Russ' parents house for dinner and a live nativity presented by the grand-kids.  Mirian started out as a shepherd, but then when the program started, she came out as this:

Either way, she was adorable.  The kids then performed the nativity and sang songs and we all thought that we had the cutest kids ever.

 Just look at that little face!  How can you not think she is the cutest!

 That night, Mirian got to open her Christmas jammies from Santa.  She was sooooo excited because they were Dora jammies.

 Just as we were getting ready to leave Grandma and Grandpa's house for the night, we had a special visitor come to the house.  It was Santa Claus!  Mirian was so excited!  She ran right up to him and hugged him.  She didn't leave his side until left.  It was so fun to see her eyes light up.  We told Mirian that she had to go to bed because Santa was going to come back while she was asleep and bring presents.  That made her even more excited.  We had to be back at Russ' parents house at 5:45am, so we went into Mirian's room to wake her up.  Usually, it takes her awhile to wake up, but she immediately jumped out of bed and her first words were "Christmas, Santa come!"  She ran out of the room to see if Santa had indeed come.  Mirian was not disappointed.

 She ran to the fireplace to open her stalkings.  Again, her eyes just lit up with the magic of Christmas

 Back at Grandma and Grandpa's house, everyone had to line up in order of age to go open presents.  Mirian was obviously the youngest there that morning, but that made for a more magical Christmas.  She loved opening presents and would help everyone with theirs if she didn't have one to open.

 She thought all the presents were for her!

 After presents we went to Russ' parents ward, and enjoyed a lovely Christmas service with lots of Christmas singing and wonderful talks about our Savior's birth.  We then all went home for naps.

Later that evening we went back to Russ' parents and Mirian of course, had to be decked out in her new Christmas clothes, playing with her new Christmas toys.  She is at such the perfect age for enjoying the holidays.  I think this was one of my favorite Christmas' because it truly felt magical. I will never forget that sparkle in my little girl's eyes.

 The next day, we went bowling with the family.  Mirian thought it was pretty cool, she even had a better score than her mom (okay, she might of had a little help from others).

Yummy bowling alley nachos!

Some Extras to Share

Well, since I'm already up blogging, I figured I better throw a few pictures up here for you all to see.  Enjoy!

At the Pumpkin Patch in Spokane.  Mirian was really tired from lifting that huge pumpkin!






 Halloween Night!  What a silly ladybug!  She absolutely LOVED Halloween!  She still walks around the house with a purse, saying "Trick or Treat!"  I love it!

 Family Picture at my Aunt Pat's Wedding in Portland.  We had such a good time with family.

 Russ' Brother Mike got married at the Columbia River Temple.  We love Mike and Stephanie!  They are so cute together.  Mirian loves weddings now!

 This morning, I gave Mirian a bath, and before I could change her into some clothes, she ran out of the room and I heard her say "Go doggy, go!"  She was trying to ride Maced : )

Trip of Epic Proportions

So I know it has been a bazillion years since I blogged, but I figured it was about time to write what we have been up to as of late. We just got back from a 10 day trip through 6 different states (so we were only in Arizona for like 10 minutes, but I'm still counting it). Please don't feel like you have to read the whole thing, but I just needed to get this out there for the universe.

On Wednesday, November 23rd, we made the long trip down to Paradise, CA to see my parents for Thanksgiving. My parents are in the middle of remodeling their kitchen, so we spent Thanksgiving day helping them tape off walls and start the painting process. Since their kitchen was in shambles, we headed to good ol' Home Town Buffet for dinner. Nothing says Thanksgiving like mashed potatoes, turkey, tacos and fish sticks.

Friday morning, we packed up my parents car and drove down with them to Newport Beach. We stayed at the Marriott again, right across the street from the beach. Mirian was so excited to see her cousins when we got there. All of my brothers and their families came, except Matt and Kristal who just had a baby girl born a few weeks ago.




On Saturday, some of us went to the beach while Mirian and Shade napped. We loved looking at the tide pools and seeing all sorts of fun sea creatures. We told Mirian all about it and she was sad that she didn't get to go.  On Sunday, we went to church and enjoyed some epic game playing. 





 
Monday was another beach day, however, this time Mirian hated it!  She spent the entire time screaming.  We thought she was going to love it because she had been talking about going for weeks, but I think the sounds of the waves scared her, and she doesn't like getting her feet dirty. 

After all of the screaming at the beach, I was really nervous to take Mirian to Disneyland.  I thought for sure she was going to be a beast. Surprisingly, Mim love Disneyland, but what kid doesn't?  It is the happiest place on earth.  The week after Thanksgiving is definitely the time to go.  The lines were short and the weather was perfect!  We had so much fun!  Mirian wasn't a huge fan of the rides, but she did love Dumbo, the storybook train and It's a Small World.  Disneyland was so beautiful!  It was all decorated for Christmas and it was the highlight of our whole trip.








On Wednesday, we took the time to relax. We went swimming in the pool, played more games, and then the girls sneaked away to watch Breaking Dawn, oh the horrible goodness!  We spent Thursday at the Aquarium in Long Beach, which was a lot of fun.  I think everyone's favorite part was feeding the lorakeets.  They just hoped right up on you.  Mirian really loved the sharks.  If you ask her what she saw at the aquarium, she will tell you all about the sharks. 

Finally, it was time to leave the warmth of beautiful So Cal, and we headed over to Utah to see Matt, Kristal and Baby Natalie.  Natalie is the most beautiful baby, and Mirian just adored her!  While in Utah, we were blessed to watch our niece Ashley in her Drill Team competition.  Her team took 2nd place in two events, which was a great accomplishment.  These girls can dance! We went to Salt Lake City as a family on Saturday night and got to see the Christmas lights. If you have never been to Temple Square during Christmas, you are missing out.  It is breathtaking!

 




Sunday was a special day, because that is when Matt and Kristal blessed Natalie.  I am so excited for them, and I can't wait to watch Natalie grow up!  After the blessing, we drove back to Paradise to pick up our car.  Then, we left Paradise first thing Monday morning to drive back home.  But our trip wasn't complete without a stop in Wilsonville, OR to visit my cousin and his family and to pick up the newest member of our family, Baby Kitty Boots!

Well, thanks for sticking through to the end, I hope you didn't get too bored.    We are thankful to have such a wonderful family that loves us and supports us through everything.  We are so thankful for this Christmas time and for the birth of our Savior.  I know that he lives and I am thankful for this time to think about Him.  We love you all and hope you have a wonderful holiday season!