Christmas Break

About an hour before I left for AZ I decided to take family pictures hoping one would be good enough to send out to all my family and friends. Brayden has reached the stage of being very difficult when it comes to pictures. This was the best picture I could get of the three of us. Sad to say this picture did not make the cut as good enough to send out. This year I am simplifying and through our blog I would like to wish all my friends and family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! Brayden is at that age where he gets into everything. Nothing is off limits to him. Here is my niece Carly and Brayden hiding themselves in my parents loft entertainment center. They pulled all the videos out of this cabinet and made quite a mess. I think I am scaring my sister into not wanting boys after she spent a few days with Brayden. Brayden is our little Dennis the Menace. He gets into everything all day. I am constantly cleaning up after him. Brayden and his second cousin Dallin were pretending that they were asleep. Brayden had so much fun playing with his buddies.

This is me with my two sisters Jonelle and Melissa. Melissa is attending BYU and Jonelle will be expecting her second baby this May. We will find out soon if she will be having another girl or a baby boy.

Here I am posing with the first pillow I sewed all by myself. My sister Jonelle said she was amazed how I can cook, make homemade bread, and sew now. She said I am becoming a domesticated women.

Here are the drapes my mother and I sewed for two days straight. We made a total of four panels. The pictures do not even give the drapes justice. They look so much better in person.

I think the thing I miss most about AZ is my family and friends. If I could transplant my whole family and my good friends to Texas I would be set. Saying goodbye is always hard but I was excited to get back home and get back into my normal routine. Jeff and I left AZ around 8:00 p.m. Saturday night. We arrived here in Texas around 12:30 p.m. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law came over to watch Brayden so we could sleep since Jeff and I probably slept a total of three hours each driving home. I am grateful that I was able to visit my family and friends in AZ this Christmas. Here Brayden is saying goodbye to Dallin and Carly. He had so much fun playing with his family and friends in AZ.

AZ Winter Wonderland

Well Brayden and I have been in AZ for the past week and Jeff just arrived last night. We will be here until Sunday. I have had a blast hanging out with my family and friends. My mom and I spent two full days last weekend sewing drapes for her living and dining room. I sewed my first pillow. I have found my new favorite restaurant Pita Jungle. I think Janae and I both ate there three times last week. I have been having so much fun. I wish I could stay longer so I can spend more time with everyone. I have been going back and forth from Peoria to Gilbert trying to visit family and friends. Snow was brought to my parents community the other day. My Dad, sister and I decided to take Brayden and his cousin Carly sledding. They had so much fun. They were able to enjoy snow in 70 degree weather. Here are some pictures of us sledding.

This is my Dad, Carly, and Brayden.

Brayden and I sledding down the hill.

My sister Jonelle and niece Carly.

Holiday Spirit

Last night for mutual all the youth wrapped presents for kids who would not normally have Christmas. This program is called Elf Louise. I participated last year and loved it, so I had to make sure I would be in town for this activity this year. We found out that through this program 25,000 kids will receive presents Christmas morning. The youth loved this activity as well as all the leaders. It truly puts you in the Christmas spirit.

Last Wednesday I had the opportunity to be in charge of the Miamaids for mutual. We made ginberbread houses. The girls were very creative. We had a blast making them. We made the houses with graham crackers and juice boxes. I felt like a little kid again. My memories of elementary school came back to me. I really enjoyed making these houses. I think I will try and make a tradition of making these houses each year with Brayden and my future children to come. Tonight I will be flying out to AZ. I guess you could say my Christmas breaks starts tonight!!!