Finally Winter Break

Dinner, standing by the fire (at the ice skating rink), Off Broadway, and walking around Target with Paul

I'm in Laurels

I was recently called to be the Laurel advisor for church, which I am thrilled about...especially since a week earlier I was called to primary.  Anyway, this week was my first mutual activity, and it was an ugly sweater/white elephant gift get together.  Beforehand, I went to WalMart & Goodwill, and found a pretty good outfit.  Please excuse the no makeup though...I was feeling ultra lazy.

Mesa Temple Lights

On Friday, we went to the temple with Chris & Emily to do a session, but also to see the temple lights, and boy did they not disappoint.  For the last 5 years, I've been fortunate enough to live close enough to Temple Square and see the lights they have, which are phenomenal.  After seeing how great those lights were for so many years, I didn't think any other temple would compare, but Mesa did an awesome job, and we were so impressed.  AND, it was definitely a different experience to walk around and see the lights without a beanie, scarf, or gloves :)

Christmas Decorating

Since these pictures, we've put a lot more decorations up, but these are our initial decorating pics.  I LOVE decorating for Christmas... It's so fun to walk into a Winter Wonderland every time I come home from work.  As soon as we get home, we turn our tree lights & other lights on.  Our tree is full of childhood ornaments, and many of our decorations were gifts :)  I did buy poinsettias from Costco this year (4 of them!), and I love them in our apartment. 

Our Trip to Utah/Thanksgiving

Tyler had a long Thanksgiving break, so we were able to visit UT, as well as make it back to AZ in time to spend the holiday with Tiersha & Josh (and of course, baby Charlotte).  We did a lot of fun things while in UT, and got to see a lot of friends and family.  Once Tiersha & Josh got to AZ, we did lots of shopping, the boys went to a couple movies, and just hung around our apartment (especially since Ty was sick for a few days).

• visiting my students from last year at Canyon Crest...HIGHLIGHT of my trip :)
• new outlets with Lisa & Shawn @ Traverse Mountain
• Burger Supreme 
• saw 2 movies...Lincoln (good, but really long...too long!) & Argo (great movie!)
• Riverwoods lights
• movies at Lisa & Shawns
• City Creek
• Scheels 
• Cafe Rio...because I swear it's better in UT 
• church with Paul
• visited BYU campus
• J Dawgs with Pat
• dinner with Pat, Kaccee, and Caden
• dessert with Tom & Caity (and their TWO kids) and Devon & Lauren
• visited my grandparents, Aunt Robyn, and Aunt Mikell @ Mikell's complex
• Savior of the World with family

Pictures below are from Aunt Mikell's complex (this place is massive...28,000 square feet!!)

City Creek/Savior of the World

Macy's window display

Pictures Below: Tiersha, Josh, and Baby Charlotte's visit to AZ

Making an apple pie with Tiersh

Thanksgiving at the Christensens (Josh's cousins)...Tyler was too sick to join :(

Baby Charlotte loves her Aunt Tahnee :)

our wonderful host

We were in charge of the dessert...and we went a little crazy

all the girls