Christmas Break

It's Christmas Break!!!!!! Yay! This year has been great at work but it is always nice to make it to the break. I am desiring some serious down time. I just want a book and some relaxation. Hopefully I can get some. It might not be until after California but my fingers are crossed that it will happen before I head back to work.

This Christmas season I wanted to be part of the #sharethegift campaign. I wanted to do something more fun then just me holding up a sign and I wanted it to be funny! If you saw this on Facebook or Instagram I hope you laughed. If not I failed miserably. My gift was to serve others and Moki wanted to give comfort by letting others pet her and to  not steal food. It was not easy getting a picture that would work.

 MOki consumed a lot of cookie dough in order to get her to look at the camera. Anthony was kind enough to take the pictures.

 We wore our matching clothes one more time. This one of her by herself is pretty cute. She really is a great dog when she isn't being crazy.

I wanted to post a few of the outtakes as well. Cookie dough was too high here.

 Trying to hide her gift??????

 Trying to get her to turn around and face the camera.

 It's hard work getting a dog to do what you want.

 Why aren't you looking at the camera???

 The I am sick of this and my dog is dumb picture.

I was able to send a little care package to my favorite missionary in Arizona. He comes home in 6 months...crazy!

 Me pretending to win a wrestling match against Anthony. Really celebrating no more school.
Andrew just looking so cute.

Last night all the Utah people gathered at my house. We had a delicious dinner, watched Andrew open presents, Skyped with lots of other people, and relaxed. It was a wonderful evening. I am so grateful that these people live so close to me. I love my family and I love getting to spend time with them.

 Even if my house ends up being a complete disaster! Can't wait to head to California tomorrow and see the rest of my family. I am so grateful for this beautiful time of year and all the good things in my life!

Mostly for the pictures

Here is a post dedicated to pictures I want printed in my blog book. It did snow once so far this year. Here is the proof. It didn't stop us from hiking the Y!

 I did my hair curly one day...doing my hair is a good reason to document.

 An early Saturday morning at the temple. Love this place.

 Moki and I chilling after work. I could get use to this view.

The weather has still been so amazing. We have had lots of great evening hikes.

 One day I left Moki out tied to the banister while I went to work. She chewed through the leash and I came home to this....

 I am only putting up pictures of two of the five places she left a mark.

Back in the crate while I am at work for her. PUNK!

Me and Moki like to match sometimes.

Sunday dinners are always fun with these people.

Is this little guy not the cutest thing you have ever seen?

 Moki is obsessed with the train when it is moving.

 Magformers are always a favorite. Look at that concentration.

I really enjoy this view.

 The picture above shows the amazing quilt my Aunt Virginia made me. The picture below shows the wall hanging my grandma Brown made me. I am seriously loving both of them.

 I hosted a Wassail party for the Relief Society. Seriously so fun. We had lots of chocolate options.

 Some cookies and mandarins. I never got a picture of the wassail, I didn't make it but it was delicious.

 Monday night me and some co-workers went and visited another co-worker who was diagnosed with brain cancer. Seriously so crappy.

It was a great visit but last week was full of rough news. A 30 year old dad in my ward was diagnosed with colon cancer. Then my co-worker age 35, 3 kids, with stage 4 brain cancer. It really starts to put life into perspective. My thoughts and prayers have been with their families.

Tonight Moki and I got out on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. We ran down and then turned around and got to look at the most amazing sunset our jog back to the car.

 So Beautiful

 Moki has a billion stickers as we I type because she wasn't on the trail much at all.

 Look how obedient she is sometimes.

I am loving this warm weather!

A Little Sewing

I got my sewing machine out and sewed a couple of things. I have a long list of things I need to finish. It is pathetic really. I had to make Moki a stocking. Luckily I already had some dog material. They are little Scotties but it works.

I ordered this fun bike material to make pillows for bike room. It has been sitting in a closet for a really long time. I finally broke down and made the pillows. It was a pattern off pinterest and it was super easy.

They are a little wild but they match the room and spark it up so they are fine for now. I still have a bunch of partially finished projects all over my guest room. Hoping to make a dent in them over the next Holiday break!

Thanksgiving

It was my first time traveling home for Thanksgiving since Sam and Amanda got married! I was able to go because I am not coaching basketball. It was a fun little trip, but man I have not recovered. Today was the first day I actually didn't feel exhausted. I must be getting old!

Traveling is my least favorite. And then I have a crazy dog that thinks she needs to be on a lap!

 Some people just slept most of he way. Wish I could do that.

One of the highlights of being in California was seeing Ben and Katie and family. Now that they live so close to my parents they are so much more accessible. We saw them everyday with them doing most of the traveling. They took one for the team in that department. But I took their kids to the park everyday so that sort of makes up for it:)

My parents old school pogo stick was a big hit. I am too heavy for it but it is still so fun!

 The kids could not quite do it on their own, but they loved trying.

 I just love her hair in this last picture.

The weather was great. Normally that would be a major highlight but the weather has been so mild in Utah this fall/winter it really wasn't much different.

Bubba is getting so big. He is at such a fun age. Love him so much!

 Olivia is getting a lot more coordinated. She is a master at the scooter.

Thanksgiving morning my cousin Cody and I hiked Feather Falls. I really like that hike. I made the mistake of letting Moki run off the leash. She picked up a bunch of ticks even though she had medicine on. None of them bit her but ticks like really creep me out!!!!!

I thought it looked very much like Fall. It was a great way to start the day.

We played at the park and ate delicious food. The evening ended playing games.

It was a beautiful dinner and great company.

I declared that I was not going to shop on black Friday and I stuck to it. Friday we went to Ben and Katie's. We met them at the Sacramento Zoo on the way down. Then ate lunch at their house and finished the evening off playing at the park. It was another fun filled day.

Bubba being a stinker.

 Olivia is getting old enough for games and so that is really fun. Frustrating at times but mostly just fun.

It was a fun trip. I was exhausted afterwards but it is always worth it!

 Moki pondering if she should escape while the door is open.

 A couple more shots from the park.

 Man I love this sassy pants!