Christmas

     Christmas is my favorite holiday, except I usually don't like Christmas Day. I love the month of December because of the feel of the holiday season. I love the singing, cooking, movies, warm fires, and hot chocolate of the season. I love spending time with friends and family. Christmas day has always seemed sad to me because the season is over and I always want to feel that same Christmas spirit that I felt throughout the month.

     Despite my previous thoughts, I really enjoyed this Christmas. My siblings and their families came over to open presents and eat lunch. We had my Grandma Taylor come over too. It was a hard day for her. We didn't know how many more times she would be able to come over to our house. She didn't know it was Christmas day, which was sad. She loves Christmas and to see her uninterested was a little sad. 

     Later that day, I was able to Skype with Elder Paxman. It was so good to talk to him and see his face. He comes home in August, so that was his last Christmas on his mission. I think it is bitter sweet for him because I know how much he loves serving the Lord and teaching the gospel to the people of Washington. 

     That night when everyone had left it was just my mom and dad and I at home. I gave my dad tickets to see Les Miserables for his Christmas present. It was fun to see a movie with my parents. I don't know the last time we went to a movie together. We really enjoyed the show.

My wonderful parents and I waiting to Les Mis to begin! My dad usually looks like that ;)

Disneyland with the Fenstermakers

      I have three cousins on my mom's side. Lindsay, Mckay and Kimmie. Lindsay, the oldest is exactly one month younger than me. Our mom's dressed us the same when we were younger. They lived in Sandy while we lived in St. George, but somehow I feel like we grew up together. Disneyland is a big deal in their family and we have always dreamed of going to Disneyland together when we were little.My cousin had a job at the Disney store at City Creek Center in Salt Lake since they opened in April. (She is now in Florida working at Disney world with the Disney College Program until August). With that job, she got a lot of discounts and some free tickets to Disneyland. They had a wedding to go to in San Diego and decided to go to Disneyland and take my mom and I with them. Thanks Mckay for the idea to drag along Aunt Becky and Kristen. :)

     Right after my last final, we headed down to Anaheim. We were there Thursday night and all day Friday. It was a fun, but fast trip. It was so fun to be there with my cousins. It was also fun to be there during Christmas time. It was a great way to celebrate the beginning of Christmas break.

Kim, Mckay, me, Lindsay in line for Indiana Jones

Kim, me, Mckay, Linds at small world

My mom and I

Kim, me, Linds, Mckay

Cars land. It looked exactly like the movie, I loved it!

Thanksgiving

     Thanksgiving is always a fun holiday because I love being with my family. We had thanksgiving dinner at my house with my mom's side of the family. There are only 15 people in my family on my mom's side, since my Grandpa passed away last December. I made apple pies and rolls for dinner. I love cooking new things and decided to learn how to make pies (we usually have Costco's special). :) I made my mom's and Grandma's famous rolls. They are a tradition.

     Later that night my sister and her family came over to see us. We put my nephew on the floor and everyone was watching him roll over and scoot around. My Grandma said several times that "one baby can entertain a group of adults". She sure loved being around that cute little baby.

     After my sister left, my mom and dad and I went over to see some of my dad's family. It was a nice laid back thanksgiving with my family.

Curtis and Meleah's Wedding

My brother, Curtis, married Meleah Holden on Wednesday November 21, 2012. It was the day before thanksgiving and all of our family was in town. I always love spending time with my extended family, on both sides. It was a little weird having a wedding so close to thanksgiving and it was definitely a little crazy at my house for a few days, but we survived. :) They are a happy couple and I have loved getting to know Meleah and having her part of our family.

Halloween

Halloween was fun this year. I decided to have a Halloween party with my family this year and make yummy treats and carve pumpkins together. It was fun to see my adorable nephew dressed up as Tigger. (I wish I could show you how adorable he is!) We had our party Sunday night before Halloween so that everyone could come. We had fun!

Lynette and Rick's pumpkin

Curtis and Meleah's pumpkin

My pumpkin. Dedicated to the two year old boys that I watch who LOVE Mickey :) 

My brother decided Chase needed to be in this picture with me. Yes, that is his Christmas card from last year. Yes, it was still on our fridge in October but has since been removed. :)

     On Halloween, my friends and I decided to have a little party. We dressed up David as a scarecrow and then played Curses and some other games.

Nate, Brette, Kortnie, Halie, David, Mike and I

P.S. Mike shaved his head for his costume. Talk about dedication.