Thanksgiving and Christmas

I keep forgetting to take my camera everywhere we go....We stopped by Nampa, ID for Thanksgiving at Sally's (Joe's mom) and Phillip's (Joe's brother) home. It was so nice to be with them and enjoy having the chance to get to know them better. Boy, is Phil becoming a great cook!! And Sally's turkey was to die for. Gary (Joe's dad) who brave the harsh weather to come. He is so fun and enjoys talking about his ranch and cowboy experiences. We missed his brother Mark due to the bad weather, but all in all, we were so grateful to be able to see them again.


We had Christmas in Utah. My parents came down and stayed at Stephanie's for Christmas Eve.




The kids dressed up in their Nativity costumes and even some of us adults chipped in. It is always one of my favorite things about Christmas, watching the excitment of the kids as they take on their special part in the story of Christ's birth.

Jenna-Angel

Alyssa-Shepard

Joe-Joseph

Krystell-Wiseman

Jared-Wiseman

Aimee-Mary

Grandma H.-Narrator

The kids also opened their traditional pajama presents.

Joe and I woke up to the old school Nintendo and leather coaches (from the wonderful KSL.COM). loads and loads of fun. We chitchatted with Joe's family on the phone and enjoyed our first Christmas together. We also had Christmas dinner at the Bares, very yummy!! We were able to talk to Kevin's family on the phone; they all seem to be so happy. We feel so blessed to have such a great family that is close and are such great examples.

A Christmas Wreath

I made this Christmas Wreath, a majority of it I made from paper. I entered it into a contest of 15 other wreaths in the ICU, and won the most creative award. I really like it...