Last night we went up to Salt Lake to do a little Christmas shopping. We met Jared and Jenny and their family and Parker's parents at Gateway. The kids were so excited to see each other. The lights were beautiful and the company was unbeatable! We walked around the shops and then went to dinner at Iggy's. After we drove to Draper to look at Christmas lights and wrap presents.

I love this time of year and the reminder of our Savior's birth. I love looking back on the past year and reflecting on things that I've learned and the accomplishments I've made and then setting new goals for the year ahead. I love sending and receiving Christmas cards. I love making homemade fudge and taking it around! I love watching as my children get so excited for Christmas and giving each other the gifts that they've carefully picked with lots of love. I love traditions that have been passed down and ones that are new. Cheers to this wonderful time of year!!!

The Sunday before Thanksgiving we left for Palm Desert, California. My kids are such good travelers! We made great time even though we took a detour through the Mojave National Preserve on a dirt road full of pot holes, rocks and no cell service or anyone to bail us out if we popped a tire, for 27 miles. We just told the kids it was a part of California they would never have gotten to see otherwise. Parker's parents and Ryan, Natalie and their kids were already there. We spent 2 1/2 days with the Kemps and then on Wednesday my family got there along with my Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, and cousins from my Mom's side and we moved over to where they were staying and Jared, Jenny and kids got there and had our room. The weather was awesome the entire week! We got to swim everyday, go on walks, watch movies, play games, shop, and spend time with family. Parker went golfing with my Dad and brothers (twice), and I got to have some time shopping with the girls. We had a wonderful Turkey dinner provided by Marie Callendars and it was great to catch up with my cousins. While we were there Jackson caught a HUGE toad and a gecko. The ride home was a little harder then the ride there, but my kids did amazing. While driving on the right road through the Mojave desert Parker spotted a tarantula (with his new lasik laser vision) and so we flipped around and Parker not only took pictures, but put him in a cup that had a screw on lid and threw him in the back of the car. The kids named him Harold. We had a wonderful vacation, it was just what we needed!

I have been really excited for this movie to come out, but I wasn't really wanting to buy tickets in advance and I was good with waiting for a couple of weeks and letting it die down a little. That is, until my Dad called me Monday night and told me that he had special Premiere tickets for Thursday (tonight) and that we'd get to see it before it opened to the public...then I was EXCITED! My parents and Megan were unable to go because Meg had a soccer game, so we invited Jared and Jenny to go. Scott and Chelsey came and also brought a friend. I went in with average expectations knowing that I loved the book and my imagination was perfect for me...I LOVED THE MOVIE! This is one that I would go back and see again in the theatre! It far exceeded my expectations!!! The cast was great, and I even liked "Edward" better than I thought I would. This is a definite must see for all who are Twilight fans! I loved, loved, loved it! Thanks Dad for the awesome tickets! The only thing that would've made it better would've been if you and Mom could have been there!

Jackson has been playing Jr. Jazz and he had his last basketball game last week. He has had so much fun learning how to play and got better with each game. It's been fun for me because growing up I loved basketball, in fact when I was 12 my goal was to start the women's NBA and be 6 feet tall, luckily we can change our goals, especially those that are impossible to reach (I'm pushing 5' 5"). I love watching him play sports...it's so fun, and brings back so many wonderful childhood memories!!!

Jackson got so much better each game!

GO TEAM!!!

Jacks, we're so proud of you!