Merry Christmas

Wishing a very Merry Christmas to you and yours!

These two pictures were taken Christmas morning at the Pine's. Rian got this really cute Christmas nightgown that she wore all day! The Pines were really generous to us this year....Rian got lots of books for church and toys and Matt and I got a Wii! Wii are so excited!!! Ha Ha! Game night at the Pines :)

We celebrated Christmas early at my parents house so they could head up to Idaho to visit my sister and her family on Christmas Day. We hardly took any pictures because we had the video camera out most of the time. But here is a picture of all of Rian's gifts from my parents. Is she spoiled or what? And the second question is...where the heck are we going to put all this stuff???

My parents also spoiled Matt and I quite a bit too! Lucky us!

Thank You to both sets of Grandparents! You guys are the BEST!!!

Sea World

My Dad had last Friday off so he joined us for a trip to Sea World. There were hardly any people there so Rian was able to walk around the entire time, which made her very happy (since she is wanting to be so independent these days)! We started off seeing the dolphins, then sharks, penguins, polar bears, beluga whales, walruses, Clydesdale's, and lastly shamu at the shamu holiday show. They even had a little baby shamu performing at the show. You can see him next to his mom in a few pics. How cute!!!

Aurora's Holiday Program

Our niece, Aurora, had her kindergarten holiday program Thursday night. She was a poinsettia for the play. She is in the bottom of the first picture, but we were in the back of the room so the picture we got from Matt's Dad wasn't too good. But if you look really hard you can see her with the really big red petals on her head. She did awesome on her solo and amazing on her singing too!

Here's a picture of Rian and of the fam. I absolutely love her little pink boots with white fur! They are adorable!

Happy Birthday Dad!

My Dad's birthday was on the 18th and it was so nice to be visiting home to celebrate with him.

My sister and I got him a license plate holder that says...

The Best Grandpa Ever

Love TJ, Brea and Rian

He loved it!

My Mom was joking with him saying that she couldn't fit all the candles on the cake so this large candlestick is making up for all the rest of them.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!! I love you!!!

Candy Cane Court

In Poway (the next community over), there is this neighborhood that decorates like CRAZY for Christmas. Matt, Rian, andI headed over there the other night. These pictures hardly do it justice, but I thought I'd post it anyways. Merry Christmas to all!

I know this picture kinda sucks because you can't really see Rian and I. But the one with the flash didn't show the lights as well as this one and I thought I would sacrifice me instead of the lights!

This video is even worse than the picture above it, but this was the absolute coolest house on the block so I had to post it. They had the lights changing in sync with the music, it was so awesome!! The microphone on my camera was too far from the music box so you have to turn up your volume a lot. Plus I haven't uploaded a video before so I thought I would give that a try.

My New Favorite Place To Sit....

Rian would much rather sit on ANYTHING other than the floor. Ever since she started walking she does this really adorable thing...she'll back up to whatever it is she wants to sit on and once she feels it from behind, she plops down. This time I guess she wanted Daddy to read her a book and decided his head would be the best place to sit.

Playing With Auntie Marlene

It's so cute....since we've been down here and Rian is seeing our friends and family members more and more she is really starting to get attached to them. She loves to give her Auntie Marlene kisses!

Im 16 Months Today!

Riding my new rocking horse!

I am feeling a little daring!

Hey look Mommy.....NO HANDS!!!!!

Daddy, this picture is for you. This is the adorable outfit I've been raving about! We miss you lots!!!!

My First Pony Ride

They had pony rides after breakfast with Santa.

Where did she learn to hold on like that? Doesn't it look like she is trying to ride a bull?

Beginning of the pony ride

End of the pony ride

Breakfast With Santa

My mom and I took Rian to have breakfast with Santa on Saturday. She was coming down with a little cold that day, so she really wasn't herself.

Who is this weird guy holding me?

Santa's elf giving Rian some goodies.

First Snow Fall

I really thought Rian and I were going to miss the first snow fall since we were leaving on vacation to California. But no. It snowed the day we were leaving which means delayed flights for us:( Rian's eyes lit up when she saw the snow for the first time, so we are really looking forward to playing in it when we get back!

Happiness

Didn't I promise more???
Sorry there are so many, but it was so hard to choose a few...

Are We Mean Or What?

It's starting to get chilly up here and since Kaiya is a short haired dog, we bought her a little sweater. Rian was a little confused the first time she saw Kaiya wearing it. And I can't help but laugh every time I see her in it.

Baby Einstein

Need I say more???

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving this year we headed down to Ogden to enjoy time with some of Matt's extended family. I didn't take many pictures, but here are a few of Gage and Rian. Gage is Matt's cousin's son and he wanted to hold Rian so badly, so we sat them on the couch together. They were so cute!

I love this time of year. It's always nice to take a break from the hustle and bustle of life and reflect on everything you're thankful for. My list could go on and on. But most importantly I am ever grateful for my family and this wonderful Gospel. My family means the world to me...my amazing husband is the love of my life, my beautiful baby girl is my precious world, my parents are so good to us, my in-laws are wonderful, my sister is one of my best friends and my brothers are such characters and always make me smile (if you know them then you know what I mean), my extended family may be so far from us but are always in my heart, and my dear friends, I couldn't ask for any better than you all! And secondly, the Gospel brings so much happiness into my life. I wouldn't be the person I am today without it and I am so thankful to be a part of it. Sorry to go all sappy on you, but I thought I would reflect just a little bit.