before the end of the year....

probably should get the tree up, right?

probably mail the Christmas Cards even though postage scares me

more dentist work :(

Super Secret Santa Work

TEMPLE VISIT & a Birthday Party!

a warm visit to nearly-Mexico

a brand-new PENA BABY!

GINGERBREAD HOUSES
TRAIN RIDE to Temple Square !

CHRISTMAS with Grandma Tracy!

CHRISTMAS with the KIDS!

CHRISTMAS with Jake & the Hansens!

What does your December look like?

Santa and I worked together early in October to get the bulk of that work done.  I like to finish that stuff early so that Thanksgiving and Christmas can be about the holidays and not about the errands, the crowds, the pressure, etc.  Since then, we had a great Thanksgiving with a walk on the Weber River Trail and dinner with all my brothers and sisters.

Abbi was baptized last Saturday.  It was a beautiful day and went so smoothly.  I owe a lot of that to my mom and sisters.  They did some excellent cooking!  Abbi was so happy.  I feel so blessed to be married to Jake and have the Priesthood in our family and our home.  We appreciate and love all the family and friends who came to support Abbi!

On Sunday night, we watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional for family home evening.  I love that annual broadcast.  It always brings back such warm Christmas memories from my youth.  The Riverdale Stake used to have a Nativity Activity to go with the broadcast.  I loved looking and the rows and rows of everyone's special nativities.  I remember sitting in the dark chapel with my parents and sisters.  I think my Grandpa and Grandma Hansen came a few times.  I can remember sitting in the dark listening to my grandma's alto voice sing the Christmas carols.  I love that memory!

Now, we are into the thick of the season with no snow and no Christmas tree.  I guess the second one really is more my fault than Mother Nature's.  I love to celebrate this time of year and my only goal is for my children to have opportunities to have warm Christmas memories to keep forever.

Abigale's Baptism

Abbi had such a beautiful and fun baptism day!  We had a nice lunch beforehand at Grandpa and Grandma Hansen's church.  Our ward was using all of the tables, chairs, and the kitchen to prepare for the ward party.  After lunch, we all went up to our church house for the baptism.  

So many people came to support Abbi on her special day.  

Jake, Joey, Abbi, Noah, Crystal, Jenny Ross, Grandma Tracy, Grandpa Hansen, Grandma Hansen, Popcorn Grandma (Great-Grandma Hansen), Grandma Ballard, Grandpa Nelson, Grandma Nelson, Matt Barker, Trent Barker, Tina Barker, Ross and Julie Ballard, Denton and Trudy Hatch, Bishop and Sister Litster, Jimmy, Amber, Marlie, James, and Jack, Wendy, Cody, Tiffani, Elizabeth, Anne

Aunt Amber led the music while Aunt Wendy played.  James and Aunt Anne gave the prayers.  Mom Joey and Grandma Ballard gave the talks.  Grandpa Hansen and Grandpa Nelson were the witnesses.  Dad baptized Abbi.  And, every man at the baptism was able to join Jake in confirming Abbi a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I was so happy to share such a wonderful day with Abbi.  I hope she has good memories of it forever.  She loved the special gifts she received and she loves reading through and studying her scriptures that she picked out.  I love Abbi so much and was so proud of the way she prepared for baptism.  She teaches me so much and I love studying and learning with her.

Tea Party 2012

This year, Grandma Hansen introduced the girls to one of our favorite Christmas stories, Red Ranger Came Calling.  I like the new Tea Party tradition that we each get a copy of the story Grandma reads us.  I love all the things my mom does for us to have fun traditions for holidays.  And, I love the cream puffs and cocoa!

Elf on the Shelf - Letter From Santa

Thanksgiving 2012

We shared Thanksgiving with the Hansen family.  Per Grandpa's tradition, we went on the Weber River Trail before lunch.  We were so happy to have Great-Grandma Hansen be at dinner with us.  And, we loved meeting and getting to know Jeremy's guests, Lily, Liza, and Bryan.