Jenny's Getting Married

To celebrate Jenny getting married all the girls (sisters & close friends) went to Olive Garden! YU-UM!

And one night we went and got pedicures too! Spoil ourselves good! :)

Joey Celebrates 4 with the Whole Arizona Clan!

Our Joey boy got TWO birthday parties this year since we live close to family now!  No one complains about that now will we? Joey decorated the cake himself! What a big boy! 

Fun Day!

Fun People! 

Fun Presents!

Yummy cake! 

Joey got to frost and decorate his own cake! And pick out the color of the frosting.  He did a great job! 

What??!!??  I can hear it now!  :) Love my Joey!

Vader Hat!! Woot woot!

It is such a treat that Grandma Betty gets to come to family events!  She just lights up when everyone is around.

Joey wanted Pizza for his birthday dinner.  I won't complain...Daddy makes the pizza! :) And can you say, Yu-uhm!

It was super fun having everyone over for the party!  Love my fam! (We always miss Pheob & Mom and Sadie!)

Bridal Shower for Jenny

Heather and I were super excited to throw Jenny a bridal shower!  She just glows and seems so happy!

I love this picture...Des, totally going for the treats when Mom isn't looking! haha!  This is Jen and her soon to be new Sis in law and Mother in law. :)

Me, Heather, Roxxi, Harley, Des & Jen

Heather's house turned out so nice! Love the purdy pom poms!

Our food spread! Mmmmmm.  Makes my mouth water to look at the pictures! 

My first go at fancy shmancy cup cakes.  Whatcha think? 

Christmas Eve and Talent Show Galore

Christmas Eve is a favorite holiday celebration for me.  I love the excitement of Christmas Day coming and the talent show tradition.  And... The Feast! Man my dad can cook!  Yu-uhm!

Then right on to the Talent show fun!  Abby whistled a song for us. :)

Jen & Heather did a cup game demo.  Super fun!

Joey showed his sword fight skills with Dave.

Dave played the trombone for us  (he just recently picked up.)  Then Abby tried to play.  :)

I juggled like an amateur.  Then Nik juggled like a complete PRO!!  :)

Then the aunts gave Abby and Joey presents!  They were tickled happy to get to open something early!  :)  Thanks you guys!  

Christmas Baking Day

We did a fun baking day this year.  It was so fun!  We all brought ingredients to make 1 or 2 Christmas treats to our house.  Then we each got to take some of everything home.  It was BRILLIANT!  Our house smelled AmaZinG!!

We made chocolate Christmas suckers and bites too.  And painted some even to be all detailed!  

Here's Abby & Joey diving into one of the suckers they made! MMmmmm!

Thankful for Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day at our house is one of my favorite days!  I love everything about it.  I love the smells, the tastes, the fun, the games, the feeling.  But mostly, the people. This is the last Thanksgiving that we had Grandma Larsen with us.  She looks so bright and alive and beautiful here.  And that is exactly how I hope we can all remember her!  

Jen playing with the kiddos of course!  Having a ball!

"Hmm, I could eat me some finger, I mean turkey right about now!" 

Sam was wiped out...and this is before we ate I think too!  Holiday=sleep day for some.

Grandma helping prep the napkins. It was so neat to have her with us!

Daddy-o carving the beast!!

Dave's plate.  Just kidding!

Jen is ready!!

At the table and ready to feast!

I am so thankful for my family!  We have so much fun together. I love just having a day where we can lounge and hang out together.  

Love them.

Joey, Des and Nik hanging out.

"Where's the PIE??!!??"

Always end with pie....or start with it.  haha!  Had to make sure it wasn't disgusting!  I have no faith in my homemade pumpkin pie. Yet, every year I keep trying. Someday i'll be good at it.  For now, I am still so grateful for pie!!!

Day Trip to Payson

                            

 A friend of ours told us of a great pic-nic spot just north of Payson, AZ right next to a stream and shaded by beautiful trees. She was so right...it was an amazing and gorgeous spot! 

The water was freezing, but felt great and was super fun to play in!  I think it was called 3rd crossing or something like that. 

Ellie was having a ball in the shade too!  She was 6 1/2 month old or so. 

Look at that face! Mwwwah!! 

So beautiful!

Joey looks like he is walking on water!

The whole group playing Rrrrrrack-o!  What a super fun day!  So glad we did it!