Sometimes when Andrew is out of town for work, I take other people on dates....

For the Hale Thank You Party, I took Danielle as my date! She's so pretty!

And we hang out with these awesome people! 

That is little baby Jude. He is too adorable in that bowtie.

 

And then after the party, we threw off our heels, laced up our boots & 

headed to Ihop, like what any self respecting adults would do!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was spent with the Nevins!

There was about 20+ people (and presents!) squeezed into Mom & Dad's house! 

It was fun to spend Christmas Eve with the whole family! I mean, even Mike was here! 

Dinner, opening presents, and games! 

And....pictures:

             These cousins were being adorable.              Just adorable. 

 And we were all quite excited to open presents!

Well most of us at least....

 These ladies love cute things! (oh, and Dan)

              Backyardigans make him dance!            Oh! Hello, Kitty! 

                   I love my kitty gifts!                          #creeperbomb

Family Groupies:

 

 Togetherness. :)

Nutcracker Ballet

So, for the first time ever I got to see The Nutcracker Ballet! 

Angel & Mike took us to see Ballet West's production in SLC. 

It was so festive & fun! It was wonderful to hear a live orchestra play that music. And the principal ballerina was truly amazing. She made every movement look so effortless, even when balancing on her tip toes. Amazing. 

And here's a picture to prove that I force Andrew to take cheesy pictures together wherever we go. 

Hey Jude, You're One!

In celebration of Jude's 1st birthday, there was a Rockin' 1960's party! 

Nobody told Jude that he was supposed to "blow" the candle out, 

not smother it with his little fingers! Poor sweetie.

I think I can safely say we ALL had a "smashing time!"

Christmas Cookies!

Christmas Eve was spent with the Nevin family! We decorate Christmas cookies...

*Angel & baby Jude*

  .....and opened presents! 

(Paul & Kelsi both drew Andrew & me for Secret Santa 

and they got us Ticket to Ride - Europe! 

I'm pretty excited; we will definitely get a lot of use of it!)

Knight in shining armor!

Tiger Caden

Fairy wings!

Batman jammas complete with cape!

*Gramma & Grandad with (most of) the kiddos!* 

Happy Christmas Eve! 

Breaking Dawn!

As most of you know, the 4th Twilight series movie came out on November 18th! 

For each movie release Candis throws the BEST midnight-showing Twilight parties ever! Seriously. They are awesome. I have only been to two, but can attest.

She makes a iron-on decal and we all make matching shirts,* eat lots of food and enjoy the night! 

Here are some little pictures to prove the awesome-ness! 

 I feel like I really pulled off the Kristen Stewart I-have-no-emotion-other-than-pain look here. 

I thought you would like being so close to Edward, Carolyn...

and having your left hand on his thigh...

 Jessica's eyes say it all. 

*This year's shirts read: "Why am I covered in feathers?"

Halloween

It has been pretty crazy around here lately, and sadly we have not had time to plan for our usually awesome costumes for Halloween. For this year's holiday we spent it trick or treating with Lincoln, or should I say Darth Vader.

Like I previously mentioned, we had no costumes, so Lincoln and Shawn graciously lent us some of their own costumes from past Halloweens (or just from their dress up wardrobe)!

 

Darth Vader & Princess Leia 

 

Wonder Woman & Thor

Wonder Woman & Princess Leia

....and a good time was spent by all.