Christmas 2011

We had a wonderful Christmas season, as usual. Love this time of year, and all the traditions we keep.

Decorating at Grammie's house


New Playmobile Nativity!


I love this Gingerbread house from Trader Joe's!


Visiting the Mesa Temple lights and striking a pose. We always stay and listen to the wonderful concerts they have too.


We had a wonderful tender mercy. We had Secret Santas who brought some extra Christmas joy each night for the 12 Days of Christmas. Heavenly Father was truly looking out for us to send us someone to show a little extra love!


Special surprise on Christmas Eve! Santa came to Grammie's house!! He brought presents for everyone, and all the cousins loved seeing him before his big day.




Even Paca sat on Santa's lap!

Brailyn got an American Girl doll that looks just like her from Grammie. I think she was THRILLED!



Momma was so excited for her new Mac desktop. We were truly blessed and were so grateful for the generosity of friends and family this Christmas!

Fall 2011

Brailyn started the year off (in July) with a bang at her new school, Edu-Prize. She loves her teacher, Mrs. Hallie Brown, made some great new friends, and is a great student.


Some fun things we did:



Visited the Sea Life Aquarium




Dress up, of course

Rode the Merry-Go-Round at the mall for getting all green lights at school

Played with new baby cousin Lincoln (Brailyn is such a good helper and honorary big sister! We love having the boys over every week)



And yes, we went to Disneyland again for Halloween time! It was fun, as usual, and we got to see some villains.

Brailyn has been earning money by doing some additional jobs each week (vacuuming her room and wiping down lights and remotes). She saved up enough money to buy her very own pin at Disneyland- Minnie dressed as Sally from Nightmare before Christmas-She was SO proud of herself, and so were we!

Her class took a field trip to Mother Nature's Farm to celebrate Fall Festival. She had fun decorating a pumpkin, riding the hay ride, and seeing the different farm animals.





With her friend Adam Moon


It was a great semester so far!

Summer Fun

This summer we spent a week at the beach in Del Mar with the Price family. We rented the same house on the beach that we vacationed at when I was 12, so it was fun to be back. It was nicely remodeled, and just so nice to have the beach right out our back door. Lots of fun in the sand, a trip to Sea World, and hanging out with family (Jared and Amanda and girls) and friends.





There was also a lot of crazy, random fun-



Swimming at Grandpa Bill's house for July 4th and Daddy's birthday




Momma-Daughter date to True Food and of course Lululemon! (and getting wet in the fountain at the Scottsdale Quarter)




Brailyn loves to read in the car. She has become such an excellent reader thanks to Miss Arlene's Pre-K program!

We went to Canyon Lake with Uncle Bill and Jen to ride in their new boat




During the summer Brailyn sang in a Broadway Youth Choir run by my friends Melissa Taylor and Donna Gilbert. Since I am the accompanist, I get to see the kids learn the songs and watch the program progress. They do such a great job, and the kids get to perform at a rest home and a formal recital hall for parents. This year's theme was 'Seize the Day'.