Lights that Sparkle

For the longest time I wondered why people putting lights all over their house meant that it was Christmas time. As I got older and really started understanding the meaning of Christmas, I have come to realize that they represent the light of Christ. Whenever I see beautiful lights, it helps me to think of my Savior. One of my very favorite places to see the sparkle of Christmas lights is at the temple. This year we had the privelege of helping put up the lights and have a much greater appreciation for their beauty.
Plus it didn't hurt to let the boy run around and have some fun with his friends

At our house this year, I have left the lights ON on our tree all day and all night because they are a great reminder to me of what this season is all about. I am so happy that for the first time in our 6 years of holidays together, we could afford a beautiful tree!! So grateful for the blessings of this year :)

And speaking of sparkle...I just wanted to send a shout-out to the future Mrs. Laidlaw who has some brand new and incredibly amazing bling on her left hand!!! I am so happy for my sister and her big diamond; I mean my big sister and her diamond. Congrats Matt and Aubrey!!

Bleed Blue

Mark and Dallen were counted among the BYU faithful at the New Mexico bowl game on Saturday. Leaving Mommy at home for some well deserved quiet, alone time :) I was happy to see pictures of my boys in their Cougar blue. Dallen got to see lots of family and some friends, like Cosmo the Cougar and even Santa Claus.


When asked what he thought of that other team, Dallen gave us this:And when he was asked to make his best Cougar face we get this:And of course in the end, it was all well worth the trip to the snow to see a Cougar victory!!

I tell Santa?

For weeks now Dallen has been finding toys he loves, in stores, in catalogs, at friends houses...and with the cutest little voice says: "that's my favorite, I tell Santa?" At the mall with Mommy last week, when Dallen spotted Santa he knew just what to do...He marched right up to him, climbed up on his lap and listed, and listed, and listed ALL the things he wants for Christmas. Last night we took Daddy with us to visit Santa at Bass Pro. Daddy was so proud when Dallen marched right up to Santa and without a word from the jolly old soul, announced "basketball" and Santa replied, "now there's a real toy! that's a man toy, not the electronic stuff the other kids are asking for. good for you!" I am so happy that Dallen loves Santa now and is working really hard to be a good boy so he can get all of his "favorite" things :)

December Weather Brings Visitors

Winter weather in Arizona means we finally get to go outside and play!! We finally get to go play at the park, we can go for walks longer than just to the mailbox and throw the football on the lawn. Our most favorite thing to do in the winter time though is to visit the Phoenix Zoo. Dallen got a pass for his birthday and we've been having a blast going with friends who also have one. Most recently we got to go with Mimi, and it was so much fun!!I got to ride a camel with Dallen and let's just say one of us was really scared (it wasn't brave little Dallen)!!We saw lots of animals, but took time to play a bit too!!
I think this one is almost inappropriate but I just love it ;)We had SOOO much fun with Mimi in town and can't wait to spend more time with her and the famil for Christmas!!

Fallen For Fall

Our cousin Kendal took some fantastic fall family pictures of us, just for fun and I am so happy she could. I love nothing more than to look at sweet moments like these with my favorite people in the world!!

Surprise!!

On Monday night we had a little birthday celebration at Chuck E Cheese's for the favorite 30 year old in our lives, and he had no idea what was coming!! At first he was embarassed to be the center of attention, but it was SOOO much fun thanks to all the super fun friends who came to show their love. As for me, no more lying to my husband, that was tricky. Happy birthday Mark, we love you!!

Giving Thanks

This month of Thanksgiving I noticed nearly everyone I knew counting their blessings. It really helped me focus on the things that I am grateful for. Throughout the month I found myself thinking about things that I want (which I tend to do just before Christmas) and each time I did, I found myself recognizing more, the things I already have. For example, I look around my empty house, covered with boxes, longing for it to be finished; then I remember how grateful I am to have such a beautiful house at all. I often find myself coveting the talents of others and this month I tried to reflect on the talents the Lord has blessed me with instead. Lately as the weather has changed I thought about how we really lack seasons here, but this weekend I realized how grateful I am to be able to travel to places where my little boy can fully appreciate the meaning of FALL :)






Dallen had a BLAST playing in the leaves at Grandma's house!! I am so grateful for that smile and the ability to capture and share it. These are just a few pictures I took, there are more to come :)

SPONTANEOUS

Some of my favorite little things in life happen when I least expect them. Like Dallen voluntarily saying "i lub you mommy" or giving kisses and hugs just because he feels like it, morning cuddle time, and especially capturing sweet moments like these on a spontaneous and most perfect day at the park:

Picture this...

Dallen yelling: "Let's go guys" under the Friday night lights :) Yup that's just what you see, this kid LOVES football!!

Model Behavior

My favorite thing about my new iPhone is that Dallen loves to have his picture taken with it!! He smiles and poses and works the camera :) He's pretty good at it too, if I do say so myself.

One Good Reason

One Sunday morning Dallen was begging for a popsicle. It was so early still but he REALLY wanted one. I asked him, “do you want a popsicle cause you’re hungry, or cause your hot or what? Give me one good reason why you should get a popsicle” So he leaned in and puckered up and gave me a big, sweet kiss. You win!! You get a popsicle just for being cute, that is one good reason.

Fall Foto Frenzy

While in Flagstaff (where they actually have Fall weather), we got these adorable pictures of my little man and me that I will treasure forever!!

The Perfect Getaway

What do you do when your husband works late nights and one of your best friends also has a husband that works late? Get together!! Duh?!?! Dallen and I have had a lot of time together, just the two of us, since Mark has been gone, and we needed a little break. Luckily, our favoritest cousins offered us the perfect little getaway to Flagstaff. The weather could not have been more beautiful, the activites could not have been more fun and the company could not have been more perfect.The double trouble became a triple threat!!

We had a blast!! I was happy to see Dallen in his element so far from home. We will have to go back real soon!! Thank you McMullin family for having us, we love you :)