Christmas!

We stayed at Taylor's sister's house and they had a cute plate and cup that said just for Santa. They put cookies and milk out on Christmas Eve and were so excited the next morning to see them eaten.

White Christmas in Texas!

It was so fun to have a white Christmas when we are so used to warm, sunny California. These are pictures Christmas Eve outside Taylor's parents house.

We drove to Texas for Christmas! Again!

We decided to make the drive to Texas again since we know own a minivan. My doctor was not happy about me going 36 weeks along. We left on a whim on Tuesday night and thru everything in the car. We weren't there very long. We came home Sunday night. Sorry if we didn't get to see our friends in Texas. There wasn't any time. We were excited while we were there we had a white Christmas. It snowed Christmas Eve and lasted a few days after. We went out in it for a minute and it was too cold. The wind was really bad. We had a great time. Here is Callie and Taylor ice skating on Christmas Eve. We went with Taylor's parents, his brother and sister Liberty, and some of their friends. Callie had fun, except for falling and her bum getting all wet. As you can see I was not out ice skating. I don't think ice skating and pregnancy mix.

Chocolate Thin Mints

Chocolate Thin Mints

2 sleeves Ritz Crackers
3 candy canes, crushed
1 bag Andes Mints baking chips (in baking section)

Microwave half of the bag of Andes mints in small microwaveable bowl for about 30 seconds, stir, then another 30 seconds. Stir until melted. Dip crackers in melted chocolate, completely coating cracker with chocolate. Remove with tongs and shake off the excess. Place on wax paper-covered baking sheets. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes after you place them on wax or parchment paper. Let completely dry or refrigerate for 30 minutes. Repeat with second half of chocolate.

These are so yummy. My friend Summer made these for a cookie exchange a couple years ago and I loved them. I made them for a cookie exchange at Callie's preschool. They are so easy.

More Field trip from Christmas farm

Christmas Tree Farm Field Trip

Today we went to a Christmas tree farm with Callie's preschool. We had a hay ride and then they learned how trees grow and the anatomy of a tree. Callie got to hold part of a tree and count to see how old it was. Hers was 12 years old. They got to feed goats and look at rabbits, chickens, turtles, and ponies. Then they each got to take a baby tree home to plant. They had fun playing on the huge hay castle and on a sleigh. It was fun and I got some cute pictures.

More family photos!

Family photos!

My friend Melissa took our pictures about a month ago and I was waiting to post them until we had our Christmas cards mailed so it was a surprise. They turned out really cute. She got some great ones of the kids. She took us to some great places in Redlands for our family photos. There are quite a few.

Scared of Santa Clause!

On Saturday night we had our Ward Christmas party. Callie kept asking if Santa Clause was going to be there because she is terrified of him. She told Taylor go up to Santa and tell him, "I want a computer" and to get her a candy cane. When he came into the cultural hall she stayed glued to her chair. Then towards the end of the line she walked over there. I guess she decided he wasn't that scary and she sat on his lap and told him what she wanted and got her a candy cane. I thought it was pretty funny. Preston wouldn't sit on Santa's lap.

My baby shower!

On Saturday my friends, Jennie, Liana, and Lindsey threw me a baby shower. It was really nice. We had yummy waffles and fruit and dip. It was nice to visit with everyone. Thanks so much for a nice shower. Here are some photos from the event.

Las Vegas

The weekend before Thanksgiving we drove out with my parents to Las Vegas. My Grandma, Aunt, Uncle, and cousins all live there from my Dad's side of the family. We had Thanksgiving with them on Saturday a little early. On Sunday we went to see Taylor's roommate from college and his wife. It was fun to catch up with him. On Monday we went to downtown Las Vegas and went to the M&M factory which we thought would be way fun. All it was, was 3 levels of expensive items and candy. They did have a 3-D movie but it wasn't working that day. We proceeded to the Coca-Cola Factory and it was about the same. They did have this thing where you could pay $7 to try 14 different kinds of coke from around the world. We didn't do it because everyone around us said how gross they were and left most of the glasses completely full. We kept walking down the strip with my parents and the kids and we had to keep our eyes straight ahead because there was pictures of undressed women all over the ground. We then decided to go back to our car and my feet were so swollen by the time we got back. Taylor found this free circus act at the Hotel Circus Circus. We got there and waited about 30 minutes and it was pretty cool of the 10 minute show we saw. We tried to make it memorable but I just felt dirty from all the filth we saw and tired from all the walking. But we did have a great time visiting with my family. It is always good to catch up.