Tis the Season

Here's our Christmas card! I didn't end up making it in time to physically print and send them out... maybe next year when we have a cute baby to show off. For now, this is our e-Christmas card. Happy Holidays! We're spending ours in sunny Miami, Florida.

Sissy's Bridal Shower

my sister-in-law Ashli Jane (see her blog here) and I threw my sister her bridal shower on saturday. we held the shower at my parents' house, so naturally my Mom helped us with everything. we're so glad she did, because it was a hit! 

we had fun celebrating Ashley's upcoming nuptials. she is marrying her high school sweetheart Blaze (yes, that's his real name). we somehow always knew they'd be together even after they broke up during high school. my whole family always teased her about him because we could see they were meant to be. they remained close friends and when he got home from his mission in Hawaii, they started dating again. right before her birthday in September, he asked that fateful question. they've set the date for January 6th. 

we can't wait and are so excited for them. Congratulations Ashley and Blaze! (Ashley just started a blog too; see it here). they're also some of my favorite subjects for pictures, so expect to see more of the cute couple.

Ashley got some great gifts...bad to admit I'm jealous? she wasn't nearly as embarrassed as we expected her to be when she opened her sexier presents- I didn't even get a full blush out of her with my gift!

I didn't really take the time to document the event because I was busy socializing/hosting. we did play a fun game where I asked Ashley questions that Blaze had already answered on video and saw how they matched up. Ashley did very well; some of their answers were the same, word for word! go Sissy...and a special thanks to Blaze for editing the video for me.

Mesa Temple lights

I love to see the Temple

my wonderful Mother planned a family trip to the Mesa Temple lights. since it's been cold out and we went pretty early, there were hardly any people there. it made for such an amazing experience, without the usual crowds. we were able to take pictures (I took a lot) and take our time soaking in the beautiful light display. my Mom even brought hot chocolate and doughnuts. it was delicious. of course, I eat anything I can these days...it's awesome.

as for our Christmas plans, we are going to Miami to spend my favorite holiday with Tom's parents! I, for one, am so excited! I'll probably be dying from the heat while we're there (I've gotten used to this unseasonably cool AZ weather), but I still can't wait. I have so many friends and parents-in-law who I can't wait to see.

here are my favorite pictures from our Temple trip:

Ashley and Blaze kindly posed for me...a lot!

love me some Mesa Temple! seriously, there is so much that this Temple means to me. not only is this the Temple I went into for the first time, and was married here, but it is also where my parents were married.

Grateful

Things I'm grateful for this year:

a loving husband

being near my family

expecting our first baby!!!!

the internet (we went a couple weeks without it in our new apartment- i almost died)

our new apartment/furniture

good doctors who answer my questions

pinterest...don't laugh

my new camera (early Christmas present)

much, much more

Thanksgiving this year was incredible. I ran in the Inaugural Gilbert Turkey Trot (5k) with my family. Then we feasted at my parent's house. It was such fun gathering with my family and taking pictures of almost everyone.

First, here is a picture of me, showing off my baby bump.

 Dallin and Krew waiting for the runners to arrive. 

 Sadie was the star of Thanksgiving. We also took a picture of her hiding with all the bears!