Thanksgiving in Texas

We had such a fun Thanksgiving this year. We drove to Texas to spend time with Alan's family for a week. His whole family was there so it made for a fun week! We ate delicious Mexican food, played games just about every night, did a little shopping and had a great time!

On the big day I helped my mother in law cook. Mainly because when we are with my family, I cook the same things every year and wanted to keep up that tradition. My mother in law was really great to let me take over party of the meal and cook what I love to cook. All the food was so good and we had a great time just chatting. We then went to see The Blindside. What an amazing moving!!! If you haven't seen it, go see it! Amazing movie!! We later ate pie and played games. Such a fun day! I love Thanksgiving because I love being with family, eating good food, focusing on all I am grateful for and have in my life and of course I love this time of year! I love the holidays!

I love the holidays so much that I just had to decorate my house for Christmas before Thanksgiving. I just couldn't wait! Here is my tree. The picture just doesn't do it justice. It really turned out so pretty and I am in love with my creation. ;)


This was on the drive down to Texas watching Swiss Family Robinson. Remember that movie? What a classic. I can't believe how well Justin did! He asked 3 times in the first hour if we were there yet but luckily didn't ask again until morning. Then it was every 3-5 minutes, "Are we there? How much longer? I just can't wait! Why is this taking so long!" But my favorite part was when he started to sing, "I love Texas! I love to come to Texas!" And on and on. It was really cute. He loves going to see his grandma and grandpa. (He rode with his cousins the whole way home. Apparently they are more fun than we are. I guess 16 hours in a car is more fun with other kids.)



Justin and his cousin's played video games probably half the time we were down there.

We had family pictures taken because who knows when we'll all be together again. The girl next to me is Yoonsung. She just married Alan's little brother, Dustin. We love her! She is from Korea and you know what the whole world thinks of Americans? We are so obnoxious and sarcastic. She picked up quickly how sarcastic we were and I think got used to us being so obnoxious. She held her own and I was impressed how well she did! Jen is the little one who is married to Kyle (Alan's brother) and then Audrey. Alan's only sister. I had a great time with all of them!

One of my purchases on the trip. I just loved them so much I had to take a picture of them. I have a shoe problem but what girl doesn't?!

The whole family

Just the girls

My sister in law took these pictures. Justin and I wrestled a couple of times on this trip. Justin loves to wrestle and I've learned that when he wants to wrestle, it is his way of wanting to bond with me so of course I am all about it! I had such a fun time with him on this trip. He's such a great kid and I love our "wrestling" moments.

(Gage trying to save his cousin.)

What I am thankful for this year:

1. Family. I LOVE my family and Alan's family and love spending time with them.

2. My marriage. Being married to Alan has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. He's been so good for me and I just adore him. One of the things I love most about him (and what he brings out in me) is the fact that he can so easily admit when he's wrong (as can I) and always validates how I feel. I love that about him.

3. Justin. Our relationship continues to grow and I am so grateful for how well he handles having to share two families.

4. Being in the Young Women's Presidency. It has been such a neat experience to work such amazing young women. My calling keeps me pretty busy and I love it! I love our whole presidency. We all bring out the best in each other and I love working with them. I also love the spiritual aspect of it. I work beside such spiritually strong women who have been an amazing example to me.

Of course I am grateful for many, many more things but those are the top for me. I love my life and am grateful for the road it has taken me on.