Fun with my Mom ("Lola")

The Annual Snowman Swap!
hUzZah!
This is seriously a favorite event of the season. Mom hosts it every year. I will definitely miss it (except everyone always stealing from ME. . . ha!) Maybe I'll start it in Denver.


Church Christmas Party!
Okay, so even though my mom is in charge of this event every year . . . I am ALWAYS her personal assistant (i.e. - the director of all entertainment) each year. This is always fun, bust stressful! It was totally different this year, but a blast. We turned the completely bare gym into a Christmas wonderland (with the help of the youth) during a 3 minute version of "We Need a Little Christmas!" Fun!


Luke & Lola's Gingerbread House!
My mom has started a new tradition since Luke's been old enough of having a one-on-one Gingerbread House Making Party with him. He LOVES it and this year looked forward to it for 2 days. He is very inquisitive about what looks best where and likes Lola's opinions. He also EATS as much candy as he puts on. Shocker!

November: The Month of Big Celebrations

Our baby Miles turned one November 7!
We cannot believe it! He is SUCH a happy, determined, hungry, snuggly little guy. We are SOO thrilled to have him!

Luke was ALL ABOUT "helping" Miles open his presents (Shocker!) although Miles was doing just fine on his own! He was thrilled about his gifts.
We were so glad my parents, Papa & Lola, along with Michael & Sierra were there to celebrate with us!

Kami turned the BIG 3-0 on November 16th!

Yes, it's true! I am 30 and can't believe it! I was actually really dreading this birthday (for the first time ever) so I guess that means I really am getting old. HOWEVER - 30 ain't so bad after all! :) The anticipation was far worse than the actual event. Jake was interviewing in Denver on my b-day (HOORAY!) but, I was bummed he wasn't there. He DID have my friends and family carry out the surprise party he had planned. It was so fun! (Pictures to come soon from my sister's camera.)

Jacob & Kami celebrated their 5th Anniversary on November 19th!
Again, another milestone. Five years and going strong! My neighbor had given me a gift card for my birthday to a really fancy steakhouse - so that's where we went to celebrate. Ironically, I did not get steak - I got Alaskan King Crab, Lobster Bisque & Creme' Brule'. Amazing. Yummy. I want more! Ha!

Thanksgiving with my family and Grandma Rae!

We were so glad that Grandma came down to spend the holiday with us in Georgia! It was her first holiday without Grandpa - so it was tender, but she was amazing. We all missed him though.

Luke & Lola playing FOOTBALL! Yeah!

We took Grandma to the High Museum of Art to see the DaVinci exhibit that's there now. It was fantastic. Luke had a great time too making crafts at the kids center.











Now that we are about to move away from Georgia . . . sniff . . . I was glad my Grandma wanted to see some of the Civil War sites that I hadn't seen yet.

Barrington Hall: One of the last remaining Plantations in the area.






The Cyclorama: An amazing 400 foot long, 50 foot high painting depicting the Battle of Atlanta that turned the war around and basically led to the Union Victory. Grandma and I are standing next to The Texas. This train went on a backwards chase to catch up with The General that had been stolen by Union soldiers under cover as Confederates. Cool story!!!
















BYU beat UTAH!!!
Yeah! This is always an event of much emotion in our home as we are divided: I am a Cougar, Jake is a Ute. (I know, I know. It is amazing we fell in love!) This year, we watched the game with the Mansell family - obviously ALL die-hard Utes. And WHY, you may ask, are MY children in RED??? I met Jake and the boys there. DADDY got them ready. Ugh. That's okay! Luke was shouting"Go Cougars!" with me by the end of the night. AND - we won. That's all that really matters!