It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We know it's barely November...but since we are heading to Utah for Thanksgiving and won't be back until December starts anyway, we figured we should get into the Holiday spirit and come home to a decked house. To start, Richard hung the lights on the house (he did such a fabulous job...although it scared the living crap out of me to see him hanging on the roof like that).

Last night I made this wreath to hang on the door.

I was pretty pleased with myself.

Lastly, I got out my most prized possession...my Lenox China Jewels Nativity set. It retired last year, and a couple of weeks ago Richard gave me the last piece for our nine year dating anniversary, the very hard to find kneeling shepherd boy. (And yes, we celebrate our dating anniversary.) Thanks also to my wonderful mother and good friend Rob who gave me all the other pieces. I should note that I don't have the angels in the set. There are like five or six of them (and as you can see, it's big enough already), and they have big wings that I don't like. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Happy Holidays!

Don't Blame Me...

...I voted for McCain.

Happy Haunting!

Ellie was a BYU cheerleader for her first Halloween. (Thanks for the costume Aunt Nanny!) We had a lot of fun going to the trunk-or-treat and spending time with Grandma and Aunt Tami.

Dallas Arboretum Pumpkin Patch

Last Saturday we went to the Dallas Arboretum to take our Halloween pictures in the pumpkin patch. Here are some of my favs from our outing. Enjoy!

Utah Adventures

Ellie and I got back on Monday from our 10 day trip to Utah. We went to Charisse's bridal shower and wedding, Suz's mission farwell, and got to spend a lot of time with the fam. Here are a couple of cute pics from the trip.

Oh yeah, and Richard ran a triathlon while we were gone. :)

Dawsonisms

I have the most adorable 4 year old nephew. Dawson is very smart and energetic and enjoys testing the waters of his mom and dad's patience...but we sure do love him.

Today, I spent some time at Bryan and Melissa's with Suz, and she and I got to overhear a conversation that Melissa and Dawson were having as he was taking his evening shower:

*Dawson jumps in the tub, slips, and falls (after having been told not to do it once before already)*

Melissa: Dawson, you are one lucky son-of-a-gun. You could have bitten your lip and it could have been a lot worse.

Dawson: Mom, what's a son-of-a-gun?

Melissa: (Pause) Oh, it's just a silly term.

Dawson: (Pauses then asks very concernedly) I'm a silly term?

*Steph, Suz, Melissa (and then Dawson) laugh hysterically*

And then we were having FHE at their house a few minutes later. We learned about the articles of faith. Melissa wanted to do a review with Dawson before bed. It went something like this:

Melissa: Dawson, who wrote the articles of faith?

Dawson: Um, Jesus?

Melissa: Uh, no.

Dawson: Heavenly Father?

Melissa: (chuckles) No.

Dawson: Richard?

*Again, hysterical laughter by all*

You gotta love this kid!

I ♥ Aunt Nanny!

I am so happy that my Aunt Nanny came to visit me. She was such a help to my mommy! We went on walks, went shopping, watched movies, and I loved spending time with her. I can't wait to see her again next week when mommy takes me to Utah for Aunt Nanny's mission farewell. She is going to serve the Lord in Stockholm, Sweden for a year and a half. I will miss her but I know that she has an important job to do to bring the gospel to the people in Sweden.

I love you Aunt Nanny!

♥ Ellie