Happy Holidays

So much has happened in our lives since the last post of my blog. We had the opportunity to go to Boise to visit Mike's family duirng Thanksgiving and we had a lot of fun. Abbie and I stayed for a little over two weeks and Mike was able to take off work for a week and be with us for a whole week. Abbie had so much fun playing with her cousins (so sad, realized I didn't take any pictures with her cousins this year). She was sad she couldn't play more and often asks us when we are going back to see her cousins and grandpa and grandma. While we were in Boise, it snowed so much that they had a snow day and Abbie had so much fun playing in the snow thanks to Justin and grandpa. (she ate so much snow -we made sure it was clean LOL) We haven't seen Mike's brother Justin since before he left on his mission and came back this March so we had a lot of fun listening to his stories from his mission and cultures in Marshall Islands. Justin is the only member on Mike's sibling that I could really relate my love of Asian cultures. I cannot wait to go on missions with Mike and travel around the world to not only see things but experience and get to know different cultures.







I always love going down to San Diego especially to the temple, which we were able to do this month. We try to go to the temple whenever we go down (with free babysitters-my sisters). San Diego temple has a very special place in my heart since Mike and I were sealed there. I always remember and feel how truly blessed I am to have such a wonderful husband in my life. We also went to Mike's work party and got to meet many people Mike works with.

We celebrated Mike's 31st birthday on the 20th which he has been so busy with his work that he didn't really get to enjoy it this year but hopefully next year will be different!

My mom and my sisters threw me a babyshower up here in the desert. They put lots of time into it and I am grateful to have such a loving and caring sisters and mom. I received so many gifts and am grateful for all my friends and family.




For Christmas this year, since I can't travel long distance anymore, my family came up from San Diego to spend Christmas with us. Abbie was so loved by our family, she got lots of presents this year. She got to decorate cookies and left it by the fireplace with a cup of eggnog for "Santa" to enjoy it. We taught Abbie the true meaning of Christmas (which was hard with so many presents) but she remembered that it was Jesus' birthday. Her face lights up whenever she talked about the Savior and it melts my heart to know that even a little tiny and young girl can understand the happiness that brings into our lives through knowing the Savior. I was also blessed and received gifts from Mike (which we decided not to do this year but he got presents anyway). I cannot believe how fast time has flew by the past two months... I wish we were able to enjoy the holidays more but I am looking forward to a new year being with the ones that I love and can't wait to welcome a new baby girl into our lives. Only 2 and a half weeks left to go!!

Here are some of the pictures from Christmas (my mom and my sister took most of the pictures with their cameras so I need to get it from them)