December

The last month of the year. We made it through finals. I took my very last official final of my life. I have more tests to come but that was my last final for a class. You have to celebrate the little things. The day after finals, we moved all of our things to Ogden. With help from good neighbors, we were able to pack up our apartment in one day. The best part was that it all fit into our two cars. It's awesome not having a lot of stuff. I'm going to miss these days. 

To celebrate the end of the year we drove down and spent a few days in St. George. Taylor got to experience the Pink Palace first hand. My grandparents purchased a home in St. George a lot time ago and my grandma, being the hip and stylish woman she was, decided to decorate the entire home pink. We are talking carpet, wallpaper, stucco, everything. It's pretty epic! I have such great memories of visiting the Pink Palace for Thanksgiving. It was fun to be able to share them with Taylor. 

Since we had time, we drove over to Zion National Park and spent a few days exploring. I'm not sure if I have ever been there before but I was so amazed at how beautiful everything was. 

We did Angel's Landing trail. There were parts where we had to hold on to a chain in order not to fall. 

After St. George, we met up with the Christensen family in Salt Lake. My parents found a house to rent and all 20 of us were under one roof. It was a blast! The first day, a few of us went skiing. The weather was pretty hairy but it was totally worth it. Especially when I got to see Taylor ski for the second time in his life. He did a great job and was a good sport. He only fell twice! 

The rest of the break was filled a variety of Christmas traditions and celebrations. I was excited for Taylor to experience a Christmas with little kids. The magic of Christmas, presents, the nativity, lights, etc. all become more real with a child. Christmas with 10 kids is absolutely amazing! 

Singing Christmas carols with the Calvert's 

Christmas cookies with Grandpa Peter 

Our traditional Bethlehem dinner to commemorate how Christ would have dressed and eaten  

Opening presents Christmas morning  

This was one of my favorite parts - attending the temple with all of my siblings while Grandma and Grandpa watched the kiddos. (We really missed Hannah!) 

Temple Square Lights 

Getting to know Baby Peter! He's an absolute doll 

After all the Christmas festivities, we headed back east to kick off the New Year with the Lind's. The first day we were there we went to Amish country. I remember going with my dad when I was younger and eating Shoo Fly pie and watching the buggies pass by. It was fun to go back and see everything again. We went to an Amish Smorgasbord. I have never been in a room with so much food and so many people eating. 

We got to seek away one day and go back to Washington D.C. Oh how I love that city! Just driving through it again made me want to move. It has captured my heart and I don't know if it will ever let go. 

It was a great way to start the New Year and we couldn't be more excited for 2015!!