Monday, February 13, 2012

back to december

we started december off with a bang by having the ward christmas party in our backyard. 
hosting a "night in bethlehem" at our home has been my mom's dream for years 
so despite all the stress and work it took to get ready, it was totally worth it. 
i am pleased to announce that it all went off without a hitch 
and she is even entertaining the idea of doing it again.

 

everyone came and set out blankets to eat and socialize. 
we had the coolest booths set up for food, dessert, candle and bead making, etc. 
and of course, a night in bethlehem wouldn't be complete without a rabbi to tell stories! 
one of my favorite parts was the angels up in the treehouse with the spotlight. 
it was magical.


 
this is probably one of my favorite photos of the night. 
we had a petting zoo with baby miniature goats and lambs
he was obsessed with the sheep--too cute!


 
the donkey we tried to book had another gig that night [seriously, he did]
so we settled for this little guy instead
i had literally worked all day so my definition of "bethlehem attire" was haphazardly throwing on 
a coat and a few scarves over my workout clothes. 
not quite as convincing as i had hoped it would be.


 
the absolute best part was ending the party with a live nativity.
goats, sheep, donkey/mini horse, shepherds, wisemen, angels, real baby...
the whole deal.


 
after the nativity all the little kids ran up to the manger, wanting to meet baby jesus.
it was the cutest thing to see their faces!
 ...............................................................

 after the ward party was over, it was a race to get ready for christmas!
we celebrated the holiday in utah this year since we had a lot of big events happening up there.

 

of course there was a lot of baking going on...
[best when done late at night while in your pajamas or a santa apron]


 

sometimes christmas can just be so overwhelming...
a few meltdowns occurred, but none as cute as this one!
who can resist running for their camera when such sad and pathetic cuteness is happening?
.................................................

our cousin jessie got married just two days after christmas
so there was lots of partying going on
 
some of my cute cousins at the reception

 
we're all so happy for jessie & kelly
[even if the photo booth man could not be convinced jessie was the bride and kelly was the groom]
 .................................................

fast-forward two days and we were at the salt lake temple again 
for the wedding of one of my oldest and dearest friends 
i was so excited i could be there with them

 
when we were growing up, jenni was always sure about two things:
1. she wasn't they marrying type
&
2. if she did get married, she would have an absolutely gigantic and gorgeous ring
at least she was right about one of them!
[i had to document it because her selective memory didn't believe she would have said such a thing]


 
and here i am with the happy couple
the official third wheel!
but i am sure glad jen got such a good second wheel
i wouldn't have let her go through with it if i didn't think he was absolutely perfect! 
...............................................

and that, my friends
was december
in a nutshell.

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