Christmas 2011

Christmas 2011 was a great one! We went to Jason's parents' house this year because we got to have Katie for Christmas! Laura and Ben were able to come down from DC also so that was wonderful!
My Christmas tree this year.....


Jason decorated with lights this year. Here is our backyard. Do you love the big Teepee in our neighbor's backyard? yuk!.....


The front of the house.....


Our Christmas tree....


At Jason's parents' house, opening gifts....


Jason's dad decorated random things throughout the house. We kept finding new decorations in odd spots....it made us laugh!

Family pic.....

Katie got her grandpa a "million bucks" bill for Christmas because she says "he is worth a million bucks....

Jason's mom's Christmas tree.....

Another random decoration of Larry's.....

My Christmas gift from Jason.....WOW! My honey spoils me!!!! :)

My dogs got Gingerbread men to chew on from Santa. One of the men was missing a leg when we out that morning.....wonder who did that?

Katie helping Grandma make cinnimon rolls Christmas Eve....

The Big 40!

So as you all know...this December 16th I turned the big 40! I have to admit I was pretty grumpy about it. So my hubby decided to change that and make it the best birthday ever...which he did! First, I got up that morning and found a dozen red roses (my favorite) and two presents. I got the Kitchenaid I have wanted forever in shiny red. I also got a beautiful bracelet from Katie. Then about 3:00 that day I got a text from Jason and it told me to go home and pack an overnight bag. He wouldn't tell me where we were going. He took me to Big Sky to Lone Mountain Ranch for a dinner sleigh ride! We were pulled in sleds by some big, beautiful horses (named Charlie and Ted) through the woods up hill to a cozy cabin. There we had a prime rib dinner with cheesecake dessert. There was a nice group of people there with us. They all sang "Happy Birthday" to me and the chef put a candle in my cheesecake. Jason and I sat across the table from a nice engaged couple from Denver. She was there celebrating her 30th birthday. So after a wonderful dinner and some entertainment (Rick sang and played his guitar) we were taken back down the hill in our sleds. Then we went down the road a bit from the ranch to a nice, cozy hotel named Buck's. It was a wonderful birthday full of surprises....thank you honey. I love you! :) I am a lucky girl!

Also...Thank you to all who called or emailed birthday wishes....it meant a lot to me!

Thanksgiving 2011

For Thanksgiving this year, Jason and I went to my parents' house. We had my three sisters and their families there too. We had a ton of great food...we all got stuffed. It was fun to see everyone and just spend time together. We did miss our brothers and their families!

The kids' tables.....

I worked hard to get my nephew, Ryan, to smile....

My first experience with Black Friday Shopping. Denise, Jenelle, Jason, and I went. It was crazy croweded. We went to Walmart, Target, and Kohl's. Denise and Jenelle got everything on their lists for 1/2 off and I picked up some things as well. It was fun.

Jason and I went down to Afton, WY on Friday to go Christmas Tree hunting with Jason's family. We got a beautiful tree. We were out in a blizzard but it was still fun.

We also made Gingerbread houses for Christmas that evening. It is a tradition. Jason and I bought a little "village" from Walmart this year to try something different. It turned out cute.

Our "village". I call it our "neighborhood" instead. Jason and I each did two houses. Jason added the melted Jolly Rancher pond in the middle.

Jason's cousins, Andrew and Jennifer, decided to make a Egyptian pyramid this year. It includes a mummy and buried treasure.

Jason and his dad were twins....

My hubby split his head open with the scope on rifle when we went shooting with Chris and Jenelle. He is still not sure how it happened and he says it didn't even hurt when it hit him. We guess is was the kick from the gun that bumped his head with the scope. I took him to the clinic and he had to get 6 stitches! He will now have a manly scar on his forehead. :)

Saturday evening my sisters, my mom, and I went to see "Breaking Dawn. Part 1". It was a good movie. My dad got us all shirts for the occasion. The men babysat and we had a good girls' night out!