*Decked and Ready*

I love decorating for Christmas but this was the first year we had to do it alone :( It took longer of course but in no time our house was ready for the holidays inside and out:

So with the house done its' time for shopping and baking etc.

Lots of online shopping this year.

 We're Ready!

Rebels

It's no secret that this family is big into the UNLV Rebels bball team. Well they played SUU in Nov so it was a great opportunity to get fabulous seats and go see them play for less too.

 The seats don't get much better than this!

 We met Hayden & Megan there as well as Dave and Bear and Josh.

After the game was over it was pretty fun to see the Rebel bus parked out front. The team had a rough night but we still enjoyed watching them.

Pickle Ball Party

We ordered our own pickle ball equipment and it got here just in time for Thanksgiving. Thank goodness because we had some fun planned.

 We went down to the middle school tennis courts because they had the fewest big cracks and laid out a pickle ball court using the last of our blue painters tape.

 We all took turns sitting out for a bit because there were 7 of us.

Basically we are not professional at this by any means but it sure was fun. I can't believe how bad I really am but it didn't matter it was still fun. After our pickle ball party it was time to head out. Now it was time to say goodbye to Christina who decided she better get back to Provo and beat the storm coming. Then we drove in to Vegas with 2 cars because there were 6 of us and went to Panda Express before going to a movie. Hayden and Megan had never been to a luxury theater so we went to the one in Henderson. We saw Fantastic Beasts and where to Find Them together. Not my fave but it was still fun to go together. Right after the movie we headed over to the airport and had to drop Jeff and Rachel off for their red eye flight home. We didn't envy them one bit. Over night flights are so miserable! So then it was 4. By the time we got home it was straight to bed. After church the next morning it was time for Hayden & Megan to go home as well. I don't know if stretching out the good byes is better or worse but they were all gone in the twinkling of an eye. Thank goodness Ashley's family are still in Logandale and haven't left us! It was a super fun holiday. We tried to pull out all the stops because we knew we weren't going to be seeing Jeff & Rachel at Christmas. We partied hard then before we knew it it was time to start getting ready for Christmas!!

Happy Birthday Rees

Saturday was here before we knew it and it all started with Rees' birthday. We were all invited to the Comeau's for a yummy birthday breakfast. They made us lemon pancakes and fruit and muffins and all sorts of yumminess. Seriously divine. After we had all feasted we had some time to laze around and visit and of course open presents!

 Seriously how many kids read the cards?

 Rees had a helper or two

Time ot put those star wars toys models together and play with them.

It was a great birthday party and I am in shock that Rees is nine! He's the best kid and we are so happy he's part of our family.

Family Chocolate Tasting

After our hike we had another fun activity planned after we chilled for a bit. 

We taste tested so much chocolate. We taught the kids how to feel it and smell it and snap it and guess the other notes like fruit in each kind. I told them where it was from and we went from there.

The best quote of the night and maybe the year goes to Cooper. When asked what was his favorite kind he just blurted out"I didn't get a stick!" He apparently didn't get an orange stick. So funny. That's our comment for pretty much everything now.

It was a super fun night for everyone. 

We ate lots of chocolate and even had tons of leftovers. Maybe a new tradition?

Hiking the Valley of Fire

Friday was a great day to go outside. It was cool but not cold. Nice and sunny too. Mike Lewis was in town and joined us for our hike. It was great to catch up and get some exercise too.

 It's fair to say Ashley's boys loved the hike!

 Christina was Dane's buddy

 The other two boys just spent most of the time hanging out with everyone.

It was so nice to get out for awhile and enjoy each others company and the  beautiful scenery.

The Valley of Fire just never seems to get old.