Cuddles in the Big Bed

This is what we do everyday in our getting ready for naps or bed routine. We play in the big bed. It is so much fun. Sometimes playtime is long and sometimes it is quick but it is always happy! Playing in the big bed consists of cuddles, covers, hiding under covers and pillows, funny faces, tickles, wiggles, and "pat pats". Pat pats are when Daddy hides under the covers and Alli gives him a pat pat to wake him up. She finds that hilarious. We all love playing in the big bed with our cute, fun, kind, happy girl!

Christmas Festivities!

Santa Claus came to see Allison! She kept her eye on him but didn't seem to be afraid. He was so nice.

We love Santa!All ready to go to church in her pretty red dress.
We love you!
Christmas Morning!!!
*we totally failed and forgot out camera! only had our phone camera.

Having homemade bread at the Phillips. Yummy.

Allison with her new penguin pillow pet at the Spongberg's.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! We sure did!

Sesame Street Live!

Aunt Danielle, Allison and I went to the show. It was full of singing and dancing with our favorite characters. Alli was most excited about Elmo, Zoe, Cookie Monster, Oscar and Big Bird because they are in the ones that are in one of her favorite books. We were not really sure if Allison was enjoying the show but then when it ended she burst into tears and wanted them to keep going. It was so sad but made it all worth it. Glad she loved it and had fun.

Five years into Eternity...

Is there anything more lovely in the world than sharing your life with someone who means everything to you? We are so in love and cherish our time together just like the day we said "Yes" to forever maybe we cherish our time even more now. Many, many things have changed in our lives these past five years but we would choose each other again and again, forever and ever.We celebrated out anniversary by going up to The Zermatt Resort in Midway. It was beautiful. Yesterday afternoon we treated ourselves to massages and then drove up to the hotel. We ate dinner there and explored the shops and area. We bought some European chocolate, oh so good! The grounds were great. They had a carousel, a lake, stream, and pools. There was steam coming off all the water and it looked very romantic. The next morning we got up and had bagels from the Swiss bakery and shopped at the outlets. It was a quick yet perfect get away to celebrate our 5 year anniversary.
Love you forever! Happy Anniversary!

*What has changed these past five years?

4 places lived

1 new car

2 college degrees

1 new job

3 sister-in-laws added to the families

1 darling two year old

1 baby to come

5 countries visited

We are excited to see what the next 5 years brings....

Tis the Season

for family fun, lights, treats, being with friends, shopping, wrapping, and remembering. To kick things off we went to see the Christmas lights at Temple Square.We ate dinner at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.

and watched the Nativity Scene. After all, we wouldn't have a Christmas season if it wasn't for the birth of our Savior, the Redeemer of the world, baby Jesus. He is the reason for the season!
Before we left Allison played with the water and decided she would try to get a closer look. We love her, always full of adventures and silliness.
A bit later into the season we made a quick little drive up to Idaho Falls. My dear and near (to my heart) friend lives up there and she was going to help me work on some crafts I was making for Christmas. She is my crafting buddy and we used to always make great things together. I have not crafted much at all since she moved far away to Washington but now she is in Idaho which is way easier to go visit. So we made of day trip of it and the girls sewed while the boys watched football and the little girls napped and played. It was a very fun and productive day. Thanks a million for your help Shalise!
Allison and Keira--aren't they cutie pies?!?!
These are the aprons we made and they are reversible. I loved how they turned out!!!

Family Reunion 2010

We had a fantastic Sanders family reunion over Thanksgiving. We went up to Aspen Grove in Provo Canyon and had an entire floor of a lodge for our big family. It was a perfect setup. Two long halls with individual rooms on both sides down the hall with a large common area and kitchen in the middle.

Allison got busy and checked to make sure Uncle Josh's bed was comfy.We had a great view from the window in our room. That is the back of Mt. Timpanogoos.

The first night started out with a little dance party! Mom taught everyone the Virgina Reel and the Hustle. Allison and Scarlett were having a blast dancing!

Then some of the little cousins settled in to watch a movie. Nemo, I think.
This reunion was extra wonderful for Allison because she got to spend time with her favorite cousin of mine, Camille. Allison seriously just loves her. Ron and Jeanne brought their dog up and that was the cherry on top.
She spent some time practicing being a big sister with baby Kash.
There was lots of hanging out, talking, cooking, playing games, and just enjoying each others company. And all the while playing Mom's crazy, fun game she made up called Who Wants to be an Amazing Survivor Millionaire? You can only imagine the fun that was had with that. Good job Mama!

Many games of poker and hold 'em were played by the boys.

We took our little snow bunny sledding for the first time. She had the biggest smile on her face as she would cruise by. Pretty sure she loved it!

On the first night (Wednesday) we played the most fun/most challenging/most hilarious game ever! Everyone started with a full size paper grocery bag and you had to pick it up with your teeth, on one foot, and not touch the ground. After each round two inches were cut off the top of the bag. Around, around we went until only Jennie, Dane, and Abbie were left and only about a half inch of bag was left. They all contorted themselves enough and got it--WINNERS!

Thanksgiving morning started out with a Turkey Bowl. Let's not forget the temperature outside the night before was -10 degrees. It was cold up there! But many braved the cold in the spirit of football.

Later we took some family pictures with our beautiful scenery.

These are the majority of the little cousins who were there. Notice Alli did not want to participate... From left to right, the bottom row is Allison, Leah, Jace, Nixon, Cory, Aiden. On the top is Bella, Jaylee, Whitney, Scarlett. Missing is Kash, Leila, Giada, and Juliet.

Cousins are the best!

Here are some of the big girl cousins! Love them so much!

Of course after our yummy Thanksgiving dinner we played the left/right game. It is a tradition in our family that started years and years ago by Grandma Sanders. We all still love to play it every year.

The reunion ended on Saturday with Josh and Kira's wedding and reception. This reunion was so great, I can't say enough about it. Everyone had a fun time and we are planning to do it again in two years. Looking forward to Aspen Grove 2012!

St. George

A few weeks ago Allison and I headed down to St. George for a weekend. We went with my mom and dad, my Uncle Scott and Aunt Tobi, my cousins Julia and Jennie and her husband Brock and the little ones Jace, Nixon, and baby Leila. It was a relaxing trip and everyone had a really great time. I unfortunately got sick and only had a little bit of a great time. I didn't even want to go shopping at the outlets--crazy, I know! But shopping is not fun when you don't feel well. We did get to see Nolan, Treo, Jaylee, and meet their new baby Kash. Jaylee, Nixon, and Allison are about the same age. Alli and Nix are good buddies and always seem to have fun (get into mischief) when they're together. It was very fun to see them with Jaylee too. On Sunday Labu and Papa took Alli and I stayed behind at the condo. They went to hike in a slot canyon, go to the temple grounds, and find one our ancestors grave. I gave my mom my camera and said I haven't taken a picture all weekend so take some if you want. These were the pictures she took. Thanks Mama.Allison and her cousin Nixon. I love that they're holding hands. So cute!
Papa offering a helping hand.

Visiting the grave of our ancestors. I think this would be my Great-great-great-great Grandpa. I will have to double check the number of greats.