Christmas 2012

Other Christmas adventures this year took us to our awesome zoo to see the lights and the new elephant habitat and newly arrived rhinoceros.  The place stunk so bad, but was very impressive to see.  

A bit frigid, but a wonderful night.  There's our beautiful city in the background.

With this only being the second year that we've had Christmas at our house, we're still trying to figure out our own traditions.  The kids acted out the Christmas story on Christmas Eve.  The costumes they put together were great!  Here's the angel visiting the shepherds.

 (Again with the sideways pictures, I still can't figure out how to flip them.)

Make that two angels :)  

 Mary so fair

Donkey

 Joseph

I love how serious Colton is in this picture

We all received new jammies on Christmas Eve.  It's one of the first actual pair of pajamas I've gotten in my adult life, usually it's just sweatpants and a t-shirt for me.

The norm

 The Cinderella outfit was a huge hit with this little princess, Grandma

The loot!!

Everyone got robes too.  I think this might have been Colton's favorite gift of Christmas, go figure!

LEGOS!!!

Crystal growing set.  This girl likes her some sparkly rocks :)

TinkerBell

After our present-opening marathon at home....the kids weren't done.  Early the next day we drove to Arizona to spend time with my side of the family.  

Here the kids are about to enjoy Christmas morning Take 2 with Gramma and Grandad

We all had such a wonderful time in AZ with family.  The warmer weather was great.  We enjoyed a few bike rides.  Other highlights were an evening at the dinner theater, riding on motorized animals around the mall, food, golf, Lexi getting her ears pierced, visiting with friends and family we haven't seen for a long time, tamales, temple lights, games, spike the dinosaur, and did I mention food?

Mesa Temple lights

I think some of the most memorable moments overall  were things like this...

 Cuddle time with Gramma and Grandad :)

Another exciting thing that happened there was Nathan and I celebrated our 13th anniversary.  I have to just brag about my amazing man.  He sent me on this "scavenger hunt" with only a big envelope and a map.  I went to the first location (which happened to be a nail salon) and handed the receptionist the envelope.  The employees said you must be Alyssa and gave me a big ol' grin.  The manager said your husband took care of everything, just relax!  So I ended up having a manicure and a pedicure, but after each step there was another envelope with hints/ directions on what to do next.  After the pedicure there was another map that took me to a place where I got a massage, again the employees expecting me and giving me the royal treatment.  After that... a facial.  Boy there was a lot of preparation and moving parts Nate had to figure out.  It was so fun and I felt so loved and special.  

 I then came back to meet him and we went to dinner and to see the movie we were anxiously waiting to see -

 Les Miserables.  It was the perfect day and I feel so blessed to have this remarkable man as my best friend and eternal companion.  Love you honey!