"It's the most wonderful time. . .

. . . of the year!"

Decorating our gingerbread house
This year Amber did the smartest thing EVER. . . she bought a pre-assembled house, so not only were we lazy and didn't bake the gingerbread pieces, but it was even already in the box as a house so all we had to do was the fun part DECORATE!


Me and the girlies

I cant decide if we liked decorating or eating the decorations more!

Who's Lady and Who's Tramp?!?

SO THANKFUL!

I have so many amazing things to be thankful for! I am especially thankful however for my family! My definition of Family has definitely been molded throughout the years. It now not only includes those with whom I share my blood, but has expanded to friendships that I cherish and that mean the world to me. I don't know what I would do without my "families". They are both always there for me through thick, thin, and CRAZY. I am thankful for the examples they set for me and their ability to love me for who I am ha. I hope you all know that I love you and am so grateful for the impact you have all made on my life.
THANK YOU!

JuMp, JiVe, and. . .Ahhhh!

I Love, Love, Love jumping pictures!! I feel they capture a joy that is hard to capture in just a smile.





I also LOVE and adore these girls! We always have so much fun together!! We played at the park at took pics of the kids and of course I had to get in on some of the fun!

HaPPy HaLLoWeeN!!

How Can I Be?

How can I be,

Like my brother Nephi and my father Lehi of old?
How can I be,

like captain Moroni and the wars that were told?
How can I be forever

like the promise to the three Nephites?

I wanna be Samuel the Lamanite
I wanna be Benjamin the wise
I wanna be like Abinadi
Oh tell me how, can I be like them?

How can I be,

like Alma the younger a strong servent of the Lord?
How can I be,

like mighty Ammon whose heart was his sword?
How can I be a strippling warrior

and learn to fight by faith?

I wanna be Samuel the Lamanite
I wanna be Benjamin the wise
I wanna be like Abinidi
Oh tell me how, can I be like them?

How can I be,

like my brother Joseph when he prayed in a grove of trees?
How can I have,

the strength that he had and the love he had for God?
How can I be courageous

and strive to choose the right?

I wanna be Samuel the Lamanite
I wanna be Benjamin the wise
I wanna be like Abinidi
I wanna be like Jesus Christ

Oh tell me how, can I be like Him?

(I was shown a video on You Tube of this song being sung and fell in love with it. Let us strive everyday to be like him.)

New York, New York!

So this is posted a little late, but better late than never I guess. While I was in Philadelphia I had opportunities to do tons of fun stuff! Since New York is only a couple hours away we were able to go there a couple times. It is like a whole different world over there!

At the financial district in NYC looking across the Hudson at Jersey

See the tiny Statue of Liberty behind us. . .

Looking out over the construction at ground zero from the World Financial Building

This statue ot the world originally stood in front of the World Trade Center. After 9/11 it was miraculously still standing in this condition. It was moved to Battery Park as memorial of that event.

We never actually went to Empire State Building, but we accidently saw it once (here) while trying to find our way somewhere else.

Of course no New York trip would be complete without Times Square. Not gonna lie it was a little overwhelming! And everything so soo tall.


Hanging out in Central Park

We had fun riding the nasty subway. . .and even had a little entertainment in the meantime

I dont have a picture but we also were able to walk down Canal Street. That is where they sell all the knock off stuff. It was definitly a different experience. After being taken through a secret door in the back of a store, through a back room and hallway, down a set a stairs, and going in the "second door on the right". The idea of buying a purse became a little less appealing and a little more like I was comitting some hanis crime.

And a midst all the CRAZINESS of this city it was amazing to find some peace and Celestial Beauty. . . The Manhattan Temple

Spa Day!

Sometimes it is so easy to feel so cooped up here, so for a nice change Emily, Aubrey and I decided to have a girls spa day. For the pampering we got lavender foot soak and foot scrub, revitalizing face wash, and Indian healing clay that we mixed with apple cider vinegar for a foot and face mask. To add to the relaxation we had cucumber/lemon water, chocolate covered strawberries and bananas, and Sicilian pizza slices. After transforming the apartment into our own little spa, turning on our relaxing music, and lighting the candles we all enjoyed our fun, carefree spa experience.

The picture doesn't do justice to how pretty and relaxing it felt in here



Aren't we beautiful!

Please Touch. . .

Here in Philadelphia there is a super cute kids museum called the Please Touch Museum. Everything inside is designed for kids. Things are supposed to be played with, explored, and if you couldn't guess, touched! There was tons to do and fun ways for kids to learn.

(yeah apparently I like sitting on birds. . . dont ask)

There was a whole section of the museum devoted to Alice in Wonderland. There you could dress up and have a pretend tea party with the Mad Hatter, hit balls with flamingos, paint the roses red, and weave through the maze. It was tons of fun!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy tO Me!!!

Despite the fact that I turned the old age of 23, this was and will be on of my most memorable birthdays! After a full day of site seeing in D.C. as we headed to drive back to Philly we stopped by the Washington D.C. temple. It was absolutely amazing. Being night, it was all lit up and beautiful. Then we quickly stopped at a store for a last minute potty break. I stayed in the car and everyone came back with a mini cake and sang Happy Birthday and I blew out my candles. It was the cherry on top of my already amazing birthday!

July Celebrations

All I wanted for my Birthday this year was to be able to go to Washington D.C. for fireworks on the 4th of July and then walk around and see all the sites, monuments, museums, and memorials on my birthday, the 5th. Since Philadelphia is only 3 hours away from D.C. we made it happen!

After walking around a little on the fourth and seeing glimpses of all there is to see, we decided to lay out a blanket and get a good spot near the Washington Monument to watch fireworks. Our spot was great and the fireworks were amazing!

Bri and I in front of the Washington Monument before fireworks

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

The next day we did all the site seeing. . .

The Lincoln Memorial

of course the Washington Monument again

The War Memorials

WWII

Korean

Vietnam

Arlington National Cemetery

The Pentagon and the 9/11 Memorial that's now there

United States Capital

White House

Land of the Free. . .

. . . Home of the Brave!

There is so much amazing American History in this region of the country. It is so inspiring and uplifting to be able to visit all the sites in Washington D.C. and also these here in Philadelphia. . .

Independence Hall

where Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed

Liberty Bell

How blessed I am to have been born and raised in a country where I am free! Where I can speak as I wish, look and dress as I wish, worship as I wish, and where I can rise above my circumstances and be whoever I desire to be.

God Bless America!