christmas.

Benson was spoiled this year and absolutely loved Christmas morning. The reaction on his face and in his voice to his basketball hoop was priceless. With just our small family of three, we enjoyed Christmas morning together in our own home. We were able to enjoy each others gifts and time together. We then got to talk to Parker. It was so neat to be able to hear his voice and his love for Mexico and his mission. Then we were off the Asay's to spend Christmas Day and the whole next week with family. It was the perfect Christmas!

 

thanksgiving.

To me Thanksgiving means family, memories, games, traditions, and food. I am happy to say we experienced all of that this Thanksgiving. Being up in the mountains at my Grandma's cabin again for Thanksgiving was something I have been wanting to do for years. This year did not disappoint and I am so grateful it happened. The drive was not bad. The weather was beautiful. The family was perfect. The zip line was fun. And the almond tart topped it all off. I have so much to be grateful for! We are truly blessed.

halloween.

This year was full of fun times for Benson to dress up for Halloween. I loved his owl costume and it hardly seemed to bother him which is a total plus. It kicked off with the annual Asay Halloween party. The highlight this year was the hay ride around the neighborhood. We were quite the sight for anyone who may have seen us. It is so fun to have so much family around. 

Our ward trunk or treat was where Benson learned the art of collecting candy and he was not shy about the handfuls he stuffed into his bucket at every car. It was great practice for Halloween night. He ran from house to house and loved knocking on the doors. 

He got impatient at some houses who didn't answer fast enough...

October was too good and we are excited for this holiday season! Other October highlights:

Painting pumpkins is way better than carving them

4th of july.

July in Utah = my favorite. Warm summer nights, holidays, BBQ, family, fireworks, friends. There is something magical about it. We had a great weekend celebrating the 4th. Matt went golfing, we had dinner and games in Alpine, watched fireworks from my bedroom window, neighborhood block party, outdoor movie, and fun fireworks. Benson was loving all the time outside, but was sure worn out by the end of the night. The 4th of July will always be a favorite holiday of mine!

easter.

I love the Easter season. There is so much good about it. As with everyone, I loved the Because of Him video the Church put out. It was so simple, but so powerful. It helped me to focus on Christ and His resurrection. How eternally grateful am I! 

The Asay family Easter egg hunt was fun as always. Benson loved the eggs. We had a nice family dinner on Sunday with just the three of us. I love my little family and the memories and traditions we are creating.

celebrating.

This past weekend was full of celebrations and fun. Valentines Day this year was perfect. We ate in and had a delicious meal. I really wanted to have a fun table setting. I just couldn't find exactly what I was picturing until my mom came to the rescue with some birthday presents I opened a bit early. The tablecloth and chargers were perfect and I can't wait to use them more. Saturday we celebrated my birthday with a trip to Salt Lake to get me a new phone. I am loving the gold iphone. We went out to dinner at Malawi's Pizza. Always a favorite. Sunday we continued to celebrate on my actual birthday with Asay family dinner. There were lots of February birthdays to celebrate. I felt spoiled all weekend long.

more florida.

Sometimes you sit in your freezing basement with snow falling and wish you were back in Florida. Instead I will just post more pictures while I am bundled up in blankets. Enjoy!

florida.

We sure did have a Christmas vacation to remember. Florida was so fabulous. We loved being together with my family, enjoying the weather, and celebrating so many significant events. I will let the pictures tell the story of our awesome week full of memories that we will look back on. My parents are incredible and made it such a fun week!

Check that off my bucket list!

best place to nap

Sea World

Christmas

Happy 21st Birthday!

Happy 25th Year Anniversary!

halloween.

I don't care how many times people say it, but seriously time flies by so fast. It is already Nov. 1st. The holiday season is upon us. I can't believe it. And another thing I don't care about how many times it's said, but holidays are so much better with kids. We had a pretty fun Halloween. Benson was a ghost by day and skeleton by night.

John came over. We had white bean chili and cornbread. This year we actually had trick-or-treaters with our front door being an actual front door and not in a backyard under ground. While John manned the door for a bit, Matt and I took Benson around the neighborhood. We considered knocking on a few doors, but felt a bit strange so we just walked the streets and said hi to or neighbors. We ended the night with watching Super 8.

Someone please come take our leftover candy away from our house.

asay halloween party.

We had our 2nd Annual Asay Halloween Party this last weekend. It was fun to see the kids dressed up. Even gma and gpa Asay surprised us all with fun costumes of their own. Matt and Caleb gave everyone a good laugh volunteering themselves as moving targets for the kids to shoot the paintball gun at. Benson was a super cute little ghost guy. Holidays are so much more fun with your own kids!

Nearly impossible to ever get a good picture with the grandkids

Battle wounds

4th of july.

We have had a jam packed week with Matt's family. It is always fun when all of his siblings and families are together. We create quite the crew. This 4th of July was a great day! That morning Courtney was in town and was able to spend a few hours with us. It was fun to see her and for her to see Benson again. Then we headed up to Alpine. All the family went to a movie so we had the house to ourselves with Josh and Whit. It was nice to relax, play games, and enjoy the outside. The night ended with a great firework show that the Hillstrom's neighbors put on. Benson slept through the whole thing!
God Bless America! and Happy Birthday Grandma! and Happy Birthday Calvin!