A Beautiful, Wonderful Christmas December

We had such a busy month!  With musical numbers for church, family in town, Tyler's job picking up, and three weeks of teaching excited-for-Christmas 3rd graders, we are going to quickly sum it up with pictures!  We also got excited as we attended our adoption orientation, filled out our first set of paperwork, and the Bishop submitted his recommend letter for us!  Now we are just waiting to receive the packet and continue the process!  So we enjoyed a concert, work parties, family parties, shopping and gift-giving, remembering the most important reason for this glorious season, and a beautiful Christmas Day.  We are so very, very blessed.  The Savior's birth and life and Atonement are our most thankful things.  He has made this life joyous and possible, and has made all these things matter.  What a wonderful time of year to give of our hearts in love to others.  Merry Christmas, everyone!

LOVING Olive Garden's Pumpkin Cheesecake!!

The gingerbread house at Festival of Trees-- was it going to fall?

Tyler's work party at the Grand America Hotel!

Loving the time downtown with Mom and Dad!

What a privilege to be at the beautiful Mo Tab concert!

Aren't they cute? Mom and Dad.

My animated niece Savannah!

This guy kept me sane during our busy month... making me laugh!!

...and even fixing me dinner on Sunday after I had played the piano and flute and sang in several musical numbers!

Mom and Dad spoiled us!

He was SOOO excited for this gift! Here's a photo shot he wanted to try. :)

When he saw this mustache at Gordman's, he really wanted it-- great facial expressions this man has!

Christmas cards 2013-- Glad I decided last-minute to do them too!

The GORGEOUS picture Mom painted for us!!

Do you like our new wall?  We love this new painting, a gift for both of us. :)

We got some things we WANT...

Some things we NEED.

Some things to WEAR (Tyler is in the new sweater)...

And some things to READ!
Tyler's Mom gave us this BEAUTIFUL book for Tyler-- what a treasure of stories and pictures of him growing up! It took her countless hours, and just looking at the precious book brought many tears to my eyes! What a special young man, with such a dear, sweet mother!