Christmas is so magical, especially when you get to share it with little ones. We woke up Christmas morning to a total blizzard and everything was completely covered in white. I could not have even dreamed of a prettier scene to wake up to. I was in charge of breakfast, so I made my yummy orange doughnuts and I had the best little helper by my side.

Tenley was so much fun this year. She still didn't understand that she was supposed to unwrap the presents, but once I had unwrapped them for her she would scream with excitement. She spent most of the day sitting on her new scooter just like this.

Nash & Lucy came over to visit a little later during the day and Nash got this awesome crane that Tenley was totally in love with. So much for little dolls and tea cups, this girl wants to hang the ducks from the crane!

We must have been having too much fun on Christmas day to worry about pictures because those are the only pictures I have! It really was great day and I love that we get to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Obviously all the presents are fun, but what I love most about the Christmas season is how it brings everyone together. I love my family so much & feel so blessed that we were able to come to Utah and be with both of our families over the holiday season.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we met up with my parents and brother and sister at Temple Square.  It was a tad colder than the 70 degree California weather we are used to.  I loved it, I miss the cold. Am I weird or what? I really love to bundle up and breathe in crisp air. As you can see in these pictures, Tenley may feel otherwise about having to wear her big parka. 

This may be frowned upon but she was having too much fun running around the nativity. We kept saying "Tenley get back here right now" but secretly we didn't care one bit and we just let her keep running around.  Everyone watching was laughing as she would go and touch each of the animals. Her thing right now is to call a sheep, "shit, shit."  Slightly inappropriate but oh so funny. 

Family selfie. Nailed it. 

After walking around Temple Square with my family, we headed back to Dave's parents house and had dinner with all of his family.  Tenley gets a little shy with big crowds so I spent most of the evening playing in the basement with her alone, but for this moment she was being cute and happy around everyone. 

Grandma & Grandpa Madsen gave Tenley this little Elsa doll to open before going to bed and she was thrilled! They also gave Lucy the exact same doll and Tenley kept wanting to steal it because she thought they were both hers. Oh dear. Time for bed little one.

I'll Be Home for Christmas

December has been a crazy month! We were home long enough from Hawaii to do a little shopping, then pack up the car and drive to Utah.  

Tenley does so well in the car. We loaded up with snacks and movies and of course her ducky and she was so pleasant.  We stopped in St. George and spent the night to break up the long drive.  I'm so glad  my parents have a house there!

So many things we wanted to do while visiting Utah, and first on our list was Lone Star Taqueria! I remember the first time Dave took me here when we were dating. He was nervous to bring me here because it's a little bit of a whole in the wall.  But let me tell you, I do not discriminate against good food! Now it's one of my most favorite places to get fish tacos.

While Dave was off doing some things for work, I headed to Fashion Place with Tenley for some last minute Christmas shopping. We can never walk by the Nordstrom ebar without getting a smoothie. What can I say, we like food. 

Mele Kalimimaka (Part 3)

{Day 6}
Time for some real adventure and time to go zip lining! I stayed back and played with Tenley while the family went on this adventure. It looks like they had so much fun!

I found a little park nearby and played in the rain with Tenley.  

She looks so tiny next to the giant fig tree. 

{Day 7}

Just down the road from where we stayed is the Pu'uhonua O Hanaunau National Historic Park. This was place of refuge for people who had broken serious laws and their punishment was to be death. If they could make it alive to this place of refuge, they were saved and no one could harm them.  It is an incredibly peaceful and beautiful place.

Later in the evening, we had family pictures taken on the beach. I love how they turned out!

{Day 8}

Our last day on this gorgeous island. We had a red eye flight back to LAX, so we had the whole day left to pack and play. We had so much fun at the Marriott beach the first time so we went back and spent a few hours there before packing up. 

She looks so much cuter in my sunnies than I ever could!

 After packing up our things we headed back to a different beach with my entire family. We sat and watched the sun set, listened to Jake play is guitar and re-cap on what a fun week we all had together. Tenley was so mesmerized by Jake singing. She just kept inching closer and closer and looking at him with the sweetest little face.

Her obsession with rocks is still going strong. 

I'm so grateful to my parents who brought us all here to this beautiful island to spend the week together.  I don't get to see my family as often as I'd like to, so thank you so much Daddy and Momma for this lovely vacation.

Mele Kalikimaka (part 2)

{Day 3}

Today we wandered over to the Hilton to check our their beaches.  The active volcano on Kona has made the island really unique.  I love seeing the contrast of the dark black volcanic rock against all the greenery.

There aren't many sandy beaches on this island but that didn't stop us from getting in the water. Although, five minutes after this picture was taken Dave wandered out further into the ocean and tripped and sliced his foot on a rock, then while trying to catch his balance he grabbed onto a sea urchin. Ouch! 

{Day 4}

Since we didn't have the best luck on the Kohala coast yesterday, we decided to find a nice man made beach and just relax. The Marriott Beach was just what we needed! It was tucked back into a little bay and there was almost no tide. It was the perfect place for Tenley to play and for me to relax. 

Mele Kalikimaka (Part 1)

{DAY 1}

We arrived to Kona pretty late the night before so we had a pretty low key day to recover from the 6 hour flight with a toddler. We explored our "tree house" that would be home for the next week. This house was the craziest place I have ever stayed. It definitely gave us an authentic island experience. 

First order of business was to get a smoothie. This fruit shack full of exotic tropical fruits did not disappoint!

Later we headed to the beach in Kona near old airport road.  Tenners loves to let the waves crash into her. I wish you could hear her sweet giggles as the tide would come crashing in.

On our way back to the house we walked around the Kona Temple grounds. Such a beautiful temple in the most gorgeous place. 

Of course that crazy little girl had to climb up on the donkey of the nativity. She kept petting it and saying "moo moo." Close enough T.

{DAY 2} 

Today we went exploring around to the other side of the island and found the beautiful black sand beaches of Punalu'u. This place is a dream. 

Then we drove to Hilo which is kind of a strange town, but they did have the most incredible ice cream, ever. Still dreaming about this pineapple coconut cone. 

Making our way back to Kona, we found this amazing hike through a rainforest leading to Akaka Falls. So glad we followed my dad who always takes the "scenic route" which led us to these amazing falls.