We started making the long drive back to California and it took almost 9 hours to get to Las Vegas because of holiday traffic and some road closures. We were all so tired of being in the car and didn't want to keep going all the way home so we stopped and spent the night at Red Rock.  All the rooms were booked but we were so tired of being in the car we didn't want to drive around to another hotel to find a place to stay. Dave made a few phone calls to a good friend and suddenly they had a vacancy in the Presidential Suite for us! So we spent the rest of our evening playing pool in our hotel room and just lounging around. It was so much fun and just what we needed after being in the car all day long.

Snow Days

We made it to my parents house and they have so much snow at their house! So first things first, we rummaged  through their coat closet and found some classic snow suits and went tubing in their back yard.  One of these years, Tenley is going to love the snow. This year is not that year. Although, she did do better than last year, so we're making progress.

My dad has this really fun snow tractor. We took it up into the mountains behind their house and it was awesome! It could go anywhere + it's heated so it was nice and toasty while we went exploring the winter wonderland. 

Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

These pictures! They just kind of melt my momma heart. So happy we could make it to Thanksgiving Point this year to have these taken. 

Mighty Mila's blessing day

I finally got to meet my newest little niece Mila and she is to die for cute! Sweet little thing was born 2 months early and had to stay in the NICU for a couple of weeks.  She is a fighter and we're just so happy she is doing so well now.

It also happened to be the primary program that week in their ward and when all the little kids went up on stage to sing, well Tenley didn't want to be left out and she just walked up there and joined all of them! haha! We were trying so hard to contain our laughter in the sacrament room.

Home for the Holidays

We got to spend a week playing in Utah for Christmas.  I love being there and getting to spend so  much time with family. Goodness I miss them all so much. I drove the car with all of Santa's presents so that I could spend a few more days in Utah while Dave still had to work in Cali. Dave flew in a few days later and Tenley was so excited to see him!

We got all bundled up and headed down the street to Pioneer Park to see the pretty "Tree of Life." I forget how flippin' cold Utah is in December. We didn't last long wandering around the park before we headed to warm up and get some food.

And when you're freezing cold, it makes sense to order a milkshake? Eh, why not.

Decking the Halls

It's the most magical time of the year and my favorite season to decorate! I'm in heaven now that it's actually cooled off enough here to use the fireplace.

 My little Ef was the best helper. Once the tree was finished, she kept asking for the ladder so she could take the decorations off and then put them somewhere new. I also kept finding random toys of hers hiding in the branches. Sweet little helper. 

Thanksgiving 2016

It's been a crazy few days! Tenley stayed with the Madsen's while I was in New York with my family so I had to fly back to Utah to get her and then drive 10 hours back to California so I could get ready to host Thanksgiving at our house...all within 2 days. (I am tired just reading that last sentence.) Not the best planning on my part, but when your Dad surprises you with a trip to New York....you go!

Anyway, the Madsen's made their way to California for Thanksgiving and we had so much fun. I put John in charge of the Turkey and Cathy helped with all of the side dishes and I somehow pulled off a Thanksgiving feast with very little prep time!

This is what happens when you put men in the kitchen. I asked Dave to help me peel all the potatoes and he comes in with the drill! haha! To my surprise, it totally worked. 

Little miss sneaking in some snacks as I was prepping the table.

The next morning the girls headed out early to do some Black Friday shopping.  It was so much fun having the Madsen's in town for Thanksgiving. I feel a new tradition coming on!

New York: Pt. 3 - High Line & Rockefeller

I'm in love with this city and its even more magical when you get to explore during the Holidays! We were hoping the big tree in Rockefeller Center would be finished before we left, but they still had scaffolding all around it. However, little bits of Christmas were starting to pop up all over the city in preparation for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.

Just chillin' on the High Line. This park is so pretty and a fun way to see the city. I think its awesome that they turned the old railway into a park. 

Our last stop of the trip was to the top of the Rockefeller! This vacation with my mom and sisters was so much fun! I loved getting to spend so much time with them and laughing till we cried! 

New York Pt. 2 - Central Park & Soho

{DAY 3}
My favorite way to see Central Park is on a bicycle! We had the most gorgeous day for this too. We found a little bike shop and I convinced the guy to give us the bikes for the day instead of just 2 hours for the same price. Looks like Dave's sales skills are rubbing off on me. Ha!

We made a stop at the MET and wandered around the art exhibits for a few hours. All that biking made us hungry and you can't come to New York and not eat at Shake Shack! I didn't skimp and ordered a diet coke, fries AND a milkshake with my cheeseburger. No regrets. 

This was the view out our hotel window. We thought it was so awesome that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints had such a huge ad about our Savior right in the heart of Times Square. 

Tonight we went to a show I've been dreaming of seeing my whole life....The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular! It was the best way to get into the holiday spirit. My favorite part of the whole show was at the end when they brought out the nativity and read a few scriptures from Luke.  

Luke 2:11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 

12) And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. 

Christmas has been so commercialized and it's easy to forget the true meaning for the season. It made my heart happy that  Radio City brought the nativity scene into their production and the reminder that Jesus Christ is the reason we celebrate this time of year. 

{DAY 4}

We had Sunday brunch at the View which is a revolving restaurant on the 45th  floor of our hotel where we stayed (The Marriott Marquee).  The pictures didn't turn out great but the views were spectacular! And we stuffed our faces until we pretty much had to be rolled out of there. 

We spent the rest of the day shopping around SoHo and then making our way to Little Italy for a yummy Italian dinner. 

In the evening we went to the broadway show Finding Neverland. I hadn't heard much about the show so I didn't know what to expect but I really liked it!