Christmas in the Desert

What do you do when Christmas day looks like this?! 

(Note: Brent is indeed wearing shorts)

You have to make your home look a little more cheery.

I loved our first apartment (the hole), but I really like having a home.  

We purchased a new nativity this summer.  It was made in Kenya and is displayed in front of the gong we got in Thailand.

Stockings (new this year) were hung on the stairs with care

And we displayed a Japanese-based nativity on our ledge.

Instead of opening presents at home by ourselves we decided to spend it with Toren and Audrey.  We woke up nice and early to head over!  Brent walked in to get Harper up, but she was so excited that she was waiting for him to come get her!

Once we arrived it was time to open some presents!

 Harper started out pretty well... and then stopped.

 She found other presents to be more interested in.  I am not sure if it was because the present was bigger or if the paper was brighter.

It was from Brent's parents.  Thank you for the rice cooker!  it has already been put to great use!

It took three hours and one nap later, but Harper finally (and accidentally) opened her present.  She had several more, so Brent and I opened them for her!

 I got some amazing presents!
Including: Rice cooker, Yellowcard concert tickets, BYU bracelet, Vacuum, Knife Set, Mariners shirt (which my mom found and gave to me from Brent), Exercise pants, Library Account Card, Fancy Conditioner and a whole bunch of other stuff I don't deserve.

 Brent Loved dressing Harper in this cute little outfit my mom got her.
Brent had a good Christmas which included:
Shoes, Two hats, 2 Liter of Coke, Grenadine, Photography classes, Shorts, Jacket, Phone charger, Tie, Socks and a million little things in his stocking!

 Harper managed to open one of her many presents which included:
Cups, High Chair Toy, 3 new bows, Car seat toy, a Jacket, a Dress, a football onesie, shampoo, lotion, Barney (thanks Maren), Tangled, Brave AND sitting in her stroller like a big girl!

 Modeling her new bow, jacket and baseball mit!
We may have to wait a few years until we can play catch with her, but now we are prepared!
Thanks Toren and Audrey!

Christmas Evening we went over to the Gunn's and played Christmas Bingo.  Sarah had her younger siblings in town. Elizabeth's boyfriend drove down from Utah that night.  Midway through bingo, there was a knock at the door and who appeared?!? Santa had a gift for Brian (Liz's boyfriend), but the gift was actually for Liz... it was a brand new shiny engagement ring!  It was AMAZING getting to watch them become engaged.

Santa was nice enough to take some pictures with the kids, even after his really busy night!

 After all that Harper was more than ready for bed...

This had to be one of my most relaxing Christmases and I LOVED it!  I miss it already!

Ethel M Chocolate Factory

Nothing helps you get in the Christmas Spirit like looking at lights.  Being in the desert, we do Christmas lights a little different... This means not so many trees and a lot more cacti.

  Toren and Audrey were happy to accompany us to Ethel M's Chocolate Factory, who hosts a free cactus garden every Christmas. 

Harper just had to ride the Christmas Bird.  She is so so cute.

I love this little girl.

It was a nice way to spend an hour.  I ran into a community partner from U.S.VETS when we were there.  I was happy to see he remembered me, although we hadn't worked together in months!  The best part was being able to get out and walk around with others in the spirit of the Christmas!

Nativity in Las Vegas

Brent and I used to feel a little alone living in Vegas.  Then the most wonderful thing happened, Toren, Audrey and Austin moved here!  We knew they loved us (or maybe they just knew how much they would love Harper) but we never realized it was enough to move here!  

(Disclaimer: they actually moved here because of a position in a company for Toren, not because of their extreme love for us, which does exist... challenge extended Maren)

One thing I love about them being here is all the fun things we get to enjoy together.  This Christmas season Toren invited us to visit a presentation of the Nativity.  Brent had to work late but Harper and I couldn't wait.

This was a brilliant presentation.  They even had real animal.  Austin insisted this was just a baby Donkey. I tried to explain the concept of a goat, but he was sure it was just the Donkey's baby.

Harper enjoying the show with Aunt Audrey in her Monkey suit!  She fell asleep about 5 minutes in.  The set was so amazing I asked "Man, what church puts this all together?"  The Answer: the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who would have thought those Mormons care so much about the true meaning of Christmas.

I really wanted to get some pictures of the performance

Afterward we went inside the venue to view different nativities from all around the world and different walks of life.

Toren, Austin, and Audrey!

I really loved this one.  It was solid wood with intricate carving (as if the picture didn't tell you enough)

Another favorite one, made out of black stone.  I am not sure if it is onyx or something else.

My sleeping baby and me.  She was so little then!  What happened!?

It was a great night and I am so thankful for having these amazing opportunities to get out and enjoy a community event with family!

Vancouver Canada

Day Two in Canada!  We woke up early and took the ferry form Vancouver Island onto mainland Canada and the city of Vancouver.  Yes, Vancouver is not actually on Vancouver Island. 

Our first visit was north of the actual city at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.  This houses a HUGE suspension Bridge, as pictured behind us!

Man I love the northwest and trees!

I thought I might be a little nervous being on the actual bridge but I really wasn't.

Brent and Hayden seemed a little hesistant at first.

I put this picture to show you just how long this bridge was.  

The bridge is one of the main attractions of the park but there were so many other attractions offered.

Once we crossed the bridge there was a cliff walk.  The cliff walk was a walkway on the edge of the cliff that over looked the canyon and the bridge. 

The park really focused on ecological conservation, we discovered that Harper does not really have a really large wingspan.  A few more years and she may be up to a raven!

One of Harpers favorite things to do lately is lean back.  I think she really just wants to see what is going on behind her!

Thank you Grandma Forsberg for making sure Harper could stay warm in Canada.

I love this picture!

After the cliff walk, we went on the treetop adventure.  This is a walkway that is built in the top of the trees so you can get a squirrels eye view of the forest.

It is seriously so cool!

Hayden continued NOT wanting to pose for pictures, we were able to make him though.

After the adventure we fit in a quick game of checkers.  Hayden beat me, or at least he did for the purpose of this picture!

Our final stop was a walkway that actually went out over the ledge.We had to descend off the ledge of the canyon.  It was pretty far drop!

Cool view of the suspension bridge.

One thing I really appreciated this park was that it really used minimilism.  It really allowed the forest to be the focal point. 

Along the cliff walk we learned all sorts of things about water conservation... which apparently is important. 

Great family picture over the ledge.  

This kid is totally at home in the great northwest!

I thought we might be able to fit in the tree.

After the park we went into the city.  We ate at an amazing pub. Since I am a pretty cheap date, I usually get a burger. I decided to switvch it up and get a pizza.  It was an AMAZING choice.  It was a pesto pizza.  I was suppose to share with Brent but I really didn't end up giving him very much... oops!

We walked around a little afterward and saw this steam clock.  Brent had done his research (of course) and let us in on the secret that this clock was actually never powered by steam.  The steam is simply a tourist attraction... what a scandal!

Vancouver was so much fun.  It took us four hours and another speeding ticket to get back to Washington.  We were tired and ready to start Thanksgiving!