Cookies with Grammy

 Ya I know it's January and Christmas is over but not really until I post it on here! Lol:) I'm already playing catch up and the year has just started. But in my defense, December was such a eventful month that I didn't have the time to keep up so take a look back with me and enjoy! 

 Dave grew up decorating Christmas cookies. These aren't your normal cookie. They had the same cutters that they used every year and used the recipe that came with it. The dough has almond extract in it which is awesome and smells darn good! There was a Santa, snowman, stocking, tree and a star. Now they didn't just smother frosting all over them and call it good. They had little paint brushes and made the icing to brush over every detail of the cookie and decorate. To me it seemed like an insane amount of work but I'm not one to mess with tradition!! Fast forward all these years and we have still been using the same plastic cookie cutters from long ago. Last year Grammy some how found these vintage cutters and bought every family their own set. We are all very excited if you can imagine! It's something we look forward to every year and I think it might even mean more to Grammy. Kirsten is a cookie decorating pro and was happy to show Tyler how to exactly do the cookies. They all turned out so well and we had such a fun time! We even threw in a few extras in honor of our Disneyland trip coming up. I'm grateful for so many fun traditions that Dave grew up with!! We have welcomed them into our family along with making some of our own. Cookies with Grammy is always a fun time for all:).

Love my Mama

 Isn't my mom the cutest!!!??? I love seeing pictures of her, it's the best! If I someone posts an old picture of her or the family I save it!! I feel so lucky to live to close, practically down the street from my parents. After I married Dave we moved and lived out of state for about 10 years. It's a long time to be away from home. We had no idea that we end up coming back to Arizona and finding a house not even a mile away from where I grew up. I love being able to zip over there if I ever need anything. We help each other out all the time and I'm so grateful for her. She has been such a wonderful example to me my whole life. She has taught me how to love, how to nurture and how to serve others. Shes a gem!

 All I have to say is holy hair mom:) it's awesome right! 

 Here's my mom and dad after they married. Mom is the far right and Dad is the tall dude:)

I get many urges to can jam or can something to preserve and enjoy later! I get that from my mom for sure. I love to go home and get in her kitchen and get busy. This was a bunch of jam I made and gave out as a Christmas goodie this year. There's just something so great about being back home. I treasure all my moments with my mom. My dad's not so bad either. He's pretty wonderful actually and they make quite the pair! Love all around:)

Nutcracker

 This will be Ashlynn's 2nd year participating in the Nutcracker Ballet. Last year when it was over I swore I wouldn't let her try out again and go through all the craziness. But the time came and she REALLY wanted to try out and do it again. So we caved! Ashlynn's teachers at her previous studio opened up their own place this year so we followed them over. We really like them and are happy with their classes and teaching style. Kylee, Ashlynn's cousin signed up in the same ballet class and also wanted to try out for the play. So these cute girls auditioned together and pretty much had their lives signed away until the show was over. It was exhausting and annoying at times! But when you look at these beautiful girls all dolled up how could we refuse??? They had such a great time together and did such a wonderful job with their parts. Ashlynn was a Little Party Girl and a Gingersnap. Kylee was a mouse, angel and gingersnap. These girls were busy busy!! We had so many family members come to watch the girls it was pretty amazing! What a blessing family is! 

 Aunt Tifani and Payton with the girls

 Alyssa and Grammy 

 Aunt Kirsten and Uncle Brian          Grandpa and Grandma Johnson and Great Grandma Glasgow

 We were so proud of these girls! We couldn't get over how into their parts they were. Ashlynn had more of an acting part with being a little party girl. She was so animated and in the ZONE. It was hilarious and so wonderful to see her so engaged and a part of something. She was a hoot!! They loved being gingersnaps together and dancing together!! When the show was over we all said never again. Its not an inexpensive thing to participate in. It seemed something was coming up that cost money every other week. Probably not that bad but it was a lot. On out way home Ashlynn said, "Can I try out again next year?? I really want to do it and I had so much fun!!" Dave and I gave each other a look and said we would think about it. How could we say no?? It was sure a fun show and we couldn't of been more proud of both the girls!! Great job Ashlynn and Kylee......we love you!!!