I love December!

December has to be my favorite time of the year for sure! I love the holiday spirit everyone has. Doesn't it seem that everyone is a little bit nicer around the holiday's. I had all my shopping and wrapping done in November, so I was able to play and enjoy the holidays. We had many family and ward parties that I forgot to take pictures at, but it is always so nice to see everyone. Our first event of the season was going up to the Festival of Trees. This was my first year going and we had a special reason to go. We wanted to see Gracie's tree. Gracie is my cousin's daughter who was born with a heart defect and past away last year. Instead of flowers or gifts at the funeral they asked that people donate to their tree. After looking at many trees at the festival we came across Gracie's tree. It was beautiful to say the least. Their were so many people reading her story and I was so glad I was able to go up and see it. And the best part was that my cousins friends all pitched in and bought the tree for her! How sweet!


Aspen was not exactly scared of Santa but she didn't really love him. At least we got a cute picture.
We also went up to the zoo lights! There were over a million lights and Aspen was in heaven. She kept saying, WOW to everything. It was fun for her to see some of the animals that were there to. Her favorite was the monkeys.Than we went up to the carol singing at energy solutions arena. I guess they have never had over 1000 people there and were not planning on the 30,000 they got, but no one over the 5000 people got the free stuff they promised. We only stayed for about 20 minutes and Aspen enjoyed the singing. There were not enough seats for most people and there were so many kids crying becuase they didn't get their free hot dogs. I felt so bad for parents because they were planning on feeding their kids there that night. Oh yeah and there was this lady behind us singing Opera as LOUD as she can. I am all for holiday cheer and singing, but this was WAY to much. That is another reason we only lasted 20 minutes. We decided to make a fun night out of the unexpected adventure and we went down to Temple Square. Once again Aspen was saying, Wow to everything. She has enjoyed the lights so much this year. I have been so proud of her becuase she has not broken or taken down any ornaments off our tree, but every night the lights turn on she gets so excited like its the first night it has happened (they are on a timer)!
Here is Aspen and all her cousins in there Christmas outfits. I especially love seeing little girls in their new Christmas dresses! Aspen doesn't really understand the whole Santa thing, but she does know who he is. Any time we see a Santa she screams, Santa, ho ho! Its so cute.
Anyway, as you can tell we have had a great December. I am so blessed to have the best family. And we have had lots of opportunities to think of the true meaning of Christmas. I am so thankful for the birth of our Savior. Tyler was able to give a special lesson on Sunday about the true meaning of Christmas and all the gifts the Savior has given us. I truly am the happiest I have been in my life and I owe it all to Christ. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!