(What's wrong with this picture?) Olivia sure is looking up to Joseph Smith.

 We went to Temple Square. We were there as soon as the lights turned on. Although it wasn't quite the same without snow. While taking this picture I sat in a puddle of water.

 We started off our day eating sushi at Tepanyaki. YUM!  I love sushi.

This temple is so beautiful and majestic. I haven't even gone there yet to do a session. Lame! But I will. I went for my cousin's sealing. So I have been inside once. I am so thankful for the pioneers, and the prophets who sacrificed so that we could enjoy all this. We got the movie 17 Miracles for christmas, and I was bawling my eyes out. why did they have it so hard and we have it so easy? It was physically hard for them. But maybe it is harder spiritually and emotionally now as much as it was physically for them. Anyway, I am in awe of Henderson and Jehu, who crossed the plains, the former in the Mo. Battalion and the later in a handcart co. Actually Kenny's ancestors crossed the plains too, and his relative was Parley p Pratt! So I am certain that our ancestors at least crossed paths. weird.

Maggie and Olvia's first real big birthday party

First the kids decorated their crowns.













Here they are "slaying the dragon" pinata! So fun!



















We had cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, chocolate dipped marshmallows dipped in sprinkles, and cake. The marshmallows were the hit of the party. I think anything on a stick, and anything with sprinkles is a winner for the kids.



























We had a party! It was a princess and knights party.




There is Jack in the back with his shield. The boys got shields. And the girls ended up with shields too:)




So the party was a success. I was happy that it went well. When the kids started showing up they decorated their crowns and shields. After all the kids finished we played some party games. We played pass the slipper, find the slipper, we had a royal ball with freeze dance. Then they played and danced to jack johnson music for a bit. Then we read the paper bag princess. The girls are in love with this book. So glad we got it. After we read the book I asked the kids if being a princess is really just about having nice clothes, and they shouted "yes". I ended the discussion shortly after that and we went downstairs to slay the dragon. Daddy and Uncle Trevor helped with the dragon.
After the dragon was beheaded we came upstairs for cake and presents! So fun. Thank you to all our friends and family who came and shared in our celebration. Thank you catherine for taking pictures and Alice for helping with the crowns and jewels. We had so much fun.

Santa and a horse carriage ride

It seems weird that it's Christmas because there is no snow. It's like a California christmas. We had fun tonight visiting Santa at the Riverwoods. There were tons of lights everywhere and we waited in line for an hour for a free carriage ride. Oh well. The girls told santa they wanted a "dolly" Well, Maggie said she wanted a dolly and then Olivia said she wanted a bigger giant dolly. Good times.

Family Pictures

We were excited to do family pictures and Lora was gracious enough to take them for us. We went to Bridal Veil falls.