Wrapping up December

It's seems so strange that not only has another month gone by, but an entire year is at its end! Our December has been a crazy whirlwind- selling our house, Jared finishing up his first semester of his PhD program, saying goodbye to our old Ward, packing up our entire house, and then driving to Texas for Christmas. Sometimes I wonder how it all got done- but it did and (for the most part) it has been awesome! Here are just a few memories that we don't want to forget- hope you enjoy!

Tori was so excited that she finally got to wear this outfit from Aunt Anna! (It has been sitting in her closet since June!) We just had to send a picture to Anna- so love the pose she picked!!!

We needed an updated family picture for a Christmas gift for Alec (who is on his mission in France) and ended up having a few minutes one morning to get it done. We set the timer on our camera and hoped for the best. This was our first Christmas miracle this year!!!

Tori and Garrett love jumping and running!

Any play date that ends with watching a fun show while eating a big pretzel is just fantastic!!! (Thanks Hemmerts!)

It's amazing how simple games bring such joy and delight!

Garrett is one laid back dude when it comes to lunch time!

Of course the bathtub is a great place to play and brush your teeth!

We played with these blocks a ton in Texas! (And I love that Tori is all dressed up in her fairy princess stuff!)

I have two very handsome boys!!!

Nap time at Grandma and Grandpa's house is the best! You get all covered up in Uncle Derek's cozy blanket!

And there is plenty of room...

...on each end of the couch! Perfect!!!

2013- you have been a year full of many ups and downs. We have gone through some pretty stressful things, but have become stronger and closer to each other because of them! We can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for us!!!

Houston Zoo Lights

Tonight we joined Grandma Allen's friends Brenda, Christina, and Mason to see the Houston Zoo Lights! I know no one will believe me (especially our friends in Indiana and Utah), but it was really cold tonight. So glad that we had our real coats with us- we definitely needed them! And it was nice to step inside to see some animals every now and then!
Garrett absolutely loved the fish! (And check out the awesome, didn't even plan it, reflection in the glass!!!)

Hurrah- a super cute picture of Garrett and Mommy!

Garrett, Tori, and Grandma showing off some of the lights!

Uncle Dillon was just pretending to have fun- he is much too cool to have fun at something like this! Although, secretly, I think he loved every second!!!

Thanks so much for the group shot Brenda- I love it!!!

Awww- our mistletoe kiss!

Just kidding, here is our real mistletoe kiss!!!

Garrett had a grand time running around and looking at all the lights!

The entrance to the Enchanted Forrest was really neat and sparkly- Tori was in heaven!

My favorite picture of the night- what a cute family!

Garrett, Tori, and I made friends with this awesome gorilla!

Oh no, Daddy, Tori, and Garrett were swimming with the fishes!

Tori is a big fan of Uncle Dillon- except when he is teasing her!

At the end of our zoo visit, Grandma splurged and got everyone some popcorn. Yep, Tori's face says it all- the popcorn was that good!

Garrett was fine sharing with Uncle Dillon...

at least we thought so! (The look on Garrett's face is priceless!)

Just keep it coming...

and then we will be fine!

Thanks so much for letting us tag along Brenda, Christina, and Mason- we had such a great time getting to know you and sharing our adventure at the zoo!!!

A Very Merry Christmas!

If I had to pick one word to describe our Christmas it would be magical! Christmas has always been one of my favorite holidays, but it is even more special to see Christmas through your children's eyes!
We are so grateful that Santa took a picture of everything for us after he was done- we were spoiled this year!

Garrett woke up much sooner than Tori, so he hit the ground running (literally)!

While Tori had a slower start, we loved watching her take everything in!

We already have a pro on our hands!

What could it be?

Meesha painted an absolutely beautiful family picture for Mom Allen! And when Garrett saw it he walked right over and pointed to himself!!!

The only thing Tori requested for Christmas was a jump rope (love it)! And she was so excited to find one in her stocking!!! (Check out this awesome jump rope action photo!)

Such a sweet look on Garrett's face!

We couldn't leave Prince out, of course! Tori was so excited to help him open his new treats!

It took some effort, but I was able to smuggle this to Texas! Jared was so surprised to see a tool box Christmas morning!

Jared gave me a beautiful necklace with charms to represent Tori and Garrett- I absolutely love it!

And all the pieces to my necklace came separately. It was so much fun watching Jared and Dad Allen try and put it all together for me!!!

Tori got Rapunzel accessories (gloves, necklace, and purse) from Linken and Grayson. As soon as she opened them, she ran in to find her Rapunzel dress so she could try it on all together!!!

It was so much fun when we got a visit from Ggpa and Ggma! And it just melted my heart when Garrett ran over to Ggpa and gave him a huge hug!

He made sure Ggma got her hug too!

Tori and Garrett were thrilled with their new puzzles from Ggpa and Ggma!

Ahhh, we almost got a cute sibling hug picture! One half is better than none!!!

One of my most favorite parts of the day was when Tori and Garrett gave the gifts that they had each picked out! Tori was so excited with her new Dora game from Garrett!

But she was way more excited to give Garrett his Mater pillow!!!

Tori just knew that Daddy would love his new red piggy bank!!!

Garrett and Daddy are going to have a great time playing with Daddy's new truck!

Once things settled down a bit, the kids got to play more with some of their new toys! Tori had a great time figuring out her Nabi- thanks Grandma and Grandpa Allen!!!

Garrett and Daddy made a great team getting the train track set up!

I think Daddy was a little more excited about the train track than Garrett! (Or it could have been that Daddy was just a little more awake at this point, Garrett was so tired!)

This evening we were able to Skype with Grandma Harrison and open our gifts from her! I love that we were able to spend time with her even though we were so far away!

 I love this one of Garrett!

Grandma gave Tori fun things to help her take care of her new doll Hannah- she had to try them out right away!!!

And she even let Garrett use them with his new boy doll Thomas- who is so cute!!!

Our final shot from the day- our traditional Christmas jammie picture by the Christmas tree!

Looking back over our wonderful day, I have been thinking how the Savior always reminds us to be like a little child. It is one of the most incredible things to see things as children do- to feel of their wonder, delight, and pure joy! Today has been a day to see all of that in Tori and Garrett! And while they have enjoyed receiving their gifts, they have been thrilled to give gifts as well! Thank you so much for each of the gifts we received, we really did get spoiled today!