it's Christmas time

We have had such a wonderful Christmas holiday.  It started off with a Christmas sweater party with Jeff's high school friends.  We loved getting together with them, it was a blast!

We are so grateful for the time we were able to spend with both of our families for Christmas.  We love this time of year and the opportunity it allows us to reflect on the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.  I am so thankful for the life he lived and the example he is to all of us.

Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas from the Davis family!

San Diego

 Over the weekend, Jeff and I were able to sneak away to Aunt Dianna's beach house in San Diego, CA.  It was such a wonderful, relaxing weekend!

Here are some of the highlights:

long walks along the boardwalk

people watching - I call this guy "Slow Mo"

riding bikes

waiting for the sunset

 There was a BEAUTIFUL sunset every night!  (pictures taken with an iphone)

 

 

we did a session in the San Diego temple

we went here twice... whoops!

 We met up with Jeff's cousin Chad and his family at the Botanical Gardens.

Sandy, Shae, SANTA, Reese, Chad

we've been good this year

We had an amazing weekend together.  It was a great way to celebrate Jeff being done with finals!

Thank you Aunt Dianna!

XO

Friends

I made such great friends in college, and I am so happy that we all still keep in touch.  We get together often and try to take advantage that so many of us still live close (we are all slowly moving away to other states).  This is from our Christmas dinner last week:

me, Mckelle, Kelsey, Deidre, Michelle, Mallory

We will miss Kelsey as she moves off to D.C. at the end of the month, but I am excited to hear about all of her adventures working at Capitol Hill.

Kate Miracle Mix

A couple weeks ago we made Miracle Mix with the Davis family.  Raelene's Mom used to make it every year to give to her neighbors as a Christmas gift.  It was my first time making this type of candy and it was quite the experience!  My favorite part about making it was the time that we were all able to spend together.  We all had to help "cut" the candy to make the small pieces before it hardened.

Raelene busy cooking the candy

getting ready to help

...and the cutting begins!

Jordan

Jeff

busy busy

after it was cut

  One flavor done... and on to the next!

the cinnamon is my favorite

 The finished product:

we made cinnamon, watermelon, blue raspberry, wintergreen, and coconnt

After we finished, Jeff and Jordan wanted to make their "own" batch to imitate the TV show Breaking Bad.

oh dear.

 

I am so grateful for my mother-in-law and her desire to share her family traditions with me.  I hope that I will be able to carry them on throughout our life as well!

I struck gold when it comes to in-laws!

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..

Last night we went to see the Temple Square Christmas lights with my family to celebrate my niece's birthday.  It was fun to all be together!

I love seeing the lights

the Thomson family

I love to take pictures of these two

sisters

the whole Lindsley crew

 

 Happy holidays!

happy thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from the Davis family!!

 This year I am most thankful for Jeff.  I know it sounds cliche, but I am so thankful for the support he has ALWAYS shown me.  He is so encouraging for me to follow my dreams.

 My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is playing the Curtis family "Sleigh Ride" duet with my sister Erin.  We look very serious in this picture, but it is always a fun event!