"find your Switzerland" C.O.P.S. 2015 Christmas Party

When I called Bob Goff, he told me to find people that I felt comfortable with, that I could be completely open and honest and be me, to find my Switzerland. Joe and I found that group of people with the Concerns Of Police Surviors (COPS) Arizona Chapter. They are amazing people! Who better to understand what we are going through than people who have gone through the exact same thing!

They recently had their Christmas Party. We packed up the kids and went to Phoenix.

We met SANTA.

We got our pictures taken in a photo booth. My favorite picture is the bottom left one. Jovi's face! I love it!

And each of the kids got to stuff a bear. This is Gracie. Jovi loves her.

I kind of don't want to leave Arizona because of this awesome group of people!

christmas decorations

We moved into our new house the beginning of December. The first thing I did was set up the Christmas tree and get my decorations out, ready to set up where I wanted them. I love Pinterest. I may have been addicted to it a few months ago, but I guess I'm a recovering addict. I wanted to do one of those Christmas wreaths with the ornaments all around it in its magnificence. But it just didn't look good. Yes, I bought all the supplies, had it completely finished, and I did not like it. AT ALL. So, I took four of the ornaments that I had purchased. Got a frame that was lying around. And made this little beauty that I love much more.

"What about the ornaments that weren't used?" you ask. Don't worry. They are tucked away ready to decorate our tree outside next Christmas.

christmas

Christmas has come and gone. All that is left are the few extra pounds I gained and the memories. 

 We had a ward party where they offered to take family photos. Obviously, next time Joe should kneel, or sit, or do anything to get closer to us. :)

 We had a ward dinner, activities, and a show. Corban was more interested in eating the candy then he was in decorating our ginger bread house.

 Joe took over and really did a great job with our gingerbread house. Or, I guess it looks more like a church than anything else.

Me and Jovi. She had been having serious diaper rash since July. It really flared up that night and we had to go home early.

The kids in our ward put on the live version of Jesus Christ's birth. It was so sweet and tender and, yes, I cried a little.

happy christmas

Me, Vickie, our parents, and our families gathered at my parent's house and celebrated Christmas Eve. We ate soup, played games, acted out the Christmas story, sang Christmas songs, and opened presents.

merry christmas

Jovi wasn't completely wowed by Christmas this year, but Corban sure was! He loved the blocks his uncle and aunt gave him and was absolutely giddy about his Spiderman jammies matching his new Spiderman sheets! Giddy until they were put on his bed and he had to sleep in them. 

Merry Christmas!

merry christmas

christmas cactus

About 3 years ago I got a cutoff from my parents Christmas cactus. It was snapped off from the original plant, we stuck it in some water for the roots to grow, and then planted it into this pot. It would grow blossoms but they would pop out and then pop off. It was all very sad. Then, the other day I looked at my plant and I had this blossom on it! Isn't it gorgeous? I love this finicky, stubborn plant.

tutu princess

This is the EASY tutu I made for my niece for Christmas. She opened the box, put the tutu on, and didn't want to take it off. She'd dance around the room, wave her wand, and fluff her tutu as she sat down. It was all very cute. And, all the while she sprinkled glitter from off her tutu. Two other nieces came up a couple days later and saw the tutu. They told their mom that it was unfair that Jos got a tutu and they didn't and would she ask me if I'd make them one too. I'd say the tutu was a BIG success.

Christmas

My parent's came up for Christmas morning. Christmas morning just isn't the same without kids. We were trying to be sneaky and not let Corban see this bike/pusher thing until the last, but that was the first thing he noticed and that was the first thing he played with!
Corban loves trucks! We used my parent's Christmas money they gave us and got him this rug with two tonka trucks. I think he makes a pretty cute present too.

We also got him a HUGE bag of blocks. He usually plays with them for maybe a half hour all by himself! I love that. I couldn't tell if my dad liked the blocks more than Corban.

After all the presents were opened, I made everyone cake waffles with whipped cream and fruit. Because I used a cake mix, the waffeles weren't as crispy as I like them, but they sure were good!

Christmas Eve

We held our traditional Christmas Eve, this year with the Jenson's and my parents. We had a nice dinner and the acted our the Christmas story. We sand Christmas carols and opened our PJs (I got slippers instead). The singing is so awful, but I love doing it!

The movie is Corban playing his instrument as we're singing. Enjoy!

oh christmas tree

This is our lovely Christmas tree this year. Don't ask to see the bottom third because it is void of decorations.

This was my grandma Allen's nativity set. When I asked for it my mom told me it was a long shot, but I guess nobody else wanted it. Score for me! The poor camel is missing its tail and back leg. Oh well.

christmas project

This is our advent calendar counting down the days to Christmas. It took a lot of work, but it was kind of fun. I've found out that when I start a project Joe is right there to help out and give his opinion. He's usually right and his way is a lot easier than what I would have done. It's really quite aggravating to be wrong all the time.

biting the bullet

We had so much fun playing the Wii at the Sparrow's that we went and bought our own! We bought it used, but it came with four games, extra controllers, and the Wii Fit sensor board. This is our Christmas present, but I can't complain; Christmas in July! Ask me how I'm doing in December when Christmas really comes around.

christmas time

Corban didn't particularly love being on his stomach. Don't you love the cottage cheese legs?

Joe and I went to Green River on Christmas day. We opened all of our presents Christmas Eve except for the ones that Alyn and Nicole sent to Green River. Sneeky little devils. I had already, accidently, seen my Christmas present, so Joe was the only one surprised this year.