12.24.2012

Buddy the Elf, Santa & the Annual Gingerbread Contest..

This week of Christmas Festivities didn't disappoint.
This year we looked at Christmas Lights.. there were some awesome ones.
We watched Christmas movies and had a lot of fun
family tiime.

One thing this year we did differently was adopting a family
through the Kony Coins for Kids program here in town.
We had all the gifts purchased and wrapped and it was time for delivery
last Friday night. We had a rough start finding their address
but were able to do so and deliver.
My brother dressed up as Buddy the Elf and Adam as Santa.
It was one of the funniest things I've ever seen..
Taylor's boyfriend Gabe dressed as their security personnel.
It was such a fun night.




We went and delivered the gifts.
Trev, Adam and Gabe were the only ones that actually
'delivered' and went to the door, but we all drove out
there. It was a very humbling experience for myself and
Adam just to realize how truly we blessed we are.
I have always had amazing Christmases and they've always
been filled with lots of giving and love.
Adam even said it was really a great experience. He said
the little kids had been waiting and looking out the window for
Santa to come deliver since 3 that afternoon, and we didn't
get there until about 7:30. The mom got very emotional
when the boys were setting the gifts down and
was overcome with gratitude.
I'm so thankful for the little things people do for one
another. After we delivered our gifts we went and
visited my Aunt Judy to show off the fun costumes.. she got a
hoot out of everyone.
My Uncle's little neice or granddaughter I'm not sure, was at
my parents house when Adam and I got back. He had to play
Santa to her for a little bit and so did Trev..
it was so fun to see this cute little 3 year get so excited
to see Adam and for Adam to play the actual 'role' of Santa.
I can't wait till we have kids of our own and he can play
Santa!


The next night was our annual Scavengerhunt that Adam's puts
together. He always does a really good job! This year was
a blast! We all met up and had dinner at Five Guys and then
started at my parents. This time was a little different
because we had a few more family in town
so we had to take two cars for our girls team. The guy lucked out
and got only one car! We also had my grandma with us
who is a little slow getting in and out and my prego
cousin who wasn't feeling too well.
We had 12 clues and we drove all around town finding them.
The clues were pretty easy and we were able to get to all
of them. It was just a pain waiting for our second
car to get there.
I think I explained this game last year, but here is a refresher.
This is the scavenger hunt where Adam came up with
12 clues of things to find. At each stop we have to take a picture
with our whole group in it and send it to Adam.
He then marks off the ones we have done.
This year it was boys against girls which is always a good
competition.
We ended up running into the boys car at Wal Mart.
Our bonus challenge was to run down the aisle and scream
'Santa is coming!' really loud.. my sister, cousin and I did this one.
Oh and you have to record it! The boys were crazy and running into us
there and then we actually ran into them at our next stop too
it was fun to try and slow them down!
At the end us girls ended up making it back to the house first
which was amazing! We were way excited!
However, we mess up on one of our clues and ended up loosing
by like 5 points I think! It was such a fun night though!
Adam had bought these dollar store candy bars that looked like
dollar bills as the grand prize money!
It was such a fun night!

The next night was our Gingerbread House Contest.
Adam and I ended up taking the Grand Prize Winner..
1st Place!



Adam actually found our idea on Pinterest..
We decided to do the log cabin theme! I was happy with how it turned
out..

My cousin kelsey did a cute school and Trev & Linzi's was
creative too! All of them were so cute!




I am excited that today is Christmas Eve and can't wait to
enjoy this beautiful holiday with my husband and family!
Merry Christmas!

12.21.2012

'Tis the Season

I am behind on my posting! I feel like I have a lot to catch up on..
so we will just kind of do a re-cap of our month so far.
I absolutely love this time of year.
By far my most favorite month!
I am so blessed to have a husband that puts up
with my festivities and plans them.. and a family
that I can live close to to enjoy it with!

This year we were able to go to the Dickens Festival again.
This is something that I try to go to every year.
It's usually pretty crowded and filled with lots
of goodies and fun things to purchase. This year my good
friend Kris tagged along with us! It was fun! I only
got one picture that was photobomed by my Dad.. and I only had
a copy of it on Insta since I already deleted it!


The same weekend of the Dickens Festival my
brother and his fiance decided to take their Bridal
pictures for their wedding. They asked if Adam
and I would help out with taking their pictures.
They turned out adorable! I can't wait to see the final
product! They did them here in St. George kind of by
the Judd's store and on Tabernacle!
Linzi looked gorgeous and her dress and all their
wedding preparations are starting to come together!

I adore my Christmas Tree this year..
I'm kind of slightly obsessed with it! I think it fits our house perfectly &
looks so good in the corner of our little living room.
Not the best quality picture .. for some reason
my phone update and deleted all my new pictures.


I'm really excited for this wonderful holiday but also
 a little sad for my hubby. His family is up north
and we won't be able to spend time with them
on Christmas. However, we are going to be traveling
up there the first weekend of January, so we
are excited for that!

I was so happy we got all our Christmas decorations put up
so fast this year and our house feels so cozy at night with
all my lights plugged in!

Montana got a new hair cut & Christmas bows!

We had my company Christmas dinner party at Gun Barrel this year.
My boss and his wife are the nicest couple and are
fun to sit and enjoy dinner with!

We spent our weekend, last weekend doing all of our Christmas
shopping! It was pretty crazy but good to get it done!
Last year we were doing it very last minute so it feels good
to already have it done! I have a few more to purchase
but that's it! We mostly got our gifts online or at Old Navy, Ulta
and the mall!

My Grandma came in town this last week as well. She went home
to Colorado for a few weeks before coming back for the holiday.
When she got in and Adam and I were over there at my parents
house it finally felt like Christmas. It's weird how sometimes
the feeling of the holiday can come and go!

We kind of started a new tradition last year where the week before
Christmas we spend it doing activities with each other each night.
This week has been really hectic with all the different things
going on but also so much fun.

Monday night was my sister's concert at the Tabernacle.
She did amazing, she is so talented!

Tuesday we watched the Christmas movie, Jingle All The Way

Wednesday night I got my hair done (pic's later for that) and
my cousin Kelsey, revealed the sex of her baby which is coming
in May.. She's having a girl! :) We also drove around and looked
at all the pretty lights!

Thursday  night was a relaxing night where Adam cooked
dinner for my mom, grandma and I.

Friday night (today) we have a very fun thing planned.
My parents decided to adopt a family through our local
organization here in town called Kony Coins for Kids. We
went and did shopping for them, wrapped their gifts and we
get to deliver them tonight. I'm so glad we were able to help
out a family this year. My husband is dressing up as Santa..
he looks like the real deal..
My brother his Buddy the Elf too so they'll be fun to go
and deliver the gifts to the kids. . I have a feeling
they are all going to have too much fun
running around town dressed up!
We have a fun weekend planned of Christmas Festivities before
the actual holiday! My two Uncles are coming into town with
their families from California & Colorado today.. it'll be interesting
but fun I'm sure! And Adam and I will be spending
plenty of our time over there. It's hard to not be with
all our family at once though.. and we all will be missing my
Grandpa who unfortunately can't be here with us
physically this year, but I know will be there in spirit.


I know that I will have a lot to post about here in the next
few days.. but until then I hope you
all have a very Merry Christmas!






12.12.2012

Thanksgiving 2012

This Thanksgiving Adam and I were blessed to 
be able to spend it with both of our families at
one place. His brother already had plans with his in-laws
so his parents decided to come down and stay with us for the
holiday weekend. I was really excited to see them and have them stay 
with us, since it had been about 4 months since we'd seen
them last! 

They came on Wednesday afternoon and we did some 
last minute shopping for dinner. We braved Costco the
day before Thanksgiving (which was crazy). Everyone
loves their pumpkin pies and I had grabbed like 4, since
my mother in law told me to, and people
kept asking me where I got them or if we would
put any back. Once we got back home we enjoyed a fun
night with Adam's parents. 

The next day was Thanksgiving and we were all heading over 
to my parents house for Thanksgiving dinner. It was so nice
to have both families eating together. My parents, siblings,
grandma, aunt, cousins etc.. were all together and then to 
have Adam's parents just made it so much better! 

As usual we had a fabulous meal! I love traditions and I 
especially love our Thanksgiving meal traditions. 






After we all ate dinner everyone kind of did their own thing.
The guys watched more football and all of us girls decided
to run to Michael's since they were having a big 'black Friday' sale!
We couldn't go off on our shopping adventure without 
our fuel.. 


We hit a lot of good sales at Michaels.. 
Once back home we just stayed and hung out as a
family and didn't really do much.. besides stuff our faces
with delicious pies! 

 Shifflet Girls.. minus my sister! 



 One Tired Puppy.. 

 Had to post this picture of the photo bomb my Father did
Just having some fun with this girl..

 My hott photographer husband..







  As you can see by all our pictures, we all were having too
much fun..



My brother was just trying to ruin all our pictures..


How beautiful is my grandmother??
So happy she was with us this year! 

It was a very successful Thanksgiving for Adam and I.
We definitely have been blessed this year with 
so many wonderful things. 
On Black Friday we decided to go with his parents 
and brave the crowds. I really wanted to go to Krumpets.
We got a ton of cute Christmas decorations
for our house! We also went to Shoe Carnival and Kohls, nothing
too crazy. However, Adam and I did decide to go 
help my brother and Linzi at Wal Mart, look at TV's, since
they were wanting to get one.
 We went Thanksgiving night when Wal Mart opened, and they
were packed. There wasn't a single thing in that store I wanted
to wait in line for!  



(don't worry Adam is sitting on a pillow)
That Friday we also got a new tree! Adam's wonderful
mom decided to buy it for us since we only had
a really small fake tree and an overly sized tree.
It was a beautiful 7.5 ft tall pre lit tree. It's gorgeous!
We spent the rest of the day eating left overs
and getting our house ready for Christmas! 
It was so nice having Adam's parents around
and his mom was more than willing to help me out
with all the Christmas decorations. 

Unfortunately, my in laws couldn't stay longer into 
Sunday but had to get back home on Saturday. They were so 
much help to us while they were here, probably more
than they  know! I had so much fun with them
and am thankful they could make the trip down! 
After they left Adam and I went and saw Lincoln with my
parents and grandma. It was a really great movie! 
I love this holiday season and am always 
grateful when it's here. I feel so blessed and lucky
to have two great families, a wonderful husband, a cute
puppy, and lots of great friends! Hope you all had a very
Happy Thanksgiving!