Hot Air BALLOON ride

Right before Christmas, our friend's husband invited us up on his hot air balloon.. COOLest thing EVER!! 

We look like ANTS inside the balloon!!

We were just around my parents area of town, but there were no clouds or smog and we could see out to Lake Mead!!

On our landing, we ACCIDENTLY ran into a yucca tree and almost decapitated..

 I had never seen the inside.. Pretty cool!!

I had such a FUN time with my MOMMA!!

Husky Meet Up

Today we met up with our HUSKY family to go up to the mountains for the snow.. It was Domino's FIRST time in the snow.. I'm not so sure how he liked it.. Diamond was hilarious in the powder snow her FIRST time with a GIANT smile.. He played in it, but it was more packed..

We had 5 HUSKIES.. Diamond's mom, Lana,  her sister, Renesme, Domino's brother, Kato, Domino, and Diamomd.. This was not an easy picture to get..

They are all soooo FUN with each other.. I really wonder if they know they're related..

Of course, we had to get a FAMILY picture!!

As we were driving down the mountains and FINALLY got phone service, we saw that are friend Diana had driven up there to meet us.. It took about 20-30 minutes to find her with our HORRIBLE phone reception.. I'm so glad we found her and her cute PUPPY Bailey.. The dogs played for another hour or so.. We worked on sit and stay with Bailey.. He did a great job!!

The dogs were ZONKED on our car ride home.. Domino even slept through the hour we spent on the side of the road after witnessing a motorcyclist completely lose control and TOTAL his car as he flipped and tumbled on the FREEWAY.. Thank GOD he was okay other than a broken collar bone.. It could have been HORRIFIC!!

****P.S. I have some SUPER exciting news I'm dying to spill.. Ill post about it as soon as I'm allowed!!****

Holiday Party

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!! We LOVE our small group!!

Our small group decided to do a holiday/fellowship night and take a break from our study..

Ben and I brought the food this week.. White and green (spinach) tortellini with marinara.. I had to do CHRISTmas colors lol.. And we cheated bringing pizza.. We also brought these ADORABLE desserts I saw on several Pinterest boards..

So easy and cute!! To make these REINDEER DONUTS , all you need are small chocolate donuts, pretzels, M&Ms, and white pearl sprinkles.. I MIGHT be making these for CHRISTmas!!

 We're volunteering next week at our church for a Headstart special ed pre-k holiday party ( right up my alley.. And how perfect that I'm on track break!).. We're going to have a penguin bowling alley and give away CANDY CANE REINDEER any time they bowl.. We had A MILLION reindeer to make so we got to work..

Even though most of the small group are  working and unable to join Ben and I at the actual party, we are so THANKFUL for all the help with the reindeer!!

We also had a White Elephant gift exchange.. You NEVER know what you'll get haha.. 

Of course I had to do something crafty.. I used to make these WHOPPER POOPING REINDEER all the time as a kid.. I found this cute TOILET PAPER SNOWMAN somewhere on Pinterest (sorry I don't know how to link it through my phone!).. They though thy were so cute!!

Finally we played CRANIUM boys vs girls.. And guess who won?! OF COURSE THE GIRLS!! Even after all the boys cocky-ness!!

X-Mas Decorating 2013!!

I LOVE decorating for the holidays.. Especially Christmas.. Growing up we switched decor almost EVERY month for any and every holiday..

This is our first Christmas as a MARRIED couple and couldn't wait to decorate!! Unfortunately, Ben wasn't able to come home for Thanksgiving weekend so we had to WAIT to decorate until this past weekend.. Well WORTH the wait!!

We pulled out all of our Christmas bins.. I know it's not much yet!!

We started unpacking some of our x-mas stuff.. I think I may make a cute table runner to match the stockings and the tree skirt I want to make..

We also had to include DIAMOND.. Do you think she LOVES these??

Our friends gave us their old pre-lit tree.. Sadly, when our water heater leaked, it fried the top part and it wouldn't light up.. RIP..

We went out and bought our FIRST tree that should last us FOREVER!! We decided not to buy a pre-lit tree.. 1) because they are EXPENSIVE.. 2) we don't want to have to buy a new tree every time the lights stop working.. We spent last night decorating it.. I LOVE it.. It needs a little more LOVE and personalized ornaments, but I know with TIME it will become FABULOUS!!

Can't wait to post MORE pictures of our FINAL xmas decorations!!

Thanksgiving 2013

Things I am THANKFUL for:

1. My husband.. He has made me so happy and is such an AMAZING, uplifting BEST friend.

2. My family.. They are always there and are some of my BEST friends.

3. My dogs.. They keep me COMPANY while Ben is away at work.

4. My friends.. Though they are few, they are such an AWESOME part of my life.

5. My job.. I can FINALLY say that I LOVE my job!

6. Health.. Everyone around me is HEALTHY and kicking with all they have.

This year for Thanksgiving, my parents went to see my sister and her hubby in Destin, FL.  That left Grandma K, Grammy V, my hubby, and I to CELEBRATE Thanksgiving together.  Ben and I decided to have the grandmas over for a small DINNER feast.

However, when Ben went to work the shift before Thanksgiving, he found out he was being forced to stay the shift he normally has off.. That left just the grandmas and me for Thanksgiving.. And him working 14 DAYS straight :(

Thanksgiving day, I threw a TURKEY roast in the rotisserie, the STUFFING on the stove, and waited until after I picked Grandma K up to make the VEGGIES, heat the mash POTATOES, and warm the BREAD (we TOTALLY cheated and made it SUPER EASY on us!!)

 There wasn't much, but my grandmas eat the SMALLEST portions EVER!!

I am in LOVE with all the AMAZING serving trays/bowls/dishes we got from out wedding!! I use them whenever possible!!

The grandmas and I enjoyed our delicious meal!! 

We played a short game of cards when we were done, ate some pie, and then it was time to get Grandma K home before dark.

I had so much FUN hosting my FIRST Thanksgiving dinner and am so thankful it was such a SUCCESS!!! Next year, I just HOPE my hubby will be able to join us!!

After I dropped Grandma K off, I went over to my friend Karissa's for her Thanksgiving.. I am so THANKFUL to have friends that are like FAMILY near us!!

**UPDATE: My AMAZING family threw a SURPRISE Thanksgiving for Ben once he was finally home.. 

Alright, we cheated and made chicken this time.. We couldn't FATHOM eating more turkey!!

But he LOVED it!!