Christmas time is busy but fun. I had so much fun with the shopping and cooking this year. I even went out at 4:00am on Black Friday! I love spending time with family. This Christmas was wonderful.

Christmas with Geoff's grandparents

We had Christmas at Shawn and Crystal's home. Cody wasn't feeling very well so the pictures of him are not so great. We had a fun time. Here are some presents Cody got

The whole crew

Christmas morning was spent at home first:

Mommy and Daddy got Cody his own "laptop". Now he won't bother our real one

A cool wooden train from Nana Pam and Grandpa Kevin

Nana Pam sewed this neat scene blanket and buildings to drive the train on

A cute jacket was a present Cody received from his amazing babysitter Jennifer


Then we went to Geoff's dad's house where his step-mom Larraine cooked us a yummy breakfast

Here's Cody with his Aker cousins. They're all so excited to hold still for a picture!

Thank you so much to everyone who sent money and gifts to us in the mail. It was all so much appreciated. You all made our Christmas happy and special.

Happy New Year!!

The saturday after Thanksgiving we got together with Geoff's family and made gingerbread houses. It's a tradition we've done for the past couple years. It was so much fun and very messy. Candy is everywhere!

Our final result:

After we made our houses we walked down to the Mesa Temple to see the Christmas lights. They are so beautiful and the weather was really nice.

Then when we got ready to go...

Someone's house always tips over and ours is the winner the second year in a row! Yes, our house didn't stay standing last year either. (I guess we'll be banned from gingerbread houses next year) Oh well. We just had a good laugh about this one

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving Dinner Geoff and I were in charge of the turkey. Our ward was hosting a turkey pit where you could bring your turkey (wrapped up in oven bags and foil) and let it cook on a hot coal bed underground. This video is our little buddy after we got home that night. He hadn't eaten dinner yet, but he was too sleepy.

Thanksgiving Day was very nice. We watched the parade on TV in the morning, got our turkey from the turkey pit and went over to Geoff's mom's house. The food was great! We spent the afternoon talking with family. I'm so greatful for my family near and far. I love you all!

Here are the professional photos of our family. They turned out really great.

This one is my absolute favorite!

Photo Shoot

Grandpa and Grandma with their grandkidsCody and his Aker/Brunson/Brush cousinsCody fell asleep on the way home

Yesterday our family had a professional photo shoot done by an area by Tempe Town Lakes. It was so fun. Here are some pictures I just got from my non-professional digital camera. The pro ones will be up as soon as we get them, so more pics to come!

Cody's Haircut

Time for another Cody first--a haricut. I've cut around his ears before but that was as much as I've done to my baby's hair. Cody's hair was getting long in the back and I didn't want him to have the classic mom's-bad-home-made-hair-cut-look. So we took him to Super Cuts as recommended by our awesome babysitter Jennifer and her sister Liz. They did a good job and I even got my hair cut too. Geoff got to be the one to hold him down. Let's just say the pictures tell you how Cody really felt about staying still for a haircut.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CODY!!

Cody's Birthday Party was so much fun. There was cake and presents and family. We can't believe he's a year already.

After a quick bath, it was time for presents. Cody got... Lightening McQueen riding car from Uncle Shawn and Aunt Crystal and cousins

Elmo cell phone from Grandpa Jim and Nana Diane

Light and sounds train from Aunt Angie and Cousin Jackson

Little People Dump Truck from Uncle Tracy and Aunt Tori and cousins

Goofy (and squirt, a cars ball, nemo cup) from Nicky and Keith and Gavin

Thomas train and puzzle from Aunt Christy and Uncle Michael and cousins

Polar Bear Coaster and clothes from babysitter Jennifer and her family

Time to play! Head, shoulders, knees and toes is Cody's new fun game

Thank you to Grandpa Kevin, Nana Pam, Great Grandmas and Great Grandpas Horsfall and Freese for the money!!