With the holidays quickly approaching, we enjoyed attending several Christmas parties.  We cherish our  family time together, and look forward to 2013.  Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year everyone!

 Maddie poses with her various art projects

 She loves the camera

Ammon, Maddie Sue & Santa

Have A Holly, Jolly Christmas

Grandpa & Grandma King visited for a few days in December.  We had a great time visiting with them.  Grandma taught me to make toffee, which all of my friends have enjoyed.  Nathan and Kathy had a special Mother / Son date night.  Maddie was not too happy about this and demanded a date with Dad to get sushi.  This has been scheduled for Friday night and each morning she has reminded me of it, and also insists that Ammon and I are not invited.  I love that she & Nathan have such a special bond.  

Here are a few pictures from the past few weeks.  

 Ammon & Maddie at the Heritage Oaks Ward Christmas Party

 Ammon Solo - dressed in character

 Maddie w/ her new smile... 

 Grandpa & Grandma King with Maddie

 Maddie dancing with Papa

 Ready for a train ride

 Ammon protests his picture being taken... 

 Which encourages Dad to try for a close-up

 Maddie and her daddy

 Love & Smiles...

Maddie w/ her new friend Sonia

A Special Visit

Papa & Grandma Mort visited during the Thanksgiving holiday.  We were able to visit Monterey and San Francisco while they were here.  It was so wonderful to be with family during the holidays!  Thanks for making the long drive here... We miss you already!  

We visited the San Diego area this past weekend.  Sea World is one of our favorites.  It's the first time that we've been there during their holiday celebrations, so this was a special treat.  I was surprised by how few people were there.  We had very little wait for any of the rides.

On our way back, we stopped in Huntington Beach to see friends that lived in our area.  Ammon & Maddie adore Emily (aka the "Queen of Cuteness") and Derek.  It was great to see them.  We wish we had more time to spend with them, but had a long ride home.  

Nathan and I were both pretty tired after not sleeping well in the hotel and getting home around midnight on Sunday evening.  We had a great trip though!

Stationery card

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We visited Arizona this past weekend and had a very fun and eventful time with family and friends.  We had a BBQ with the King Family on Friday night to celebrate the October birthdays.   My cousin Kylee was married in the Mesa, AZ Temple on Saturday; which Nathan and I were able to attend.  We met Ginger for yogurt afterwards; which was a real treat!  We later attended a Fall Festival with Grandma & Grandpa King, Uncle Jhon & Aunt Kim and cousins Saturday evening; then left for Kylee & Scott's reception. My brother, Collin, received his Eagle Scout on Sunday morning.  I was thrilled to be able to attend this.  Enjoy the pictures.  Sorry there are so many...