November

I had the BEST trip ever to my favorite state... ARIZONA!!!

I was terrible at taking pictures. I need to get copies from my mom. Here are some of the pictures I did get. I felt like everyday of my trip was wonderful. I got to see so many friends and family in such a short period of time. 

I arrived just in time to see Mesa High's musical, "Oklahoma" We had three sibling in the play so I was grateful to see it. Blake and Kerstyn made a surprise trip to down to AZ to see it too. My mom was so happy. 

Here is a picture of my friend Marianne Anderson and Becca Bingham at the park. It was fun to chatch up and get to know their kids better. They are both such great moms. 

Here is a cute picture of my little niece Olivia. I got to babysit her for a little while and I loved every minute of it. I can not wait to see her again at Christmas time!

I was so grateful to be in AZ for Katie and Kyle's wedding. The sealing was so wonderful and reminded me of the day I was married. Here are a couple of pictures outside the temple

 Cute Bingham family

I was also able to spend time at the Ellingson house. This a picture of sweet Grandmother Ellingson. Isn't she beautiful?!

 Celebrating Quinn's 16th birthday

 I think Ryan likes pie.... :)

 Thanksgiving!!!!
Dallin and I were so lucky to spend it with the Beck family. The picture below is of Rebekah and Kayla Beck and myself right before the Turkey trot. Once again I was so bad at taking pictures. We had so much fun with the Beck's. Tony and Miriam made us feel right at home. We loved chatting, playing games, and of course eating :). We can't wait to visit them again!

Decorating the tree!
We decorated our cute little tree this weekend. Each ornament brings back good memories. I especially love the ones we have collected since we have been married. Our favorite one is the one we bought on our honeymoon.

 Tradition! Egg Nog!! So good every year!

 This is a Dallin and Laura Ellingson family tradition. A few years ago we decided that we were going to sleep in front of our tree the night we put it up. We think it will be a tradition our kids will really enjoy. This year was no exception. :) We pulled out every blanket we own to make it as soft as possible. There is something about twinkling tree lights that is so magical! I am so grateful the most wonderful time of the year has arrived!!!

 Can you tell we are first years .... I think it will be fun to get a picture in front of the sign every year and see how our family has grown during our time in Des Moines. We love being here!

Ward Halloween party

Getting Ready for the party to start
 Dallin, Me, Cassandra and Jason Weidmen, Jordan Gardner, Tom Olsen

 Carolina, Riley, and their baby Carley Pett, Sarah and baby Gannon Goff, and Julie Stoddard

 Nate and Jisoo Shumway

 Dallin passing out candy. He loves this job :)

 The cute Olsen family out trick-or-treating

It was a fun night!

Pretty Picnic

The weather was so nice outside today, we could not help but have a picnic lunch. Picnic tables like this one are located behind the school surrounded by beautiful trees. It was a perfect lunch date. It was fun to be outside and spend time together for a little while before he had his next class.

(September 2012)

Our Sunday Walk

Not far away from our apartment is a BEAUTIFUL neighborhood.

Dallin and I enjoy taking our Sunday walk down this street.

Take a look at the colors of the trees! 

(October 2012)

 I am going to live in this house someday...well maybe in my dreams, but isn't is beautiful?!?

 I love this pine tree most of all because it reminds me of home.

White Coat Ceremony

This was a special event. All the first years were invited to the white coat ceremony. There were a few speakers and then one by one they read each students name. Once their name was read they walked across the stage and signed the schools mission statement. I was so proud of Dallin! Now just four more years and he will be walking across the stage again! :) Four years will go by fast, right ?!?

P.S. Sorry the pictures are so blurry!

Day with Jordan in Nauvoo

We were so lucky Jordan had time on his trip back to Utah to stop and see us! We first met up in Nauvoo. It was a great day from the beginning to the end. We started off by doing a session in the temple and then spent the rest of the day walking around Nauvoo, listening to the tours, and enjoying the sweet spirit that is there. Here are pictures of our day. I must say, Jordan and Dallin kept me laughing throughout the day. It was fun to see how they just pick up where they left off as if there was no time from the last time they saw each other. I consider that true friendship and its best! :)

                                             Dallin and Jordan in front of Benjamin Johnson's Land

Our cool rings!

Getting our Nauvoo Brick

Jordan in front of a baby's burial spot

                                         I LOVE THIS PICTURE! I need to print and frame it!

 We were all so hungry so we stopped by the bakery, listened to the tour, and then got a cookie for the road :).

                                                               Black Smith's shop

Those two boys were always curious about what was behind every door. This is a picture of them at the John Taylor home looking up stairs. 

Guns!

                                                                    What's in the well?

                                                What's downstairs in the Brigham Young home?