Graham Cracker Houses

I was able to come home to California this Christmas to be with my family. Last night we made graham crackers houses. We had a blast! My sister Meredith and I were partners in the competition. We made a good Team! 

Pete and Kati. They were pretty much pros at making their house. They are off to Utah for Christmas with her family. We will miss them but are glad they get to be with family. 
Love my sisters!
Granny and Grandpa came over to judge the houses! 

We did not have a winner but Mere and I thought ours was PRETTY DANG GOOD! 

Thankful

This time of year, I always feel more and more grateful for everything and everyone. This last month I have been going to to the doctor to figure out a few things, and I am just so grateful for Health Insurance. When we get the bill in the mail and see how much health insurance covers it just amazes me. I am so grateful my husband has a job that makes that possible. Doctors are such a blessing in our lives.

Poinsettia

I was so excited Michael surprised me last night with a HUGE poinsettia! He is so thoughtful and sweet. It now really feels like Christmas! Thanks babe

Tis the Season

All of our Christmas decorations are still in Phoenix so we don't have much this year to decorate our place. No matter what we are together and that makes it feel like the Holidays.

You know me and my wreaths!

Our tree is smaller than ever this year since our apartment is smaller than ever! Along with our decorations, all of our ornaments are in Phoenix too. This year our topper is a little different then a traditional one, but it fits us you think?
One of our friends from Phoenix is going to Law/business school at Wharton in Philadelphia and his little girl Lucy made us this darling ornament. On the back of the ornament she traced her hand for us. Soo cute!
Our stockings!

I told you we have a spiral staircase..... It is the funniest thing ever watching Michael walk down it. We love our place and love turning off the lights to look at our Christmas tree sparkle. Happy Decorating for the Holidays!

Thanksgiving Day

We had such a nice Thanksgiving day. In the morning we had a branch activity "Turkey Bowl football game". We had a good turn out and it was tons of fun. We brought dunkin donuts and everyone played for about 2 hours. 

Later on that day we went over to our friends house the Gibsons. They had their family in town from Napa and they made a yummy Thanksgiving meal. Jessie did such a good job setting the table. 
Michael and I thought the turkey bowl started at 9 and it did not start until 1o, so we had fun on the playground waiting for people to arrive.

It was a great day, Michael and I have so much to be thankful for this past year and always. I am so grateful for family and friends.

Husband Tag!

I was tagged to do a spotlight of my hubby! Any excuse to talk about how amazing he is I am in!
1. Where did you meet your husband? WP Baby, in college in our apartment complex Windsor Park. We had our eye on eachother for awhile.

2. How long did you date before getting married? One year. We got married on the anniversary of our first date, cheezy huh? we did not even plan it.

3. What does he do that surprises you? Everyday is something diffrent! I love that.

4. What is his favorite feature of his? I love how big he is and I love his deep brown eyes, and his baby face.

5. What is his best quality? How kind he is. He would do anything for anyone. Very loyal.

6. Does he have a nickname for you? Schnooky, baby, cam bam, cammers, honey bunches, and cami

7. What is his favorite food? Michael seems to like all food equally. He also likes to try all kinds of new foods.

8. What is his favorite sport? Football

9. When and where did you first kiss? In my apartment at the WP. ahhh..........

10. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Just cuddling and watching movies. We are home bodies!

11. Do you have any children?  Not yet. Hopefully soon! We want LOTS! Michael will be such a good dad one day.

12.Does he have any hidden talents? Yes he can blow bubbles with his spit at any moment.He could be in the CIA (his dream) because he is always aware of our surroundings and always has a plan if something were to happen. I think he is paranoid he thinks he is just prepared! 

13. How old is he? 26.

14. Who said 'I love you' first?  He did! Well............Thats actually still a debate. :)

15. What is his favorite music? Bob Marley and just about anything acoustic and chill. Lets not forget good old country.

16. What do you admire most about him? How sweet and very sensitive he his. He is always 

aware of my needs and puts me first. 

17. What is his favorite color? Green because it reminds him of spring time when it is so pretty outside.

18. Will he read this? you know it.

19. Who will I tag next? Anyone who wants to Join!

Stand For Truth and Righteousness

I was given a calling in our new branch as YOUNG WOMEN ADVISOR in charge of Personal Progress. Personal progress is a goal setting program that helps young women ages 12-18 develop a testimony of Jesus Christ and his gospel. It teaches them to stand for truth and righteousness at all times and in all things. I am so excited! The girls are so great. The branch that we are in is very unique and is the most different ward/branch that I have ever been apart of.  It is in center city Philadelphia and so it is very difficult to hear some of the stories these young girls have been through in their life already. I am very blessed to be where I am and I hope I can help the program grow. I am over joyed with this calling, it makes me feel like I am supposed to be in Philadelphia for this time. I would love any advice or ideas that you all have! 

LOVE/HATE

love the sport............... HATE THIS..................

This is the part I hate about football, when Michael comes home from work with a body part that is hurt,broken or bruised.  Michael has torn his right calf muscle. He is getting all the correct treatment  so he can to be ready to practice by next week. He is in pain when he walks and especially now since we have stairs in our new apartment. Thank you for all your support and if we could ask for a few extra prayers this week until he gets better, that would be so helpful. In this business it is very cut throat if you are injured.  We will keep thinking positive !I will keep you all posted.

Laugh

I know I am OBSESSED with my nieces, but I could not help but post this picture of Emmy. Don't forget to smile and laugh today!

Auntie CC

This past week I had the chance to go to Arizona and spend time with Amanda,Jordan,Lilly and my new sweet niece Lola Jewel. I did a lot of entertaining Lilly and gushing over how sweet and peaceful Lola is.

We had a great time at the Phoenix Zoo with our friend Karson.  Here we are in our dress up clothes! 

Tea parties with Barney and friends

I was able to spend Halloween with the bunch. Amanda had both of them dressed up so cute and festive.

Here we are trick or treating at Jordan's school. I just love this Hula girl

Ahhh... Lola all dressed in her halloween gear.

I love this face! Lilly is wondering why I am taking pictures and not playing with her. It was hard to say good bye, we had such a great time. I love all 5 of my nieces so much! I wish we all lived closer so I could spend more time with them. Amanda good luck with the 2 girls. You are a great mom. Thanks for letting me hang out this past week. 

Cold

No one ever told me that Philly was going to be this cold. Since living in Arizona the last 3 winters, I am turned into a winter wimp. I am rather excited about the cold though. 

Very fun to dress warm with coats,scarfs, gloves and hats. Michael and I have been on the search for all new winter clothes. 
Hands down the best part about winter is hot chocolate.  I remember in Utah we used to go to the 7 eleven and get hot chocolate and add all the yummy flavors and tons of mini marshmallows. hmm... so good....

New York, New York!

Michael and I went to New York this weekend. It is only a two hour drive from Philly! HOW CRAZY is that? We had such a great time and saw so much.

We took a bicycle tour of central park. It was interesting to see the dozens of places throughout the park that we recognized from movies like Big Daddy, Home Alone, Maid in Manhattan, and What Happens in Vegas.

The park was massive and so beautiful.

This is as close we got to the Statue of Liberty; good enough for us. 

After a long day of sight seeing we made sure we had a famous Gray's Papaya hot dog. It was good but we both agreed that costco polish dogs still takes the cake. 

This is in front of the New York Stock Exchange. 

This is a memorial wall for the September 11th fire fighters that were killed. This was very neat and emotional to see. There isn't much to see where the WTC towers once stood but there is a distinct feel of the area that was evidence to us of a lasting scar from the 9/11 attacks.

Here is Michael grabbing the bull by the horns down near wall street.

We took the subway everywhere we went. This boy was on his way home from school and was sharing magic tricks with Michael.  If you cant tell Michael was enjoying them.

We also went to Coney Island and hung out at the beach. Michael touched the Atlantic ocean for the first time after having walked by it everyday nearly half of his mission.

Ahhh...This was our last night there and we spent it walking up and down Time Square. The lights reminded us of Vegas. We did not want our trip to end and we can't wait to go back. 

Amish Country

Michael and I took another adventure out to Lancaster PA, to see the Amish country. We had such a great time exploring and really seeing how the Amish have lived for over 300 years.

We stopped to get some home baked treats; Cookies, homemade root beer, and kettle corn. They sure do know how to bake.

We also went on a buggy ride and LOVED IT. We had the best tour guide, he was a old Amish man who know the in's and outs of the whole town. We were told about each home and what the farmer grew on their land. We saw orchards of tobacco, grapes, corn and several other crops. 

This is a picture of one of the farmers and his mules. Crazy that this is really how they get around. We were there when school kids were getting out and we saw all of them walking home and how cute they were dressed.

They had so many great antique shops and also small stores that sold homemade jams, jellys, quilts, baked goods, and honey. You name it they have it home made. Very inspiring to start stepping up on my baking skills.Look at all the pumpkins! The views were amazing,rolling hills that were so green. It made us both think about where we wanted to raise our kids someday and how we want them to be hard workers. These people work very hard for what they have and they have such a simple simple life. It makes you really think about what is really important.