Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! We've spent the last couple days having fun with our families. I had to go to work tonight, but Brad got to come with me. By the look on his face I think he didn't mind. I've been filming these white tigers for the past couple of weeks and it's been such a great experience. I think I will add this to my list of why I love my job.

Excellent YW

Can I just tell you that the young women in my ward are fabulous. We recently had a night to celebrate their excellence and that we did. They pretty much stole the show with their gorgeous smiles and beautiful testimonies. I am so blessed to be able to work with them. I'm sure next year will be just as rewarding as this past year has been, even if we are smaller in numbers.

Halloween

This year we didn't dress up for our ward Halloween party but I did dress up for work. I was a bunch of grapes. I wish I had a photo but I don't. However I did win $25 for my costume. I think my adorable nephew and nieces would have won any costume contest they entered.

The Monkey

Dog the Bounty Hunter's Wife

Who later became the more appropriate Tinkerbell

The Tooth Fairy

The Duck

Washington again

While Brad went on his annual hunting/fishing/camping trip with his friends, I went to Washington again to spend time with my parents and sister.

While my parents were working one day my sister and I ventured in Portland for some sushi, shopping and donuts from the famous Voodoo Donuts. All I have to say about that last place is that it's amazing such a dumpy place is so popular.

My dad and I went out on a photo shoot at sunset and I got this photo.

One morning my sister, mom, and I took a hike that was more like a leisurely walk to this fantastic lookout over the gorge.

Like always I had a fantastic time and can't wait to go again. Hopefully next time Brad will join me.

Labor Day

For Labor Day weekend we headed to Dillon, Montana to visit Momma Molly {Brad's mom}. We helped her with a yard sale, went to the big Patagonia outlet sale, ate good food, got some orangeade {super delicious} and took a scenic drive to Virginia City. It was a fantastic weekend away and the first trip Brad and I had taken together all summer. Plus it was nice to be in Montana when the sun was shinning and the weather was quite nice ... it doesn't happen often when we go.

Virginia City is a ghost town turned tourist attraction.

The Candy Shoppe

Some stores still have inventory from when the town was abandoned

Us

The three of us

Somewhere between Dillon and Virginia City

accomplishments

I'm not sure where the last couple of months have gone. Once again the summer went by too quickly. We were busy or gone almost every weekend and so far the Fall hasn't slowed down. Our summer fun included hiking Havasupai {Brad}, girls camp {Kera}, work, a dance festival {that seemed never ending but was worth all the time}, documentaries, work, family visits, film festival, and did I mention work?

Anyways, probably one of my biggest accomplishments was the half marathon I ran at the end of August. My first and while running the last mile I told myself I would never do it again ... but I think I would. However, I did say that I would never run a full marathon ... and I'm sticking to that one. I just don't love running enough.

babies

I hope the title didn't make anyone too excited. I know it's been a while since I blogged regularly but there wasn't enough time for us to have a baby.

However my sister-in-law and my sister both had time to have babies.

First was Manda {my sistser-in-law}. She had a handsome little man named

Brock

and here's his announcement I put together

Next was Kella {my sister}. She had a beautiful girl named

Madilyn

this is her second child

They are both a lot of fun. I am currently working on updating my photo blog so I'll have more photos of these adorable babies up there soon ... hopefully before they are toddlers but I can't promise anything.