Hitting the Range

This morning I decided that it would be fun to have Nick take us to the driving range.  Nick was excited to show us his hobby and help his girls learn something new.  Sienna was happy to let Daddy show her the ropes.

 She didn't last very long but was happy to watch mommy and daddy and eat her snacks.

It was a great morning and I was excited that Nick got to share golfing with Sienna and that I wasn't as awful as I imagined I would be.

Christmas!

We had a great Christmas this year!  It was fun watching Sienna this year because she was actually excited about everything and big into unwrapping all her presents.  She is so fun right now.  I also love that she is still little enough that any present is awesome...even plates, cups, bowls and silverware.  We started our morning with just the three of us opening our presents and rummaging through our stockings...

 Mama and Papa got Sienna "Bop Bop"!  She super loves it.

 Opening her owl pillow that went with the new bed set that she got from Mommy and Daddy.

 Daddy and Sienna with their matching candy.

 Silly faces and showing off her new comforter.

 After Sienna got to open her present with Grandma Swanson and then we headed out to my parents house for breakfast.  It was delicious and fun seeing the kids play together and talk about what they had gotten from Santa.

We had an early dinner with Grandma Hudson at home.  Grandma Hudson was generous enough to take care of everything and she did an amazing job!  It was delicious!  We also opened Grandma presents before dinner...because some times you just can't wait.

 Sienna was very excited about her new kitchen!

 Daddy doing what daddys do, assembling new toys.

We had such a great day and we are very grateful 

that we were able to spend it with both our families.

Capitol Christmas Tree

On Christmas Eve my parents invited us out to go see the big tree at the Capitol building.  Sienna loved being outside, playing with her cousins and thought the tree was pretty cool too.

 Admiring the lights...

 Family picture in front of the tree

 Sienna with Mama and Papa

It was something small going to see the tree, but it definitely helped us to get into the holiday spirit!

The Bittersweet Weekend...

...that was really, mostly sweet!

On Friday my parents received their mission call!  They have been called to Orlando, Florida to serve for 12 months and they report on March 4, 2013.  We are so happy/ excited for them!

 Saturday was my cousin Megan's wedding in Reno.  I had big plans to get there early and do her hair, get ready together and all of those other things.  Well...we missed the wedding by an hour after sitting in bad weather traffic.  A two hour trip turned into EIGHT hours!  I was so sad that I missed it but was excited to see her and congratulate her and Dusty...in my sweatpants...because I had just spent way too much time in a car.

 On Sunday after church we went to our friend's house to celebrate and see Santa.  Sienna had a much better experience this year.  We talked him up as much as possible and she was actually excited to sit on his lap and get her present.

 Our family with Santa and Mrs. Claus

 Nick and his friend Dennis.

...and then Christmas was right around the corner...

Christmas Lights

I love having a little around the holidays.  Sienna is getting big enough now where things like Christmas count down chains and such are fun for her.  There is a house down the street from us that goes all out when it comes to decorating for holidays (He even had a blow up turkey on his lawn for Thanksgiving!)  Right now he has a blow up penguin on an igloo, a blow up Santa (whom Sienna calls snowman) as well as lights and other things...it's crazy...and Sienna LOVES it.  I thought she would love to go and see Christmas lights and I was correct.

Luckily, there is a a neighborhood close to us where almost all of the neighbors decorate and they even have archways leading down the street.  I'm pretty sure that they also have a Santa but I think we were too early for him.  

 Checking out the lights!

 She was actually kind of terrified for a minute when we got close to this snowman but after she poked it and apparently showed it who was boss it was okay.

She wanted to go again but we decided to drive around and look at some lights from the car since it was kind of cold and then head home for some hot chocolate.  It was short and fun aka perfect.