More Winter Break

After Christmas, my family stayed until Sunday and Spencer's family gradually left until the 1st of January when everyone went back to Utah. We took pictures with my family one afternoon and I love how they turned out!


After Jack's baptism on Saturday, we all went to feed our funny animal friends and walk around the riparian.



On Sunday, we hiked around Lost Duchman State Park!






On Monday, we went to the park in Queen Creek and I took pictures of Bryce and Aubrie's family that afternoon.

Our kids had so much fun playing with cousins at our house - this was the first time Hall cousins have ever come to visit and they loved it!




On New Years Eve, everyone had left except Grandpa Hall. We fished, went to a movie, and hung out at home.



Also, 10 years ago I brought Spencer (my boyfriend of four weeks) to Arizona to ring in 2010 with me! I love the life we've had together in the last 10 years!

Top instagram highlights of 2019 - it was a good year!

Jack's Baptism

Jack got baptized on December 28th, the Saturday after Christmas. I sure love this boy and I can’t believe he is eight!  His grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins came from out of town for his special day (some even surprised him!) and we are so grateful.







We had a pizza lunch with family at our house afterwards and Jack was so happy to spend the day with so many cousins and family :)
My baptism picture vs. Jack's baptism pictures - do we look alike?!

I loved taking Jack's baptism pictures :)

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Dear Jack,

I’m so proud of you for following Jesus and being baptized! You are good and kind and tender-hearted like Christ. I love your curiosity, enthusiasm, and wonder that you have for our beautiful world and the things that live and grow here. I love how you make friends so quickly and easily with everyone you meet! You are so good to Kate and David and they love you so much. I am grateful that you are friends with David and that you always let him play with you and your friends. I love how nice you are to kids who are younger than you. I love how you live each day joyfully in the present moment. You are such a good example to me. 

I tell you a lot that there is nothing you could ever do to make me stop loving you and it’s true! I love you simply because you are. I believe that God and Jesus’ love is similar and somehow even bigger - there is no mistake too big that would ever stop Them from loving you and guiding you and being with you. I believe that They are with you always, even when you make mistakes and even when it doesn’t feel like They are there.

I believe that one of the biggest ways we can try to be like Jesus is to bear one another’s burdens, mourn with those that mourn, comfort people who need comfort and stand as a witness of God like it says in Mosiah 18:9. There are so many big and little ways to help others and you will learn how good it feels to serve and connect with others who are hurting.

I am so grateful to have witnessed your special day and to be a witness to the beautiful life you are leading and creating. Your firsts are also my firsts as a mom and you make ordinary moments seem extraordinary magical in my eyes. 

Love,

Mom

Christmas

On Christmas Eve, my entire family drove from Oceanside to our house to spend Christmas together! I never thought we would all sleep under the same roof again on Christmas Eve but we did and it was magical, chaotic, and so fun!e



When your in-laws dress you up as a Christmas Elf and spend the night on Christmas:
(hahaha!)

Traditional Christmas Jamies, Italian food, and dance party!

For Christmas this year, Kate got her "makeup thing like Finley" and a bouncy ball, and the boys got bakugans and scooters. 

It was cold and rainy on Christmas and for a few days after!

I loved my Christmas cards from Jack and David :)