It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.....

This Christmas tree is simply amazing - so, I must stick my tongue out!

So, I can't believe that it's only 2 weeks until Christmas!!! This year has simply flown by! I remember thinking when Reed was born that I would think he was so old by Christmastime. Yes, it is Christmastime and he is almost 9 months, but I still think he is just my sweet little baby :) It's a time warp....weird.

So, I have put all the Christmas decorations up in our little apartment and Reed is absolutely loving all of the lights and stuff to pull on! He is obsessed with any form of light, be it a candle or christmas light, and bells! We went to the lighting of the lights at the temple the other night and Reed got a bell from a little boy! It has been his favorite toy since that night! He shakes it up and down, laughs, and then sucks on it a little and then shakes it some more! It really is the most wonderful time of the year in that it seems that people tend to be nicer. But, I would say that it is the worst time of the year for the weather. I hate cold weather, and actually, compared to Provo, this winter has not been bad. But, it gets all gloomy outside - which is a bit of a bummer. That is why I am glad that I have my Christmas lights to cheer me up!

We also have a Christmas calendar (homemade by Grandma Walker) that is awesome! Everyday we get to open a pocket and pin it on to the Christmas tree on the calendar or put it by the stable on the calendar. So, we also have cute neighbors with 3 cute little kids. I thought it would be fun if they got to open up some of the pockets. So, during the week, they come over after preschool and the little boy and girl (we figured the baby who is 3 months is a little young to do it) take turns opening up a pocket! I am not sure who gets more excited - them or me! But, it's a lot of fun :) They also love Reed and come and play with him whenever they come over! It's great to have neighbor friends!

Recently we have done some pretty cool stuff (most are showin in pictures) - here are the highlights:

We saw Reed Walker's house (Reed's namesake)
We saw the temply lights be turned on
I made a live wreath
Reed is getting into everything now that he can pull himself up a little bit! His favorite is under the bathroom sink!
Reed's first encounter with Santa Claus!
Enjoy!!!!!


I just love this picture - its the blue eyes yet again :)

Reed is so proud of himself......

Look, mom - I pulled myself up and can play with these toys now!

My first live wreath! Not too shabby!

The lighting of the temple Christmas lights - I thought it was cool with the temple in the background, although both Tyson and I look extremely tired!

Reed was not too fond of good ole Santa Claus!

Reed's great-great-grandpa Reed Walker lived in this house! It's in DC, so we had to go and find it. I will try and get a better picture when we go again sometime.....

I am totally innocent and was not playing with the Christmas lights!

How can you not love this picture?!

I think this one is for me..... I know that it says to Krystal, but I think mom made a mistake!

Reed found this spoon and was just chewing on it and laughing so hard! The picture was a must!

For Thanksgiving we went to my bro and sister-in-law's house in Richmond. They are such a fun family and have 7 kids!!!! It was a noisy and fun Thanksgiving day!!! We all ate entirely too much food - turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, green gravy, rolls, green bean casserole, and probably more things that I am forgetting - and then loaded up on sugar - always a good thing :) I forgot to take pictures of the meal, but I did get some other pictures from that weekend. We had root beer floats and even helped in a service project - raking leaves for some old people in their ward. I love to see how they bring their whole family to service projects. Even their 3-year-old, Josh, was helping pick up leaves! He definitely is earning his keep :) Anyways, I loved it! Random - Brandon and Kim invited some people over to eat with us and they just happened to know Jen Nuckols who was my first mission companion in the field!!! It is such a small world - I can't get over it! I love Thanksgiving! :)

Josh (3) helping with the leaves :)
Tyler (10) with Sawyer (7 months) - the official photographers!

I actually took this picture upside down (Reed was on my back) - but I liked it, so I flipped it!

We were both pretty cold that morning!

Tyson raking up those leaves with Coleman (turning 6 this month)!

Kim helping Coleman (almost 6) and Lanae (9) with the leaves!

Tyson, Reed and Sasha (7) waiting anxiously for root beer floats - Sorry Reed, no float for you!

Brandon pouring the root beer for Josh (3), Alia (2), and Lanae (9) scooping out the much-coveted ice cream!