A good MIXTURE of

ACTIVITIES is what we've packed into the last couple of weeks......

We were SO excited to pick up Katie from the airport before Thanksgiving! I have to admit that this mama teared up at the first sight of my "baby."
Katie brought home these fun glasses for everyone.....they give away some fun things at BYU football games!

Rachel models her Silly Bandz Harry Potter glasses bracelet.....

The beautiful scenery on our Thanksgiving drive to Washington ~ I miss the beauty of snow, but not the mess of driving in it!

A gorgeous sunset greeted us upon our arrival in Yakima....Mt. Adams is in the background

Like a true blonde, I forgot to take out my actual camera during Thanksgiving.....so I'll fast forward to getting our tree after arriving home in Salem. Katie really wanted to be with us when we got it and because I'm a sucker for pleasing my daughter as well as for the heavenly, fresh pine scent, we said a resounding YES!

Trees are always heavier than they look.....

Rachel has been begging to try the American Girl magazine recipes for hot chocolate and this one was DELICIOUS!! Make regular hot cocoa, melt in some mint chocolate chips, put on whip cream and holiday sprinkles and stir with a candy cane....mmmmm!!

Tyler was asked to Moball (the LDS version of Snoball) and he allowed me to take his picture. He placed candy kisses on the girl's porch and left a note saying, "Now that I have 'kissed' the ground you walk on, I'm worthy to be your date." Kudos to Tyler!!

Last night, we attended the Salem Christmas tree lighting at Riverfront park and had a great time! Here the girls are waving to Santa who was hoisted to the top of the tree by the Salem Fire Dept.

The beautiful tree!

After the tree lighting, we headed to the Salem Community Nativity Festival at the LDS church on Lone Oak ~ what a fabulous job everyone did!! The girls had so much fun taking a trip through Bethlehem. Two big thumbs up!!

So.....there you have it. A FUN start to this Christmas season!!