Hiking

One of the many things I love about St. George is the hiking.  My parents had this amazing backpack (that they had when we were kids) and we could throw Evie in it and hike to our hearts content.  Evelyn loves to get out so going on frequent hikes was a must for her and me.  We did a few new trails that I had never done before.  My favorite was the rim hike in Snow Canyon.  I was blown away at the view from the top.  We took Jenna Dog with us and she got more exercise running up and down the trail then we did.  She probably hiked 10 miles per 1 mile we did.  I love being outside and I loved that we were able to do a few hikes with my dad.  I have had great memories hiking with him.  He would stop and talk to us about plants and animals and everything in between.  It was fun to see him do the same with Evelyn.

Christmas

This Christmas we were with the Rebers.  It was a fun Christmas and our first one with Miss Evelyn.  My parents headed to Mexico so before they left we celebrated Christmas with them.  My parents took us out to eat.  It was an amazing dinner despite the fact that Josh and Skyler were eating Evelyn's puffs.    Those snacks are loved by kids big and small.  

Evelyn enjoying a fire. 

Opening her first present from Uncle Skyler.  Doesnt it look idealic with the fireplace behind her.  

A BYU cheer outfit.  I cant wait for her to fit into it.  Nice face Sky.

A gift from Grandma and Grandpa.  

The little mermaid and a puppy.  My Mom and Dad gave me a puppy when I was a baby and I loved it!  I would carry it around everywhere I went, so it was only fitting that Evelyn have a puppy too.  My mom looked so long to find the right one, and Evelyn loves it. 

We had to get Sky a Buc-ee's shirt.  

The book we made on Evelyn's first year.

My favorites 

Christmas Eve we went to the Rich's house.  We had a fun time eating, playing the bells and attempting charades :)  

Playing the bells!

I grew up with the tradition of getting pj's on Christmas Eve.  I wanted to keep that tradition!  My mom made Evie the cutest pair of pajamas.  

She is one happy lady!

She loved her baby!

Evelyn wanted nothing to do with the wrapping paper.  She was truly interested and excited about her presents.  I loved watching her eyes light up with each gift.  

Finally my own tv remote.  Maybe she will leave ours alone :)

Opening gifts with Grandpa!

After the gifts were opened and a delicious french toast breakfast was had we took a great trip into Zion.  It was a wonderful and relaxing day.  Cant wait for next year!

Salt Lake City

Josh had an interview at the U so Evelyn and I thought we would go with him.  It would give us an opportunity to see some great friends and my Grandma Sally and Aunt Melinda.  We stayed with Rick and Cindy Adams who were so sweet and gracious to let us invade their house.  They took us to dinner at Pizza Lemon, which is now my new favorite pizza place.  It was AMAZING.  If you live in the Sandy area you need to go.  While Josh interviewed I went to see my Grandma.  I had never been to her new place and was excited to see how she was transitioning to living there.  She was doing great.  I met a lot of her friends and was told over and over how lucky I was that I was Sally's Granddaughter.  It was fun to see her and for Evelyn to see her as well.  After the interview we went to check out the new city center and to see the decorations at Temple Square.  Im always amazed at how beautiful it is.  

Could you just die over how cute my 2 loves are!

Welcome to Vernal

Since Josh had an interview at the U we decided to make a quick trip to Vernal.  We had not been there for far too long and missed the family.  It is always so much fun and we always feel extremely welcome by the Merrells.  We stayed with Josh's Aunt Lynnette and Uncle Jerry.  They were so sweet to us and especially Evelyn.  She had a great time playing and cuddling with Lynnette.  One night we were playing cards with Kyle and Amber Evelyn started crying.  Normally we just let her cry it out and she falls back to sleep within a few minutes, but it was too much for Lynnette.  She rushed up there and scooped her up.  Evelyn was one lucky lady.  While we were there we had a great time bowling at the Allred family reunion and making 40 pounds of mashed potatoes for the ward christmas party.  It was even fun to shoot my first gun.  I was so scared but Kyle did a great job helping me with each shot.  I even shot a clay pigeon on my first time.  On top of all that Josh got to go Pheasant hunting with Kyle and Amber.  They were able to shoot and bring it home.  Jerry then cooked it up into a delicious meal.  All in all it was a great weekend full of family...just how I like it.