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Tutus

Who’s that adorable little girl?

Oh, just my cute niece Claire.

Where did she get that awesome tutu?

Oh, just from her Aunt Katie who made it for her!

I can make one for you too, if you want.

The Piranha Prowler

I {heart} Sunday Nights with the fam.

Look at this stuff, isn’t it neat?

Remember these little girls?

They’re in Disney World right now. I wish I was there with them!

All Because Two People Fell In Love

Okay, I actually hate that cliché title. But my Dad has been going through old slides and negatives and uploading them to his computer and he has found some amazing photographs, most of which we’d never seen.

Here’s my favorite set. It’s of my mom on my parents’ first date over thirty years ago. I’m so grateful for my parents, their marriage, and their conversion to the gospel.

Manti in January, Manti in July

The big news this month is that my brother Sam proposed to his beautiful girlfriend Ashley.

She said yes.

I couldn’t be happier for the both of them or ask for a greater sister-in-law-to-be. Ashley has already become a valuable part of our family, so I’m glad she is here to stay.

(Wow, I just started crying…what’s wrong with me?)

Anyway, the details are still being worked out because their situation is complicated. But hopefully they will be married in the Manti temple this summer, perhaps July!

While I’m talking about the Manti temple, here’s T.J. and I freezing on the front steps after Karen’s sealing. Hopefully it will be a little warmer this summer.

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Fondu, Family, Fun

Sunday night, we all got together for a delicious dinner, Just Dance 2, and finished the night with chocolate fondu. This night went down in my book as one of my favorites, probably because of the video I’ve uploaded here. Check it out.

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Yankeeeee Swap

All of these posts are out of order, but who cares.

Before we go to Christmas Eve Mass, the Dorans and my family have a nice dinner and then play White Elephant.

It’s like Machiavelli meets… Christmas.

This year, Ramsey decided to reenact the 2nd season Christmas episode of The Office. He played Michael. The best part of the whole thing was that someone actually gave Christmas pot holders as their gift and Ramsey randomly picked that gift. Christmas miracle?

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Catholic for one night a year

I’ve mentioned this on here before, but on Christmas Eve, my family and the Dorans (our old neighbors who are basically a part of the fam) go to a Catholic church in Cincinnati to hear my dad play the trumpet and my sister play the violin for the midnight Mass. I love this tradition because it puts the focus back onto our Savior and the Priest always has such a touching story to share with the congregation.

It was so special to share this specific evening with T.J. this year. I loved seeing him become a part of my family and so willingly participate in all of our family’s traditions. I’m so blessed to have such a kind (and cute… check out his skinny tie) husband!