Christmas 2017

 Our Christmas this year was amazing.  Grandma and Grandpa Dexter and Uncle Allen came to vistit and celebrate Christmas with us.  We had a formal dinner on Christmas Eve, and we relaxed on Christmas day.  It was a great holiday.  We all feel spoiled.  Uncle Allen wins for giving Thomas the life sized panda.  I'm excited to see how the movers pack that up. 

Vacation is good.

Let's just jump right into it.  Last you read, we were preparing for our trip to Utah.  That time has come and gone, and we are back in Colombo.  As we speak I am struggling with a strange mix of jet-lag and uber disgusting digestive issues.  Welcome home.  Welcome home.

However, let's not dwell on the negative.  Let's talk about vacation.  This was probably the best vacation we have been on as a family.  Some highlights.

• Ben and I went on a cruise to Mexico.  Just the two of us, and it was wonderful.  We even ran into a family I knew from Moscow way back when. Crazy small world. 
• We spent a week in Salt Lake seeing family and friends.
• We spent the rest of the time on top of a mountain in a lovely place called Bear Lake, Utah.  Probably the most beautiful lake I have ever seen.  
• Ate some seriously good food.
• Celebrated the boys birthdays.  Ben and I are now the parents of a 4 year old and a 6 year old.  
• Spent time with family and friends.
• I went blonde for about a month, but it is back to brunette now.  It was a fun change, but you know, I like having brown hair.  

Some of Ben's family:

Our family at Temple Square:

Friends from my mission in Rochester, New York:

Some of the kids from the ladies above:

Jackson and Addie:

Cousins:

Fourth of July fun:

Taylor and Thomas:

I'm totally prepared for these crazy kids to date in the future:

I have more pictures, however, most of them are on facebook and instagram.

It was an awesome summer, and I am so grateful for the time that we had with friends and family.  We have been seriously blessed.

Grandparents are AWESOME.

My parents came down for almost a week, and we had many adventures.  Tho boys had an amazing time with their grandparents, and I really enjoyed having the extra help.

We ate tacos almost everyday.  We ran out of days before we were able to try all our favorites.

We went for a walk to get a good view of the city.

We went to the San Diego Zoo

A little shopping on Avenida Revolucion. 

I read in a brochure once, that a trip to Tijuana was not complete without a picture with a painted donkey. 

Of course some more REALLY amazing food.

What a great time.  It was awesome to have my parents visit.  Ben and I were even able to go away for a night.  Now, that is what I call a successful trip.

Utah-Dexters.

My Grandma Dexter and two of my aunts {Krystal and Keena} came from Cedar City, Utah just to see us while we were visiting.  It was so fun to spend a few days with them.  We were able to go to one of my favorite Utah places, Paradise Cafe.  Good food, good company, what more could you want?

Celebrate.

For Christmas, Ben bought me an apron. I love it. I asked for it specifically, and ordered it, and let him wrap it up. It has inspired a domestic side of myself I never knew I had.


This urge to be domestic peaked on New Year's Eve. I wanted to wear my apron and experience domesticality. {Real word? I don't know, but I like it.} I sort of feel sorry for my sisters. I convinced them to celebrate New Year's with us, instead of going out with some of their friends. I told them we would party like crazy. I don't really think it turned out the way they wanted. However, we did have an awesome food experience.  I made brie baked in puff pastry with brown sugar and walnuts {YUMMY}, and the girls made cupcakes, and Ben grilled us some steaks that we had with mashed potatoes.  That was awesome, but then I decided to do laundry.  They were good sports, but at 10:00 pm, Taylor was asleep. She did wake up to celebrate with us, but I am sorry if they feel they didn't get the party I promised. Fortunately for them, they have many years ahead of them to celebrate the way they want. I appreciate that they made this sacrifice for me.  I had a good time.  I need to wear my magic apron more often.

Happy 2010!

The sisters are in town.

My youngest sisters are visiting us for a week, and we are having a great time. 
One day we took the metro into DC and went to the Air and Space Museum.  It was a COLD day, and with the two kiddos, it was a short trip, but we all had a good time.
It is awesome to have Paige and Taylor here.  I am 10 years older than Paige, and 12 years older than Taylor, so sometimes there is a disconnect between us, so this is a great way for us to correct that.  They are fun to hang out with, and it is fun to see their perspective on things.  They are awesome girls with a lot going for them.  They have it much more together than I did at their ages.  I am grateful they are here, and I hope they will be able to visit again.
{We have discovered that they have an amazing ability to sleep through just about any noises the boys make...that would be nice.}