Family Time

The day after we got back from NC we put up our Christmas decorations. We felt like real home owners when we decided to put up outside lights. We didn't do anything too elaborate, but we thought it looked nice :-) The kitties loved the tree! Just like previous years Snickers loves to play in the tree, while Lolly doesn't really give it much thought.
December was full of spending time with our families. We were very lucky to have my parents and brother come out at the beginning of the month to have an early Christmas and that we were able to travel to Texas to see Jason's family for Christmas day.
My family arrived on the 8th and stayed till the 12th. We were able to do some shopping and sightseeing around Idaho Falls. We also got to go to Jackson, WY for a day. My brother had never seen the Tetons and we were lucky to have a beautiful clear day.  We got a fantastic view.  We also saw some elk, buffalo, and bighorn sheep along the elk refuge.  We thought about cross country skiing but we decided to just take a snow hike instead. It was nice to enjoy the fresh air and the mountain view. The Sunday before they left we had a big turkey dinner and a nice relaxing day of football.
The Tuesday before Christmas Jason and I exchanged the gifts we had gotten for each other.  I think we both made out pretty well :-)
We left for TX on Friday. Jason and I are kind of sick of flying so awhile ago we decided to drive this Christmas. We made it there with no problems on Saturday. We got to see Jason's aunt, uncle, and cousin. We had great food and great times with family. It even snowed on Christmas Day.  I love my snow so it was nice to see. Jason's grandma was able to come to the house for the day and it was a fun day of family stories, presents, and making memories.
We made it back to Idaho Falls on Thursday night. The kitties were very happy to see us! We don't have any huge plans for New Year's Eve this year. We are just happy to be home (last year we got stuck in Denver for New Year's Eve) I think I am going to set an alarm to make sure I am actually awake to bring in the New Year haha. 2011 was a super year and I have good feelings about 2012!  Hope everyone enjoyed their holidays and have a great start to a new year!!

Lolly enjoying Christmas :-)

Our tree

Tree and dining room decorations

Outside lights on garage 

lights on the windows and trees

Snickers being bad!

This is what he did almost everyday...haha

Jason with his gifts (new binoculars and a fleece jacket

tree with gifts

Go self timer pictures!

me with my gifts (necklace, ornament, jewelry box)

pictures on our drive to tx

A natural Arch. (we were near Arches National park in utah)

Jason with two of his doggies 

pretty sunset on the drive back from tx

Frozen fountain in Idaho Falls

Mom and Dad on our way to Jackson

Mom, Dad, Brian, and I in front of the Jackson visitors center

Tetons - never get old

Family in front of Tetons ( It was soo sunny)

Tail gait lunch in the snow 

Some buffalo hanging out

Visitors center at Teton National Park

It was cold! Look someone else took our picture!

On our snow hike

Elk

Big horn sheep 

Jackson square at night

Turkey dinner

Yum!