New Year's in Vegas

So I am kind of behind on the things I want to blog about so sorry this is old but I wanted to post about our 2nd week of Jer's break. After Christmas, we headed down to Vegas to spend a week with his family.

When we arrived we had a little Christmas celebration with his family.

Kayla and "E" had more fun playing in the wrapping pile with Papa then they did opening presents.

Since we don't live in Vegas anymore, we thought we would play tourists and take Kayla to a few fun things on the Strip.

We went to the M&M World; Kayla had so much fun seeing all the "M's".

Then it was off to see the Lions at the MGM. This guy was MASSIVE! Jer, Kayla, and Grandma Peggy are underneath the Lion.

Feeding Time

Our last stop was at the Belliago to see the floral display. It was too early to see the fountains.

The ceiling in the lobby of the Belliago is pretty spectacular...no matter how many times you've seen it.

We also went to Bonnie Springs. It is an Old Vegas "Town". We watched a mellow drama...Kayla kept saying "no" the whole time. I don't think she liked it very much. Then we watched a funny mock hanging...Jon was picked to be the Judge and Jer was a lawyer.

Papa and Kayla in jail.

Kayla's favorite part by far was the petting zoo. She still says "animals..?" everyday referring to her trip to see them. Then she goes on to name everything she saw..."deer", "bunny", "cluck cluck", "goat", etc. She walked up to this bunny and in her softest, sweetest voice said "Bunny seeping".

They had animals in cages but also animals just roaming around. It was pretty neat but Jer had to keep a close hold on Kayla every second so she didn't get bucked by something.

This donkey followed us around. Kayla isn't scared in this picture she is mad at Daddy for not letting her go to see him closer.

There was even a buck deer. Kayla was pushing on the gate saying "out". I think she would have let all the animals out if she could.

We had a fun relaxing week and a very happy New Years in Vegas!!

Christmas Day

We spent Christmas morning at our house and then headed over to my parents were we spent the rest of the day with family. Christmas is so much fun with a two year old! Kayla was so entertaining to watch as she tried to figure out why a stocking of goodies was left at her door and why her living room was filled with new toys.

Not the best picture but I love how it shows her in action, running from toy to toy.

Dancing with Pueblo

Learning to rock out with her guitar.

She thought these play hot pads were hats for some reason and run up and put one on Jer's head and one on mine.

Her favorite gift was by far her kitchen, dishes, and play food. Ironically Santa found a General Mills food set. (Jer accepted the internship offer from General Mills for this summer)

She couldn't wait to play with her food and dishes in her "house". (that's what she calls her kitchen)

At my parent's house we watched the kiddos play their new Wii. Jessica throws a mean strike in bowling. The rest of the day was spent playing my Dad's new games he got for Christmas.

Becky, Kayla, and Tay Tay

Christmas night, Scott, Mason, Brynn, Steve and Jenna all came down for dinner and of course, more games. Baby Brynn was so adorable in her Santa hat which she liked to wear.

On Saturday, Jennifer drove up to join the fun and we had our annual gingerbread house making event.

Kayla snatching some candy off her house as I shot a quick picture.

The first week of Jer's break was over and was a big success. We had so much fun just spending time together as a family and giving gifts from the heart...it was a special Christmas that I will always remember.

Pre-Christmas 2009

Jer finished his finals with a week to spare before Christmas. Kayla and I were VERY excited to have him back...and to have him around 24 hours a day for 14 whole days!

The crazy studying student himself.

Taking a quick break for Kayla time.

This one is my favorite...silly girl.

So, the Saturday after finals we kicked off the Christmas celebrations by going to Temple square which I already wrote about. This is the Sunday before Christmas (our last day in nursery!) Yes, my walls are still bare...when you can only put two nails per wall it makes it difficult to decorate.
The next few days we finished our Christmas shopping, cleaned our house, and spent every evening playing games with my family. We also watched the BYU bowl game with almost all my 5 (biological) siblings and their spouses..it is not often that we are all together so it was really great! (we missed you Jen and Stephen)

Christmas Eve, we had our traditional dinner, nativity, p.j.'s, and Christmas light drive

Yes, we needed three tables for dinner with (not even all) of my immediate family.

A little pre-dinner Dora to settle the kiddos.

The Murray fam. Half the older siblings were there with their families; Scott, Becky and myself.

Kayla and Uncle Tanner riding the wild nativity animals.

Rachel and sweet baby Brynn.

Kayla in her Shepard garb...she left it on for about 3 minutes.

The nativity

Everybody looking good in their Christmas jammies...except Kayla because we left hers at home.

Off to see some Christmas lights...and fall asleep in the car only to be woken up and forced (not really) to open jammies and Christmas books...yes, she sleep in on Christmas.

Pictures (of pictures, again, sorry)

Well, if you were feeling left out because you didn't get a christmas card from us this year, don't; we didn't send them out. Jer was busy with finals and I wasn't exactly excited about sending out family pics (prego pics) so we said better luck next year and hoped that our friends and family wouldn't mind our unthoughtfulness. We did manage to take Kayla to get a Christmas picture taken though (it's been almost a year since I got her picture taken so it was pretty much a mandatory thing). They are better quality then this...my picture of picture taking skills have just declined.

We couldn't get her to look at the camera or give us a true smile but I think they are good for an almost two year old.

There was a book on the shelf that Kayla took off the shelf, handed to the photographer, sat in her lap, and said "read, read". She did this a few times during the shoot. She made friends with the photgrapher, which was good so she wasn't scared in the pictures, but apparently she is a little too stranger friendly.