How it all started...

First- you have to know that Tys and I had been talking about decorating our little apartment on Dec. 5th- the first Monday of the month because it wasn't going to be too busy of a day for us. We had the Christmas music going and I headed to our storage closet just outside our front door to pull out our decorations.

It was dark. I was having trouble getting the key in the door knob. I thought I had the wrong key. So I tried 3 more keys. No luck. Tyson came to try. Got the right key in the knob (because he is superman) and turned the key.

SNAP.

The key broke. The door was still locked. And all our decorations were in that storage closet. Shock and disappointment. Called the head office to have maintenance fix it.

One Week later...( with phone calls to double check they were still coming)

No maintenance men. No new key. No Christmas decorations. Sad Smiths.
Tys had a conversation with one of the couples in our ward that lives 3 doors down. The guy says the apartment key works for the door too. Really??!!?? Said Tys and I. (half way not believing because why else would they give us a storage room key if the apartment key can do the same thing.)

It worked. Hallelujah. We dropped everything and decorated. Christmas music back on. So excited to have it really feel like Christmas in our apartment.


We placed all our ornaments on the tree. Including the "Our First Christmas" ornament from last year (thank you Merrill's!) and our cameo ornament made from one of our pictures (thanks Jen&Tyson!)
I really like our lil' tree. It was our first one. It's small enough to fit anywhere and it's colorful!
Loved that the night ended with just the glow of the Christmas tree and music playing. We were so stoked to have our decorations up finally!

Temple Christmas Lights

We hope to make this an Christmas Tradition! Going to the Temple to see the beautiful lights every December would be a great thing to do with our little family next year and the year after etc...This year seemed to be way more colored lights than a remember and I really liked it. We also ran into people from my parents ward in California which surprised us because we were in Mesa, Arizona and it was a random Monday night!

We were tempted to mix into one of the ward gatherings that are always going on in the parking lot of the church behind the temple to get some hot chocolate but then realized we had Stephen's at home- Mint Truffle to be exact! :) And we have our Christmas decorations up! Pictures to come!

Tempe Annual Art Festival

Every year Tempe holds an Art Festival with tons and tons of amazing art, jewelery, and people to look at. I say people because half the time I was people watching and the other half I was looking at babies in strollers.

This was amazing. It rotates with the wind and turns every which way. I loved the comment I heard as I stared at it. The lady said, "But does it go inside your house or in the yard?" Exactly what I was thinking.
It was Tyson's idea to venture out to the art festival early on Saturday morning and I am so glad he happened to mention it! About 5 minutes before we went to bed on Friday he said it was going on the next morning so we quickly figured out parking/bus transport etc... and made it a date!
I think we were about the only people going against the crowd the whole time. We even tried switching directions with each street. How is that even possible?!?!
This was a highlight. He was a riot and really knew how to get the crowds' attention. Some people have great skills...

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Breakfast. We wanted to do something special in the morning because I had to go to work. We went to our "Secret Park" which includes ducks, ponds, and plenty of benches
Love me some bagels and cream cheese!
And the donuts!

My sister- in-law and niece made these adorable place settings! I thought they were so clever!
The Smith Family! Thank you all for making this such a fun day! Games, movie (Tangled is the greatest!) and amazing food.

I must have cried about 5 times in the car as I headed to Thanksgiving Dinner after leaving work. I was SO excited to be with family. I am so grateful to have great in-laws! I am very lucky!

A couple of days before Thanksgiving, Tyson and I spontaneously listed off things we are grateful/thankful for. It's crazy to think about everything we have gone through or done together this past year. Can't wait for more!

Happy Birthday Jana!

Happy Birthday Jana! We love you and hope you have a great birthday!
Love B&T

That time of year...

It smells like "cold" outside **

We've enjoyed some good cups of hot chocolate

I'm listening to Christmas music right now

I can now where long pajama bottoms

And I'm loving this time of year

**"Cold" is my way of saying "snow" in Arizona. Winter brings on this incredible smell that I just die for. When the air is crisp and cold in the early morning and There is a certain smell that comes with it. I've experienced this before when visiting the snow during Christmas time. Now living in Arizona, I will refer to it as "cold."

26 weeks and growing!