I hope everyone had a VERY MERRY Christmas this year! I got to enjoy Christmas back in my hometown of San Jose, CA this year and loved every minute of it. My family and I drove around one night to all the best lit homes. There's actually a website online that shows you pictures of the homes, their addresses, and maps it all out for you too! You can see how others have rated the homes and give ratings yourself. I have to say, if you're ever in San Jose during the Christmas season, make sure to drive around the Willow Glen area. They have so much spirit in that town, it was like Christmasland.

Here are my two favorite homes from the night of lights!

This home raised more than $10,000 in donations for the Make a Wish Foundation. Amazing!




House #2






And my favorite part is the Snowman family going for a ride. Papa Snowman's arms move as he drives along to Christmas music!


And one last thing I have to share is this awe-inspiring painting Drew gave me for Christmas this year. I LOVE IT! Not only is it beautiful, but it's also very personal in its content, the fact that he had this idea in his head, AND that a friend of ours (a very talented artist!) made it come to life in a way that far surpassed what he had imagined and what I could have ever asked for. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I feel extremely blessed and loved every time I look at it.

Last night, Tempe Town Lake had a fantastical boat parade where dozens of boats decked out in Christmas lights floated down the lake in parade-like form. It was magical...



One my fav's...the doves' wings flap up and down!






Rudolph...how cute!!!


Kids were on the boats shouting "Merry Christmas!!!" and waving their hands in the air.














And my all time favorite for the night...


With the weather being so warm lately, it's a little hard to feel Christmasy, but last night has definitely put me in the spirit! Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock. Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring... =)

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday with their loved ones! I was fortunate enough to have my parents and sister come out to visit for a few days. When we were young, my mom would love having turkey and the whole works for Thanksgiving dinner. Now that we're older and having Thanksgiving at my place, it's a seafood fest! Crab for Thanksgiving dinner? Yes, please!

Anyways, we decided to all visit Jerome for the first time while they were here. Everyone here has been telling me to visit this little town on the side of a mountain, and Drew and I just hadn't had the time. Once we got there, I knew we were going to have to make another trip back. I love this little town!







Yes, my family is short. See how they're all the same height practically? Makes Drew look like a giant! What's worse is I'm the shortest one in the family, immediate and extended.




I heard Jerome's one of the most haunted towns in America. Don't know if I'll ever want to spend the night in this town, but it's really cute in the daytime!




Outhouse and toilet. Don't really remember what this was all about. All I know is that we all tried to throw pennies into that one toilet in the middle -and nobody made it.




My little sister, Michelle. Not so little anymore. (sniff, sniff) But she really has grown up to be a fine young woman and I'm so proud of her.




The sunset on the drive home, taken as we were cruising down I-17 home.

Ok, so I took a gajillion pictures of our hike in Sedona at the West Fork. Just couldn't help myself with all the amazing fall colors. Drew and I went up there a couple of weeks ago to camp along Oak Creek. On the first night, right after the sun set and we got the fire started, a huge thunderstorm hit -making this one of the most memorable camping trips ever. We just went into the tent, put on our headlamps, and made salami sandwiches for dinner. Had a little bit of chocolate for dessert and then laid down and read a bedtime story. I think we fell asleep before 9! Rain poured, flashes of lightning lit up our tent, and LOUD whips of thunder roared throughout most of the night. It was so cool!!!

Here's a few shots before the mayhem that evening:






Drew actually took this one. It's underexposed, but I LOVE it.


The next two days we hiked the West Fork. Yes, it was so beautiful that we had to go back and do it again the next day.  =) 





Love the reeds growing here...




There were a lot of creek crossings.


It's amazing what water can do over time.


Is this magical enough for you yet?


I felt like heaven on earth exists.








Mary Katherine -Superstar!


Yes, sometimes rocks look good too.


For some reason, this scene reminded me of Narnia and I wanted to see a fawn come out from there.






One of my FAV's...


What an awesome trip!!!! See some of you up there next fall!!!