Christmas, Texas Style

We spent Christmas at my brother Brent's home in Austin.  I can't believe how fast that week flew by . . . way too fast.  My parents, and brother Ben came as well.   

Avery, Ty, Elise, and Payton- these are Brent 's 3 children--- Paige has less than a month to go before they have their 4th child.  

Avery & Payton on the swings in the backyard

Paige was an angel and Brent was a king for the Nativity on Christmas Eve

Ben- another one of the kings for the Nativity. He's still available all you single ladies. 

Tyson and I were the shepherds-- but I looked more like a pirate.

My Dad struggled a little with the shepherd head gear, lol!  

Elise and my Mom were the "star"

Payton, Avery, & Ty

Elise got lots of tummy time in Austin

Payton, Avery, Elise, Ty

We ate out at Torchy's and at Rudy's- delicious cuisine . . . while Elise got to sit in her first restaurant high chair and watch us eat.  Poor thing. 

Paige's family thinks that Avery looks like my mom - - -I think it's that they have similar eyes.  

Mimi & Boompa, or my parents.  I am always so sad to see them go.  

Merry Christmas!!

Elise's First Flight

I was 5 months old when I flew on an airplane for the first time.  A couple weeks ago, (when traveling to Austin, TX for Christmas) Elise flew on an airplane for the very first time at 5 1/2 months old. Like mother, like daughter I guess.

A fun benefit about traveling with a child on Southwest Airlines is that when people are choosing their seats and see you with a baby, they tend to stray as far away from you as possible.  Ha!  On our first flight, there was only one unused seat on the plane . . . and that seat was next to me and Tyson & Elise!     We didn't complain. 

To top it off, Elise was SO GOOD for every flight!   Keeping a binky in her mouth during the ascent and descent seemed to keep her ears happy.  Tyson and I were pleasantly surprised as Elise just sat there quietly in our laps, played with some toys, and slept alot.  She only got a little fussy when she was hungry.  (Fortunately for me, and all those sitting around us, remedying that problem was pretty easy.)
Yea for Elise!!

The flight attendant was so impressed that she gave Elise some airplane wings and a certificate for a successful first time journey.  Here is a picture from when we stopped over in the Las Vegas Airport.

Christmas 2011 in Utah with the Walkers

Tyson and I are spending this year's Christmas in Austin with my side of the family.  So, two days before Christmas, before we jumped on our flight to Austin, the Walker family all got together for a little pre-Christmas celebration while everyone was still in Utah.  Good times!

Picture of the Great-Grandkids with Tyson's Grandmother:

And here's a picture of the adults attempting to get the Grandkids to all smile at the camera for that picture . . . . 

What's Christmas without matching Christmas pajamas for the kids? Thank you Aunt Tori.

Cousin Bonding, (Paelyn was just about to kiss Elise on the forehead in this picture)

Mmm . . . Toes!

Elise has discovered her toes and is loving those ten little piggies.  Notice the background of this picture - there you can see my pad of paper and lap top computer--- Instead of grading papers and preparing next semester's syllabi, I'm photographing Elise taste her toes.  She's just so much more interesting than writing exams.

Thanksgiving

This year we spent Thanksgiving with Tyson's family in Willard, Utah.  It was a fun day with family.  At the top of my Thanksgiving Gratitude list was:
1. The Priesthood
2. Primary Children's Medical Center
Both of these are what saved Elise's heart, lungs and intestines--- and possibly her life.  I can't express enough gratitude for having Elise in our life.  She is such a joy and I'm just so glad our little Elise was willing to come and be a part of mine and Tyson's family.

Some father daughter time while watching the football game.

Elise with her aunt, Tori.  

Ever since Elise was 3 months old, she has LOVED to do an assisted sit-up to standing position like she is doing here.  She'll do it over and over and over again with me . . .  I think I might have created a monster by teaching her this. 

Elise's Doll

Our friends, Christi and Jim, gave Elise a doll.  Elise is showing her affection for her new doll . . .

. . . by eating it of course. :0)

Thanks Christi and Jim- Elise really does love the doll you gave her!

Halloween Costumes

Since Halloween is about dressing up as something you're NOT, Tyson and I decided to dress up as U-fans.  In spite of the fact that I'm seriously considering getting my PhD from the University of Utah, I'll always be proud to be a BYU cougar.