It's a long post . . .but, it's worth it!

There has been so much going on in our lives that it was hard to get a moment to sit down and write about our travels. Recently we celebrated Lily's birthday and second Christmas, Scott finally finished training to be an instructor, we traveled to Washington to spend Christmas with my parents (the Graham's) and New Year's with Scott's parents (the Schachterle's). We got back and had even more adventures that I will post about another time (still have to load the pictures). Even though we've been so busy we have had so many blessings in our lives. It's amazing how much you forget the little things in life, which makes everything go by so much faster. We've finally been able to get back on track so that we are reminded to "stop and smell the roses". We are so grateful for our Heavenly Father. He has taught us so much lately and most of all . . .patience in life itself. So, with no further ramblings, here is goes . . .

(Lily enjoying the splendor of Santa Claus at the ward Christmas party)
(Lily figured out how to open the candy cane Santa gave her, and then decided to eat it)

(Opening her very first birthday present before church - new church shoes!)

(Later that night - of her birthday - we had a grand birthday party for her)

(The official Birthday cake - Tres Leches!)

(The great birthday food)

(The friends: Finn's - and their son Adrian, Tonay's - and their daughter Gabby, Ashcroft's, and Wheelers!)

(Lily's very own cupcake for the official birthday singing and blowing out the candle)

(Blowing out the candle was interesting. Instead of blowing it out like she's been practicing, she decided to grab the flame . . .oops!)

(She did eventually eat her cake)

(Opening presents)

(The next day we celebrated our Christmas day since we would be traveling the next couple of days during the actual Christmas)

(Lily found a blue candy cane, truly our little vampire)

(The hat and gloves were one of her Christmas presents - she loves putting them on)

(Here we are at my sister Cara's in Washington - near Seattle - lots and lots of snow! Lily's cousin Christopher just adores her)

(Chillin' in her ride!)

(Playing in the snow at Grandma and Grandpa Graham's)

(Lily's friend Heidi)

(Family portrait - Lily is so cheesy)

(While visiting my parents we were able to visit my adopted Grandma Maxim, I've been writing her ever since high school. She is so amazing. Also, I thought her husband was the cutest thing on earth.)

We also spent New Year's with Scott's family, but silly us we didn't take any pictures with our camera . . .we'll have to get those pictures from Scott's dad and add them later. We did a lot of stuff with Scott's family. We saw some Christmas lights, went to Chuck 'E' Cheeses, bowling, ice skating, OMZI - the science museum in Portland, and ate a lot of food.

Our flight back home was an interesting one. The first 4 hours weren't bad going to Houston. But, from Houston to Charleston is was a little hectic and tiring. About a half hour away from Charleston they side-tracked us to Jacksonville, FL because of fog in Charleston. But at least all we had to do was get more gas in the plane and wait for a really long time before finally getting into Charleston . . .we were suppose to get in at 11:00pm but didn't land until 1:15am!!! Crazy, but we are all recovered from our travels! Such good travels and it was wonderful to see family again since moving to South Carolina.

I'll post again soon of some more fun adventures!