Days of December

Like everyone else, I'm sure, this has been a busier-than-ever month for us. We started the month off going to the Polar Express at Mt. Hood . . . ALL ABOARD . . . It was a lot different than I expected. I had envisioned in my head that we'd go up the mountain, circling around and around until we got to the "North Pole" where we'd get out and see Santa etc. etc. Well . . . even though the rail is at Mt. Hood the train ride consists of going in a straight line for about 20 minutes and then switches directions and goes the other way. You then pass by the "North Pole" (which is some white storage sheds that are all decorated - or something close to that) and you get to look out the window and see Santa and all of his elves. Then the train stops and Santa gets on and lets each child have a turn sitting on his lap after which they each receive a bell. All in all my girls LOVED it. Both girls have watched that movie a TON this season and they do a lot of fun things to follow the movie. I guess that's all that matters - that our kids thought it was the best ever. I thought the tickets were a little spendy for what it entailed but am still glad we did it. It's definitely something to do when kids are little and still have the magic of Christmas.




Check out all these little girls!! We met some of our good friends there, Bob & Sherilyn, and these are their three girls . . . Baby Nora, Kiara & Alyssa . . .our girls became the best of friends by the end of the night and everyone at the pizza place knew it!!




I've also been really busy with Young Women projects. We had a combined youth dinner one Wednesday and I was in charge of embossing 60 handouts and then attaching candy canes to each. Then the next week we were delivering presents to two families that our ward donated presents for and I wrapped them all by my lonesome (there were close to 50+ gifts). I was also the go-to person for the project, because it was my idea, so I got to gather, sort and oversee that whole project. It was a lot of time and energy, but so very worth it. I am glad it's over though. . .

So my bad news is that I'm all tuckered out from my many projects (I also did family calendars for both sides) so haven't sent out ANY Christmas cards. So anyone and everyone who knows me well know that usually I am really good at doing that early on in the month . . . it looks like I'm not gonna make it this year. So this is my shout out to everyone! Merry Christmas everyone . . . sorry I'm a slacker . . . I love you all and have enjoyed all of the nice updates and pictures we've received! I promise I'll repent and get mine out next year!!!



Dell was soooo embarrased that we drove the 3 miles from Walmart to our house with a tree on the top. We didn't have a truck available and I told him to think of it as an adventure. It really ended up being one since we tied the tree on first and then couldn't open our doors so had to climb in "Dukes of Hazzard" style. I got a kick out of it!



Ashlee putting the star up with help from her Daddy

Mexico, Mexico, Mexico

So if you haven't guessed from the title, we spent all last week in MEXICO, baby! We had the BEST time. All the adults in my family went, so there were 11 of us. The only one missing was Lindsy's new husband, Anthony, and we sure missed him - Lindsy especially did, of course, and went into the ugly cry on occasion! :)

We were lucky enough to have my in-laws come and watch our kids for the entire week and head off to Cabo San Lucas. I have to take my hat off to them. They were just so wonderful. I was really worried about how Alexa would handle us being gone, but from what I hear she did great. They enjoyed spending time with Grandma and Grandpa and Scott & Jessie and Marilee's family. We're so blessed to have such great relatives! I knew my girls would be loved and cared for and can I just tell you what a HUGE relief that is?!? So a huge shout out to all of the Anderson's that helped out with our girls while we were gone. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

We stayed at Riu Santa Fe, an all inclusive resort, that I highly recommend if anyone ever goes to Cabo. It was amazing. The resort is beautiful and is literally right on the beach. We spend all of our time playing in the ocean. I think that out of everyone in the resort we had the most fun. I say that because most of the vacationers were pool-side sitters. If they weren't lounging out, they were in the pool at the bars. My family is just an active bunch so we did a ton of fun things and were constantly on the go. We played in the ocean for hours and hours. The waves were HUGE and we would ride them in and get demolished in them and go again and again. The ocean definitely makes you a respecter of water. Water is powerful! The waves seriously controlled us instead of the other way around. It could be scary at times - needless to say not many people were attempting them like we were. They ferried over to a calmer beach. We LOVED it though. Some of the fun activities we did were jet skiing (which is ten times funner than in a lake - you constantly have huge jumps), snorkeled, played volleyball in the pool, shopped, enjoyed the spa, rode Dune Buggies, went on the zip line adventure where you got to repel, rock climb, walk a tight rope, and go on 9 different zip lines. I think that was the funnest activity for me. I absolutely LOVED it!

Here are some pictures from our trip:

Pictures of the resort




On the beach

Rich & Tyson - Me, Lindsy, Kylee & Ashley

ck out this wave . . . my bro, Tyson's at the bottom and another swimmers at the peak

Tyson & Kylee

Ashley, my mom & Lindsy enjoying the waves

famous arch in Cabo



Mark & Ashley



Family Shots

Mollotte kids youngest to oldest . . .Tyson, Kylee, Lindsy, Mark, Me & Rich





Rich & Lorena