Baby Shower!

While Nick and I were home for Christmas break my mom, sisters, and best friend threw me the {{cutest baby shower ever.}} I can't believe how many friends and loved ones came to help celebrate this baby boy. We definitely got spoiled and are still getting spoiled by all the packages that are being sent up here to Washington! Thank you for the fun laughs at the shower. Thank you for all the thoughtful gifts and advice. And a major thank you to Mom, Brooke, Hayley, Nina, Leslie, and Lane for throwing me the best shower! We loved it. :)

The invitation and darling party favor. All the decorations ((and even the M&M's)) coordinated with that cute invitation.... it was perfect!

.friends & family.

Lane.Michelle.Destiny.(missing a picture with Carlee)--SO lucky to have besties like these girls.

Lots of gifts!

I was way too excited about every gift I opened...pretty sure I cried with a few. Hormones.

My favorite girls in the world-- mom & sisters. ♥

The most wonderful time of the year.

After our unbearable long month of being separated, Nick and I were finally reunited in Utah. It felt so good to be together again. 

There had been some major growth while I was away...

19 weeks vs 23weeks

I was barely showing when I had left Nick and had turned into big mama by the time I saw him again. >>Baby boy hit a pretty big growth spurt that month.<< Nick couldn't believe his eyes. I would catch him just staring at my baby belly in disbelief. Haha. It's fine, he's used to it by now.

We had a wonderful Christmas in Utah. We got to spend lots of time with Nick's family and even got to spend a couple of days with my extended family.

We had 2 weddings in 3 days in the Pinegar family. It was such a treat to see everyone and celebrate the marriages of two of my cousins. I just ♥ love... and weddings. There is something so special about being in the temple with so much family. Just a sweet feeling that can never be explained.

My sweet cousin, Spencer, married the beautiful McKenna 

The Petersons ♥

and then, 2 days later... 

my gorgeous cousin, Allison, married her sweetheart- Tom! They are two perfect additions to the family. :)

The Busicos ♥

Nelson family (minus Derek, Linds and the boys) at the gorgeous Salt Lake Temple

After all the wedding festivities it was time to head up to Ogden and have some Anderson family time and celebrate Christmas!!

Celebrating Kirsten's birthday! 

Nick & Luke with their good friend Carl

sweetest Grandma & Grandpa Forster

Lots of snuggling, watching movies, and playing games

CHRISTMAS!! So many great gifts... Angie was reeeally excited about the Phillip Phillips CD we gave her. ;)

And the very best part....

Finding out Meg is pregnant!! We are so so happy for them and this baby boy is SO excited to have an Anderson cousin so close in age! :)

Angie.Jim.Kirsten.Lucas.Chris.Meg.Baby Anderson.Nick.Paige.Baby Anderson-- We missed Gretchen & Maddie so much!!

We love being with Nick's family and cherish the time that we get to spend together, since we are spread out over the country. Can't wait until next time!
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The day after Christmas Nick and I flew down to Vegas to spend time with my family and soak up some sunshine for a week, before heading back to Spokane for school. 

It felt good to be home. We had too much fun..

Visiting the Bellagio gardens:

Obsessing over our adorable nieces & nephews:

Taking family pictures:

And celebrating New Year's Eve with the Pittsenbargers:

Ping Pong tournament.

Enjoying the fireworks from the amazing few at Destiny's parent's house.

We were so grateful to be able to spend a long, fun holiday vacation with our families. It was just what we needed and the only way we would want to spend our Christmas break.

So much to be thankful for.

Thanksgiving. It's such a great holiday.

This year was extra special because SISTER NELSON CAME HOME! Home for good. Finally.

I didn't think that I would be able to be there for her homecoming and Thanksgiving but Nick and I decided that some time apart wouldn't kill us. Nick really needed to focus on studying for finals and I really didn't want to feel left out of the Nelson party going down in Las Vegas.

So I surprised Brooke and was at the airport waiting when she got home. It was so fun. 

So so happy to have my sis home.

 The next day was Thanksgiving! Tons of family and friends came into town for the feast and to listen to Brooke's homecoming talk on Sunday. As you can imagine, we had a blast.

beautiful Thanksgiving decor

Homemade place cards... courtesy of Emma, Nina, & Kate

Can you tell which one is the food baby and which one is the real baby? 

 The rest of my time in Las Vegas was spent going to the temple with my huge, fun Pinegar family..

some of my cute cousins after to doing baptisms for the dead.

Soaking up the sun & taking daily walks with the dog...

Kissing these faces to death...

Stone.Enzo.Violet.Lily.Miles.Nixon.

Going to Rex & Nina's band and orchestra concerts...

Watching the CHEESIEST Hallmark Christmas movies with Brooke...

And missing this guy so much I could barely handle it...

Side note: I don't know why we thought spending 3 1/2 weeks apart would be a good idea. Sure, the study time paid off for Nick's grades and I loved the quality time with my family and friends, but I just don't think I could do it again. 

Like I said in the beginning, it was such a great Thanksgiving holiday.{{ I have so much to be thankful for.}}