The Burrell Family Annual Christmas Concert

For the last 20 years (give or take a few) the Burrell family has put on a Christmas Concert, with each member contributing a talent to the event. 

Now that we're all married, I don't think the in-laws (or Jordan) look forward to it too much, but they all still participate...

And let me tell you. It. Is. Awesome.

Saydee and Jorge rocking out to 'Feliz Navidad'

Jaxson and Zoey performed a moving rendition of 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"

Jacob and the Smiths expertly led us in "Once There Was a Snowman"

Brinlee and Jasee and Jordan performed a dance number

Me and Matt pounded out a duet on the piano, 'Jingle Bells'

Max recited a poem about Jesus' Birth

Jordan endured in the corner

Dad broke out his hermonica 

Jeff gave us a reading of the traditional Christmas poem he writes

Emily played the most beautiful piano piece...What Child Is This?, I'm pretty sure...

The best concert to date, I must say.

And Matt was such a good sport. 

I leave you with a taste of how talented me and Matt really are. 

Feel free to be impressed.

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas...

What better way to bring on the Holiday Spirit than by treking down to the Conference Center and listening to out beloved First Presidency give their Christmas Message? 

Matt got tickets for us and the Jaynes', and it was simply lovely...

Saving seats for the rest of the fam

We also spent a night at the Burrell's for one of my favorite Christmas traditions--Homemade Nativity.

Every year my mom puts together a beautiful FHE where we read Luke 2 and talk about our favorite parts of the Christmas story. 

We then each pick a different part of the Nativity out of a hat and have to sculpt it from clay. 

Who knew the Burrell's were so artistic, right?

It turned out pretty awesome...

Observe: Matt did the cute shepherd and I totally rocked the stable and 3D star. Holla.

Perfect way to start the Christmas Season...

Happy Birthday to Megan Jo...

My much older sister, Megan turned the big 3-0 on November 2nd. 

She's a pretty big deal, so we thought we'd celebrate her in style...

We surprised her with our awesome decorations...

And our own rendition of a Megan themed game of "Jeopardy" hosted by Emily

Dad, Jorge, Saydee, Jasee, and Jordan played on one team... 

And Jeff, Grandma Rinda, Mom, Ryan and Matt played on the other.

We sure do love ya Megan!

Playing Catch Up...Part 3 of 3

Oh, Thanksgiving. You’re such a fabulous holiday.

The Jaynes’ ?

They do Thanksgiving right.

The company was unbeatable

The food was delish.

(Matt made this maple-bacon-corn-cream cheese-casserole that was a huge hit)

(Don’t ask him for the recipe though, he totally made it up as he went)

But. As good as the food was, that wasn’t the highlight of the day.

The best part was the chance to count my blessings.

To say thank you for the amazing family I was born into and the one that has adopted me as one of their own.

To remind myself how lucky we are to have a place to sleep and jobs to support us.

To consider all the tender mercies my Heavenly Father has provided me this year.

So much to be grateful for.

Not to mention, I got to go home with this guy.

 Yup, Thanksgiving. You did good.