Surprise visit from the Russell family

I definitely didn't expect to see my best friends & my little nieces this December. There was a death in the family so they came to Utah for the funeral. Sad occasion but we were definitely happy to see them no matter what!

Lisa, Sage, Livi & Amanda playing Hi Ho Cherry-O. (I won!!)

Livi & Robert

Livi, Amanda & Sage (lookin' cool)

Sage's favorite pose - is she trying to be a rock star?

This is really the only picture that the girls were holding still in!

Holiday fun 2011

This was our first Christmas in our new home. It was so much fun to be able to decorate our tree and some .f the house. We didn't do any outdoor lights, and I think Robert was just fine with that! It was nice to have a relaxing holiday. We watched movies, played games, made treats for the neighbors and did lots of shopping.

Unfortunately I was fairly sick during most of December. I caught a cold that turned into a bacterial infection. Luckily a trip to the doctor and some antibiotics helped get me back on track. Once I get my tonsils taken out next month I shouldn't have so many problems with colds hanging on. My parents came up to visit and stayed for almost two weeks. My mom was also recovering from a cold which turned out to be bronchitis. Luckily a trip to the doctor and some steroids helped get her back on track. The men in the family stayed healthy, thank goodness!

Robert & Amanda in front of the tree on Christmas day

Robert grating fresh Parmesan for our Christmas Eve pizza

Amanda's mom & dad, Robert, & Amanda on Christmas Eve

In the Wallace family we have a tradition of eating pizza on Christmas eve. This all started when I was pretty young. There was a tornado in the area (I did grow up in Arkansas, after all) so we took our pizza and presents into the closet. Ever since then it has been pizza on Christmas eve. Robert and I weren't able to do that last year as we had just gotten to the hotel on our honeymoon. Since we were home this year I wanted to make sure we carried on the tradition.

Mom insisted on setting up the tripod after church on Christmas day. The goofy pose was my idea.

My beautiful Christmas table. I was so excited to use my gold chargers!

(From left to right) Elaine Wallace, Winford Wallace, Robert, Kathy Thorn, & Amanda

My favorite gift - a red KitchenAid from Robert

My most unusual gift - from my mom. The tag read "Something every girl needs"

We got a hoe! (And a rake & a shovel)

My Christmas pie - Caramel Apple Almond