Christmas at the Tanner Ranch

I got a new camera for Christmas! My Nikon1 J1 has been super fun and easy to use.  My favorite things about it are:

       -It has a setting that it will take 20 pictures, adjusting for lighting and saves 5 of the best.  (I get clear pictures of Nelli much more often now!)
    
      -I have the ability to shoot in raw and adjust the ISO and aperture and such when I'm ready.

Well, Christmas with the Tanners was a blast!  We flew into Vegas on Christmas Eve, rented a 2013 Ford Flex that we loved driving. We're now missing the surround sound, Bluetooth, and navigation features. We also loved how quiet it was to drive -- our Dodge sounds like a beast now. We got into my parent's house in Cedar City around midnight and walked into a dark home lit by their country-style Christmas tree and a crackling wood stove... bliss.  We slipped Nelli into bed and helped my Mom/Santa finish wrapping Christmas presents.  

The next morning, Ashley, Daniel and their two kiddos, Lucy and Porter, came over. Mary, Matt and baby Mattie came shortly after.  We unwrapped a few presents, then my sister, Anna, called from Honduras.  We were hoping to Skype with her, but it wasn't working on her end. We each got to take time to talk to her. She's doing so well and seeing many people that she teaches accept the gospel and enter the waters of baptism. I'm so proud of her. She's always had a strong testimony and isn't afraid to share it and I love that about her.

Nelli and Lucy became good buddies while we were there. It was fun to watch them interact.  Lucy is a little nurturer and was so good to Nelli...she even took Nelli to the bathroom for me once... a little scary and mostly funny. =)  Let me add, Lucy is 3 1/2.

Here are some pictures of Christmas morning:

Mattie and Mary--love these faces!

Mary was saying "honk, honk" whenever Mattie would grab her nose.
 I caught Mattie trying to say it too.

Esther, don't be mad :)

Nana, Papa and part of Daniel's silly face. 

Ruth reading to Nelli, Porter and Lucy and Mattie's little foot.

Mattie eating her present.

Ashley and my Mom made skirts for the little girls and they loved them.
 

Daniel helping Nelli with her skirt.

Nelli saying thanks to Nana for the skirt.

 

Nelli's gift from Daddy, a BrainQuest game for toddlers.
It came in handy on the flight home.

Tay's bike maintenance book.

Sam talking to Anna in a bowl.

Sam works in the iron mines and comes home quite dirty.
I think it's funny that Porter's playing with his dirty hand.

Nelli and Lucy--best buds! They were always toting around bags full of stuff
and playing with baby dolls.

Nelli got a doctor's kit.

He loved this :)

reindeer Porter. This is a pretty standard face for him.
I love this kid!

Reindeer Dan.

Nana and Mattie.

 

Later that day, Ashley, Esther, Tay and I went to see Les Miserables.


The next day, Ruth made us a yummy pumpkin soup and rosemary bread.

 

 

Porter really likes Sam.

A kitchen Papa made and Nelli loved.

Ashley's ribs...mmm!

 

Papa and Taylor making Nelli a rocking horse.

View of the Tanner Ranch: