Our First Merry Little Christmas...

There is just something about Christmas time that gets me! Its a combination of friends, family, ice skating, hot chocolate, santa, christmas lights, the smell of pine, cookies and presents!
Christmas is really the greatest time of year! And I have to admit, this has been my favorite Christmas yet.

Temple Square is GORGEOUS!

 Decorating our First Christmas Tree! We had a blast!!

 Okay so... I seriously fell in LOVE with our christmas tree. It was SOOO pretty! I literally hugged that thing so many times! haha Such a beauty!

This is our cute little living room! Mmm its so cozy!!

SANTA and MRS. CLAUSE!!! These two have been coming to our family christmas party for over 5 years! We love them dearly.

We all love hanging out with our darling Grandpa!

Cute Cousins!

 Gosh i love these sassy girlies!!

My mom is just adorable!

 I'm so grateful for my lovely parents!

 I have the best family! Thanks for the fun night!!

My parents have had this tradition since the first year they were married (20 years ago)! On christmas eve we all open new pajamas and have a HUGE crab feast. MMM when i say huge, I mean it! These crab legs are so thick and perfect!! We were all in heaven...

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!!

Mmm GOOD MORNING AND MERRY CHRISTMAS CHASER!!! I just want to grab and snuggle this sleepy boy! haha waking up at 5 a.m. to open presents was a bit tough for him. But.. thats just what us Carroll girls do!

Some of BB's gifts!! haha as its dark outside...yep we wake up REALLY early.

We love Santa!!!

mmm... that boy

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

With Love, The Richards

Thankful For...

Okay so here it goes.... I have never been a blogger so my first post is a little intimidating! However, since I have been slacking at writing in my journal, I decided that a blog is exactly what I need to organize all our fun memories! ENJOY :)

I really think thanksgiving is one of my top favorite holidays...Not only is it a kick start to all the fun holidays, but there is nothing better than good food, games and spending quality time with the ones we love the most!

           This Thanksgiving was the first that Chase and I have ever spent together! Last year at this time, Chase flew out to Arizona so we spent every second skyping, texting and talking on the phone. (It was the longest week of my life) After being apart, Chase promised that from then on we would ALWAYS travel together. Its a good thing that he stuck to his promise because we have never been apart since!!
            This Thanksgiving I have felt so blessed. Chase's parents flew us out to Arizona and we got to spend it in Flagstaff with his aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents! Gosh I just adore his family. I'm so grateful for such amazing in-laws!  We had a blast eating, shopping, singing, playing games, and just hanging out! Their family has lots of fun traditions in Flagstaff!

Im thankful for my husband Chase. We have only been married for a little over four months and man its been the best four months of my life!! That boy knows exactly what to say to make me smile. Chase is ALWAYS happy and always so nice to EVERYONE. He is good at every sport and very competitive. His testimony just shines right through him...I can ALWAYS feel the spirit when I'm with him. Chase is also a smarty pants...he barely studies and always does very well in school. But what I love the very most about him is that whether he is dancing down the halls or saying some hysterical thought, he CONSTANTLY makes me laugh. Ahhh I married such a babe! He makes my life such a blast.

 I am also thankful for my family. My family is my everything!! Chase and I love nothing more than just spending our weekends down in Draper with them. Our favorite thing to do is crowd around our kitchen table and play a good game of apples to apples.
I am so thankful for my mom. She really is the sweetest lady. She never seems to forget to send us away with food and goodies. It really is a blessing to have such amazing parents. Im so thankful for my dad and how hard he works for our family. My dad is ALWAYS happy and love his girls so much! And...my sisters I just couldn't live without them. They are such good examples to me!

Im also very thankful for Chases family. From the very beginning, they have all welcomed me into their home with open arms. Chase's parents really mean so much to me. They are so caring and thoughtful. Whenever Chase and I visit them they just spoil us rotten! I just wish they lived closer! We love them so much!

I am most thankful for... My relationship with my Heavenly father. This year especially, I have been EXTREMELY blessed. I know that my heavenly father loves me so much. Through little ways, he constantly shows me that he is there and listening to my prayers. I'm just so grateful to have the gospel in my life.

Im so sad I didn't take more pictures!! But here are just a few... :) HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!