Amara dances in the Mini Company at her dance studio and had the opportunity to dance to "Where Are You Christmas?" in the Clay County Christmas Show at the Thrasher Horne Center for the Arts.
She danced beautifully at the dress rehearsal. Sadly, I will miss the performance because I will miss the performance because I (Andrea) will be in Arizona.
Here she is, just before her performance.
I was able to attend a session at the Mesa Temple after I flew into Phoenix.
They had a gorgeous light display and nativity there, as well as Christmas music playing through the temple grounds.
The wise men were ablaze with lights.
I wished I could have brought my family here to this gorgeous light display.
I held my own cookie exchange party at my home for Christmas this year. I had attended such a party in San Diego for about 8 years at my friend, Jennifer's home. I decided to try one myself.
About nine ladies came. They are my new friends I've met at church. We all had a nice time swapping cookies, as well as sharing baking and cooking ideas.
Things went so well, I think I'll try this again next year.
We drove down in the FREEZING COLD to watch the Jacksonville Boat Parade.
Orrin's friend, Connor, and his family joined us on the Riverwalk.
The kicker was that the 150 boats went around twice, which took FOREVER. Then they had to get the firework barges in place.
We enjoyed the boat lights and the fireworks, but wished it wasn't 4 hours long. Ugh.
I LOVE Thankgiving! I love the Fall and the colors and of course, the family and food that comes with it. This year, my sister and her family came down to spend Thanksgiving with us.
I love to decorate for Thanksgiving. I wish I could leave the decor up all year long!
While I finished up the preparations on our Thanksgiving feast, Christian took cousin Emery and Uncle Joel and the kids to the Alligator farm to see them feed turkeys to the alligators and crocodiles.
The large crocodile missed his chance, and the smaller crocodile snatched the whole turkey first.
The big guy had to settle for turkey legs.
I am proud of my table setting this year. So colorful!
My rolls came out exceptionally well this year. 
All the food turned out SCRUMPTIOUS. This year, we BRINED the turkey with a Williams Sonoma brine. My friend, Jill, showed us how. It tasted divine!
YUM!
The kids all fished in the backyard again . . . this time with Uncle Joel and cousin Emery.
Aleya enjoyed playing with cousin Emery while he visited us.
Today, Amara was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We are grateful Christian's parents were able to make the trip out from Utah to be at her baptism.
Amara is now clean . . . her sins have been washed away.
We are so proud of her for choosing to be baptized.
We decided to go and watch the sunset over Doctor's Lake after her baptism.
Amara can feel this clean again every week as she renews her baptismal covenants while partaking of the sacrament.
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