Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas to You and Yours.

Love, The Kennedys

P.S. Thank you to all our friends and family who kindly sent us Christmas cards. I love getting everyones cards & notes. Don't feel bad if you sent us one and didn't get one in return.....we did not send out them out this year, mainly because I left it to the last minute. I promise you will receive one next year.

Payback.

Story to follow soon.

Bake off.

Our friend Nicole (pictured on the right), hosted a bake off party this weekend.

I have never attended such an event.

Here is what it entailed:

• A house full of women (22 to be exact)


• Yummy food to snack on (props to Trish's spinach dip)


• Everyone brought their own ingredients and recipes


• 3 ovens being used to bake all afternoon


• The funnest white elephant gift exchange I have ever been a part of


• Me taking home pounds of baked goods, literally.

Tell me that doesn't sound amazing. Such good times....thanks Nicole! I hope you invite me next year.

Marisa.

In November, I made some decorations for my friend Marisa's baby shower. She is having a little girl. I met Marisa when I was in the singles ward in Santa Monica. She was so sweet and befriended me (I knew not one person) on my first visit to the ward. I never forgot that day.

At that point in my life, I was not as strong in the gospel. I looked at this girl who was a convert and was so nice to a perfect stranger. It reminded me of the Savior's love for each and every person. I continued to attend that ward and have not looked back since.

Later, Marisa and Jay were married on the same day, in the same temple, and just an hour apart from Jared and I. We ended up in the same family ward. Jared and Jay served in the young men's program together and became friends. We were bummed when we had to move away. It was hard for both Jared and I. However, it turned out that we ended up in Manhattan Beach, not far from Culver City and now we are still close enough to hang out with our old friends.

Marisa, if you read this, I want you to know what an example you are to me. You radiate kindness and it is always uplifting being around you. Thank you for being a friend to me. You'll never know how much I needed it. I am so excited for you to embark on this new experience in your life and know with certainty that you and Jay are going to be excellent parents. This little girl is so lucky to have you guys. We can't wait to meet her.

October Review...prepare yourself, its a long one.

I am so behind on my blogging...

I could say that I have some good excuses but, I know that there are people out there who are far more busy than I and still manage to update their blog.

So, with that being said, I will just say that I have been busy, tired, and lazy.

Let me take you back to October...

First, we celebrated Tom's (my mom's bf) birthday. Which was technically in September. Mom and Tom started the day off by going to Disneyland (so jealous). Later that evening, we gathered up most of the family and headed to Buca di Beppo for an Italian feast, literally. We all ate until we could eat no more. It was delicious. Tom opened gifts and we ate some yummy cake. As always we had fun...Happy Belated Birthday Tom!!!

Second, we celebrated Mom's birthday which is just over a week past Tom's. We decided to go to one of our families favorite Mexican restaurants in Playa Del Rey called Hacienda. We have been there many times. It's especially fun when it is someones birthday because they embarrass you by making you wear a sombrero and singing so the whole restaurant can hear. Although, we had a good time and the food did not disappoint, we waited SO LONG to be seated even though we had a reservation. A simple annoyance but, we didn't let it ruin our night.

We then went to Maren's place to have cake and ice cream. We bought a cake because I waited to the last minute and did not have time to make one. Oh well....

All and all we had a great time. Happy Super Belated Birthday Mama!

No caption needed.

We welcomed my niece Ella Michelle into the world on October 11th. She weighed 8lbs. 12oz. I went to Oroville with my Auntie Cathy and cousin Trisha to visit Ella. We all are SO excited to have a baby in family. It's the first little one on my side. I will admit, it definitely made me yearn for a little one of my own.

Jared and I went to the BYU game against SDSU. My dearest Allie got us great tickets. We also had a bunch of friends that were at the game and there happen to be plenty of open seats by us. So, we all got to sit together. It was lots of fun.

The night before Halloween, we went with a group of friends to Medieval Times. I think the last time I went there I was 10 or so. We had such a good time. Jared was a hit....he liked BOOing the other knights. You had to be there.

(sorry Fred this is the only one I had)