Lots and Lots of food!

This year we spent Thanksgiving with Tyler's family! It was so nice to get away from school and work for almost a week and just relax with family. The Bendixsens had lots of family over for Thanksgiving, so it was a busy house. More people just means more food! We had all kinds of food... turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, 12 layer Jell-O, spinach dip, artichoke dip, rolls, and of course lots of dessert. It was so very delicious! We were eating all this food for a few days! Unfortunately our camera battery died, so I wasn't able to get very many pictures of this blessed event. However, the few that I got or stole from Cameron will be included.
Here is Cousin Mary and Dad (drooling over the food).



The girls on Thanksgiving day. (Tess, me, and Cam's fiance, Camilla).

On Friday, most of the girls, (cough cough Milla) got up early and went up to Tri-Cities to do some Black Friday shopping! It was fun to shop with the girls! It has always been tradition that just the girls go shopping on Black Friday, but this year the boys came up and had lunch with us and finished shopping with us. It was a loooong day of shopping! I don't think I bought anything for Christmas, but was successful in finding a shirt for family pictures! :) It was lots of fun!

On Saturday we took family pictures and then headed somewhere in Washington (Walla Walla maybe?) to find the best Christmas tree! Apparently it takes a lot of people to find the best one ;), but we did manage to agree on one. It was beautiful and smelled sooo good! It fit perfectly when we got it home! It was about an inch from the ceiling!
Thanks for a wonderful Thanksgiving mom and dad!

The Life of a Wonderful Man

This past Saturday, Tyler's Grandpa Oldroyd passed away. We were lucky enough to be able to spend some of his last moments on Earth with him. He went very peacefully with all his children around him. His funeral is this Friday and all except 1 grandchild will be there. I think that is pretty neat!
Grandpa is the one that sealed us just 8 months ago in the Manti Temple. We are so lucky that he was well enough at that time to share that special day with us.

He is a great man and left a legacy here for us to live up to! We love and miss you grandpa!

Beautiful Oregon

This weekend we got to spend some time with family! Tyler's Aunt Sue celebrated her 20 year anniversary on Saturday. They live in Corbett, OR. It is a gorgeous part of Oregon, and was perfect weather for a party. It was nice to finally meet Sue and see a lot of family, especially little Saylor!
After the party we went to the Vista House, it's on the Historic Scenic Highway from Portland to Hermiston. Tyler's parents came with us since it was on their way back to Hermiston. It was a really pretty drive and the view from the house was amazing!



This is overlooking the Columbia River. On the right side is Oregon, on the left is Washington. It was gorgeous!


This is the Vista House. It was built in 1913 for travelers to stay the night when making the long drive. It's no longer used for that, just a historic landmark. It's really pretty.

After the Vista house we drove to Multnomah Falls. I had never seen it up close and personal, just from the Highway. It is an amazing water fall. Apparently it is a little wimpy this time of year, but it was still loud and we got sprayed with mist.

This is from the bottom of the falls. The little bridge you can see is where the next few are taken from.

Us again... on the bridge this time.


I love Tyler's smile in this one! He's so cute!


And one of Mom and Dad in front of the falls. I think they look great in this picture!

It was a fun weekend! Weekends are the best part because we actually get to spend time together and it means that another week has past. Just that much closer to Thanksgiving break!!

College Graduates

Tyler and I both graduated from BYU on Friday the 15th of August! We are so glad to both finally be done with college (undergrad for Tyler). I graduated in Home and Family Living and Tyler graduated in General Business Management. My family was able to come to our graduation and share this special time with us. After graduation we are packing up and heading to Portland so Tyler can continue school for the next 4 years! Woo hoo!
Pre-graduating classic pictures.


We were so ready to be graduated already!


Us with my mom and dad!


Me and Ambria and Alicia. They coordinated so well with BYU colors!

My brothers and me. Again with the matching. I'm not sure if it was done on purpose, but it worked out nicely! :D


Me receiving my diploma!! (Or at least the case that holds it)...


Tyler getting his! Alicia stood next to the photographer to get the best pictures! Way to go Alicia!


Our diplomas and silly faces!


We're so happy to finally be done!

We're glad our family was able to come! Thanks you guys! We love you!