The One with Last Christmas

I've decided our theme will be "Friends," hence the titles "The One..."  I love that show!!  Seriously, haven't found a person who can outquote me when it comes to Friends.  This post isn't about the show though so I'll get on to the pictures.  I've whittled it down to the Top 20 (+/- a couple and some funny videos).

I absolutely LOVE the holiday season!!  I love shopping for presents and anticipating the looks on people's faces when they open their gift.  Last year I made Steve's present (out of necessity) but he liked it so much I did it again with Lisa and Travis this year.  Not a clue what's coming up for Amy and Ray and co. but I've got time for inspiration to strike :)  Most of all I love being able to spend multiple days in a row just hanging out with my family.  Doing things like this:

To be fair, this was before we drove to AZ for Christmas but I think for a first attempt at making holiday goodie plates my Rice Krispie wreaths turned out pretty good.

Our first Christmas tree!

**Most of the presents under the tree were from Grandma Sabol.

We unpacked them to make it look like we actually had something under our tree :) **

Pretty sure those are my gloves but Justin can pull off pink.

Maybe he shouldn't...

Just cute.

So much more fun when all the cousins arrive.

This is where Justin took the camera.

And we ended up with pictures like this.

And this.

 And this.

 And my personal favorite- Kaden's socks.

Dillon really wanted to hold the leash.

Good thing Cooper is proportional :)

Climbing trees and walking the dogs.

Grandpa and Callie.

This picture is so funny to me!!

Love this shot of Trevy.

If you listen carefully you can hear Trevy saying "Boing, boing!!"

So cute!!

Probably the funniest thing that happened all week.

Gotta love Uncle Dude.

The kids loved the helicopters but got scared when it got too close.

I wish we had some pictures playing Bang! from New Years.  That was fun!!  Mom and Dad gave it to Justin for his birthday and we've played it with friends.  You know I hate to brag, but I won as the Renegade once.  It was the first round and nobody else had played but hey, that counts.  Merry late (or super early) Christmas!!

The First One...

So I actually have another post in the works (for about a month now.  I know my sisters are going to laugh when they see the pictures I have of their kids from Christmas) but I decided to just put something down or I will actually never get started.  Here are my random thoughts for the day (keep in mind that I am at school running analyses so when I say random, I mean random):

How is it almost March already?  The funny thing is living in a place where there is actually a winter season makes me feel like I should host an event called "Spring Cleaning" (guest list: me).  I even finally used up the last of our wedding gift cards and bought a steam mop!  I was so excited!!  (Just ask Justin- he doesn't understand my Monica Geller obsession with cleanliness but he tolerates it well)  And if you're wondering whether all steam mops are created equal- they are not.  I got a brand called Bionaire (actually had good reviews online)- hate it.  The whole time I had Shark envy from using Mom's at Christmas.  It was such a workout pushing that thing across the floor I will definitely be taking it back.

This past weekend was very interesting.  I love catching up on sleep but was super wired this weekend for some reason.  Part of it was Justin telling me funny stories from his childhood (it's very hard to fall asleep after you just laughed so hard you cried) and part of it was hot and cold flashes.  It's been snowing off and on here for almost a week so on snowy nights I'll get cold and turn the space heater on around 2 am.  Which overheats Justin and he throws his side of the blanket on top of me.  Then I get hot, turn the heater off and the room gets cold again.  It's a vicious cycle.  Hopefully it only lasts for a few more winters- can't wait to move back to the heat.

It was also Justin's birthday last Friday (Happy Birthday Justin!!) so we ate out.  A lot.  Did I gain a couple of pounds in one weekend?  Probably.  We went night skiing at Brighton Friday night where I practiced keeping my skis together (try holding an orange between your knees while sliding downhill, definitely a workout) and Justin showed off his mogul skills.  Seriously, he's good.  I love watching Justin ski and thinking "I've got to look close to that good right?"  Right.  I treated him to some home cooking at Village Inn afterward.  Then his dad took us to the Blue Iguana Saturday night to celebrate some more.  I was slightly disappointed by my chimi (no one beats Guadalajara Grill) but Justin's Steak a la Ranchera was sooo good.  Oh and I went to Olive garden for lunch with Misha.  (Side note: she got a job as an international flight attendant so she'll be flying to Italy 4-5 times a month.  For free!  Perfect job for her!)  Anyway, a lot of food in a short time.  We'll be eating just cereal for a few more meals I'm sure.

Yesterday I was asked to sub for the primary pianist.  When we first moved into the ward I practically begged the bishop to give me that calling.  I can't think of a funner (and let's be honest, easier) calling.  Loved playing for the 2nd ward primary when I lived at home.  Unfortunately, our new ward already had one but I am the backup pianist (score!).  And the regular pianist has been out of town for the past 2 Sundays so I got to fill in.  And of course I have a few funny stories.  Here's my favorite:

The lesson was on families and the kids were given clues to try to guess families from the scriptures.  They got Adam and Eve right off.  The next clue was "we were very old when we had our only son."  A little tough but they could get help from their teachers.  So one of the 7 year old boys asked his teacher and then says "Oh yeah!  Abraham Lincoln!"  Yep, Sariah Todd's husband.

My favorite from 2nd ward:

Teacher- "And what did Joseph Smith do with the golden plates?"

Primary child- "I know!  He laminated it!"

Both kids, so close :)

Hopefully this inspires me to write regularly (and possibly others as well (cough, cough- Amy!)).  And hopefully soon my posts will include illustrations :)