See You Next Year!

With 2008 coming to a close I would like to mention a few things that I really liked this year:

~ We got cool new Mt. Bikes with our economic stimulus money.

~I discovered Pandora.com, where you can create radio stations based on your favorite artists.

~While listening to my Jack Johnson station I discovered a Brett Dennen and my new favorite song, Blessed.

~I had another wonderful year being married to Bret.

~I loved kids in my primary class.

~Bret and I went on a little adventure to Idaho Falls to visit family.

~ I started excercizing a little more.

~Reading with my chincilla on my lap.

~I was employee of the month in September (not trying to brag, but that was a good part of '08 for me).

~I started blogging.

Two Years of Joy

Today Bret and I had our second wedding anniversary. It is crazy how fast time goes...it seems just like yesterday that we were getting married...then again is seems like we have always been together...

We celebrated our first anniversary by doing a session at the Salt Lake Temple, eating dinner, looking at the lights on Temple Square, and of course eating the top of our wedding cake. That cake was still delicious even after being in the freezer for a year.

We would like to make going to the temple for our anniversary a tradition. This year we couldn't go on the exact day, but we still had a nice time. We went to lunch at Rumbi Grill, went to a family Christmas party, took a few pictures, and had a quite evening at home.

The Line Up

December 27, 2006

December 27, 2007

December 25, 2008

Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time

I love Christmas...I love that there is a whole season set aside to think about Christ and there are so many symbols to help us remember Him. It is wonderful to have some much family time. Planning and shopping to give meaningful gifts is also something that brings me such joy.

We spent the morning with Bret's parent's and brother. I am so lucky to have such great in-laws.

We went to brunch at my Dad's house, and eat yummy scones. We all crowed in the living room to open gifts, and it was fun to be all together. I would say it was cozy as opposed to cramped (There are 8 other people that aren't shown in this picture).

I am such a Daddy's girl.

We headed up to my Grandma Bishop's for a Christmas visit. Then went back to our house for my Mom to come over. My mom's power had been off for several hours today and it was cold over there, so we decided to do it at my place.

I am such a mama's girl, too!

It has been such a pleasant day. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that I was totally spoiled this year and got tons of really awesome gifts.

Christmas Eve

It was such a beautiful sunny day. I was so nice to be surrounded by a blue sky. Christmas Eve is such a exciting day that always brings back fun childhood memories.

After work I went home wrapped some presents, and then we went to my Mom's for dinner. It is a tradition to open jammies on Christmas Eve and then wear them to bed.

I love family time.
My cute hubby.

Good-bye Little Friend

Thursday night Bret was holding him and discovered Gideon was very ill. He had been sick for awhile and on antibiotics, but not recovering much. We had been feeding him a liquid diet for the last couple of weeks. We decided that it was necessary and the most humane thing to put him to sleep (although I felt like a horrible chinchilla murderer).

I miss my little friend. Here are some cute pictures of him:

Gideon wanting to come out and play.

Gideon with a new cardboard friend. He loved destroying it.

Gideon eating off the foot of his woolly mammoth toy.

He loved climbing in little nooks to cuddle.

Gideon's favorite toy.

Someone We've All Been Waiting For...

On Thanksgiving morning my mother was watching the Macy's parade with my niece. They were discussing the floats and balloons as they passed by. My mother asked my niece if she knew who was going to be at the end of the parade. She gave the hints, "It's someone that we are excited for and we've been waiting a long time to come." My niece answered in hushed excitement, "Barack Obama!"

Counting My Blessings #17 - Blankets

I am grateful for blankets, afghans, throws and such. They are warm and cozy and awesome. One of my friends motto's is any problems can be solved with more blankets. The pleasure of reading a book or watching a movie is greatly enhanced cuddled up with soft quilt.

Counting My Blessings #16 - Christmas Lights

I am grateful for Christmas lights. They are so colorful and fun, and they brighten up the long winter nights.

Undisclosed Location

I love secret hiding places, trapdoors, and such...I love going there myself the most. Today I had one of those experiences.

The destination.

The top secret trapdoor.

I am so excited about going up!


Here we are goofing off in the secret loft.

Happy Day of the Ninja!

Today is the day to release your inner ninja! For some ninjaluscious tips on how to celebrate the day go here.

To find out more about the mystrious life of a ninja you can go to askaninja.com

Counting My Blessings #15 - Modern Day Revelation

I am thankful for modern day revelation. I am so happy to know that the Lord leads his church through revelation. I love that I can pray to Heavenly Father and receive personal revelation.

When confused which church to join Joseph Smith followed the advice given in James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
He prayed and received the first vision.

I am so thankful that we can pray about any question or trial we are having, and we can receive truth and guidance from the Lord himself.

Secret Underground Tunnel for Sale

This is funny and interesting...too bad I don't have an extra $7.4 million.  Maybe then I could be a cool spy like Chuck.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/28/business/worldbusiness/28tunnel.html?no_interstitial

Counting My Blessings #14 - Gideon

I am grateful for my chinchilla. I know that I did a blog about my cute little Gideon, but he is a blessing to me so I am going to blog about him again in my blessing count.

I love how he jumps up and clings to the side of the cage when he really wants something. I love when he will cuddle on my lap while I read. His is such a sweet and soft creature.

Twilight in the Twilight

I had been fully planning on waiting at least a week before going to Twilight the movie to avoid masses of teenagers, but on Thursday evening at about 9:00 I received a call from my brother. The group he was going with had a couple of extra seats for the 12:40am showing, so Bret and I went. There were a lot of teenagers, but I was happy to find that there was a couple dressed as vampires sitting in front of me. The whole theater sang happy birthday to someone which was pretty neat.

I would like to mention that movies are not as good as books to me. I prefer my own imagination, and being in the characters head to know what they are feeling and thinking. With that said, the movie was okay.

I loved seeing the characters on the big screen. The acting was good, and I liked that there was tons of nature shots. Most of the characters were cast well. But not Rosalie...she is supposed to be the most beautiful woman alive, and she wasn't even the most beautiful in the movie. Carlisle was very attractive the way a vampire should be. Also, Jasper was so funny, and I loved the way he was portrayed. Alice really was so likable.

The sub par special effects were hard for me to swallow. If the movie budget was too low to have good special effects then they should have cut back on them. Also, there was a superhero feel to Vampires, with whooshing sounds as they moved. Vampires are not superheros, don't try to make them.  Also, I was not a fan of how the Vampires climbed trees like spiders. Vampires are strong and fast, but more in a super predator way. My last thing I will complain about is how there was a twinkling noise in the background every time Edward's skin sparkled in the sun.

They did have many good parts and I would recommend it. It was fun and I really do like the story.

I think I will like the movie more the second time I see it.

What's So Special About Today?

Two years ago today Bret and I got engaged.

Bret and I went to Man of La Mancha at Hale Center Theater which was very enjoyable. We were close to where his father's old dental practice was so we drove by to check it out. Then Bret and I went to his sister's house to celebrate his niece's birthday, (or so I thought). Once we got to the door Bret informed me that it was actually an engagement dinner and lead me to a candle lit Italian dinner.
Bret got down on one knee, told me he loved me, and asked me to marry him and of course I agreed. He gave me a beautiful jade necklace that he bought in New Zealand. It is a Maori symbol meaning the joining of two people for eternity.

Here we are two years later, happily married.

Visitors

This weekend my sister-in-law and her family came in town.  It was so good to spend time with them.  I am so lucky not only to I have the most amazing husband, but he came with an awesome family.

Friday was a beautiful Autumn day, and we went to the park and Wheeler Farm. 

James, age 4, is so funny.  He loves to run and humming his own theme music is necessary for him really to go top speed.

The day was so clear that shadows where very sharp and at one point my nephew had my shadow race his shadow.  Unfortunately it was hard to capture that with an active child and a slow shutter time on my camera.

Tanner will be 3 in a week, and he is just as cute as his brother.  He was really enjoying balancing as we walked home. 

Grant is 13 months old, and he has big hazel eyes, long eyelashes, and a contagious smile.

I love crunching dry leave under my feet.  The noise and feel if it bring me so much joy.

This was one of my favorite places growing up.  It is such a good little hut.  I went in and was happy to find that I still fit up the narrow little passage way to the second floor.
Saturday all of Bret's family got together for lunch, and it was really nice to spend time with them.

Happy 22nd Birthday Little One

My brother's birthday was earlier this week. My family and a couple of Alex's friends came over for dinner and games. I made this chocolaty cake for him, but I don't have 22 candles so he had to settle for 8.

I can't believe my baby brother is 22 already.

Counting My Blessings #13 - My Primary Class

I am grateful for my primary class. It is amazing how sweet and loving those children are. Today was my last day in primary because I have been called to be the Young Women's Beehive Advisor. I am so excited about my new calling, and I think that it is going to be an awesome experience.

I have to admit though that when the Bishop told me I was going to be released from Primary I was surprised and had to hold back tears. I thought I would be in Primary until Bret and I move next summer. Teaching Primary has taught me so much, and I have loved getting to know the children and their personalities.

Counting My Blessings #12 - Crocheting

I am very grateful for yarn and crocheting. I love making blankets and hats, and it is a really fun hobby. It begins with stitch upon stitch until strings have been turned into something useful. While I am working on it, it reminds me of:

2 Nephi 28:30 "For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more..."

and Alma 37:6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

Here are some of my creations: