Christmas 2012

Just like that my Christmas break is done and over. Ugh! We had a great time, and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of being in Parma. It was the first time B actually spent some quality time with my family so it was really good. We had a lot of fun, and played lots of games!

My mom loves Christmas, and always makes sure it is so special for all of us. I just love it! I’m so glad B and I were able to be there this year! To start of the festivities Mariah went through the temple on the Saturday before Christmas. I was so happy for her, and since it was so close to Christmas our family was pretty much the only ones in the session. It was pretty cool, even if we got the case of the giggles at one point… don’t worry I repented! Still though it was a great moment to be together, we just missed Maddie! Our family also had to sing in church the next day, and so B was introduced to the Blaylock Family Singers. It turned out really good! That night we had a get together with friends, Jenn, Julene, and Megan all came over and it was a lot of fun. Like old times but now we multiplied our spouses. We laughed a lot per usual, and got caught up on the gossip. A successful night all around! I just love how you can have so much fun with life long friends! Oh and dear Julene your secrets are safe with us, HA!

Mads and B messing around at Hyrum's house! #cheerislife

Christmas Eve is always my favorite. We played some Volleyball, and then we got dinner ready. We have dinner on Christmas Eve just so we can enjoy Christmas! It was ham and funeral potatoes for us and they were so good. Later that night we made gingerbread houses, and then mom let us open our Christmas PJ’s! It was the best. Everyone had a pair, I couldn’t stop laughing at B’s because he looked like Parker. Well I just thought of Parker when he put them on! We took pictures and then dad told us the Christmas Story, in the scriptures! Then it was time for Santa. My mom I guess had asked B to be Santa before but none of us knew about it, and so when he came around the corner I about died. He was perfect (except his skin was a little darker than usual), Liam didn’t know whether to be scared or laugh. So he just sat there, it was so funny. I was laughing so hard because B was making funny jokes, that naughty Santa, jk! It was seriously the best! We also had our traditional white elephant gift exchange. The gift has to cost $0. So it's always way fun!

I freaking love her...

Here we all are, in our PJ's! Thanks mom for making them ALL!

I just love him, he cracks me up all the time!

My white elephant gift! I love a good boob job kit!

B got a diaper filled with "poop" aka Snickers!

This is my sexy Santa. LOL!

Kissing Santa... I'm one good girl!

Dad reading us the real reason of Christmas...

Our gingerbread barn... feeding trough included!

Christmas was also awesome, my mom spoiled us per usual with a lot of clothes, gift cards to our favorite stores, and everything else we wanted! B got a Pea Coat, a drill, and a really nice watch! We also got a lot of decorations to make our house look pretty, and B got 2 pairs of Jordan Shorts oh and his Boston iPhone case he’s been wanting. It was so great! It was the best watching Liam unwrap his toys though, seriously kids make Christmas that much better because they are excited about everything. The best part though was when Maddie got her iPhone. I’m pretty sure she was so surprised! We got my mom a Kindle Fire and she loves it, and dad finally got a smart phone too! Welcome to the 21^st Century dad!! HAHA! Both of our family’s spoiled us this year with lots of great gifts, and we appreciate it so much. I just love Christmas, honestly it’s the best day EVER! We played our new games we got that night, and talked to the kids, which is always emotional during the holidays just because it’s hard not to spend it with them. We also played a lot of Mario Kart and Kinect with the new games we got too!

Our First Christmas together!

She's the cutest thing EVER! I love baby Grace!

Let's see we've got Spidey shoes, Batman jammies, and the Hulk. I say that's about right!

B got his drill!

Reece and his suspenders!

Spiderman!

This is not Spiderman, she's just a weirdo!

Also during the break we went and saw Les Miserables. So good. The singing and everything just gave me chills the whole time, I don’t know if B was a complete fan of it, because well he’s not used to the whole musical idea, but that’s ok (I’ll continue to break him in). We played a lot of Mario Kart on the Wii and had a lot of fun with the babies. All of them are just so cute!

Les Mis!

It was just a great break, and I’m sad that it’s already over! Mariah leaves on her mission in less than a month now, so we’ll be home again shortly! I just hate putting my Christmas stuff away though and the Christmas music is no longer on the radio, it’s so depressing… Oh well… it’s the last day of 2012 so I can celebrate just a little longer right?! Happy Holidays!

Reason for the Season

Christmas break is finally here. In a few short hours we will be headed to Parma to celebrate with our family for an entire week. How awesome is that? The only thing that will be missing is Tajia and Parker. Hopefully we will be able to see them soon! We miss them!
Anyway, work is always CRAZY this time of year, with a ton of events and things to be done before the year end. Last night B and I went to my company work party, had delish food and laughed! Most awesome part of the work event is prizes, and this year I won this:

That's right an iPad! I couldn't believe it. I seriously tried not to cry to realize that I won an iPad. Merry Christmas to us!

Most importantly I'm so thankful for this beautiful season, it has been extra special for B and I this year as we witnessed so many Christmas miracles this season. Many prayers were answered and we have felt much comfort from so many people. I don't know why December always seems to bring so much trials and heartache but it does. I guess that's why there is Christmas so you can be grateful for everything you have! For my Family Home Evening lesson I told B about the short story the Gift of the Magi. He had never heard it before and it pretty much fits how we both have been feeling this Christmas time. Wanting to give so much but not knowing how. I think that story is just beautiful. How the couple gave up their most precious things in the world for the other. It's also such an awesome time to remember Him. He is the reason for the season, and I love that we dedicate a whole month to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

This year my life has changed more than any other year I've been alive, and it's been wonderful and crazy all at the same time. I wouldn't change one single second. My heart is so full! Be safe, have fun, and most importantly love who you're with, and make some good memories!

Much love and Merry Christmas!

Unicorns!

How is it Wednesday already? I am pretty excited though that my Christmas vacation is quickly coming. I have an entire week off... Well counting weekends I have 9 days off. CRAZY! We are spending time in Parma and I'm totally excited about that, I'm sure I've mentioned that before HA! Anyway, B is almost done with finals, and I'm so excited for him to be done. He's been a little cranky trying to finish up all 18 credits, but he has 2 days left... SAY WHAT?! What will he do with his time after that I'll never know. Although today he got this:

So he's official which is awesome in so many ways. He is the first to intern at Madison Memorial as an Administrative Intern. So basically he's the guinea pig, but I think he'll do great. He'll open the doors for the many other students who are looking for a foot in the door in their careers. He has already met so many wonderful people who are willing to help him in life, and that's so great. He'll start next semester so I'm excited for the new things he'll learn, welcome to the Corporate America darling!

Also, I've had some scary health problems this last month. Mostly bad cells that were cancerous so I got them removed ASAP. It was pretty painful but I managed to make it through. Yesterday was the day I had them removed so last night I was a little out of it. This morning B asked me if I had a dream about unicorns, which I totally did, I was amazed at how he knew that. He then said "Just wondering since you told me that you found the unicorns and was wondering if I had seen them." I laughed so hard. I must have been really excited about those unicorns! I am thankful though for the most part things seem to be OK. I mean at least we still have our sense of humor!

Must be December!

This weekend was pretty chill which was great we went to B’s cousin’s basketball game, and watched Christmas movies, and homework. It’s that time of year and I’m determined to show B every Christmas out there. So far I've educated him on Charlie Brown’s Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the Jim Carrey version), A Christmas Story, and Christmas Vacation (ok so he had already seen this one, but it’s a classic). He still needs to see a White Christmas, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and It’s a Wonderful Life. He thinks I’m pretty cheesy for loving everything about Christmas, but two nights ago during our FHE he gave a great lesson about Christmas so I think he’s starting to see how you need to celebrate it EVERY day. HA!

Lately we've been stressed, just about life and its ups and downs. Don’t get me wrong we recognize how blessed we are, sometimes though you just have to go through trials to make yourself better, or to learn how to handle situations differently, or most importantly learning to sacrifice and be patient. Anyway, we both haven’t been sleeping the best, so when I came home from work Monday I saw this:

B sound asleep. I mean don’t get me wrong there are plenty of times I fell asleep doing my homework but I thought it was so funny because the couch is literally like 5 feet away. Bless! He’s almost done with the semester, then we will only have 2 semesters left and he’s done, I can’t believe it! He took 18 credits this semester so he’s definitely ready for a break come Christmas time. I sure love him and I’m grateful for how hard he works, at the current moment I think he has a 4.0!

Things at work are picking up, Christmastime in our busiest time of the year, so it’s nice to come home from work and just chill with B. I am excited for Christmas this year because we are all going to be in Parma. It’s going to be so fun, and we get to spend a whole week at home and I’m truly grateful for that too. If you haven’t recognized it yet, I just love this time of year and all the hustle and bustle that comes with it. Hooray for December and Christmas!