Merry Christmas

We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner at my parents house last night.  I brought a Green Bean Casserole and Rosemary Au Gratin Potatoes.  Yumm!

We had a wonderful evening watching the kids do the Nativity Story, playing a game that strained our brain to remember lyrics to old Christmas Carols and watching It's A Wonderful Life.


Howie and I had to still pick-up pies for today to take to his Dad's house so, we stopped by Village Inn on the way home because they were open until midnight.  We decided, since we were there, we might as well stop in for a cup of hot chocolate.  So, we did.  To be honest, there was something strangely romantic about it.  It was sweet.

We woke early this morning to attend church at our branch.  Even though it was early, and Christmas Day, we had a really nice turn out which surprised me.  I thought everyone would be out and about with their families.  A couple from one of our nearby wards came in and sang and played the flute for us.  It was wonderful.  Our branch members really enjoyed it.


After church we went back to my parents house for presents and an awesome breakfast/lunch.  My family made the most amazing sausage I have ever tasted.  It was brown sugar and honey sausage.  Oh.  My.  Gosh.  SO good.  We always open our presents that we got each other at my parents.  The biggest present we got ourselves was a little thing called an iPad 2.

Yup, totally stoked about that one!  We spent way too much on ourselves this year but, when you're a couple of D.I.N.K.'s that's what you do.  Some other things Howie got me: Brown boots, socks, my pearl from Hawaii mounted on a ring, new PJ's, car iPhone charger, and a U of U hoodie (Go Utes!).


Things I got him: Two new belts, Old Spice gift set, 32GB flash drive for his Xbox 360, new outfit, new PJ's, and the movie Thor.


After presents we headed to Howie's Dad's house for dinner and more present opening.  It was a great night and I love being able to sit around after dinner and talking with everyone.  We really enjoyed our Christmas and I hope all of you did, too!


Here is this years Christmas card wall (door).  I'm hoping the sending of Christmas cards never dies because I love to get them.  We've sent one out every year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Cute Neighbor Gifts

I'm so excited about our neighbor gifts this year.

Three rolls of wrapping paper (baby, birthday, and wedding themed) all bundled up with a note that says "We're wrapping up another year!"  So clever!  I wish I could take all the credit, but my Mom gave me the idea from one of her neighbors that did it for her last year.

Date Night iPhone Photos

Howie called me up at work one day last week and said "I'd like to go on a date this Saturday."  I said "Ok, do you know what you would like to do?"  "Yeah, I want to go to the temple since it's been a while since we've been.  Walk around and look at the lights, and then eat at The Roof."  Be still my heart.  Howie rarely plans things out so, you can imagine my amazement when he had a detailed itinerary of what he would like to go and do.  "Ok, I'll make the reservation!"

And so, we did sealings in the temple.

We walked around the new Deseret Book store.

Got warm in the JSM building.

And enjoyed the beautiful view from the 10th floor.

Here is a rose in glass that they had on display at The Roof.  Cool, huh?

Dinner was marvelous.  I've been to The Roof once before for a wedding dinner and I couldn't really remember what I thought of it.  But, this was really good.  I highly recommend the chicken cordon blue.

It was a great night to spend together.  I love all these little date nights that we've been having.  It's good we've been having them because I start school soon and who knows what kind of free time I'll have after that!

Zoo Lights

Last night we went to Zoo Lights!

This is the first year we've ever been.  We decided to do this instead of doing A Candelight Christmas.  We had a lot of fun and it wasn't too cold out for the activity.  (The hot chocolate helped with that!)

The tigers were out and more active than I have ever seen them.  They were playing for the crowd and growling at each other.  It was so awesome to see!  I could've sat and watched them all night.

We may have to start making this another annual tradition.  We really had a good time.  It was neat to see the animals when they are more active.  In the summer they are just lazy and sleeping.  Definitely an activity worth the $6 admission price.

Nostalgia

It's funny how much this album reminds me of Christmas when I was young...

I got it in the $5 CD bin at Walmart.  So worth it!  I don't remember ever thinking the cover of this CD was so peculiar, but it is peculiar, isn't it?  Very corny.  I love the addition of the reindeer.  I wonder who's idea that was.

I find it sad that Kenny and Dolly have gone from looking like this:

To this over the years:

Why does Hollywood think this looks better?!  It doesn't!  Look how handsome Kenny Rodgers used to be!  It's a shame.  A cryin' shame, I tell ya.