Christmas Eve

We are all wearing our new pajamas, and the kids are getting into bed.  Tony and I are trying to stay awake long enough to help out Santa.  It has been a good day filled with snow, food, friends, shopping, cooking, and cleaning.  We got to sleep in this morning, then did a bit of cooking and cleaning before heading to Idaho Falls for our 2nd annual Christmas Eve meal at Chuck-0-Rama.  After stuffing ourselves at the buffet, we went and bought ourselves some living room furniture!  It won't be delivered for a few weeks, but I am so excited!  Then home on the snowy roads to do a bit of cooking and gingerbread house decorating.  Next we went to a neighbor's home for a delicious ham dinner and fun talent show.  We returned home and opened our new Christmas jammies, hung the new ornaments on the tree, and watched Elf.  It was a great day... the only thing that would have made it better is if we had family here to enjoy it with us.  I love you all and hope you have a Christmas filled with love and peace! 

 Lunch at Chuck-o-Rama.

 New Sofa (also got love seat and chair and ottoman.)

Finally some snow!

Not quite the end of the world, but close

Today was the day of the Mayan calendar apocalypse.  Luckily we're still here to tell about it.  Although the world didn't end, (there's still a little time left, but I'm feeling pretty confident) both Tony and I got knocked around a bit.  Tony had a collision while playing basketball and bonked his nose.  I had a hammer fall off a ladder and hit me in the head.  We are both fine but I admit that all the blood from my little cut scared me a bit! 

We went to a fun Christmas party tonight with a burrito bar, newly-wed game, and white elephant gift exchange.  Tony came home with a vinyl record titled "Christmas with Colonel Sanders", and I ended up with a "fix-it-kit" consisting of a mini tape measure and screwdrivers.  The prize for the winner of the newly-wed game was a framed photo of Tony and My wedding announcement, that was somehow recycled from the white elephant gifts from last years party! 

It was a pretty good day, considering it was supposed to be the end of the world! 

Baby, it's cold outside

Last night it dipped down to about 5 degrees.  The wind is rather blowy, and that makes it feel so much colder!  We keep our house on the cool side, to save energy (and money).  We have been layering on the clothing and wearing our slippers. Usually it's not too uncomfortable... we get used to it and just add a sweatshirt or toss a blanket over our legs, but I just can't get warm!  My hands and feet are so cold, and I keep turning up the heat a few degrees!  I'm already getting tired of the cold, and longing for warm days, working in my garden.  I enjoy the winter because there is less work to do... no mowing, weeding, etc.... but I am already looking forward to the days getting longer and warmer! 

Christmas Spirit

Things have been a bit crazy with finals and all, but I'm glad to say that one more semester is finished, and only one to go till I can graduate.  Tony was gone for a week so I did the single-parenting, which is hard.  I am glad he is home and we are together for the Christmas season!

I just love this time of year!  I love the kindness and thoughtfulness I see all around me.  I enjoy the parties and getting together with friends and family.  I love the excitement and joy I see in my children as they look forward to giving and receiving gifts.  Most of all, I feel the peace and joy that the Savior brings into my life.  It is always there, I am just more focused on it during the Christmas season.