Long Beach

It's finally time to try to catch this here blog up. See why I am horrible at keeping a journal. I do good and then I get behind and I start procrastinating. But here goes my attempt to get somewhat up to date. Last month started off with Brett and I taking a 10 day vacation to California. I had a coding conference in Long Beach so we decided to take some extra time to see the sites and enjoy some sun(hopefully).

Our hotel was the Hyatt which is downtown Long Beach. It was right near Belmont Pier, tons of fun shopping, and right on the track of the Grand Prix which was to take place right after we left town. The first day we arrived the temp was 8o degrees and I was in heaven!! The next couple days were a little cloudy but I was in class so no biggie. We found a fabulous little mexican resteraunt right on the waterfront called Tequilla Jacks. We liked it so much that we ate their twice! Yummy!

We got to hear and see the sights and sounds of the Grand Prix. I can't believe how loud it really is in person- and how fast they drive! We were also walking distance from the Queen Mary. Brett was reading all the literature how some people believe it is haunted so I didn't jump at the chance to take a tour--maybe next time. Here are a few pics of our stay in Long Beach---

Top 5 of 2010

#5- Getting my recipes organized.-- It was a big job but somebody had to do. I love cooking and baking so I have collected tons of recipes. Now I can actually find what I am looking for.

#4- Our family vacation to Bear Lake-- It was so much fun. Sun, sand, jet-ski's, good food, and family- What more could you ask for?

#3- Book of Mormon Challenge- Thanks to a wonderful challenge by our Young Women's President, I read the entire Book of Mormon in 3 months. This was a huge accomplishment for myself. I have never read it so fast, or understood so much. It was an amazing experience and I hope to do it again this year.
#2- We finished our adoption papers- This was a huge step for us. It has been a great experience for us. We are so excited for the family and friends lives we have seen changed by this amazing process. We are hoping that maybe 2011 will be the year we finally get our little adoption miracle.

And #1- Celebrating our 10th anniversary at the happiest place on earth! We had an amazing week in Florida. What a great way to celebrate 10 years together. I am thankful for the opportunity to be married to my best friend. I can't wait to see what the next 10 bring!!

Although it is sad to see 2010 over- I am excited for what 2011 will bring. I just got released from Young Women's. After serving there for 4 1/2 years it is weird but I am kind of enjoying having a little extra time back in my life. I have lots of goals for myself for this year so I better get started!

One Crazy Christmas Day

Christmas Day was a little bit different for us this year. My little brother is on a mission in Canada and he got to call home for Christmas Day. Usually we have my parents over for breakfast on Christmas morning but since Brock was supposed to call early that morning, we ended up eating breakfast at my parents. Then we all got to talk to Brock. It was so good to hear his voice. He is doing great. Then we watched my brother and sister who still live at home open their gifts and then my parents ended up opening theirs. Brett and I didn't get home to open ours until around 1:00 so it was strange. Brett did great at surprising me. I wanted a food processor. He got me The Ninja and I love it. I also got a Sony alarm clock for my Itouch and lots of other fun stuff. Brett got mostly electronics and he loved that. It was a great Christmas and I am thankful for such a wonderful time of year. I realize Christmas is not about the gifts we give and the gifts we get- but about the birth of our Savior. I am so thankful for him and all he has done for me. I hope everyone had a happy holiday season this year!


Finally!

Mom talking to Brock

Brett's stash!!

4 Christmases

I decided today that I really needed to blog about Christmas so I get get on with the new year. Since both of our families live here we have lots of Christmas parties to attend. We had 4 this year. It makes it fun because it seems to last longer when you party all week. I decided to post a few of the pictures that made me smile as I looked back at the over 300 pictures I took. Hope you like them :)

Yep- he is a little dramatic but I love him!

We ate lots of yummy food this holiday season

Brett got a special little present from my grandma this year. She played a little joke on him. She wrapped it probably twenty times. Here is the before:

And here is the after! Yes-- it is coal! He always tries to guess what each gift is but this is one he never guessed. Good Job Grandma- we love your sense of humor.

Love this guy!!

We had lots of entertainment from the kiddos. This is Micklee's famous Shush girl


Kolten even sang a few notes. I love his little voice.

I think these two had a little too much Sprite:)

We all got our usual Christmas PJ's from my mom. The kids also got super cute blankets to wrap up in. I love family traditions!

I love spending time with family during the holidays!

More entertainment from the kids. They loved hearing themselves in the microphone!

This is how all the great- grandkids entertained themselves at Grandma's party.

These two love Uncle Brett- so cute!

Amber was the lucky recipient of Tumor Head at Brett's family party. They love to do white elephant gifts and Tumor Head is the one that started it all.

We had an awfully large baby Jesus this year!