Christmas Memories

So we had quite the Christmas this year, and since this was our first Christmas all on our own, we were able to create some traditions of our own for Christmas. It took a little bit of creativity since Alan had to work the 24th, 25th and 26th, but I think we had a wonderful Christmas and were able to keep the true meaning of Christmas with us. (Side note-It was also the quitest Christmas I have ever had, which was kinda wierd)

We started off our festivities on the 20th after we celebrated my Birthday was drove around Highland Park to see the Christmas lights, I don't know which was more beautiful...the homes or the lights!

The next day we made our apples and then made deliveries that night and the following day for Family Home Evening.

Christmas Eve I made dinner and we exchanged our Christmas ornaments. I decided to go a little non traditional and made a pork loin with a cumin rub with vegatbles, a spinach salad with pears, cherries and apples with a balsamic vinigrette, and butternut squash soup. They were all new recipes and I think they turning out great. Some friends of ours had brought up back some Concord Grape juice from Branson, MO-it was the best grape juice I have ever had! YUM! It was fun to have a candlelit dinner for Christmas.

Christmas Day I made breakfast and then after Alan woke up we opened our presents. I got a new Camera which I am excited to use and post on our blog! I think Alan's favorite gift was his IPod-I can see this becoming an addiction for him. :)

The best part about the holiday though I think was this scripture list that Erin sent us. It had a list of scriptures to read every day in December leading up to Christmas in which to read about the Savior. It really helped me keep my focus during the month. Thanks Erin!

On the 27th we headed to Idaho to visit the Jensen Clan. As believe it or not, got stuck in Denver again! AGH! Even though we did not have our clothes or anything they at least put us up in a hotel and gave us food vouchers. We finally made it to Idaho a day late so we had a short but visit. We went swimming one day with everyone, including my Naithan's family and Sarah, went sledding, visited the Rexsburg Temple, went and had a reflexology massage and spent New Year's playing games and eating way too much food.

Christmas Fun with Caramel

So this year we decided to try our hand at making caramel apples for Christmas instead of Sugar Cookies, we figured it was a healthier alternative to cookies-with the apples and all. :) So with Alan being the resident Caramel Apple expert we set to work deciding on the different types of apples we wanted, stocked the panty with all the goodies (mainly so Alan would not accidently eat them) and waiting for Christmas to come. (We started planning around Thanksgiving)

We decided that Sunday the 21st would be the best day since we both would be available and it was closest to Christmas. I wish I had taken pictures of the process of making them, but since I usually had caramel or melted chocolate stuck to my hands because I was the one covering the apples after Alan dipped them in caramel, I did not have a chance.

But...we did get some after shots in. We made 48 apples in about 4 hours...pretty impressive if I do say so myself!

Still 25 and loving it!

So I am officially another year older...whoohoo! The wierd thing about Birthdays for me is that I don't ever feel like I am older. That is until I go an try to do something like play volleyball or go dancing...and realize I can't jump as high or dance as long...then I feel a little old, but other than that I still feel 25! So I have decided that until I feel otherwise, that is what I will be, 25 years old! I think it is a great plan, I just hope my body decides to play along. :)

Alan and I went out to the Melting Pot for dinner to celebrate my 25+ Birthday and the food was so tasty! It is amazing how full you can get with such a small amount of food, especially when you take the time to enjoy it! (If you ever plan to go-which I highly suggest-plan at least 2 hours) It was fun to get all dressed up and go out to dinner and Alan suprised me with a beautiful pearl necklace-it is so beautiful! He spoils me so much! :)

Memorial

So we had a death in the "family"recently...our orange beta fish Mani died the week we could not figure out why our heat wasn't working (Note: if you install a digital thermostat make sure you fidn out if it is set for gas or electric heat. There is a little switch you have to flip or your heat won't come on. Too bad that don't tell you that in the instructions...) Alan came down to feed the frogs and Mani and you guessed it, there was Mani laying on the bottom of the bowl. (Alan says the cold killed him, but I still think the frogs ganged up on him) I have since found out that the orange betta fish is one of the most rare, so this is a memorial to our unusual fish Mani-may he enjoy the ride to the sewer!