Wii Love Christmas In California

We had the best Christmas!

Christmas in California was the way to go this year. We missed the worst of the crazy ice and snow storms, and lots of power outages. Instead we were dealing with sunny 50 degree days. It was pretty awesome. It was great to have my whole family together. This is really the only time of the year that it happens. So, we made the most of it, and boy was it a pretty action packed week.

We played my dad's new Wii. A lot.

Throw in a bowling trip, lots of shopping, playing games...

Having a dance party, playing with the kids...

Eating at the best Brazilian restaurant for Mark's Birthday...

and Christmas, and you have got yourself a really great week. I can't even begin to describe how much fun I had.

Santa was especially good to me this year. I was on the receiving end of several wonderful gifts. There was one in particular though...He must have seen how much fun we were having playing my Dad's Wii, that he managed to find one on Christmas Eve at Costco, and leave it for me under the tree Christmas morning.

Obviously, I must have been really good this year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and that you were able to enjoy family, friends, and make a lot of fun memories.

What A Week

There has been a lot of celebrating going on lately. I don't think we could cram any more into one week if we'd try.

Celebration #1: Christmas...it was great. I'll probably post more about it once we get home. We were able to spend it with my entire family. They are crazy, super funny, total nerds and I wouldn't change a thing about them. There is something to be said about spending time with people who love you unconditionally. It is pretty funny when you get all of us kids together...we totally revert to acting like the super funny(annoying) kids we were when we were growing up and living at home together. My poor parents.

Celebration #2: December 27th....Mark's Birthday! He turns 31 this year. He's the coolest fella ever, and I am so lucky to be married to him. Even if he's old.

Celebration #3: December 28th...Our 8th Anniversary! Yup. We were one of those couples who decided to get married during Christmas break instead of waiting all the way until summer vacation. I mean really, a five month long engagement was plenty long. Why put it off any longer? Anyways, this is us way back when we were just a bit younger and a super cool newly married couple. Check out Mark with hair! I think I've practically forgotten what he looks like with it. Here we are now. A little older, but still way cool...Well, the week of celebrations has been awesome. It is a really hectic week with all that excitement. In reality though, we really don't celebrate our anniversary much. It is really hard to when we are always traveling to see family for the holidays. We are just going to have to dedicate some other day as our celebrate our anniversary day. Sounds like a good plan to me.

Merry Christmas!

We hope you are able to enjoy family and friends this holiday week. May you experience much laughter, love and have tons of fun. Oh, and...I hope Santa brings you what you asked for this year.

Merry Christmas!

Just So Santa Will Know Where To Find Me...

♥

1 car

2 of us

2 crazy dogs

11 hour drive

9 days to see family

3 reasons to celebrate

All my wacky family members

Hanging out under the same roof
It's going to be the best Christmas.

Ever.

So long Oregon...today we are headed to California to celebrate Christmas. My whole family will be there. In case you couldn't tell...I AM SO EXCITED! I'm not looking forward to the drive with the two dogs going along for the ride, but I can't wait to get there and hang out with the family. They are such a funny bunch. I think that's one of the reasons why I like them so much.

California here we come!

Let It Snow

It snowed last night!

I can't believe it has stuck around all day. It is such a rare treat to have it stick here. It's crazy...all the schools closed down today, and it looks like they might again tomorrow. And let me tell you, so many people have no idea how to drive in the snow here. I'd rather be warm, but snow has been fun for a change. It sure made for a very cold, but fun time playing outside with the dogs...

It has been so cold out, that I just stayed home today working on these yummy goodies...

We made a ton of goodies to give away. My neighbors are so darn lucky!

Reflections

Now, I know a lot of people have seen this video by now, but if you haven't, you should. It's called the Reflections of Christ. It is a video depicting the life of Jesus Christ. The actors in this did an incredible job of visually making His life and all that He did so real. And the music...couldn't be more beautiful.

Tonight was our Relief Society Christmas dinner, and they showed us this video. Being the holiday season and all, it was a great reminder to focus on Christ and the many gifts he has given to all of us. It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas...I do it all the time. I really appreciated this moment to take a step back and reflect on what this holiday is really about.

You can go to the Reflections of Christ website to see all sorts of behind the scenes pictures and to get more info.

Singing Christmas Tree

I got to hang out with the Young Women from our ward this weekend. We took a day trip up to Portland. It was actually a sunny and clear day. It couldn't have been better. We were able to walk around the temple. A security guard stopped us while we were taking pictures. He offered to take us around and explain to us the symbolism in several of the designs and patterns on the outside of the temple. It was so interesting. I love learning random little bits of information like that. Later, when I was telling Mark about it, I sounded so smart.

After leaving the temple grounds we went and saw a performance by The Singing Christmas Tree. Now, I don't know about you, but I have never seen a singing Christmas tree before. So in case you were wondering what one looks like, you've come to the right place. This is the largest choir in Oregon, and boy were they great. It was a fun performance with a lot of emphasis on the real meaning and purpose of Christmas. It was totally worth going. After the show was over we went to the Portland International Raceway for the Christmas light show. It is a giant light display that you drive through to see.

It was a fun to see the lights and listen to Christmas music. The displays were so cool. There were a few random ones, though....like mermaids and seahorses. Why did they have a whole mermaid display? Am I missing something? The story of the Christmas mermaid is escaping me. If anybody knows it, you'll have to fill me in.

It was such a fun day, with a funny group of women. I'm so glad they had some extra tickets and they let me tag along. I'm so there next year.

Today Was The Day

I am feeling an overwhelming sense of relief and gratitude tonight. Mark has been working for his new company since June. We were so excited to get out of the real estate industry, and to get into a reliable career with a steady income. With the real estate market being what it is, the thought of stability was heavenly. Anyways, we were told several weeks ago that this company was going to go through a restructuring process. Meaning...1000 jobs were being eliminated. Yup, bring on the worry, stress, and fear of what could be coming our way.

Were we going to be transferred somewhere new, would he be one of the many to be "De-Selected",would us being so new be a factor, or would we just stay right where we are? So, today was the day we found out what direction his career would take. And I am so happy to report:

Mark officially still has a job, and we don't have to move!

I can't even begin to describe how relieved I am about this. The changes that Mark has to make are extremely minimal.

He is in Pharmaceutical Sales, and he represents three drugs. He is only changing one of his drugs, and his territory is being realigned...in a good way. All of this means...way less overnight travel and a short training period for his new drug. Hooray.

While I am so happy and relieved, my heart goes out to the so many people who weren't as fortunate as we were. Things could have easily been so different for us.

I was so grateful when Mark got this job in the first place. It was a huge blessing. I feel that way again. Now, more than ever.

O Christmas Tree

Well, it only took all weekend, but it's finished. All of my major Christmas decorating is done. We've even decorated our Christmas tree! I love having our house all decked out for Christmas. It just puts me in a good mood. One of my favorite things to do once the tree is up is to hang out in our family room without any lights on except the Christmas lights. It's the best. So here is our tree in all it's Christmas glory...*Ok...so yeah it is a fake tree. Don't judge. I know we live in Oregon and it would seem like we don't have an excuse to not have a real tree. They are everywhere here...it's like the Christmas tree capital of the country. Every year we always go and get a real tree. In fact the last two years we've had two trees. Not this year. Our new house only has a great room and there's only room for one tree. So, we figured since we're leaving for Christmas in Cali on the 20th, we might as well just use our fake-o tree....just this once. I promise.