Christmas time is here.

December is here.  Not sure where all of November went, the camera card containing those pictures is currently MIA.

-Currently I am listening to Manheim Steamroller's Christmas albums, enjoying the lights on my tree I finally got around to decorating, and I have a cat draped over my shoulders.  What more could a girl want?  Well there are many more things, but now isn't the time to dig that up. 

-Yesterday I attended a hot chocolate and mistletoe party with Becca, Melissa, Anna, and Lindsey.  We had a few goals of meeting new people, talking to at least one guy we had never met, and dodging the man carrying around the mistletoe.  It was nice to get out and meet new people.  I am not a shut in but sometimes I feel shut in because of work. 

-Yesterday I also attended 2 weddings.  One was for Karen, a girl I visit teach, the other was my old roommate Anne.  Both were beautifully done and completely different.

 -Star Wars: The Force Awakens is fast approaching.  This week we are going to binge through Episodes 4-6 in preparation. Of course I couldn't let a chance to make food on theme so tonight we had breakfast consisting of BB-8 and Millenuim Falcon pancakes, hashbrowns and bacon to create a simple Chewbacca, Endor Eggs (Scrambled eggs with spinach, mushrooms, and sharp cheddar), and some Princess Leia Cinnabons.

-My friend Sarah had sweet baby Roxana this week.  Little princess came a bit early but is doing well.  Here are some pictures I snapped at the hospital:

-Becca and I ventured down to the tree of light in Draper. It is always stunning and this year they lit so many other trees.  Just a bit magical.  A little girl ran around wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and passed out Candy Canes.  Made my heart happy.

December Daily: 26-31

Happy New Year everyone!  I will reflect more on what 2014 meant to me and what is ahead for 2015, but first I wanted to wrap up December.

December 26:  Boxing Day.

Basically this day was spent by my cat playing in leftover boxes.... not actually boxing things up.  We also went and saw Into the Woods, which was brilliant.

December 27:  Rest and Recover.

A lot of my family has been sick and while I have fought the bad stuff off I am exhausted so I spent the day happily binge watching Gracepoint, eating treats, and scrapbooking.

December 28:  Winter Wonderland.

We finally got some snow on Christmas day.  This is so late for Utah and I couldn't be happier about it.  It has continued to snow since.

December 29:  Reunions.

I love the holidays because people are in town and it is a chance to get together with friends and family and catch up.  Tonight I had a reunion with the best singles ward I have been in.  It was a lot of fun.

December 30:  Cousins.

It was nice to get together with the Whitney cousins and give the little second cousins a chance to play.  Susie and her family are in town so Julie and Shelley came up from Utah Co. to spend an afternoon.  They wore the cat out and all seemed to have fun.

 

December 31:  New Years Eve. 

I am working this holiday so we celebrated a little with pizza, martinelli's, and New Years Rockin Eve on TV.  Happy New Year!

December Daily: 21-25

December 21: Gingerbread Houses. 

I loved making graham cracker and milk box houses growing up, in school and at home.  I suck at making real gingerbread so when we found this little village kit for just under $9 it was a winning situation.  Fun to gather with my sisters and decorate these.

 
December 22: A Charlie Brown Christmas. 

I love this story and the purpose behind it.  The few days before Christmas are really chaotic and listening to or watching Charlie Brown is a good way for me to refocus.

Decemeber 23:  A Festivus for the rest of us.

On December 23 I celebrate Festivus.  We decided to have a little fun at work with it and looked at our normal tasks as feats of strength, enjoyed airing our grievances, and looked for Festivus miracles.  We also enjoyed some bagels in honor of the Kramer's job at H&H bagels during the episode of Seinfeld that Festivus is featured in.  And of course we stared at an aluminum pole while we ate.

December 24:  Christmas Eve traditions.

As a family we have had a solid Christmas Eve tradition for years where we go caroling and visit with other people, and then we light candles and listen to the Christmas Story before we open our stockings.  Recently we have incorporated another tradition of having a Slug Club Christmas dinner, inspired by the one in Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince.  We have a white elephant exchange, eat traditional UK foods (This year we had meat pies, Yorkshire pudding, and Haggis) and Butterbeer. We also open exploding crackers and wear our little hats, read the stupid jokes and trade the weird favors inside.  It is always a fun night.

December 25:  The Reason for the Season.

It  has been wonderful to spend time with family and friends this holiday season.  I am grateful to understand the real reason and for whom we celebrate.  I hope everyone found the reason and understands the gift that Jesus Christ was for the world.  I love this video that came out earlier this month and know many people, including my sister Sarah, in it.



Also this video produced by the LDS church (featuring my friend Nate's fiancé as Mary)...



Here is a peak into our Christmas: