Sand to Snow

Within 24 hours, we went from this

(Billabong Pipe Masters Surf Competition)

To this

(Snowboarding at Solitude)

And we couldn't have been happier about it. Thanks Dirty Curty for the free tix.

We are a little over half way through our winter break in Utah, and so far it has been eventful. More details to come on the following:

• Hitting all our favorite restaurants
• Meeting our new niece and nephew
• Countless family parties
• Hanging with friends
• Our car accident (both cars totaled)
• Surprise gifts to each other

and more . . .

Warm Wishes

Last weekend we got our Christmas on with friends at our ward holiday party and a Christmas crepe spectacular!

We are so lucky to have good friends out here to celebrate with.

Cheers!

HOLIDAY, O, A HOLIDAY

This must be one of my favorite Vampire Weekend songs. I love the lyrics, I love the music video, and I love that everything Vampire Weekend related reminds me of my dear friend Ashley B. Ever since I saw this year's Tommy Hilfiger commercial it has a whole new Christmas meaning. I have been riding my bike around Laie with this song on repeat just stoked out of my mind to be going home for Christmas in 2 days.

Please enjoy.

Buoy Tree

We pass this tree all the time and I just love it. Last week Rod stopped the car and took a picture of it. If we had a tree like this in our yard we would definitely make our own buoy tree.

Dear Rodney

Dear Rodney,

Can you believe it's been

Thank you for the wonderfully dreamy anniversary date last weekend.

Shopping + Honolulu Light Parade + Santa sandcastles = Christmas fun

Kai Market was delicious and so nice.

Thanks for not eating your shrimp head

I love having a Christmas themed anniversary. . . so romantic.

Most of all, thank you for getting a KING bed - it was such a nice break from our springy full. . . twas like sleeping on clouds held up by angels in an air-conditioned sky.

Most of all. . .

You are my one.

O'Neill World Cup of Surfing

This week was the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach. It was the 2nd part of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Basically for this event they set aside a week to have it, and then just wait for the waves to get good. I would wake up every morning and check online because I have been waiting to go to these competitions since the day we moved here. Thursday was the day! I played hooky and we spent the entire day spectating and being showered with SWAG!

Tanya modeling some of our prizes (vans trucker hat, tank top, and sunglasses). We also got more trucker hats/sunglasses, ties, beer cozies, bandanas, a beach umbrella, and lots of Rockstars.

These were the mens finalists, and Raoni Monteiro from Brazil won. We were front and center for the awards ceremony.

These were the womens finalists. 16 year old Tyler Wright from Australia won.

Here they are just soaking in the glory. Next Up: The Billabong Pipe Masters this week.

The Christmas Spirit

Tonight we really wanted it to feel like Christmas.
We got in the car, cranked up the AC (to get cold), turned on the Christmas music, and drove to Hauula for some hot chocolate.

We'll be home for Christmas in T minus 2 weeks. We really can't wait. Let's hope we don't freeze to death (I'm afraid I've acclimated).

School is almost over and next week I'll take my last finals FOREVER (for realsies this time). Then it's just 20 weeks of student teaching. Yay!

Rod is doing really well at his job. I'm so proud of him.

Life is good.