January Journal

January was jolly.  I was trying to think of a j word and that's all I could come up with ha ha.  After our New Year's getaway we were really strapped down with responsibilities.  Bryce started his 2nd to last semester and we both were busy with work.  On our day off we got together with our adorable nephews and sister to go to the aquarium to see the playful river otters!  

I was trying to get a picture of the otter swimming by but Logan saw the camera and did this.  He's been trained!

Looking at the penguins with my one and only

What we'd look like to a snake or something - I can't remember ha ha

The otters are three brothers and are super playful

Ice skating - We had a weekend and it was time for another groupon date.  We love those!  I'm sure we went to dinner before heading to the Gallivan center to go ice skating.  I hadn't been since they'd built the new rink and I was very impressed.  There's lights almost like you're at a club and music playing.  Great facility - good job Salt Lake!  We didn't even realize we'd been skating two hours before we checked the clock because we were so tired.  It was even better because it was such a warm evening that we ended up ditching our coats.  And the highlight of the evening - nobody fell!

Dad's birthday - My dear old dad had a birthday on January 25th.  He's reached 49!  Hard to believe he's almost 50.  He loves doing fun things with his family so he invited all of us to go out for dinner and bowling.  He even crammed in a jazz game for him and Susan after our activity.  We had a ton of fun, I was awful as usual, but I had a pink ball so at least there was some style going on.  The best part of the evening was when Bryce assumed he was the clear winner and Susan got a turkey in the 10th frame to beat him 150 to 149...there was some serious pressure and when she delivered it made the crowd go wild.  Nice job Sus!

New Years 2012 - Las Vegas

New Years came around this year and we decided we wanted to get outta here!  We jumped in the car and headed south for warmer weather to Viva Las Vegas.  I love being able to be spontaneous and Bryce definitely brings that side out of me.

Eyes on the road

My phone just made the picture look like this - and I thought it was awesome

We stayed at Caesars palace which was fun because we didn't have to drive anywhere.  We did tons of walking and talking and just enjoying time off together.  We laid out at the pool and ate delicious food and just had a great time.

At Caesar's

The BEST milkshake I've ever had! I love whipped cream so that's a plus

The Venetian was decorated to look like winter time - it was my favorite!

So I thought this hat/scarf/mitten combo was a joke until I saw TONS of people  wearing these everywhere.  Like they were cool!  I was in disbelief.

Best Friends

Super excited!

 On our way out of town we stopped at the pawn shop from the show Pawn Stars.  Bryce watches the show religiously and read the owner's autobiography.  I enjoy it too, just not quite as much ha ha.  It's such a dive!  The show doesn't really portray that.  Unfortunately the owner's were on vacation for one more week so Bryce didn't get his picture with them, but he was still a giddy school boy for seeing the place in person.

I love our adventures together!  Cheers to many more in 2012!

Christmas 2011

Did Christmas really come and go already?  We had an excellent holiday season full of fun and Christmas spirit.  We started off with an ugly sweater party with friends - thank you Walmart.  We had a fun time!

A nice woman's vest

A great $5 investment

 We had a fun groupon date to Hogle Zoo to see the zoo lights.  It was fun!  We saw reindeer, my favorite bengal tigers, and had hot cocoa while wandering around like the two love birds that we are.

wearing 7 layers because I do NOT like being cold

We had a lovely Bagley girls night with my Mom & sister-in-laws getting pedicures, eating dinner, and doing some shopping.  It was some much needed R&R with the girls!

We stuck with tradition and saw the Messiah sing-along (gospel style) in which my mom has sang in the past couple of years and this year my sister sang in the choir too.  As usual it was a riot.  We did our share of hollering, clapping, and "hallelujah" shouting.

 We only have room for a tiny Christmas tree and this year I went with the silver/blue theme.  It's wonderful decorating a tree together and being done in 5 minutes.  I don't know what I will do with a big tree someday.

 Of course it wouldn't be Christmas without my FAVORITE tradition of making bratzlis.  I love that we have second cousins that have moved here for school and things so that we are truly keeping the tradition of my great-grandparents alive.  We love handing out these cookies, but we probably ate as many as we gave out as gifts.  They are so yummy!

The crew!  

The wisest bratzli maker of us all - teaching me his ways

 For a couple years now Susan has found a Christmas craft, bought the supplies, learned how to make it, set everything up, and made us dinner so my sister and I can each make our own with her.  It's a sweet deal!  This year we made this Jingle display and I love it!  Much thanks to Susan.

 I lost track of how many things we bought during December and said "It will just be for Christmas" ha ha.  But I do have to admit that I LOVE my new ski boots!  I've never had a pair of my own and they are amazing compared to rentals which have such a generic fit.  I used to anticipate getting my boots off as soon as possible at the lodge or after skiing, but now I can keep them on forever because they are so comfy.  Skiing this year hasn't been the best because of the weather, but I do have to say when we've gone it's been such a blast!  I actually was so fast once that Bryce couldn't catch up to me.  Thank you new ski boots :)

An outdoor wedding reception for my cousin - I love my sister's "melting"!  I'm considering it myself...

 And finally...Christmas day!  I was so lucky this year to have the 3 days before, Christmas Eve, & Christmas day off from work.  Tons of family time!  We decided since Christmas was on Sunday this year to go to the medical branch at the University of Utah hospital to help visit the members there and bring them the sacrament.  It was great to visit with people and wish them a Merry Christmas even though they were not in the best of circumstances.  Next it was off to dad's house for gifts & visiting and then to mom's for dinner, more gifts, and a great night of fun playing games and singing Christmas carols.  We had a lot to be grateful for this holiday season!

Our present for dad - the computer geek :)

Both smiling in the same picture...miracle

And of course it wouldn't be Christmas without my grandparents.  I love them dearly!

Graduation

On Dec 9, 2011 I graduated from Weber State University - woo hoo!  I didn't think commencement would be that big of a deal, but I figured it's a milestone and I would regret it later if I didn't go.  However, I was super surprised when the night before was similar to Christmas Eve...hard to fall asleep and my eyes popped open in the morning before my alarm and I was ready to go and getting ready.  I wasn't expecting that!  I think because I was going to see family who I love seeing, eat at my favorite O-town restaurant, get presents, and be DONE with college made it super exciting.  

  

The graduate!

My Numero Uno

High fivin' my wildcat

 The actual ceremony was definitely boring and I thank all those who sat through it on my behalf, but we survived!  We headed over to Hug Hes and feasted on the most delicious food I ate during my college years! I made it a point to find the owner and thank him for the food and memories ha ha.  He gave me some toffee as a gift and I'm glad I didn't discover it sooner - as it too was extra delicious.

My grandma - one of my best friends!  She supported me wearing purple and gave me a beautiful diamond necklace.  I love her!

My favorite people

Some more favorites...

My partner in crime!  My one and only sister - automatic besties

This always happens...

It feels so great to be graduated! Thanks to all of my family for supporting me - even the sick ones (you know who you are :) )  I'm loving the school free life.  I've read almost 4 books, crocheted a scarf, and worked a ton at both of my jobs in the month of January...it's the first time I've never been in school and I intend to enjoy every minute!

Thanksgiving 2011

I love Thanksgiving.  As much as I love Christmas, I really do like to take the time to appreciate all the blessings I have in my life.  I try to be thankful all the time, but I especially like to when it's Thanksgiving.  I have way too many things to list to be thankful for, but some favorites that come to mind start with this guy...

Don't mind my awkward "brotherly" hug

who makes life so grand.  We're still in the newlywed phase and there's still days when I have watery eyes and tears stream down my face when I have to leave him and go to work ha ha.  I'm so grateful for those feelings and our awesome relationship.  I'm perfectly happy whenever we're together whether it's grocery shopping or a fun adventure.

I'm teaching a lesson on personal revelation in Relief Society on Sunday and it's brought to mind a lot of experiences I've had.  I'm grateful for personal revelation because without it I probably wouldn't have chosen to marry Bryce in the temple, chosen to go to Weber and study nursing, learned the gospel is true and have a strong testimony, avoid dangerous situations, and made many other choices that have led me along a path that so far has brought me so much happiness.  I have an awesome family I'm excited to spend eternity with.  I have two jobs that I love with co-workers that are so fun.  I'm just about to graduate and am so excited!  I was truly blessed to have survived the past 5 1/2 years.  I'm just full of gratitude for life right now and I love having mushy gushy feelings about it all.  I am so looking forward to this holiday season and I'm sure I'll have some pics to share when it's over!  And it always goes by way too fast so it will be time again before I know it.  Happy Holidays!    

October is Over

Man I loved October this year!  I thought it was great weather wise and fun to have a little bit of a fall season for once.  When I think of our October I think of football, movies, pumpkins, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies (too many), family, and Halloween.  P.S. I am 4 weeks away from graduation so I'm starting to not think about school anymore so it's not included in the month of October :)

Ya Utes!  Stop loosing :)

We went to several football games including some at the U and the traditional Weber vs ISU game.  I don't have confusion as far as where my loyalties lie, there is just a lot of stipulation.  If I go to a U game, I cheer for the Utes.  Obviously because of my cute gloves, hat, sweatshirt, and matching leg warmers, duh.  And the MUSS is out of control and you can't help but have energy.  I cheer for Weber, unless they are playing ISU and I'm sitting next to my Grandma and Grandpa who bring awesome treats and buy me popcorn and drinks, again, duh.  However, if Weber was playing the U I would be decked out in purple.  So hopefully that clears everything up for you :)

Weber vs ISU

The girls

Next it was time for soup in soup bowls as well as carving pumpkins.  This year the Shermans had us over and we had such a great time!  I was able to carve my pumpkin while Bryce took all of the guts out that make your arms super itchy and gross.  Our Batman symbol turned out great!  

Finally it was time to dress up for Halloween.  I love wearing costumes!  Always have and always will.  Bryce stole the show with Batman, but everyone was nice and said I was cute in my Robin costume.  We trick or treated w/ our nephews at Grandpa's office and visited with our families.  We went to a party and handed out candy to trick-or-treaters on Halloween.  A successful holiday in my book!

Thanksgiving is up next, which I'm mildly excited for, I don't know why but this holiday never really gets me too worked up.  It's the month of December and all of the parties, graduation, and CHRISTMAS that has me giddy!  All else is going well.  I hope you have a Nifty November!  From, Mrs. B