Merry Christmas!

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Ward Party with my New Hair!

I needed a serious change with my hair. My hair dresser Natalie is my....(prepare yourself), She is my brother-in-law Stuart's, Fiance Julie's, sister- in-law. Anyways, I love Natalie. And I will miss her. I decided to go totally different than my usual.


And we went to our ward party. And let me tell you...it was Fun! They served us lasagna, salad, and ice cream for dessert. We walked up to the table of lasagna, I looked at Ryan with a very scared face. I was preparing myself to get food poisoning by eating it. Ew. BUT nothing happened and I'm alive. Then there was a gift exchange for the kids and the adults by reading one of those stories that if you say, right or left in the book, you pass the gift right or left...capiche? We walked out of there with toasted macaroons and a bag of dark chocolate Hershey kisses. We took a picture with one of the girls we teach in our Sunday School class, Andrea. She is going to Utah over Christmas so we won't see her again!

Ryan wearing his cute vest from Gap we got for $9

we are still here

Ryan and I feel like there isn't much to blog about right now. We have 2 weeks left in North Carolina. Time has FLOWN by. I'm not sure what has happened since the wedding in August up until now, but all of a sudden it's December and I have to think about packing! We are very excited to drive up to Chicago on the 27th and spend a week with Ryan's family. They are planning a fun week for us! and I've never been to Chicago! I am excited! We are ready to move out of my parents house (even though they are Saints to have us here) but we need to move on!

I don't have any fun pictures of us, but here is Sophie in her new favorite spot in the house.

Elder Wirthlin

Elder Wirthlin died yesterday, December 1st, at his home in Salt Lake City, UT. He was the oldest living Apostle. He was 91 years old. His wife, Elisa, died in 2006. What a beautiful reunion that must have been.

Elder Wirthlin was one of my favorite Apostles. I looked forward to hearing him speak every General Conference. My favorite talk from him was in the Oct 2006 General Conference address entitled "Dark Friday, Bright Sunday."

He says at his conclusion, "No matter how dark our Friday, Sunday will come."

my cute mom

My mom went into Macy's today to exchange something and I guess this lady behind her said, "I really love your SEVEN jeans..." my mom then went onto say, "These aren't Sevens...I got them at Costco."

So after she told me this she goes, "I'm just proud of myself that I knew what Seven's were!" She is a babe. and Go Costco for making some HOT jeans!

turkey? no thanks

It is still a mystery to everyone why I do not eat turkey. My cousins Katie and Cari came to San Diego years ago when we lived there to spend Thanksgiving with us. I guess my dad and I got in a big argument and I, of course being 13, stormed off and didn't eat dinner. Since then (it's been 9 years) I haven't had turkey since. No explanation. I wish I gave up something substantial like chocolate or ice cream...

Anyways. We had a wonderful week! Tuesday night, my brother David and his wife Tiffany and their 21 month old Benjamin, drove up from Jacksonville and met us in Columbia, South Carolina to take my brother Jared through the Temple for the first time. (he is leaving for the MTC in 15 days...YAY!). We had a great night! The session was packed and the spirit was so strong. I love the Temple. We all crashed Tuesday night when we got back to the house.

Both Ryan and I had to work early Wednesday morning but I was able to get off at 12pm. I was SO tired from the day before I took a 4 hr nap, HAHA! Perfect time to get up and eat dinner and Ryan was just pulling up! Wednesday we busted out the ping pong table. I am no expert, but it was fun. My dad kicked everyones butts!


my dad and brother, david

Thursday was a wonderful day! We ate, and ate, and ate....

my sis-in-law Tiffany, brother David, and Ryan and I

Benjamin, my nephew enjoying the beater full of frosting

On Friday, I had to work at the Gap. O the dreaded Black Friday. It wasn't
bad at all! I was okay going in. But, my parents ordered take-out PF Changs (yes please!) and we built a bonfire down by the lake. We had a blast! I forgot my camera at the house so we don't have any document memories...but it will be hard to forget that night! Here is a great candid of me eating PF.

And Christmas is in 3 weeks! My sister, Jillian is flying into town!!! YAY! I can't wait to see her. And on the 27th, Ryan and I are heading up to Chicago! and then onto Rexburg!