Christmas Eve

How grateful I am to have family near by especially during the holidays. I love that my sisters and I have shared in the same traditions for years and now we get to see the traditions pass to a new generation with my sister Shauna's kids! It was so fun to see them light up as we sang songs during Santa's arrival or get drawn into the story of Christ's birth. Love this time of year for what we celebrate and who I get to celebrate with.

Celebrating Christmas in Oregon

Making Cookies with my Mom:
I love the tradition of making cookies with my Mom. As I look back at my childhood I have fond memories of Christmas time and making homemade cookies with my Mom and sisters. We would spend at least a day and make almond roca, spritz, 7-layer bars, and so many others. The smell of cookies, the sound of Christmas music and laughter of family makes it one of my favorite holiday memories of all time and something I would love to do with my future kids someday.





Hanging Around......











Olive Garden.....








The always beyond amazing Christmas dinner.....



Getting ready to go to church.....

The Lights at Temple Square

Gingerbread Houses

This year we did our gingerbread houses in groups and it was so fun. Here is what we came up with!

Team Max & Aunt Lyss:

We went for a crazy all over look and I think we pulled it off well. I was the main icer and Max was our awesome designer/candy placer :)

Team Alexander, Uncles Ross & Aunt Jen:

They went with a more polished look and rocked the Neco roof.

Team Barrett Boy, Far Away Papa & Nana:

They also rocked the Neco roof and threw in some nice landscaping.

Here is the lady that makes the party happen! (*Thanks for awesome time Tim & Shauna)

Little lady Jacq doing what a two year old does best....making a mess!!! I mean frosting cookies ;)

Here is our crazy fun group!!!

Sledding in Park City

Love sledding! The kids are adorable even when they are freezing and the adults are crazy. I might have had snow shoved up my nose and down my back by a certain brother in law....I will have my revenge! Thanks Ross & Jen for the party in Park City :)

40 Things You Are Going To Wish You Could Forget About Me!!!

5 things I was doing 10 years ago. 1. I was in 8th grade at Rainier Junior High, out in the sticks of all sticks 2. Figuring out where my boobs came from, it was like they sprouted over night. 3. Reassuring myself that life with braces didn't mean life was over. 4. Praying my family would be okay. 5. Gaining my fair share of baby weight, that was fun to get it off in high school, don't worry I kept some of it.
5 things on my to do list today. 1. Yoga with Shauna (I'm loving it, eventhough it kicks my butt) 2. Lunch with an old friend 3. Clean bathroom, I was really optimistic when I made this list 4. Go to friend's party 5. Ward temple trip to Manti temple (cancelled due to the freakin snow)
5 Snacks I enjoy. 1. Apple Beer 2. Popcorn, no butter I hate it 3. Cereal 4. Wheat thins 5. Hot Chocolate or Frozen Yogurt **depends on the weather.
5 Things I would do if I were a billionaire. 1. Learn to relax 2. Have the ability to be charitable in a way that would truly benefit people, education. 3. Begin a company that focused on my interests and abilities. 4. Plan lots of family trips. 5. Explore other options of creating wealth for others.
5 Bad Habits. 1. I pick my nose in the car and I don't care who is watching. Guys don't always find that a turn on, I get some pretty funny looks. 2. During my morning showers, I sit on the floor of my shower and fall asleep, my roommate Kati doesn't particularly love it because it makes my showers forever long. 3. I hate asking for help, doesn't matter what it is, even if I need it. 4. When I see a zit I have to pop it, it gets really awkward when it's not mine :) 5. I can be really nosy when it's none of my business, I like to be in on the loop.
5 Places I have lived. 1. Washington 2. Utah 3. Now if we were going to count all houses or apartments I lived in, the list would go on and on....I tend to be a mover.
5 Job that I have had. 1. Office b***** (Brooke, Dad, Aunt Karen and Deanna know what that is) 2. A daycamp counselor 3. A receptionist 4. An event planner 5. a project manager
5 things you may not know about me. 1. I love instrumental & classic music and the arts 2. I still have a white silky blanket that was given to me when I was born from my grandparents and I sleep with it when I'm sick and or having a bad day. 3. I crave the rain, love the smell, love the look, love it all. 4. I have a farting phobia, it freaks me out when people fart in front of other people and I have to explain that they just put human feces in the air. (I know I know marriage & being pregnant will be a wake up call) 5. I'm crazy about clutter. Everything has a place after a room is cleaned and there is no clutter.

I tag Brooke, Jen, Mandy, Dad and Joel.

Grinch Name

On my days where I've burned out on Christmas shopping or music, they should call me......Wretchedmonster Wickedshorts. Well that's according to the Grinch name giving website, http://www.yourgeekfriend.com/GrinchName/GrinchName.php. Find out what yours is!

First Snow Fall of the Winter

Alright, I'm guilty of it and I don't even feel bad. I am one of the people that prays for the snow to hold off till February and only snow for a day, a Saturday when I have nothing to do but cozy up on the couch and watch a good movie. I'm all about snow in the mountains but not the roads or sidewalks that I travel daily but Jen lovingly reminded me we live in the mountains.....freakin Utah. Well, low and behold, the snow held out till the first day of December, so I can't complain too much and I hate to admit this part, but it was beautiful and fun to play in, not to mention it snowed on a Saturday. :)