Christmas Time

Wow I can't believe how quickly the time passes! I am finally updating my blog only a month overdue ;) What a wonderful Christmas we had. This year was actually pretty relaxing - we didn't have too much hustle and bustle going on which was a nice change. We decided to forgo much of the present giving again this year in exchange for Angel Tree giving etc. I have become a big fan of of this approach to Christmas: it eliminates stress, saves money, and I like to think it helps mitigate the materialistic cluster that Christmas has become. It helps puts things into perspective and allows you to focus on what is truly important. I have posted some pictures from Christmas get-togethers throughout the season. We had a great time spending extra time with family and friends! Although very belated...Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!

Turkey

So I know this is a little belated, but I wanted to post a few pics from Thanksgiving. It was such a wonderful day! Thankfully we were able to celebrate early with Jesse's family so we didn't have to run around and eat two dinners this year which was really nice (and it meant twice the amount of leftovers). Let me just reiterate how much I love this holiday - my mom's homemade sticky buns, watching the dog show, turkey, my pop's incredible stuffing, friends, family, drinks galore and games! My favorite things! I can't wait for next Thanksgiving already.

Gratitude

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I couldn’t be more excited ... and not just for my pop’s stuffing, or my mom’s pies, or Susan’s home-made rolls. I am excited because Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, a holiday that’s message I hope we can all carry throughout the year. A time to really think about all you have to be grateful for and appreciate all of the “goodness” in your life. For the past two years or so I have actively been trying to practice the “attitude of gratitude” by keeping a gratitude journal and focusing on being positive. It has made such a difference in my life and I encourage everyone to try it. By focusing on the positive and expressing gratitude you will be amazed at how easy it can be to keep the warm & fuzzies with you all the time! And during those times when we hit a rough patch, and we all do, looking at past entries in your journal can really help put things back in focus. So as Thanksgiving comes around this year take a moment to spread the joy by expressing gratitude: to your family for such wonderful memories, to your spouse for working so hard, to your kids for sharing their thoughts, to the stranger for holding the door open, to your waitress, to your sister for always having good advice, to grocery man, your neighbor....you get the idea ;)

“In daily life we must see that it is not
happiness that makes us grateful,
but GRATEFULNESS that makes us HAPPY"

University of Utah Football

Go Utes!!

Jesse and I were lucky enough to attend the big Utah vs. TCU game last Thursday. Although it was bitter cold, it was an incredible game and we had a TON of fun.

Happy Election Day!!

Happy Election Day!!

Not that anyone I know needs to be reminded to vote today, but I wanted share this list just the same. Don’t take your right to vote for granted - it is an important honor that not everyone in the world has the privilege to do. So no matter whom you decide to vote for today, get out, vote and make a difference!

Ten Reasons to Get Out and VOTE:

1. Voting is the cornerstone of every great democracy

2. Voting helps shape local, state, and federal public policy

3. Voting expresses your opinion and shows you care

4. Your vote will help to determine the future, YOUR future (taxes, environment, health care, poverty, social security, foreign policy, etc.)

5. You will be making history

6. You don't want to regret the opportunity ...

7. If you don't vote, you can't complain - you have an opportunity to express your voice DO IT!

8. Be a good example to our children, grandchildren - your vote helps shape their future

9. Because EVERY vote counts - the 2000 election showed how close it can really get

10. Vote to honor those who fought and struggled for our right to express ourselves, civil rights, women's suffrage, immigrant rights, our countries freedom and supported the ideals of "JUSTICE for ALL"

First Wedding Anniversary

I can't believe how quickly the time flies! Jesse and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary on Sept. 15, 2008 in Yellowstone National Park. We had an amazing time! The weather was perfect, the hiking was beautiful, saw a lot of animals, ate a lot, relaxed a lot, it could not have been a better trip. Wait, strike that...Jesse claims it would have been the perfect trip if we would have had a chance encounter with a bear. I on the other hand, was perfectly content just admiring the bears in the travel books.

Worth The Wait

So it has been a very long process (most of you know what I mean by "very long") but definitely worth the wait ... our bathroom remodel is finished and looks beautiful! I am so proud of Jesse!! He has done almost all of the work by himself and has learned so much along the way. We have had more than one comment about how professional everything looks. I guess it's good to know that Jess has a back-up profession option if engineering ever falls through. :)

Here we go...

With all the busy schedules of friends and family, it can be difficult to keep in touch with everyone as much as I would like. So, I decided to join the online craze and set up a family blog. I am not sure what I'm doing but here we go . . .