One Crazy Weekend.

Thanksgiving was anything but restful this year. Thanksgiving weekend started out nice because I had work off starting on Wednesday and I was able to relax before the storm. Thursday we woke up bright and early ready to get the apple pie and yams made that were on my list of things to bring to the big dinner. I was taking my time making these things when I suddenly realized we were late to meet my mom and of course that makes her stressed and then tension is running high. We made it to Orem only a few minutes late to have dinner with my family and my moms extended family. After a few too many helpings we played a the "name" game. I had a blast. Justin was dragged into it, but at the end he had to admit it was an "okay" game. We left Orem and came home to our house in time to say Happy Thanksgiving to the in-laws before they left. Even though it was early 9pm Justin and I decided to go to bed because we were going to wake up and do Black Friday Shopping. Most everything we wanted was at Office Max so we woke up at three at got to office max around 4am to be third in line. This year we decided to just do couple gifts for Christmas so we bought us a new camera, external hard drive and a paper shredder. Merry Christmas to us. After that we made a few stops at Wal-Mart and Circuit City and Best Buy where we scored a few movies, some memory for the camera and photoshop elements 6 (Thanks Rachel) . After an exhausting morning we went straight home and got our snow stuff to drive to the Uintah's to cut down our Christmas tree. I of course am a perfectionist and last year ended up crying because I could not find the perfect tree on our first Christmas being married. This year I was a little more laid back, but still wanted a fuller tree than the in-laws settled for. Justin finally found me the best tree. We immediately cut it down and hauled it back to the truck.
Sometimes the best things come in large packages. This tree was definitely large. It was around 9 feet tall and five feet or more wide at the bottom. I personally love how big it is and after we cut it down to fit in the basement and had Justin drill some branches into the bare spots it was perfect. Saturday we dipped chocolates from 10 until 4. I have never seen so much chocolate at once. Also all you want to do is lick your fingers the whole time because they are covered in ooey gooey chocolate. We made cherry cordials, covered caramels, chocolate covered strawberries, orange fondant, lemon fondant, peanut clusters, and haystacks. At the end of the day we each went home with a large amount of chocolates.

Sled Fest 2007

At least once a year, our group of friends tries to go up to Brighton Ski Resort after dark to go sledding. We sled down a run that ends up at the parking lot. Last year there was so much snow you would sled all the way to the parking lot and then several feet on the lot. This year we were hoping for at least a couple of inches of snow but alas it was man made snow that had turned to ice. You would think that we would be smart and drive back home but no, we ditched the sleds and used our bottoms to go down the ice. We quickly discovered that if you dug your heels in they provided a sufficient braking system to slow you down before a ditch that Brandon P. said didn't feel to good crashing into. After several times going down the hill we ended back up at the parking lot to enjoy a nice cup of hot chocolate. The other wives were sitting in the car and did not participate in the bum sledding.

Lazy Sunday Afternoons

One thing I still can not get used to is the fact that I don't have to stress about Monday coming on Sunday night. I was so use to relaxing until around six and then freaking out about what homework I didn't do or driving back to school from home that I forgot what it is like to just sit at home and really have nothing of great importance to do on a Sunday evening. I am loving this.

I LOVE HOLIDAY DESSERTS

I am horrible about eating smaller portions around the holiday's because I love all the desserts so much. I found this Turtle Pumpkin Pie in the Kraft Magazine and I love pumpkin and I love pie so I just had to try it out. It is filled with whip cream, caramel, cup of pumpkin, milk, and jello instant pudding mix. Top it with pecans and you have one sweet treat. Here is a look at how mined turned out and a look at what the magazine says it should look like. Theres looks a little better but you can eat mine.

Looking Good

It has been raining pretty much all day today making it necessary to don specific clothing when going out to feed the horses. Muddy fields and rain required Justin's over boots and the nearest coat I could find. I am still wearing my skirt from church. I think it just completes the ensemble.

Christmas Shopping

I love and hate this time of year. I love the holiday's and all the family togetherness, but I hate trying to figure out what everyone wants. This year my husband has got me stumped. I have a couple of ideas all of which are more than we have set in our budget. Two of the three he would love but would use only a couple a times a year. The other would be a big distraction but he would use it often. Do any of you other wives have any good ideas, if so let me know.

Sharing Germs

One thing that Justin and I did not experience last winter was continually getting each other sick, it looks like we are starting early this year. Since September we have shared colds, bronchitis, fevers and just plain being sick of blowing our noses. We have had the humidifier going for the past two weeks. I have never had a flu shot in my life, but I am starting to think with being this sick already and working with very small children I might want to do that this year.