Our First Christmas

Getting to share Christmas with Matt was perfect and special in every way!!

Everyone was so happy that the Burch family was able to come to Utah for Christmas. I miss Annalyn a lot so the more time I can get with her and her cute family the better! Matt took the family flying...

We went bowling one night and in the arcade section of the alley was a "hurricane simulator"

Addalyn LOVED it and Aiden well...

He loved it at first but then his excitement turned to panic poor lil guy.

Matt took me on a drive around his hometown one night to check out the lights.

This house was just INCREDIBLE! This man has carved and painted all of these fabulous Disney characters to adorn his lawn...talk about the festive spirit!!! I hope Matt and I are at least half as fun once we have a place to decorate. 

Christmas Eve was spent with my side of the family where we had a blast hanging out and swapping gifts. The Ellison crew had us over for a great lunch and awesome cake decorating session. Bart ended up dueling with a goat (I will post pics when I find them). My mom's side is HUGE so we end up partying at the local community center which is always fun and big kudos to my cousin Jared for party organizing, no small task with this rowdy lot.

Christmas Day was spent with Matt's cute family. It was fun to learn new traditions, I especially enjoyed wearing my santa hat and getting my very own stocking that is positively darling! 

I am so sad I don't have shots of the puppies enjoying all of their gifts but here is a snapshot of George "assisting" my mother-in-law with the baking!

Jazz Game

Basketball is right up there with baseball on my list of least favorite sports, so when Matt told me his parents had scored tickets to the Jazz game I was a bit apprehensive...

 I decided to give it a chance and surprisingly enough I had a BLAST! The game itself was a lot of fun to watch but I have to say Matt's reaction was the best. He looked like a child let loose in the world biggest candy shop on a puppy adoption day.

 The gentleman below is Larry. Matt made it his mission to become buds with Larry. Quite comical to watch.

 I mean this in the nicest way possible but professional athletes are freaks. NBA players are GINORMOUS freaks of nature (physically speaking, again no offense). 

                                    Freakishly tall & Freakishly wide big buff shoulders

 You see the cute lil feller in the 20 jersey to the right? That is Gordon Hayward...you just want to give the kid a hug. He is my favorite. Yes, Matt has already pointed out that he sucks DONT BE MEAN TO MY HAYWARD...he is sensitive. Thanks.

Don't ask me why but I root for my favorite players and by default their current team becomes my favorite team. Yes I know sacrilege but I can't help it. I think the Manning brothers are dolls therefore I love the Colts and Giants are my number 2. Other than that I just enjoy football. David Beckham is just well David Beckham so Go Galaxy! I like Hayward, Humphries, and Odom so now that I am pro NBA I feel really conflicted when Kris takes my Hayward to school on the court. 

 This just makes me smile. What in the world is this sweet lil ol Grandpa going to do if crazies storm the court?! Larry, Gramps needs backup!

Morale of the story: DON'T MAKE FUN OF MY HAYWARD. and basketball ain't that bad...in fact I kinda like it but shhh do NOT tell Matt ;)

Happy Thanksgiving

I do my best to be grateful everyday but it is always a little easier to be so around Thanksgiving. So in the spirit of the holiday I am going to share some of the things (in no particular order) I am most grateful for...

1. My Husband

Matt is such an incredible person, smart, funny, forgiving, supportive, and my best friend. I am so incredibly thankful for every minute I get to spend with him.

2. Family 

I have been blessed with such an incredible family that I am so immensely grateful for. It is a rather large family I could go through and brag on each and every member but I run the risk of leaving one out on accident or running out of room on this post so I will sum it up in what I love most about my family as a whole. My family loves unconditionally, are incredibly supportive, and bring such joy and laughter to my life.

3. Animals

I ADORE animals and have had horses and dogs throughout my whole entire life. My first dog Magoo was my one of my best friends growing up. He was my partner in crime always ready to tag along for whatever adventure I would cook up with the other neighborhood kids. He was my protector against snakes, my snuggling comforter when sad, and my number one playmate when lonely. I am so grateful for Magoo and all of the other dogs I have had the opportunity to bond with since. Tex was the first horse that was my very own. In my experience that special bond isn't as easy to form with horses but once you form it, it something to cherish. Tex was that horse for me, we were so in tune that I got to a point where I never really had to give a command and he could just sense what I wanted from my body language and go. I would build blanket forts in the pasture and read while Tex grazed next to me. I always treasured the moments that he would lay down by me and let me lean against him reading while he took a nap. I feel so lucky to have had this bond growing up and am so grateful that I married a man who was able to experience this bond with his dogs Trek, Wrigley, and Alonzo. I am thankful that we both feel strongly about continuing to have this bond in our lives together. 

4. The Lord

On this I could go on and on his blessings are innumerable and I am so grateful for each and every one. I think Marilyn Ferguson's poem sums it up fairly well.

To God, I'm Thankful

I’m thankful for each strand of hair
That grows upon my head
I’m thankful for the clothes I wear
And for a nice warm bed.

I’m thankful for the caring friends
Who make me feel so glad
I’m thankful for a doctor’s care
When I am feeling bad.

I’m thankful for my family
Who cheer me when I’m blue
I’m thankful for the U.S.A.
And for our soldiers too.

I’m thankful for the gentle rains
That fall upon the earth
I’m thankful for the life it brings
And for a baby’s birth.

I’m thankful for a sky of red
In early morning light
I’m thankful for the setting sun
And for the stars at night.

I’m thankful for a place to pray
And for the books I read
I’m thankful for a loving God
Who meets my every need.

Well I am off to take a pre black friday nap, hope your Turkey Day was GREAT!

Arizona

Matt and I decided to go to AZ to visit my dad, stepmom, & Zander and to watch the Utes kill the Wildcats.

Adios Wildcats!!!!

Utes win 34-21 it was a fun game to watch!!!!!!

**As a side note if you ever find yourself on UofA campus go to Miss Saigon. Heaven in your mouth**

Oh how I love me some spring rolls!!

Me and Zanman chillaxin by the pool like good ol times.
(yes, I realize my roots are in dire need of a touch up)

 Now this sweet girl is Maya. She is new to the family but I already love her.

 Oh Zander, how I love you!

You can't take pics of a Rhodesian Ridgeback without snapping the ridge!

Hahahahaha This blurry snapshot is the only pic I was able to get (due to my uncontrollable laughter) of Maya tearing off around the house with Matt's football ticket. She thought being chased by Matt was great fun but I am not sure Matt agreed.

She gave him "sorry for stealing your ticket" kisses afterwards.

We had a great time with Barbie, my dad, and the puppies only wish it could have been longer!

Puppy!

Matt's parents are in the Guide Dog Puppy Raising Program and just got a new puppy! Matt and I were able to go when they picked up their puppy, it was quite an experience.

There were a few different families waiting on the puppy truck and you could feel the excitement once it arrived.

 Here are Matt's cute parents waiting for the first glimpse of their new puppy. At this point all we know is that it is a black male and his name starts with a "G".

I spy with my little eye...a cute little puppy!!

I will give you one guess on who guessed his name...

Meet George!!!

 Ahh two handsome boys

Now a puppy post ain't complete without....

Wrigley!

Alonzo!

and Zander!

Fall Break Getaway

This semester has been a stressful one I have never been happier for a school break. It gave me a chance to relax, catch up on sleep, and be whisked away to Sun Valley by my amazing husband. 

Sun Valley is INCREDIBLE!!!

 Matt and I rented bikes and rode to Ernest Hemingway's memorial.

Matt fed the swans as I kept a safe distance. I attempted to tell him how vicious big birds can be but he just laughed...

Then the swan reared up and....

I cowered while Matt laughed harder and tossed bread.

Now big ol "Donald" the duck is my kind of big bird. I enjoyed feeding these lil fellers. 

Like all vacations this one wasn't long enough but I am so grateful for my wonderful husband who planned this surprise getaway for both of us. I am so lucky!