Christmas

Christmas was great! we had a little Christmas morning at our apartment with just the two of us. Here are the pics. I was pretty disappointed we didn't get one with both of us. we were just too excited to open presents. And, as you can see, we went back to my family tradition of getting ready for the day before presents!

Mark got me several new earrings

Mark got a new game!

i am very fierce when i open presents!

Mark got me some booties to keep me warm!

I got Mark some Dutch oven accessories. I didn't know how to wrap this lid lifter, so i thought i would add some humor.

Mark's mom got him this apron along with a Dutch oven for Christmas. so here he is showing it off. yes, those are chaps!

Showing off my new booties!

The back to Mark's apron

Mark with all his new Dutch oven gear. the oven, the case, the liners, the lid lifter, the lid stand, and some tongs!

After presents Wendy came and picked us up and we went up to Sandy to Mark's parents house. We made a glorious breakfast!

Wendy slicing the quiche!

i made these delicious lemon poppy seed pyramid muffins!

The Quiche

Melinda and Alex

Ian playing with his train!

Strauss trying to catch the chickens that got loose

we had a great great day!

Marshmallows

This year Mark and I started a new tradition: making marshmallows. We adopted it from Mark's Grandpa Johnson who used to make them all the time. When the time came for us to make ours we really wanted to make them together, which we did. however, they didn't turn out so well. actually they looked and tasted a bit like Jello Jigglers. gross. (we found out that we did everything right except we used the wrong attachment on my kitchen aid. picky picky picky!)

so for the next attempt Mark had to go solo since i was at work. But, in order to make me feel more involved in our new tradition he recorded it for me! so cute! here it it is.

My Dear, Sweet, Sugar Plum, Love Bug Graduate Girl!

Done, Finished, Complete, All Inclusive, Total. . .Callie is a college graduate. Lucky! Callie, you are so cool, and I am pretty jealous. I am so proud of you! This is big, real big! Why so big? First off, it is just awesome. Second, your textbook buy back money gets to go towards my books. Third, you now have more free time to ski. Fourth, you worked so hard. I have been so impressed how passionate you are about what you are studying. Your papers were amazing, and I have learned a lot from you. The greatest thing I have learned is the importance of seeking the things you are most passionate about. I am excited for our future and for all of the many wonderful things we will do, see, and probably eat together. You are my buddy, my pal, and my love bug. I love you to the fullest!

Here she is off to school for the last time. She doesn't even have to register for classes next semester. So Jealous!

It's Christmas Time in the City!

I've been meaning to post this for a while now, but we got our Christmas tree and other Christmas festivities all set up! Once again, we just got an itty-bitty!

In addition to the tree, i made Mark a new Christmas countdown. If you remember last years, Mark got to open a new "gift" everyday until Christmas, in each gift there was a new coupon to use. This year, there is a new activity/adventure to do everyday! It is so wonderful!

So here is the countdown. Everyday Mark opens a new envelope telling him what we are going to do that day.

so far we have read several Christmas books, had an egg nog taste test, made cookies, gone for a winter walk, and more. (they will get more exciting once we are done with school and have some time!)

For the countdown i got a bunch of wonderful Christmas books from the library

the nativity

the final tree set up

Merry Christmas!

In-N-Out

So, In-N-Out has finally come to Utah. And with this grand occurrence, Mark has been very excited. Although the lines have been atrocious we managed to go once around 11:00 pm when they weren't quite as bad.

Mark has been so excited about In-N-Out that it is even being manifested in my dreams. a couple nights ago i had a dream that Mark wanted to be part of In-N-Out so bad that i found him washing their dishes. I went up to him and asked if he was even being paid for this, to which he replied "yes, I'm getting $2 an hour." Then, the guy washing dishes next to him turned around and said "WHAT??!!! You're getting paid??!!!!" Then this other dishwasher guy got so mad that he started to fight Mark. But my main man can throw a mean punch and that guy was down before he knew what happened! Oh the power of In-N-Out!

Thanks Day

We spent Thanksgiving with Mark's family this year. Here is our day in pictures!

We had Thanksgiving dinner at the American Fork house.

Katrina did all of the decor and set up! It was gorgeous!

the candlelit fireplace

Wendy made these great coloring/activity packets for the kids to color in this room. (they are on the table)

Yummy gumballs!

The hot chocolate station!

The dining tables! My favorite!

MMMMMM!!!

Here is my main man prepping for some yummy dutch oven!

Getting the food!

Mark checking on the progress of his masterpiece!

Wendy and I taking a break from cooking to snap some pics!

My love and me!

After dinner we all played some games.

first we played a Thanksgiving trivia game

Then we moved on to some Thanksgiving pictionary

We had a great time, with great people, and great food!