Christmas 2010

Christmas is over?!  How could time fly so fast?  I realize this will be a lame post since my camera was dead for 99% of the holiday but I will try and describe everything in great detail (kidding).  Most of these pictures aren't very clear because I took them with my iPhone.   First of all...an update.  We went to John's work party at Castle Manner a while back and I didn't get around to posting the one picture I took.  It was a fun time though I was bummed that I didn't win the Xbox 360 with Kinect.  (Especially since I had purchased one already for John for Christmas and could have sent it back)  

John got off of work early on Thursday before Christmas which was AWESOME!  I had fun while he was working with my mom making Christmas gifts for her neighbors.  I got some cute sparkly tissue paper to wrap up some cookie dough.  Super easy and turned out darling!

I also decided John and I needed first-year-of-marriage stockings and since I couldn't find ANY cute fabric in Logan, I resorted to buying simple pre-made stockings and sewing our names on.  I chose this method because my parents have stockings from their first year of marriage that my great grandma made them...with their names in sequins. I also bought beads to sew a big snowflake on each one but ended up not having time.  Guess I'll save that for next year!  I had fun listening to my niece Mia read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to my parents on the kitchen floor while I worked.

 

We started out Christmas Eve by singing at the rest homes.  It is a family tradition and I loved sharing it with John.  He was a good sport and sang a couple of duets with me.  We then tried to find a restaurant for breakfast without an hour long wait.  We ended up at Village Inn. After a short nap at our place we headed out for grocery shopping with my dad.  Another tradition in the Ballam family.  All the kids go to the store and pick out their favorite meal (we make them all for a huge feast that night) while my mom stays home and cleans.  For some reason she loves this tradition.  Haha.  Anyway, John and I went all over town looking for Guarana, a traditional Brazilian soda that Nick requested we buy.  We couldn't find it anywhere.  Luckily John made his famous eggnog which was a delicious replacement.  We had fun opening presents and doing a little concert.  Yet another tradition we do for my mom each year.  John even played the piano and sang at the same time.  So impressive!  We slept on the couch in the basement of my parents house that night with my niece, nephew, sister and brother in law.  The others chickened out this year and slept in beds.  (John and I were both sore in the morning and wishing we'd followed suit)  Christmas morning was full of aebelskivers, candy, presents and sleepiness!  We tend to get up a few hours earlier when the kids stay over, though I'm not complaining.  It was perfect. We headed to my grandma Ballam's for our annual House-A-Fire battle.  John and I didn't do too great and only ended up with one gift card each.  Better practice up for next year!  We rounded out the night watching Tron at our apartment with some of my siblings before heading for our annual late night Christmas Beto's trip.  We are full of traditions at our house! 

The partying continued through today.  John and I used our one night's stay at the Marriott and took advantage of their hot tub.  We also had a nice dinner at Elements before.  To top off a romantic evening we went back to our room and watched Tommy Boy.  So classy.  So fun!  Though we wanted to hit up the continental breakfast we overslept.  Guess we'll have to return someday to check it out.  (I did take 4 suckers from a bowl at the front desk to make up for it)

Christmas was different but wonderful this year.  John is my best gift.  I am so lucky to have such a perfect person as my husband.  He makes me happy every day.  I couldn't ask for more!  (Though the new clothes and sleigh bed were nice too ;))

Where Are You Christmas?

I have officially been doing homework for 6 hours tonight and decided it is time for a break!  I have been thinking a lot about Christmas this year and how things have changed so much for me since last year.  It seems like it was JUST Christmas and I was performing with Pickleville Playhouse.  This year I am far too busy to even sing a note!  As far as John and I go, last year at this time he was hoping I'd finally agree to marry him.  I was still a little freaked out at the idea, having other boys on my mind, but definitely loved him a lot.  I never would have imagined that I would be married in less than a year!  I am so thankful that John was patient with me last year so that I could have him to myself this year :)

I feel a little bit like Cindy Lou Who as I contemplate how Christmas is different when you are "grown up".  This year since I am now married will be much different.  Though we will be spending the holiday with my family, the present giving situation will be much different.  My parents are no longer giving me gifts to unwrap but instead giving me a check.  This will be a huge blessing to me since John and I just moved into a much nicer apartment and the cost reflects the niceness.  Isn't it funny that I am excited to pay rent for my Christmas present?  My gift giving will also be a little different due to lack of funds.  It is amazing how expensive it is to be married!  Hopefully I can stay within budget but still find great presents for my siblings.

The hardest part is not buying everything that I want to give to John.  He has been the greatest blessing to me and I want to give him the best Christmas possible.  However, since I am not able to work this semester I have to use the money that he is earning to buy his presents.  Seems a little weird to me.  Hopefully he will love what I got him and not be too mad at what I spent ;)  John is seriously the best. I love him more every day and feel so blessed to have him in my life.

Anyway, that is my two cents about a grown up Christmas.  I am excited that I have nieces and nephews to share it with.  Christmas is so fun with the little tykes!  :)  John and I were supposed to get some Christmas pictures taken but have been too busy so I will have to post an old pic to go with this post!  This is us in 2006 before the LHS Christmas dance.  :)

I Miss This...

Thinking back on my last 20.5 years there are a few moments that stand out in my life.  Most of them come from September 3rd, 2010.  I am so blessed!

Thanksgiving Time!

Thanksgiving has never been one of my favorite holidays but this year I was definitely ready for a break!  Life is so crazy these days with work, school, apartment hunting etc.  I feel like I never see John and when I do I am in a rush to do something or grumpy about doing homework.  Thankfully we both got a few days to relax. 

Our break unofficially began Tuesday night around 5:30 when John got sent home from work because of the approaching blizzard.  However they sent him home too late and it was already too snowy for him to make it up Mountain Road, let alone up my parents' street.  So he parked a few blocks away at the stake center and climbed up the hill.  He had holes in his shoes so I hiked down the hill and met him with a pair of boots.  It was fun to have him home and I was happy he was safe in our not-so-safe car.

The next day they let him come in early and only work a half day so he was done around 4.  I spent the day cooking with my mom since I knew I wouldn't get another chance this Thanksgiving.  When John got home we headed to Park City.  It was too slick for our bald tires so we drove through Tremonton and stopped in Centerville to switch to his dad's truck.  Thank goodness!  We made it to Park City around 9.  John's parents' rented a really nice house with lots of bedrooms to fit us all.  John and I had fun watching the Jazz and hitting they hay early.  Thanksgiving was an interesting one.  I loved being with John (our first Thanksgiving meal together in all the years we've been together) but it was hard to not be with  my family.  I have dreaded that part of getting married for years.  I hate the thought of not being with them on Christmas but luckily I can face that obstacle when it comes next year :)  We also went and saw "Tangled" which was adorable!  (Luckily, since my parents have tickets for us to see it again this Saturday).  John and I also tried out the hottub at the house in the FREEZING outdoors!

Friday we spent the day shopping around the outlets and then getting new tires on our car in Centerville.  Then we headed to Training Table and rounded out the night perfectly with the Jazz vs Lakers game! (Need I say more)

We contemplated going home Saturday but decided to stick around and see my brother in law Stefan before he went to the airport.  We met them at a funny restaurant called Bucca de Beppo where we all ate way too much and enjoyed each other's company.  After that we did a little Christmas shopping and met up with Ruth and Forrest for a fun dinner at The Melting Pot.  Definitely one of my new favorite restaurants!!!  We didn't want to face the music (school/work) in Logan so we stayed one more night with the Blair's in Centerville and headed home Sunday.  Now back to reality!  This year I am Thankful for my husband... and a break from school! :)

Finally!

After many, many years of attending the Anderson's Seed and Garden Christmas Open House John and I FINALLY won something!!!  I had been in earlier this fall to put our names in for the drawing and have been watching the newspaper for drawing slips.  We also went early to the open house to buy some stuff to be able to get more drawing slips.  We had a grand total of 7 slips with our names on them entered in different drawings.  John really wanted the food smoker and I really wanted the one night/dinner for two at the Marriott.  We also entered in for a night at an inn at Bear Lake and passes to Beaver.  Anyway, John ended up winning the dinner and hotel that I wanted and I couldn't have been more excited!  We have to use it before December 30th so we are planning on going after Christmas :)

I also had a fun time at my aunt Lila's annual Wreath Party.  It is a fun girl's craft night that I look forward to all year.  This year I decided I had too many wreaths so Ester and I bought some other crafts.  We also made white boards that turned out really cute.  So nice to take a break from school and visit with family.

After the wreath party I went to bed for an hour or two before John came home.  I then took another short nap before we headed to the movie theater for HARRY POTTER at 3 am.  It was so amazing.  I loved it.  Definitely my favorite of all the movies so far!!!

Let it Snow!

I can't believe I'm saying it but the snow in the mountains makes me smile every time I see it.  It makes me feel like Christmas is around the corner. 

This weekend was a fun but stressful one.  John and I had to move out of our apartment on Friday which was CRAZY because John worked all day.  His dad came up to help us move all the big stuff which was so helpful.  Saturday morning he came up again and helped us box everything up.  If I learned anything from this experience it is to keep boxes!  Having the box for my pans and china would have been so nice.  We also found mold in the livingroom, kitchen, bathroom and closet.  The closet was the worst because it was all over our shoes etc.  I have a feeling they will be going straight in the trash.  :(  We got mostly done with Forrest's help but ended up having to finish today.  (Not the greatest Sunday activity I know but we are paying rent every day we are there)  I am incredibly disappointed in having to move, especially because of the way our landlord handled it.  I do NOT like being lied to so I will be glad to eventually find an apartment with an honest landlord. 

After packing we HURRIED to Centerville, met up with John's mom and headed to Orem.  We were able to make it just in time to see the Scarlet Pimpernel at the Hale Center Orem.  It was awesome!  I am always impressed with their productions.  After that we stopped at Tai Pan and then met up with John's sister and her husband for the Christmas Expo which was fun.  John got a hat and I got a cute little snowman.  Then we ate dinner at the Mayan which is always a treat.  We watched a movie after and got home around 2 am.  Needless to say it was difficult waking up this morning!  But oh so fun!

ONE more week til Thanksgiving.  I am so lucky to have professors who are cancelling class the week of Thanksgiving.  The only class I have that week is my Monday evening class!  YIPPEE!!!  Time for Christmas decorations and pumpkin pie!  If only John and I had an apartment to decorate...

Surprise!

So...I have had a cold/flu for about 2 weeks. John has also been extremely sick and our poor dog has been coughing. Friday night we figured out why. After living in our muggy apartment for 2 months I decided I couldn't handle it anymore and I went to open the window. This is what I found.
Dirt? Guess again. Mold. I have more nasty pictures but for the sake of the internet community I will refrain from posting them. This disgusting stuff was all over the window, baseboards and the carpet was soaked. It makes sense that I was more sick than John because it was mostly all on my side of the bed. It also explains why when I stayed home in bed to get better I ended up feeling 10 times worse!

Anyway, we packed up our stuff that night and moved back in with my parents. We talked to our landlord today and he wants us moved out by Friday. Not sure how that will work since we have nowhere to go and John and I are never home long enough to pack a suitcase, let alone an entire apartment. But somehow we always seem to work these things out. We are desperately looking for a new apartment, so far with no luck. I have a feeling we will be living with my parents til Christmas or later. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!! Happy 2 month anniversary to us!