Christmas Decorating, Sugar Cookies, and Family Time

Greg and I have had an amazing Christmas season. We really wanted to get into the Christmas spirit this year and remember Christ. We tried to read a story of Christ from the Bible every night so we could remember what He did for us. He is our Savior, and we owe Him everything we have. Along with that, we also wanted our house to feel very warm and Christmasy. So we decided to decorate our house!

This is our ridiculous tree stand. We got our tree from D.I. for like 10 bucks, but it was missing part of the stand. Greg constructed a makeshift stand. Even though it looks pretty ridiculous, it's pretty good, huh?

We also made some delicious sugar cookies! We didn't have a cookie cutter, so we cut them all out with a knife. Along with the cookies, Greg made some other walnut ball cookie things, and I made some Oreo truffles. I think we bit off more than we could chew with those cookies. By the end of the night, we were exhausted. It was a lot of work. But our sweets were delicious!

 One night during December, we went to Salt Lake to see "Savior of the World" with Greg's family at the Conference Center. It was a nice production, and we had a nice time with the family. Afterward, we walked around City Creek, and came across these huge ornaments made out of candy in front of Macy's. These things were so cool!

I love the Christmas season. I mean, I don't know who doesn't. But it's such a fun, exciting, and wonderful time. I especially love listening to Christmas music. I can't wait until next year!

Thanksgiving At Home

We went back home to my parents' house for Thanksgiving this year. We had a really fun time! On our way down, we stopped near Barstow and headed out to Johnson Valley to go dirtbiking with my family. We seriously had a blast. We even got to ride in a Razor. Greg is a crazy driver, just so you know. Here are some pictures of the fun we had!

We rode out to a cave in the side of a mountain. It was pretty creepy, and I was afraid the ceiling would cave in at any moment. There was a little well inside, as well. It was probably about 30 feet deep. I did not enjoy it at all.

Dad was kind of a weirdo. But I love him anyway.

After the desert, we headed down to Garden Grove. I miss that place, but more importantly, I really miss my family. We had a really fun time watching what seemed like 100 of Ann Marie's soccer games, and we played a lot of games. Thanksgiving day was great too, and the food was delicious, thanks to my mom and grandma. I really love going down to my home. I miss my family all the time. Until next time!

Just Have a Little Faith

Well, I just wanted to get on here and talk about some things that are important to me.

I have really struggled lately. I have felt so down in the dumps and stressed and upset and overwhelmed and tired and the list goes on and on. These aren't good feelings to have, obviously. I've really struggled to see the good in my life. I've had a hard time being grateful for things that I have and for the people I have in my life.

The worst part about it was that I was trying so hard to do the right things. I felt like I was on the right path, but for some reason I couldn't seem to be happy. How can I possibly be feeling like this? This thought crossed my mind over and over again.

Well, the first thing that popped into my mind was, "Oh, it's just your hormones." But that just didn't seem like a good enough answer. That didn't seem like it should be my rationalization for feeling and acting this way. I just wouldn't let that be my reason.

I finally opened up and talked to Greg. Up until this point, I just figured I was doing everything in my power to do what was right, but, seemingly, to no avail. But after talking to Greg, I realized that I had some pride that I needed to get rid of. That I have some things I can definitely do better.

I realized that I needed to work harder (even though I felt like I was being pushed to the limits). I knew that I had to push myself even further, not physically or mentally, but spiritually. I realized that God was trying to stretch me and help me grow by giving me a really hard week in school and by having me feel uncomfortable. He was trying to get me to change and be better.

Well, I felt like I failed. I had been given a chance to prove myself, that I could get through hard things with a good attitude. But I didn't.

But life is full of hardships and bad attitudes and imperfect people, including myself. I am learning how to make it in this crazy thing called life. I'm going to have bad days, and I'm going to have good days. But having a good attitude, even in those hardest of times, makes it so much easier to bear.

I think God is closer than ever to us on those hard days. It's our job to open up and turn toward Him.

Faith is the key.

Caramel Apples

On Halloween night, Greg and I stayed home to pass out some candy (we actually had a lot of trick-or-treaters), and we also made some caramel apples! It was a lot of fun. I've never actually made them before (of course, I've had them from like Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory). It was a fun process, even though we didn't exactly do it right. Greg said if you do it right, it supposedly takes a really long time, so we just microwaved the caramel and the chocolate, and did it that way. I'm not an expert, so I just went with it.

Unwrapping the little caramels!

Yummy!

Mmmm... That chocolate was so good.

Once again, the chocolate was so good.

Our finished product!

Halloween was very fun this year! We listened to Halloween music (there isn't a lot to choose from when it comes to this type of music) and loved passing out candy too. The chocolate covered caramel apples weren't bad either ;]

Happy Halloween!

Christmas Card Pictures

On Saturday, Greg, Karina, and Savannah came down to Provo. We went to a beautiful park and took pictures for our Christmas Cards. Greg and Karina had a good camera to take pictures with. There was a little river, a bridge, and leaves everywhere! I think we got some good ones.

Greg, Karina, and Savannah got some good ones too, among the many pictures we took. I don't think Savannah was too happy about posing for the camera...

Finally, we got her to enjoy herself, and she played in the leaves. It was so cute!

 

Just look how happy she is!

She is seriously such a doll!

I'm a little hesitant to put the picture I think we want to use on here. I want it to be a surprise when you actually get the card! So be watching for it!

Pumpkin Carving Party

Well, we had our annual pumpkin carving night last night. It was a lot of fun! I'm glad that we can make this a tradition in our family. Greg, as usual is a professional at making his pumpkin look amazing. Last year, his Voldemort pumpkin blew my dumb happy smiling face (which I even messed up on its tooth) out of the water! This year, I did a little bit better: I carved a zombie coming out of a coffin. Greg carved the face of Jack Skellington. It was a lot of fun!

 

 

Look at that cute face...

Of course, we had baked pumpkin seeds.

Now here's my masterpiece. Better than last year, that's for sure!

And here's Greg's. He always does a great job.

We had a great time together doing this.

 

We can't wait for next year's pumpkin carving party! 

Happy Halloween!