christmas... months later

Ok. I know I'm really behind in this blogging biznis. But I'm catching up. Right now. With that said, let's go back a couple months to the Christmas season.

I haven't been to Temple Square at Christmas since being a missionary. I think I made up for all those years in between then and now because I think I ended up going up there about 3 or 4 times this year. This is the coolest tree when it's lit up, the Cedar of Lebanon (that's what the tree is called). They only light it every other year... so on the odd number years I guess.

This year I went to Oregon for Christmas to chill with Mic & Steve. Here's Mt Hood as I was flying in.

Mic & Steve's ginormous Christmas tree with its 2700 lights strung on. I know, that's a lot of lights but it looked pretty stellar, day and night. One of our activities involved going to the coast, to Lincoln City. The day we went to the beach was such a beautiful day. I love this picture because it looks so eerie. But don't worry, the beach wasn't haunted or anything. haha. Clarence wanted me to phone him from the beach so he could feel like he was taking part in our coastal activities. In reality, he was traveling to Utah and at the time, eating at Perkins Family restaurant... (and wishing he was at a beach) Mic found this float at the beach. No, I take it back. The float fairy informed us where she left a float and Michelle ran over to grab it. Then I sweetly asked her if I could see it, and when it was in my possession, I said, "oooo. MINE." hahaha. But like a very kind sister, she actually let me keep it. I offered it back to her a few times, mostly because I felt bad, but really I did want it and so i was really excited that she let me have it! Thanks sister! At the beach house we stayed at, there was this AWFUL puzzle. At first we thought it'd take no time to finish. Wrong. 6 or 7 hours later, we were only at this. Not your typical puzzle... 3d, all different shades of blue, all dolphins and fish, at different angles the images move or changed color... it was a bit of a headache and we never actually finished the puzzle. After those many hours, we started taking silly pics... which I know Mic will so appreciate me posting these... (please don't kill me). i find them to be quite hilarious. 'specially the 2nd one. When we got back home, we borrowed a real puzzle with twice as many pieces and finished it in twice as less time (well pretty much). We drove to Utah at the start of the new year because Clarence and family were coming out from Michigan. This made Jason and family decide to come up from California. This made Mic & Steve desirous to come down from Oregon. If only Andrew and family decided they could take the trip from Maine... Some of our activities included bowling, BYU, and Temple Square.
Oh, and corndogs.
That's right, we have matching coats. Classic Tang photo. Tree of Life at BYU. Ahhh, I love my little nieces and nephews!
Ok, I think I'm basically caught up through January. Yay!