Gingerbread contest

One of the traditions is the gingerbread house making contest, except we don't do houses. Annie made the christmas quilt, Troy the plane, Jill and Elise the cute house. I forgot to take a picture of the towers by Grant and Les. (check Jill's blog) My entry is the gator. (because it was so great, I included a comparsion photo). The gator is an ode my parents. Notice the trees, blocks, and hose in the back, even some mulch.

Christmas Break

Wow, what a vacation. I attended concerts, basketball games, dance class, gymnastics, clean up throw up, and delivered christmas for a needy family. Sounds exciting doesn't it. I spent my time with family, my sisters Annie, Jill, and Colette. Annie has four children, Jill has one girl, and Colette has a boyfriend who spent Christmas with us. The nieces and nephews kept me on my toes. We all went to a NC State Basketball game. Shopping, wrapping, and shipping presents or Annie's personal assistant. Jill would bring her daughter, Marissa over to play with Annie's youngest Evan. Adorable. Annie's family somehow managed to get strep throat, but were all better by Christmas Eve.
The family did my two favorite traditions, gingerbread house contest and nativity story reactment. Love it. It was hard to not have my parents there, but THANK YOU for technology. We were able to skype them with webcam during present opening and put them on the big screen and my parents were able to watch us with the webcam opening presents. I love computers.
I did finally receive my grades. A A A i am a straight A student again.

Colette and Marissa
Evan is super cute!
Tessa is making a gingerbread house.

First Semester Done

Yikes, I can't believe I finished my first semester of graduate school. Officially, I sent my last final in this morning, hence why I have time to update my blog. I love it. I know that I have two A's so far, I am hoping for the three A, it may be a B+. We shall see.

I leave to go home on Wednesday to North Carolina. I can't believe it. I am ready to share my Christmas spirit in the south. Although my sister said it was 80 degrees compared to the snow on the ground here in Salt Lake City and 30 degrees outside. i better bring my shorts home.

I am dealing with the snow better. I spend the weekend at my brother's house. We enjoyed spending time together. We finally figured out to make DVD's on my computer. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by my family again.

Sidenote: I am so glad that my friends in Washington State are doing well. It freaked me out to see one of my students (graduates from last year) on CNN last week. She was being evacuated from her home. I truly hope they are doing well now. I have seen some crazy photos of Bremerton and Silverdale flooded. Make sure you have your food storage and emergency kits ready.

Temple Square Lights

First Basketball Game at the U!

I finally attended a University of Utah Basketball game. I was in heaven. They played Utah State and dominated them. Lindsey(left) and Lexie (right) went with me. Lexie is my roommate and Lindsey is her twin.

It Snowed and ready for Christmas!

At first, I was not happy about the snow. Yes, I know I live in Utah now, but I have had some bad experiences with snow in the past. I tried to change my negative ways and embrace the snow. I will be ready next time. I even bought a ice scraper thing for the car, with extended arm and brush. Very exciting! I should have taken pictures of the snow, it was magical. I will be ready next time. I will be buying some boots and a snow coat. Small steps!

I felt like I should share my resolves for the month of December. Normally, I don't have time to focus on Christmas for whatever reason. It can be a very stressful time. After driving around with some friends last weekend and critiquing CChristmas light decorations, I decided that this year would be different. My new focus for the month is to focus on serving others and the true meaning of Christmas. I will be doing a 12 days of Christmas with my sisters and other acts of service to bring the Christmas spirit back in my life. I have already resolved to be a temple volunteer next year, after Christmas to help continue that spirit throughout the year. I am enjoying this time in my life to reflect on the good things that have happen to me. As I as told my students, "I never said it would be easy, only that it was worth it!" (yes, I know I stole this from somewhere else, but it works just the same.) I can't wait to take pictures of Salt Lake Temple Square lights. It will be amazing!

This will be my first Christmas without my parents around because they are serving a mission in Australia. I am going home to Raleigh, North Carolina to spend Christmas with family. I am excited and scared, but I welcome the challenge.