AnoTHeR ChRIStmas DoNE

Well another Christmas is over...well almost over we still have the Dalton party to go this Saturday, but close!  I put up my Christmas decorations so early that by the time Christmas comes I am ready to take them down, so that's what I plan on doing tomorrow.  Except for the tree I always procrastinate and save that until the last minute so I will probably end up doing that on Sunday after church.  It's funny I always put it up first and take it down last.

This was our first Christmas as a married couple and really the first Christmas we spent together because last Christmas we did our own things with our families.  We split it up between our families and did Christmas Eve with Ry's parents.  We had a great time we ate some yummy soup in a bread bowl and watched the cartoon version of  The Grinch and then White Christmas.  The best part was Dad Stewart singing along to the songs he made me laugh ;)  We then exhanged gifts.  We gave a lot of pictures this year I guess thats what happens when you get married,  and Mom Stewart made this awesome calendar with everyone's anniversaries and birthdays listed.  I needed one of those!  We also got some cash which we are using to buy a electric hedge trimmer,  I know so boring and grown up!  Ryan's family is scattered all over so we weren't able to be with his siblings but we had his brother Jared's family for Christmast this year and gave them their gifts at Thanksgiving time.  We were the boring aunt and uncle who gave them clothes, because thats what their mom wanted.  BUT we also got them these cool coloring books that were erasable we had just as much playing with them!

Ryan and I then went home and opened up our Christmas Eve gift from my parents (pj's as always)  My mom decided to be funny this year....

Ryan was Santa

and I....

Believed in Santa :)

I woke Ryan up at 7:30am on Christmas,  I was up at 7:00am and tried to wait but 30 minutes later I wanted to see my presents (ok I know Im still like a kid) and so Ryan and I exchanged our gifts.   Ry got me some clothes, perfume, slippers, hairspray and this cool watch..

 

I got Ryan clothes, a new pair of converse shoes and a running suit, kinda boring but that's what he wanted

We tried to take a family picture but after a few uncooperative dogs and unsuccesful tries this was the best we could do.

We then went over to my parents at 9:30 and had breakfast and exchanged presents..  It was the year of household appliances for my brothers. :)  I remember when I got my first house and my first Christmas after all the appliances I got.  You know you are getting old when you are excited for cookie sheets, measuring cups and a rice cooker.  Matt got a dining room table from my parents, the rice cooker from Josh a garbage can from us and a whole bunch of other gadgets.  Josh got a surround sound, and blu ray player from my parents and a costco membership and sheets from us.   Ryan and I got a picture of the temple, new bedspread, this amazing shadow box with all our announcements etc from our wedding.  We also got separate stuff,  I got clothing gift cards, a new light for my kindle,  accessories for my iPad and ornaments.  Ryan got a dewalt drill from my dad and some drill bits,  a iPod Shuffle from my parents, a movie, the shakewight and Itunes gift cards from matt and Josh.  The shakeweight cracks me up when Ryan uses it!

My dad surprised my mom and got her a iPad and alot of her other gifts were accessories to go along with her.  Her face was priceless...

All I remember her saying is Daddy you shouldn't have LOL

My dad got a Flip Camcorder thing,  its awesome and I already want one.  We got him a netflix subscription and the boys got him books and a iPod accessories.

We then went and saw the movie True Grit which was really good and I was asleep by 8pm :)

It was a great Christmas and I feel so blessed to have both our families so close that we are able to go see them 10 minutes from our houses.  Family is everything to me...its not about what you get or don't get its about who you are able to spend your time with.

And even though I love Christmas and I love giving and getting presents,  I never forget the true meaning of Christmas,  the birth of my beloved Savior.  I collect nativities and I don't just collect them because I think they are cute,  I collect them to have them surround me and help me to always remember the real reason I celebrate Christmas.

I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas and was able to be with your loved ones, like I was.

Here's to 2011, where I will once again make a resolution to stop drinking soda and lose weight.  Neither ever stick :)

DeCeMBeR ALreaDY!!

Before I start in on December let's wrap up November :)

Thanksgiving was great,  we went to Mom and Dad Stewart's and had Thanksgiving with about 20 of Ryan's relatives.  I am still trying to get to know names, faces etc so I sort of just sat in the corner and watched football so I didn't make a fool of my self. Ryan's mom put alot of work into the meal and it was yummy!  Ryan's sister in law Darci made one of the best chocolate silk cream pies I have ever had and if I could have I would have skipped all of dinner just to eat the whole pie.  It was a nice time had by all. 

We then loaded up the truck Friday morning and headed up to St. George to do some ATV riding with my family for the weekend.   We just chilled on Friday met up for luch at the Pasta Factory and then my mom and I went and did a little Christmas shopping while the boys napped back at the house. Ryan and I also got to meet up with our friends Adam and Tazia and their adorable daughters Bella and Gabby for dinner Friday night.  I love seeing them and wish we lived closer so I could see them more! Saturday morning we got up and going and Uncle B and Aunt Cara brought Chris and Ty down and we headed out for a ride.   It was alot of fun,  until the last hour when it turned really cold and my butt was really hurting from my make shift seat I made on the back of the Arctic Cat. 

We veared off course a little bit and it ended up being a 4 hour or so ride, but it was a fun time had by all

Yeah it looks cold huh???

We came home Sunday morning and since we had gotten subs for our primary class,  Ryan and me and the girls basically slept all day.

The next week is a blur,  work was horrendous my home life (ei...cooking laundry housework) all went to crap.  We had Ryan's parents and sister along with her adorable baby MaryBeth over for dinner Tuesday and it was such a bad day at work we served them Chinese takeout...CLASSY I know :)  But we got through it and I ended up flying out Friday afternoon to San Diego to visit my best friend Jaime who was there for a conference.   I was only able to actually be in town for about 25 hours but we made the most of it and had a great time catching up.   Oh and if you are ever in San Diego and looking for something fun and educational the USS Midway Muesum was awesome.  I would reccommend it to anyone of any age.

Last night we went to the NFR with my parents and got to see a great show.  It's my dad's Dex (steriod) day and so he wasn't tired at all.  We had a great time and got to visit with my Grandparents and Uncle Mike and Aunt Bev before heading home.   My bestie Mel is a flag girl in the NFR and my dad snapped a few good pics of her last night.  I am so proud of her!!



Now we are all caught up and on to December! Seriously where does the time go? 

  I cannot believe it is December already,  another year almost done.  This year has gone by so fast with so much happening!  This year has been the best year for me (getting married to Ryan of course!) and the worst year for me ( having my dad diagnosed with cancer) .  I will be married 4 months this December and my dad will be going on 8 months of treatments...crazy! Through it all though we are a family and we stay strong,  have fun and live every day to the fullest :)

Thank you everyone for your continued thoughts and prayers.  

I hope everyone has the spirit of Christmas in their hearts!