Sleepover with the Fam

Dave recently went out of town on a business trip so I decided to have some fun while he was gone.  I didn't want to be home alone all weekend so I invited my Mom, Grandma, Aunts, and Cousins over for a sleepover.  It was so great, just like being a little girl again.  Once everyone arrived I went and picked up pizzas.  After eating dinner we all got in our pajamas, covered the family room in pillows and blankets and ate treats and talked.  Of course we stayed up too late, but it was so nice to spend time together and catch up.  In the morning I made french toast and we had fresh fruit to go with it.

After breakfast we made a craft.  Everyone brought a mason jar and then we turned them into these cute soap dispensers.  I think they turned out pretty good!

Later we went for a walk around my neighborhood.  I think my neighbors were wondering who in the world all these people were ha ha.  It was such a beautiful day and I'm so glad I got to spend it with these wonderful ladies.  I love my family so much.  So lucky to have them!

Valentine's Day

It was Dave's turn to plan Valentine's this year so he took me to the Springville Museum of Art.  It was our first time going so we enjoyed seeing everything they had on display.  More than anything I liked how beautiful the building is.  I guess that makes sense seeing as I got my degree in Interior Design ha ha.  

This was my favorite piece of art.  It is random and silly but the little gerbil rowing around in a teacup is just too adorable!

This was Dave's favorite painting.  He decided that if he had to wear a dress when he was a little boy he would be angry too.  He makes me laugh!

Every year for Valentine's Day Dave buys me a dozen lavender roses just like the ones at our wedding.  It is so sweet, I love it!  Lavender roses mean love at first sight, so totally applicable for us.

Dave doesn't like chocolates, flowers, or teddy bears so each year I try to buy him something silly that I think he will like.  This year it was a chameleon tape dispenser.  The chameleon even changes color.

After exchanging gifts we went and got nachos at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants, Casa Salza.  Then we snuggled up to watch one of our favorite TV shows, Grimm.  We missed the episode Friday night so we had to get caught up.  Then we enjoyed another of our Valentine's Day traditions, Molten Lava Cake.  This is one of my absolute favorite desserts, it was amazing! 

New Year's Eve

Every year on New Year's Eve we go to Magleby's restaurant.   This tradition started when Dave and I first moved to Utah Valley.  We were driving around looking for somewhere to eat when we saw Magleby's.  We decided to try it out and went in.  There was only a five minute wait which was great because most places are so busy on New Year's Eve and then when we were seated we discovered they were having an all you can eat buffet of crab legs, prime rib, salmon and lots of other yummy things.  Dave was hooked and we have been going ever since.  Since I'm not a big fan of seafood I don't do the buffet, but I LOVE their chocolate cake with raspberries and vanilla ice cream so that keeps me coming back every year.  This year Lindsey and Brian came with us and it was so fun.  We love hanging out with them.  Dave got to teach Brian how to eat crab legs and of course the conversation was great.

After dinner Brian and Lindsey had to leave to get home to their kids but Dave and I still started out the New Year our favorite way, together.

Christmas Time

We spent Christmas Eve with my family, like we do every year.  This year we went to Toad's in Ogden to play some mini golf.  Dave had to help me with my game.  I am absolutely terrible at mini golf (and all sports)  Dave did really well though.  He got two hole in ones which I can never do ha ha.  My whole family was able to come which was so nice.  We all took turns holding my niece so each person could take a turn playing, she was so good about it.

After playing some mini golf, Dave and our brother-in-law Mike played the arcades.  As you can tell shooting up aliens really made their day.  Dave's smile says it all.  They are so funny.

I also got to snuggle with my favorite kitty, Joe.  He is the best kitty snuggler ever!

One of the traditions we do on Christmas Eve is to make some type of eatable craft. This year we used peanut butter cups to make Christmas trees and then pipes green frosting on to them. The best part of this is to eat the goodies at the end 

I would say that Amber's tree was the best one made. She was able to pipe that frosting very well onto the peanut butter cups, thus making a very desirable eatable Christmas tree.

Temple Square

Last night Dave and I met my parents for dinner at Temple Square.  We had tried to get reservations for The Roof but they were already booked so we ended up going to The Garden.  Our table was right next to the window so we had a beautiful view of the temple and all of the Christmas lights.  It was so fun to be able to spend time with family.  

After dinner we went and walked around Temple Square and looked at the lights.  We also stopped by mine and my Mom's favorite part, the large nativity.  We stayed while the nativity story was told and then reminisced about years past when we have come to see the lights.  I'm so glad we were able to make it this year, it really helps us get in the Christmas spirit.  I am so grateful that the Savior was born and for all that he has done for me.  I know my happiness comes from having the gospel in my life. 

Nieces Ballet Recital

Every year our nieces have a ballet recital a couple weeks before Christmas.  Dave and I really enjoy going and supporting them.  They do so well and get so excited to have us there.  This year they did "The Wizard of Oz".  I would have to say that I think of all the years that we have been going, this year was my favorite.  Maybe it's just because I have always loved that show so it was fun to see it as a ballet but I really enjoyed it.  The girls did great, it is so fun to see how much they improve every year.  My nephew had to hop into the picture, he didn't want us taking a picture without him.

After the ballet we went back to my brother-in laws house and watched "Guardians of the Galaxy" and ate pizza.  My little buddy came and snuggled with me for a bit.  I love that!

Work Christmas Party

Every year Dave's work throws an amazing Christmas Party, this year was no different.  I am always surprised by all they do for their employees.  We had such a fun time sitting with Dave's friends that work in his lab.  They love to tease each other.  They are trying to get me to let Dave grow out his beard, which is never going to happen, no matter how manly they say he will look. 

We had a really fancy dinner, it was so delicious.  I don't usually like pork but it was really good.  They had put a yummy chutney sauce on it so I was sold.  After dinner came the entertainment.  David Osmond was the MC this year.  He performed a few songs and then a instrumental strings group called the Bellas performed.   After that they had an illusionist from Vegas put on a show for us.  It was fantastic!  I have watched Chris Angel and David Copperfield on TV and thought what they did was impossible but it was even more amazing to see a show like that in person.  The illusionist who performed was named Rick Thomas.  The things he did were unexplainable, it was so much fun to watch.  The illusions were he would cut the boxes and pull them apart when they had a person inside of them were unreal.  I think our favorite part though would have to be the end when he and an assistant levitated and he passed a ring around her to show that there were no strings.  I don't know how they did it but it was crazy!