The Past Few Weeks...

Here is the low down on what we did for Christmas and New Years :)

This was our first Christmas staying here in Long Beach. It started off with Christmas Eve dinner with Aunt Bonnie at the Elephant Bar,


then a bit of Christmas Caroling (the 3rd time in the month) around the city. Last we headed back to Braden's parents to open our presents from Aunt Bonnie and our PJ's from his parents. Ironically enough when I was talking to my sister the next day, it turned out we got the same PJ's from Victoria's Secret! Weird.

Christmas day started around 9 (or 9:30 for us... Braden didn't hear the 9am part I guess), with a pancake breakfast at the in-laws. We then took turns opening presents, and our stockings.


Just enough time for a quick nap, and getting ready, and we headed out to Corona to Debi & Brett's (Braden's Sister) for Christmas Dinner. There was another slew of presents there from our nieces and nephews; and we had a lot of fun playing and visiting.

(I got this lap blanket made for my Brother-In-Law... Go Dodger's!)

I got a sewing machine from Braden's parents, along with a JoAnn's gift card. I also got 2 Disney DVD's, new high heels, new boots, and greatest of all, Braden surprised me before Christmas (the 20th to be exact) by taking me to Gold Streak Jewelry to design my wedding bands :) LOVE YOU BABE!!

That Friday (Dec. 28th) we headed out to Utah to visit my Family. We made a quick trip up to Provo to watch the UFC fights and Calvin & Julie's new home; played Rock Band ALL night, and then drove back down in the snow to Cedar. I think it was a combination of the cold and altitude, but my 'morning' sickness (or all day sickness for me) started right when we got there.

New Years Eve was filled with Food, more food, movies, more food, games and fireworks. We went to Pizza Factory for what was supposed to be a light dinner (a salad and a breadstick perhaps). That quickly turned into 'all-you-can-eat' pizza, breadsticks, salad bar and drinks.

After, the guys and girls split and went to the movies. Guys to No Country for Old Men, and Girls to Enchanted.

We met back home for some more food ( a shmorgasboard of mexican finger foods and goodies)

and a game of Cranium. Girls against Boys... I'm sad to say we got smoked :( . At about 10 minutes to 12, we headed outside (in the 0 degree flippin' cold) for some fireworks. My older brother Adam, got some big illegal ones from Valley of Fire that we set off in the middle of our court. Good times...

My 2nd oldest brother Adam and his son Ashton

My younger brother John and his girlfriend Alexis




The rest of the trip was filled with hanging out, a girls trip to St. George for some shopping and Olive Garden (If you haven't heard of Tai Pan Trading, it's the BEST store ever... like Pier One quality for Ikea prices),

a scrapbooking night, (I got the coolest thing from my Mom and Sister for Christmas... it's called the Cricut; check it out! www.cricut.com)

another trip (Braden only this time) to Provo for some Basketball with the Boys (Clinton, Calvin & Brad), and a LOT of visiting.

Visiting my nephews Ty & Dax


We headed back on Sunday the 6th, and Braden made record time with getting us home in 5 1/2 hours, even after I made him drive 5 miles off the freeway just for Taco Bell in Vegas!! Phew, that was a long post!

Happy New Year!