Merry Christmas one and all! This is one of my most favorite times of the year, and for those of you who know me, know I take a ton of pictures. So I decided to not spam your Facebook feed or Instagram feed with all of my pictures. So this is why I am blogging, to share more than I already have!
December is always a crazy time of the year, and as usual goes by way too fast. Soon it will be 2016, and boy do we have a lot in store for us. So what have we done this December?
-We started it off by doing lots of preparing for end of the semester, and both of us going back to school by saving money, applying for new jobs/promotions, and enjoying the time we could spend with each other. One tradition we have started and hope to keep up is going to the Festival of Trees. This year did not disappoint and I loved reading all of the stories about the trees that were donated. This tradition holds a special place in my heart as all the proceeds go to Primary Children's Hospital. Every year I go, I have to take time and reflect on the time that I spent there when I was diagnosed with T1D and the amazing staff they have.
-We went to Zoo Lights with a couple in our ward, I love Christmas lights! Even though it was freezing, it was still fun! We also had an amazing Ward Christmas Breakfast, and I had the opportunity to sign up to make a breakfast casserole. Thanks to my Mom's recipe, it was a hit and all of it was eaten.
-Finally got our very first Nativity Set (thanks to my kind Mother-in-law!) It's not much, but we don't have room for a bit one yet. It turned out perfect if I say so myself. (Vinyl and then put on tile)
-We hosted our very first Shiveley Holiday party! It was a huge success! We love all of our friends who traveled near and far to spend an evening with us. How blessed are we to have such great friends to come party with us. Who knew a group of 4 boys who played computer games and XBox live together would turn into a group of 8 and be life long friends! It was an Ugly Sweater themed party, with the best appetizers and hot chocolate bar. We played a few holiday themed games before we brought out the dirty games (aka Cards Against Humanity!). We laughed all night long, and even had a few tears because we were laughing so hard.
-We went to Temple Square with Steph and Koltan to see the lights. This year there was snow and it was absolutely beautiful. We introduced them to our favorite restaurant T27. It was a great evening and got me way in the Christmas mood.
-My Mother-in-law treated us ladies to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Performance. Uncle Brent got us killer tickets, right in the front(Thank you! We will never forget that night!). We even had the privilege of seeing a few General Authorities (one even sat right next to me for a brief moment! Talk about amazing!)
-Keeping the tradition alive, my cousins, a few of the brothers-in-law, and the hubby and I went snowboading/skiing on Christmas Eve up at Brighton. It was so much fun! There was a ton of fresh powder and lots of Santas. I was determined to learn how to do toe side and spend the entire day going down the mountain backwards. I was incredibly sore, from a few falls (luckily I had my helmet for one of my falls) but mostly I thought my calfs were going to fall off. I must say, even though sore muscles were the result at the end of the day, I am much better, than the last few years but still terrible, if that even makes sense. I guess I need to go more than once a year to get over my fear of tipping over when I go toe side.
December is always a crazy time of the year, and as usual goes by way too fast. Soon it will be 2016, and boy do we have a lot in store for us. So what have we done this December?
-We started it off by doing lots of preparing for end of the semester, and both of us going back to school by saving money, applying for new jobs/promotions, and enjoying the time we could spend with each other. One tradition we have started and hope to keep up is going to the Festival of Trees. This year did not disappoint and I loved reading all of the stories about the trees that were donated. This tradition holds a special place in my heart as all the proceeds go to Primary Children's Hospital. Every year I go, I have to take time and reflect on the time that I spent there when I was diagnosed with T1D and the amazing staff they have.
-We went to Zoo Lights with a couple in our ward, I love Christmas lights! Even though it was freezing, it was still fun! We also had an amazing Ward Christmas Breakfast, and I had the opportunity to sign up to make a breakfast casserole. Thanks to my Mom's recipe, it was a hit and all of it was eaten.
-We hosted our very first Shiveley Holiday party! It was a huge success! We love all of our friends who traveled near and far to spend an evening with us. How blessed are we to have such great friends to come party with us. Who knew a group of 4 boys who played computer games and XBox live together would turn into a group of 8 and be life long friends! It was an Ugly Sweater themed party, with the best appetizers and hot chocolate bar. We played a few holiday themed games before we brought out the dirty games (aka Cards Against Humanity!). We laughed all night long, and even had a few tears because we were laughing so hard.
Ps for those of you who don't know, boiling water and putting in a crock pot totally keeps the water warm. You know for future parties!
Of course we had to get our Star Wars sweaters! PS we loved the new one!!
-Spencer applied for a new internship and got it! We are both so excited for him to start and plus he will be right down the street from my work. This is an exciting opportunity that will give hims lots of experience for his schooling and future jobs and what a blessing it is for him to start. I was blessed with a promotion at my work, and will go from hourly to salary. We are both excited to officially start these positions.
-We still have our Charlie Brown 3 foot tree but this year we got a few more Christmas decorations.
(Me, Savannah, Sam, Tamara)
-Lastly both Spencer and I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We love all of you and hope your year has brought you as much happiness as ours has. Yes this year has been hard for the both of us, but the most rewarding. We have learned so much, from each other and from ourselves. What great way to wrap up the year than to thank our Heavenly Father for giving us his son, our Savior to give us the many opportunities and blessings we can enjoy on this Earth. We have so many friends but didn't send a card to everyone, so use this as your card if you didn't receive one (not because we don't love you, but because stamps are so expensive)
Remember my friend, Go Forth and Do!
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