12.26.2011

Merry Christmas.....

...to me.
I had the best Christmas.
Let me tell you about it.

Blake and I arrived on Tuesday evening.
Everyday has been just a relaxed kind of day.
Wednesday we went to dinner with all of my family.
Thursday evening my family took our annual trip down
to Balboa to look at the lights.
And then Friday.....Oh Friday.
That was the start of a wonderful Christmas weekend.

Blake asked me out on a date for Friday night.
He acted like he didn't have anything planned for the evening.
But, little did i know....he did.
So we went to dinner at Roman Cucina in Sunset Beach.
After dinner we went down to Naples in Seal Beach
to walk around and look at the lights.
When we got down there we sat in the car and opened our gifts for each other.
I got him a nice black v-neck sweater to wear over dress shirts.
He got me a nice big black purse.
(I seriously love it).
He told me there was more inside,
so I opened it and pulled out a pair of socks and a shirt.
Loved them.
And then he told me there was one more thing inside.
So I opened it back up and pulled out a Zales box.
Opened that up and it was this gorgeous ring.
And so he put it on me but told me we weren't engaged yet.
We got out to walk around and walked to this giant fountain.
He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.
And without any hesitation, I said YES!!
There isn't anyone I would want to spend the rest of my life and eternity with.
I am seriously one lucky girl to have such an amazing man like Blake.
He treats me so well.
I can hardly wait to marry him.
Aren't we so cute?

Alright, so Saturday we made our big debut to my family and then his.
Everyone was so excited, as we are too.

Christmas Eve we went over to my Aunts house for dinner #1
and then we went to Blake's grandmas house for dinner #2.
We had so much fun at both places.
I am happy Blake will be a part of my family and that I will be a part of his.
We both have such wonderful families.

Christmas was wonderful as well.
My family had breakfast in the morning.
Traditional Kendrick Cinnamon Rolls.
And then we opened gifts.
Later we went to church.
And then had my family over for dinner.
Later that evening Blake and I went over to some of his families house.

I had such a wonderful Christmas.

The most important part though,
Remembering our Savior.
How blessed we are that he was sent down to Earth.
This Christmas season is all about remembering Him.
I love my Savior.

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas as well.
<3

12.16.2011

Finals are done.
The week is almost over.
You know what that means?
Almost time to go HOME!

I have 3 shifts of work left.
Then we are leaving for home on Tuesday morning.

CHRISTMAS time!!
Let the party begin :)

12.11.2011

I want More.

Thanksgiving Break was just not quite long enough.
It left me wanting more.
More family time. More friend time. More warm, sunny time.
Good thing I am heading back in 9 days!!!!
And i will get to be there for 2 weeks!!!!
I could not be more excited.
I can hardly wait.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Happy Holidays from us!




12.06.2011

Thanksgiving Break.

So I am a little late on blogging about my Thanksgiving break
(and before you know it, i'll be blogging about my Christmas break).
So here is how my break went.

I arrived in the {early} afternoon on Wednesday.
My Mom, Dana, and Grandpa picked me up.
We had some lunch and went for a nice walk.
Later that evening I went to a friends wedding reception.
[It was beautiful]

Thanksgiving Day!!
Dana and I helped my mom with the baking and cooking.
[We had Thanksgiving at our place this year]
I made {my famous} French Apple and Cherry Pies.
[Of which I had NONE of]
Later the family came over and we stuffed ourselves with
all of the delicious food.
Then it was just time to relax.

On Friday I went down to San Clemente with Blake and his family.
It was a fun time to hang out with all his cousins, aunts, and uncles.
I went and did a little shopping at Target with the girls.
[And got nothing.... surprise surprise.]
When we got back, we went to dinner with my family at
Claim Jumper and then watched a movie at home.
[And, of course, I fell asleep.]
Then it was time for games with Blakes family.
[Monopoly until 4 am....I fell asleep, Again.]

Saturday we took a family bike ride down to the beach.
[75 degree weather]
It was such a nice bike ride.
Came back to the house for lunch and to relax.
Then we were back to Blakes house.
More relaxing and hanging out.

Sunday I got to see Erin and Mike.
We went to church.
And the Seacliff and Pierside wards were combined.
Came home and made dinner with Dana.
After dinner, Dana and I went over to the Dahls.
I gave them their birthday/Christmas gifts.
[I made each of them a plate with their name on it.
They absolutely loved them.]

Monday morning was spent decorating the house for Christmas.
And then lunch with Mom, Dana, and Erin at Corner Bakery.
Before my flight, I went and said goodbye to my Dad at work.
Then it was time to head back home.

I sure do miss my family.
I can hardly wait to go home for Christmas.
I get to spend 2 weeks at home with family.

Alright.....here are some pictures from home:

{Dad and Don watching "Punkin Chunkin"}
{This is Blakes cousin, Noah, as Darth Vader}
{Dinner at Claim Jumper}
{Anxiously awaiting our food}

{Ahhhhh....so cute.}
{Playing UNO with the kids.}
{Christmas Stockings.}
{This is my favorite.
When Blake picked me up from the airport,
he had this waiting for me.
Isn't he such a sweetheart?
I think so.}