Longest Update Ever!

Well my friends, it has finally happened. I have enough time to sit down and update my blog! Warning . . . tons of pictures ahead!

This post actually starts back in November . . . we had family in town a couple of weekends which was fun. the 2nd weekend Mom, Jodee, and Andrea all came over for one of Jodee's swim meets, and Tara also flew up to hang out for the weekend. We had a blast!

We watched movies, went out to breakfast (and dinner!), watched some swimming, went shopping, and of course had a memorable trip to Zurcher's . . . .

And took some fUgLY pictures!!




Moving on to Thanksgiving. . . .
We went to Utah for Thanksgiving-- and of course due to wrestling it was about a 48-hour trip. But the weather was fine so it wasn't bad driving so much. Collin's mom does the most amazing dinners every time we're all together, and of course Thanksgiving was no exception! Look who carved the turkey!We didn't actually ride horses with Morgan (Collin's brother) and Lana's family--but Collin ended up helping get the horses taken care of and well, I just thought this looked funny so I took a picture! What a city slicker!!We made an infamous trip to Cabela's . . . or as Collin's mom calls it, "the museum."

Now, finally on to December . . . .
We put up Christmas lights! I was so excited at first, but well we had no clue what we were doing. In my family growing up, we just sent my dad or brothers out to do it and never gave it a second thought until we got to enjoy the beauty! Well Collin didn't see it that way and insisted I help . . . woop de doo, I held the end of the string of lights while he DANGEROUSLY climbed on the roof and stapled them all on! (yes, we will be using a better method next year for sure) There are actually a couple more wreaths on the garage with lights on them, but this is basically the finished product! We're too cheap to buy enough to cover the whole tree on the left, in case you're wondering.

Then for FHE a couple weeks ago we decorated our tree. It is the same Charlie Brown fake tree we've had the whole time we've been married. But we didn't put it up last year so it was really fun to have room again this year!

And then there was our trip to IF last weekend. It started out crazy because although I flew out of Boise to IF Friday night (Collin came the next day after wrestle-offs), my flight got delayed 2 hours and didn't leave until 11:15 so it was a long late night at the airport. I finished a book though! That picture above is Collin's cake--ice cream cake of course. We had it as a "surprise" for him when he finally got to IF Saturday night.

We also "surprised" my mom with a few different things. My dad got her out of the house and we decorated like crazy and put up a fun banner that I posted already. (Nifty Nifty Amy's 50") When she got back we all ate pizza and played games, which was fun.

One other surprise that was difficult was her stinking cake. She likes this random combination--angel food cake with coconut-pecan frosting. And of course who got assigned to make it secretly in Boise and then bring it over? Your's truly! I have never made angel food cake before and let me tell you it is not like your usual cakes, which I learned in the process. The whole time I was dying to call my mom to ask if I was doing it right but of course I couldn't. And let's just say my dad's instructions were a little less than accurate or helpful! :) So a shrunken cake and a car-cake accident (by Collin) later, this is what we had. (see above) Surprisingly, it actually tasted good! Not my best work though, I must say. And no I don't know what that tumor-looking thing is sticking out of my cheek.

During that trip we took a few more funny pictures . . . it's getting to be a habit . . .
This one is beyond funny in my opinion, and I'm sorry Mom, I know you won't appreciate me posting it on here. :) (But I know Tara will!)

I also made Christmas cards. I actually did this back in like, the beginning of November, and it's a good thing. I would never have gotten it done if I had waited. Here are a few of my favorites:

Here's something else fun--my gifts for my piano students. I pride myself in spending $1 or less per student but still getting them cute things. Since my recital was so early this year I also had to get this stuff done early, so while Collin and I watched Fred Clause a couple weeks ago I had a mug-stuffing/wrapping/tying marathon.
This was the finished product--inside is a little pack of marshmallows that says "Snowmen Come Unassembled," a couple Christmasy-dubble bubble (gum)s, and a little snowman candy cane. I was quite proud of them and all I can say is thank you Oriental Trading, Baby!

I made 36!! (32 students)

Wow, we are almost caught up to the present. A couple nights ago we made gingerbread houses with Cam and Chaly, which was fun. It was a week night and we were all a little tired I think, so we didn't exactly bounce off the walls from sugar consumption, but we made some beautiful masterpieces!

So, now I feel much better about my poor blog. I guess I might as well bring you up to date on everything else going on right now--Collin has had an AWESOME beginning of the season--as of tonight the Pats are undefeated! They have wrestled 5 different teams so far. Much, much much better beginning of the season than last year, some of you know what I'm talking about. :) So he is busy with that and will be heading to Reno next weekend.

I have also been like, beyond busy with the schools I am playing for. I've been accompanying at Centennial for 2 classes (3 hours total) every other day since the middle of November. I am also playing for 2 other schools for their holiday concerts which are all next week. It's really fun though, and I get payed really well. Of course I've got all 32 piano students and my studio Christmas recital was Tuesday. (thanks again for helping, Chaly!) It was the BEST I've heard almost all those kids play. So it was good for everyone. I'm hosting a baby shower tomorrow and still trying to get Christmas presents together. . . so that is the dl on us. Happy Holidays, and hopefully you'll hear from me again soon!