Day 31 - My Family

last, but definitely not least -

So much to say about all of these people (and more little ones not pictured) my heart really is full of love and gratitude for each of them and how much they mean to me. I've been blessed to be born into a wonderful family, and my siblings have given me wonderful in-laws that I've grown close to and love as much as my siblings, and new little ones to kiss and hug and love.

Thank you family.

Love you tons.

Day 30 - Opportunities to Serve

Day 29 - Decorating Cookies

it's fun.
even if it does look like a two year old did some of them. (:

Day 28 - Children's Artwork

I found these while sifting through things in my room.
I think one of Bethany's kids drew them for me.
cute, right?

Day 27 - Clean Sheets

the first night in freshly washed bed linen is definitely something to look forward to
(and if they've been dried outside, even better)

Day 26 - Visiting Teachers

thankfully my visit wasn't like this

I met my new visiting teacher today, and she is wonderful.
We have a lot in common and spent quite a while talking.
I love it when I hit it off with people.

Day 25 - People Who Know Things

click to enlarge
here's hoping it works

And a very Merry Christmas! I hope yours was wonderful!

Day 24 - The Christmas Story

a little wise Guy
(I mean wise man)

Day 23 - Walk-In Showers

... that make it easier to get clean dogs...

I don't know if you can tell, but Max actually looks white now

Day 22 - Beautiful Things

Thought of You from Ryan J Woodward on Vimeo.

Day 21 - Snow

I guess I'm mostly grateful for a car that can drive in snow. (:

Day 20 - Giving Blood

blood drive at the Murray donor center on Tuesday
go if you can!

Day 19 - Miracles

read more here

Day 18 - Christmas Lights

Day 17 - Temples

Day 16 - Completion

Day 15 - New Experiences

skiing for the first time EVER

Day 14 - Seasonal Treats

Day 13 - Nature

Day 12 - Family

Day 11 - New Recipes

Holiday Nog

What You Need:

• 1 cup cashews
• 1/2 cup dates, pitted
• 1/2 vanilla bean, split and scraped, or 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 3 cups water

What You Do:

• In a blender, place all ingredients. Blend until smooth and serve.

I got this from a friend's blog earlier this week. Tried it out last night and discovered it's not as weird as I would have thought. And for a much healthier alternative to egg nog, it's not bad.

Recipe found here.

Day 10 - NBC Thursdays

Day 9 - Wickedly Awesome-Talented People

Day 8 - My Pups

Day 7 - Technology

Day 6 - Music

Day 5 - Pillows

Day 4 - Scriptures

image found here

Day 3 - My Savior

image found here

Day 2 - Friends

DC, FDR Memorial, March 2010

Day 1 - Sunsets

DC sunset, March 2010

What Happened to November?!

Happy December!!!

Leaving Utah

Somehow, they always know...






... in CA for Thanksgiving. Minus the pups.

Look What I Did

This morning's run -

It's blurry, but it's showing I went uphill. A lot. And I ran the whole way.

Woo hoo.

Social Marketing

I Love Dilbert

A Risky Post...

Last night I saw 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' musical play. I have seen and loved (and kind of fallen in love with the lead actor of) the movie, but never seen the play or heard the music (even though I put the soundtrack on my ipod a month ago in preparation for seeing the play). I really enjoyed it, and really liked two songs especially. Now this is why the post is risky, I'm putting this together while sitting in a health lecture (not a class, don't worry, though I have posted during class before), and so I haven't actually heard these versions that I'm posting. I'll listen to them when I can and maybe change them if I need to. I hope they're wonderful.

One of the first songs in the play -

I've had a chance to watch them now, and this may be a better version. The setting is definitely cooler.

Rex Smith is in 'The Pirates of Penzance' and has a wonderful voice, so I'm hopeful that this is a good one (I kind of like this song. Enough that I've listened to it on my ipod 1, 2, or maybe 10+ times since last night) -

Fun

I love dancing in water. I think it looks really cool.

Sweet

I saw this on my brother's facebook page and loved it -

It's (almost) Christmastime!

I listen to Christmas music whenever I feel like it. Including middle of the summer sometimes. I just love it. A lot. Here are a couple of my favorites:

I know I've put this one on my blog before, but it's going to go up every year.
I don't even really like the song 'Little Drummer Boy' that much
(though it is growing on me).
But I love this version.
And I love that Bing Crosby sings with David Bowie.
It just seems like such an odd pairing to me.
But they sound so good together.


and click here for some other fun Christmas songs.

Yay for Movies!

Every time I see this billboard:


I get excited.

Really, really, excited.

Guess where I'm going to be on - or shortly after - 10 December? (:

My Happy Birthday - 2010 Version

My 29th (*gasp!*) birthday began by driving home at midnight from Provo after being on a bus for almost 12 hours coming back from Denver (we got caught in a snowstorm for part of the way, but a midnight arrival time was a lot better than the ETA of 3 or 4 am the driver gave us at one point) - more on Denver later.

So, this is kind of how my day went:

1 am: After arriving home, the dogs moved into position for the first time since I left on Saturday morning (Max's position isn't normally my bed. He never sleeps on it, but he will climb up on it occasionally. He hasn't done it for a really long time, so I'm guessing this was his way of telling me he missed me. :).

7 am: Woken up by my dad who was leaving for work and wanted to say 'welcome home' and 'happy birthday.' Not a bad way to be woken up. (:


8 am: When I woke up, they kept me company until I was ready to start moving.

8:15: I enjoyed the changing leaves outside my window.
Had mixed feelings about the light snow fall all morning.

10:00 am: Attended a session @ the temple.

12:30: Met my mom, sister, & sister-in-law for lunch at Olive Garden.
Who wouldn't enjoy lunch sitting across from a face like this?

2:30 - 4:50 - Homework (still not done with everything that needs to be done for tomorrow)

5:00 pm: Went running with both dogs. In my winter running getup.

Notice the candy-striped gloves.
A gift from a friend some years ago.
I'm so glad I have them!

not picture above - Ear warmers. I got them for free at the conference. LOVE them. I've never paid for ear warmers, but I've gotten a couple through different events. Totally worth it if you run outside in the winter.

6:00 pm: Got a haircut. Yup.
Not really sure why, but I really wanted a change. Call it backlash if you will. Call it that, because it's quite possible that's what it was.
See the evidence:

(have I mentioned lately how much I dislike having my picture taken? Also, please ignore the lines and bags under my eyes. Remember Denver...)


8:30 pm: Attended a fireside with the associate director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir speaking.

Beautiful flowers from my nephew Guy (and his mom), and my mom.

Beautiful flowers from my sweet friend Bethany who had them delivered to my home this afternoon. I don't believe that's ever happened to me before. I feel so grown up! (:

Throughout the day: Heard from a lot of people - family and friends - wishing me a happy birthday. Got sung to by my dad, my friend, my sister and her family, and my other friend. Good times.

It was a good day.

Here's to another good year.

funny - check out how similar this
was to my birthday last year...