Christmas and the New Year

When people have asked me how my Christmas was this year, my response has been -

'Great. In fact, pretty much perfect.'

And I hold to that. It really was a great Christmas.

I loved the whole season. I listened to a whole lot of Christmas music - which always makes me happy. However, I have a method when it comes to Christmas music. It's simple. Don't listen to Christmas music on the radio. That's the stuff that drives me nuts. Some of it is way too schmultzy and cheesy... etc. On my phone - I have only songs I like, versions that I like, by artists that I like. It's perfect. I also avoid all the awful consumerism-focused commercials on the radio that way. Speaking of which, I almost never watch live TV anymore which means I get to miss all of those awful commercials on TV too. Which, I've decided, really helps me not get annoyed with how 'me, me, me, this is what I want' this season can be for some people. So yay for that.

That being said - I happened to get some really nice gifts this year. One of them was a canon DSLR from my parents. It's one gift that I'm going to be contributing too because they cost more than what my parents spend for Christmas. That being the case, my mom asked me a couple of weeks before Christmas if I would be interested in getting one and contributing toward it and I said - YES! I had actually looked at getting one before... but they are really expensive so I decided I'd wait. I waited and now I don't have to wait anymore. I've already really, really enjoyed it.

While the battery was charging I told Harper that the last camera I got was also a Christmas present and since I had been sitting at the hearth and he was on the couch across from me, he was the first picture I took on that camera. He said I better not mess with tradition -

2008 -

2011 - (a la george costanza)

then I hooked up the telephoto lens. this was as 'unzoomed' as it got.

I took another - as zoomed as it goes - picture, but I'll spare Harps the posting of that one. 

Next came Annikki and I messing around with it

I had to auto-focus this one since without the flash the face was too dark for the camera to really focus on. Not bad detail, eh?

candid of Annikki -

always-available photography subjects -

Katie's and Neil's cat that we were watching for a couple of weeks while they were out of town visiting their families -

my first official outing with the camera - temple square -

I've gotten a shot similar to this for the last few years. I love this view -

this is, unfortunately, the back of the nativity, but the red reflection was seen a lot better on this side of the water -

next outing - BYU v. USD -

my nephew and I had some fun messing around -

And now it's the New Year. I'm looking forward to 2012. I have a feeling it's going to be awesome.

Happy New Year!

Here's the Plan

A good friend of mine doesn't like Christmas music.

I find this tragic.

My mission (and I chose to accept it since I assigned it to myself): send her one Christmas song a day starting the day after Thanksgiving (I listen to it earlier - and right this second - but she refuses to do so and I will respect that) all the way until (and including) Christmas day.

I have a list of four songs and artists I would like to include, three artists who I'm going to include but I don't know which song yet, and one song with no artist selected.

At this point, I'm taking suggestions. Comment, text, facebook message, whatever - let me know your favorite Christmas song(s). I reserve the right to refuse. (: But I will listen to each suggestion.

I'm going to try to convert this girl to Christmas music - or at least some of it.

Here's one of the songs I'm going to include -

Oh, and I figure I may as well post them to my blog the day I email them.
Just so I have a record. (:

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.

It's Christmas Time!

Merry Christmas Eve!

I can't tell you how much I love the Christmas season. I love the constant reminders of our Savior and His birth, and consequently His life and example.

Although it's not Thanksgiving, I'm going to list a few things I'm grateful for:

- my family
i have learned so much from all of them, and i love spending time with all of them - which i think is in and of itself a blessing
my gratitude here is also for all of my in-laws who are wonderful additions to the family

- the gospel of Jesus Christ
i absolutely know that my knowledge and belief in my Savior and my Father's plan for me has and will continue to be the driving force behind my choices

- my life
i really am thankful for this life that i have lived and get to continue living. by no means has it been perfect, but it's been great

There are many, many other things I'm grateful for, but I think they all stem from the above three.


I hope you all have a very Merry and wonderful Christmas!

Christmas Excitement?

Is that why I've been having a hard time sleeping these past few nights? Flashbacks to Christmas anticipations as a kid? Not that I don't get excited for it now... it's just generally not the excitement that keeps me from sleeping for multiple nights before Christmas.

Maybe it's because of a phantom kitty whose purring I swear I can hear right now.

But I'm not sure where she is.

Maybe it's because that same kitty breaks out of her phantom-like state and jumps up on my bed to crawl onto my stomach and purr in my face.

Pretty cute, but it's less cute when it happens
at 4, 2, or even 5 in the morning.

Maybe it's because I want to be awake to enjoy every last minute of not being in school and having to worry about assignments.

Which I will admit, is a pretty awesome feeling.

Whatever it is, I wish it would still let me fall into the blissful unawareness of sleep.

Here's hoping!

ps - let me just say how much I'm hoping that the
kitty and my pup will end up liking each other
as much as the two in the picture.
they have about a week to get
to that stage.

I don't know that it will happen.

Scenes From Temple Square

Because it Snowed Yesterday...

... I listened to Christmas music this morning! And I sang Christmas songs yesterday while on a walk with the pups (they don't mind me singing - another reason why they are excellent walking companions!).

For your listening pleasure -

if you skip ahead to about 2 min. into it you'll skip all of their talking

don't worry, I'll post it again when it's closer to Christmas

ps - while listening to the music in the car today, I realized that I had never put together a great Christmas play list. that's one project I'll be working on. I love Christmas music!

Too Early for Christmas?

I've become involved in numerous discussions with my co-worker on when it is appropriate to begin listening to Christmas music. I know of two radio stations that play Christmas music beginning on 1 Nov. until Christmas (and maybe beyond...). I've tried playing some at work without her noticing (with our desks right next to each other that can be a little difficult). Today, because it was the first real snow of the season, she agreed to let me play Christmas music.

I'm not planning on playing it every day. I just really enjoy it, and I think that after Halloween (not my favorite holiday) it's kind of nice to set the mood for things to come. Some people argue that if you play the music too early, Thanksgiving gets overlooked and kind of passed-by. That is not at all my intent. I love Thanksgiving too. I think that the two holidays can be combined to become a wonderful two month season of niceness and joy! Okay, that last sentiment is a bit cheesy, but I really do think the two can be combined without rushing past the first.

So, what are your thoughts? Strong feelings either way? Neutral? I'm curious as to whether or not I'm alone in this way of thinking or not. Let me know!

Speaking of Christmas music - I'm going to add Bing Crosby and David Bowie singing "Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth" to my video side-bar. "Little Drummer Boy" is really not one of my favorite Christmas songs, but I love this version. I hope you take the time to listen, and enjoy!