Saturday, January 3, 2009

2nd attempt

I finally was able to make bread. My dad makes really amazing bread, (that's right, I said my dad!) He uses a mixer that I have always wanted, but never have gotten. It has been on my list of "things I want" for a while now! (I try to make birthdays and Christmas really easy for Tony by telling him my "Top 5 Things" I want. I know, I am so thoughtful!) I ended up, finally getting the mixer from my mom and dad this Christmas! So I practiced making the bread with my dad in Orem, but he was there to make sure that I didn't add too much salt, or burn it. This week I tried making it all by myself. The first time I made it I let it raise too much, so when I took it out of the oven it was all lumpy. When I cut a slice it just crumbled. The next night I tried again. I was nervous, so I called my dad a lot to ask him a lot of question! But I pulled it off! I am very proud of myself! I couldn't have done it without my dad for passing along his knowledge, and my mom for getting me the mixer!and also for helping me check off something on my "Top 5 List of things I want!" My bread!
My new mixer!

Christmas Morning

This year we spent Christmas at home. This is the first Christmas that we haven't spent with my parents (I know, I am spoiled!) Every Christmas Eve that I can remember we have always gone to my grandma's house for a while and then go to my parents house and open up one present. I decided that I would have been too sad if I wasn't able to spend time with family on Christmas eve, so I invited Tony's family over. We had such a good time. About 35 of Tonys' aunts and uncles and cousins came over for dinner and games. We had to move out all of the furniture in the family room so that everyone could fit. After dinner we played chimes (which ended up being more of a hit with the adults then the children) then we did a "family game gift exchange" Then Tonys dad read the Christmas story. It was a great night. I only wish that I took some pictures!
After everyone left the girls opened up their new pajamas and went to bed because Santa had a really busy night ahead of him!
Maddie asked for a "big bed" because she wants Sophie to sleep in her room. I have always told her that her twin bed was too small for the both of them. Tony set up her bed while I cleaned up from the party and stuffed the stockings.
Christmas morning the girls were so excited! Tony's parents came over to open gifts, and Vern recorded the whole morning with his video camera. We were supposed to go up to Orem in the afternoon, but the weather prevented that from happening. I was pretty sad because my brother Justin is on his mission and he was calling that afternoon. Tony's whole family gets together for a Christmas breakfast. We went over there and I was on the verge of crying because I missed MY family! Thankfully Tony's cousin is one of my closest friends, and I was grateful for her because she helped me get my mind off of not being in Orem. We all played games then went home to take naps! About an hour later my brother called me!! I was so excited! We were able to talk for about a half hour, and it was so good! (thanks Justin for tweaking the mission rules slightly, so that I could talk to you!) Afterwards the power went out because of the storm, so we went over to Tony's uncles for more games. Only this time it was under lanterns and candlelight! It ended up being such a fun day. When we got home later that night we moved the mattresses in the family room by the fireplace because the power was still out, and our house was freezing. Tony, the girls, and I fell asleep there. The power came back on at about 2 a.m. We were all too tired to go back to our own beds, so we just cuddled all night! The next morning we were able to leave for Orem. Where we basically had another Christmas because of all the gifts (I told you I am spoiled!)
I truly am so blessed. Tony is so good to me. He is so caring and understanding. My girls bring so much joy to my life, and I love them so much. I have an amazing family, we are all so close. I have the greatest friends ever, and I couldn't be happier!
This is the night before Christmas after Santa left


Madilynn slept in Sophie's room, so she was surprised to see her big bed in her room that morning.