White Christmas

I've never actually had a white Christmas!!!  Well, except a light dusting at my brother's in Denver a few years back.  That's what growing up in Arizona does to you.  I had to work the night shift Christmas Eve then flew to Utah right afterward.  Both of my sisters and their families had been at my parents for a few days previous and were on their way to their in-laws', but I managed to see them both for a bit on the way.  We had a family Christmas dinner at Buca di Beppo in Salt Lake City and boy, was it delicious!  On our drive back to Ephraim the snow was down-pouring and I was afraid we wouldn't make it back alive, but indeed we did!

My parents had already opened presents with my sisters the day before so I got to have my own little Christmas.  I much prefer having little kids around for the excitement.  I literally spent the next 2 days sleeping my life away as I had been up for 36+ hours straight.  I'm preeeeetty sure I slept more than I was awake and I even fell asleep during Elf.  Noooooooo!!!  I NEVER fall asleep during movies (not even when I try), let alone my favorite movie!  I really must have been sleep deprived.  During my awake hours (ha), I tried to make a snow angel but the snow was just too powdery.  Just glad I got to be home for both Thanksgiving and Christmas this year!

About a week or so before Christmas, we had our friend Christmas party here in California.  We had a nice meal, made bags for the homeless complete with blankets, had a gift exchange, and watched Home Alone.  I love my friend family!

The Big 30

I couldn't have asked for a better 30th birthday!  I was fortunate enough to have the day off from work and Stephen showed up with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.  He also planned a fabulous afternoon/evening at the beach with friends.  It was a wee bit cold, but we went longboarding along the beach and then beached it up with a big bonfire, roasting hot dogs and s'mores.  It was pretty darn great, only wish I had some more photos...  Yes, some of my friends wear very colorful jeans, what can I say??

Friends

These guys are my rock.  I don't think I could do my fellowship without them.  They are my California family.  We are always doing things together and usually have Sunday dinner together each week as well.  We've done everything from go to a volleyball game, to hiking, to outside movie nights, to dancing, to dinner competitions, to Disneyland!  And everything in between, whatever that may be.  There's a group of 10 or so of us, so it usually varies with every activity who can go to what, but it's always a good time!