Sunshine State

Thanks to MLK Jr., we were able to spend some vacation time in Florida over the long weekend. Can't say it enough how amazing it was to feel the warm sunshine for atleast a few of the days we were there.  We've been missing 70 degree weather here in Utah.  (We actually have been very lucky with the weather in Utah this winter...hardly any snow which means my kiddos have outside lunch recess inside of inside! hallelujah!)

We took an overnight flight to Tampa Thursday night and were planning on going to Disneyworld all day Friday. Definitely didn't happen. We were so exhausted after that plane ride. I had the middle seat for 5 hours. Getting a good nights sleep just wasn't happening. When we got to Florida we met up with Andrew's grandma and went out to breakfast before we picked up Andrew's mom from the airport.  We were so happy they were able to come down too! We all went back to the house and crashed for a few hours. 

Highlights of the vacation:

Friday night: outback with the fam

Saturday morning: on our way to Disneyworld!

love the castle!!

could not leave disney without a pineapple dole whip! my very favorite!

Epcot

after one of our favorites--test track!

walkin around Hollywood studios

Even though it was pretty cloudy and chilly, Disneyworld was fun! (even though it is definitely over priced!!)

Sunday: we were coming home from church and saw a ton of smoke coming from this field.  We pulled into the parking lot next to it and saw a fire spreading.  It was kind of windy so it was spreading like crazy.  The fire department hadn't come yet, there was only one other couple there who said they saw 4 boys run out of the field when the fire started! not sure if they ever got caught...but they started a pretty crazy fire!

not sure if we should be taking a picture and smiling in front of the fire ha ha...but we did anyways

 parkesdale farms: enjoyed some delicious milkshakes and strawberry shortcakes.  This place also had some of the best fresh squeezed orange juice I've ever had! I couldn't believe how cheap produce was sold here.  Loved it.

Monday: spent the day at the beautiful St. Pete's beach

andrew and his momma

beach with my husband, sun, and a dr. pepper makes me a very happy girl!

Til next time Florida!

                                                        

Top 5 of 2011

It's hard to believe 2011 is already over. The years keep going by faster and faster but getting better and better! Andrew and I had spent another wonderful year together.  We made a list of our top 5 moments of the year.

1. Getting married in the beautiful Washington D.C. temple in May for time and all eternity.
2. Andrew and the BYU lacrosse team winning the National Championship in Colorado the week after we got married!
3. Accepting and starting my first teaching job as a 2nd grade teacher and Andrew interviewing 3 days in a row and accepting a great job offer for Accretive Health for when he graduates this spring.
4. Spending time in California in February together for a lacrosse tournament and honeymooning in Bermuda for a week.
5. Living in DC together this summer as newlyweds and getting to spend so much time with his family.

New Years Eve 

Happy New Year!

Our First Christmas 2011

Since we were going to be in Colorado for Christmas with my family, we put up our Christmas tree in our apartment right after Thanksgiving.  We both love Christmas and love the feeling of being home sitting in the living room with the Christmas tree lights on.  It makes the room feel so cozy, so we put it up as soon as we could! 

                                                          Andrew decorating the tree

finished product!

I had to teach until the 21st so for our class Christmas party we had a secret santa gift exchange where all the kids were assigned one student to bring a present for $1 or less max.  It was so fun to see the kids open their presents and so excited about them! Then we watched Polar Express and drank hot chocolate and played some Christmas games. 

It was so nice to have a break from school. It was definitely much needed. I slept in as late as I could to make up for a whole semesters lack of sleep.  After being in Colorado, I now know why moms who blog post mostly with pictures of their kiddos.  I couldn't stop taking pictures of my adorable nephews.  I couldn't get enough of them!  They are at such a fun stage right now.

 Teigy lovin on Uncle Andrew Christmas morning

                                                   Christmas morning with my loves! 

first married Christmas together :)

                                                         he loves his chocolate labs!!

It was great to be with all of my family and get to spend so much time together! Some other highlights from our break were:
*skyping with our brother, Michael, who is serving his mission in Africa.  It was so great seeing him doing so well!  We can't wait to have him home for Christmas next year (hopefully)
*playing hours and hours of Rook....and by playing, I mean Andrew and I beating my dad and Jordan :)
*unlimited amounts of delicious food!  Andrew and I were pretty sad to come back home to Utah and have much less options to choose from!
*TCBY frozen yogurt
*staying up late and sleeping in
*seeing The Help, Sherlock Holmes 2, and Mission Impossible 3 at the theaters with the fam
*catching up with my best friends over frozen yogurt
*lots of kinect action with my siblings
*taking my nephews to Chucke Cheese

We are blessed with such great family.  We missed Andrew's side of the family in Maryland, but fortunately get to see his mom and grandma in Florida in just 6 days! hooray!