Holiday Season '09

This holiday season has proved to be a fun one. It started with Jono's cousin, Mary, getting married in the Newport Beach Temple to Eric. The reception was on the boat "Eternity" that went around Newport Harbor. Mary was absolutely beautiful and we had a fun time spending time with family and dancing on the boat!

Wednesday night when Jono got home from work we went to Ice Palace with Jono's brother Jeremiah. I forgot how cold ice was and we all had fun ice skating.

After Ice Palace we drove to a neighbor by my parent's house to visit Candy Cane Lane. It is at the end of a cul-de-sac and all the houses participate in decorating their whole houses and front yards with Christmas decorations. It is absolutely amazing to go around and look at all of it. Here is just a few shots at some of the houses.

Christmas Eve we went to the Gardner's house with the Castletons for dinner, the nativity scene, and the Christmas Eve gifts. The nativity scene was adorable and it was fun singing Christmas songs. When it came time to gift opening I wasn't expecting anything to open. But I got a gift handed to me with my name on it. Jono got one too. We counted down and we all opened our presents at the same time. I was expecting just a generic gift but I didn't want to look around at everyone before I got mine open so I wouldn't ruin the surprise. When I opened the box there was a t-shirt inside. When I looked at it I started cracking up. Here's what ours said:

Christmas morning Jono and I got to sleep in and open our own presents at our apartment. It was our first Christmas morning with just us together. We woke up at 9:30 and sorted the presents. We went back and forth opening presents and we both enjoyed the morning together. I have to admit there were a lot more presents under our tree than I thought there would be this year.

When we were done we went over to the Castletons for a pancake and waffle breakfast. Afterwards we opened presents from the Castletons and spent time playing with gifts. Then we all got in the car and met up with my parents at the movie theater and saw Sherlock Holmes. We really liked it and it was a fun movie to watch!

Last Saturday night we went out with my sister Claire and her husband Sterling to On Target to go shooting! I hd been wanting to go shooting for a while now and now I was finally getting to go. The closest I have come to shooting a gun was my grandpa's BB Gun at his cabin in Idaho. I was a little nervous at first but after that first shot I was hooked! We all had a lot of fun and I even got a really cool shot of Claire (the top left picture).

Jono and I have had a blessed and happy holiday season so far and we are looking forward to New Year's and more football games.

We hope you all had a happy Christmas!