2008 it was great

It's always funny to look back on a year. It's so easy to forget important events. Overall, I would say that I had a pretty good year. So here's a short summary (not in order of importance):

1. Got a new calling as secretary in Primary.

2. My brother got married on leap day.

3. We went on vacation to Gatlinburg and had a good time hiking, shopping, and horseback riding.

4. I turned 26.

5. I started my new job at work. Love it.

6. President Hinckley passed away.

7. My Granny passed away.

8. We celebrated our 2nd anniversary in Nashville.

9. Scott came home from serving his mission in Texas.

10. I graduated with my masters.

11. We saw the Cubs play the Reds in Cincinnati for the 2nd time.

12. Our new niece, Lotus, was born.

It was a great year. I am ready to start a new one. I am ready to resolve to be better in 2009. I want to be more positive and to find beauty in everything.

Happy New Year!

Our Christmas Part II

The weekend after Christmas my Mom, Dad, and Sister made the trip to our house. We had a lovely weekend together celebrating Christmas. Friday we all exchanged presents and watched movies. Kase was so excited because he finally got a surround sound to go with all his other gadgets.

I call his love for all things electronical the "Never Ending Story". As long as he enjoys it, I don't mind. Because of his obsession, I am able to watch my favorite shows with high clarity and volume. I can't complain.

The Monster was happy to have a buddy to play with all weekend because Isabella, my parent's dog, came to visit too!

Mom cooked up some DELICIOUS pot roast, beans, cornbread, and chocolate covered cherry cookies. I am still eating on all of this yumminess. I have lunch and dinner for a week!

Dad and Kase recovered a chair for me. This did not result in any injuries.

I enjoyed spending time with my family. I have gotten to see them a lot lately and it has been very nice. I love having them over. I am so thankful for all they do for me and for all the love that they give to us.

I had a very Merry Christmas.

Our Christmas Part I

Christmas is over... and I miss it already. Everything was so exciting. There was joy in the air. At work, homemade treats would randomly appear in the kitchen and neatly wrapped gifts would appear on my desk. In the car, fun carols would be sung and almost every radio station would play songs celebrating the Savior. At home, there were treasures to wrap, goodies to bake, and warm movies to watch.

Now it seems colder outside. The sparkle and warmth has dissapeared. The carols have faded away.

Oh, bother. BUT DO NOT FRET! A New Year lingers but only a few days away. Here to bring back the sparkle and warmth. Hooray!

Now about my Christmas. It was wonderful. My favorite thing about Christmas is spending time with family. And there was plenty of that. This year was the first, yes, first year that we stayed here for Christmas. I had a lovely time.

Christmas morning, Kase and I woke up and we opened presents at home.

Presents for him, for me, and for the monster.

Our stockings had been hung by the chimney with care. One of my favorite tradtions, I grew up with stockings full of favorite candies,toys, socks, and other small treasures. This year, Kase was in charge of the insurmountable feat of filling my stocking. Although, he is the most perfect husband, after he ran around looking for reese's peanut butter christmas trees, my stocking found itself filled with 2 oranges. Apparently, shopping for such treasure before last minute on Christmas eve is not his strong suit. (Little did he know, my stocking was really filled with joy disguised as oranges. When my mother later heard the orange story, she laughed all through dinner. A good time had by all. A great stocking filler.)

A treasure hunt lead Kase to his very last gift.

Then we went over to his parent's house to enjoy the rest of Christmas day. The food was delicious and the family was so fun. I loved watching our niece and nephew open their gifts.

*See Below The TreeAngela and LotusRyan, Kase, and ThomasKatie PadreThomas, Scott, and RyanSophie and Carrie (that's what all her dolls are named)Padre and his new toy SuperDeb and her new toy

My favorite gift was from my mother-in-law. I hope I don't embarrass her by blogging about it. She gave me a beautiful bracelet with a very sweet letter. It made me feel very loved and very much like a part of the family. Which, by the way, I am very glad to be part of such a wonderful family. This was a wonderful Christmas gift for a wonderful Christmas.

Christmas Fairy. Don't ask.

*Kase wants to emphasize that people in pictures are not as unattractive as they may appear.

She is 17 going on 18

My sister Melissa turned 17 last Saturday! Can you believe it? Well I can't.

For her birthday I went to visit and the family went shopping. We got some great deals. Buying things is fun, but buying things on sale is even better. We also ate at the RainForest Cafe, where Melissa was surprised with a huge birthday cake. And our cousin Rachael came to visit. Then we drove around the Opryland hotel to look at the lights. I mean litterally, we drove around it. It was a fun day.

Melissa, I am proud of you. You are smart, sweet, beautiful, and funny. I hope you had a wonderful birthday. I am so glad you are my sister. Love you!

P.S. I have been thinking. I wish I could decorate my whole house in red and green all year long. I mean, it is so festive and warm. Not to mention it apparently may make atleast one of your children smart, witty, and talented with setting up traps to catch thiefs. For example, in the movie Home Alone, if you'll notice, the whole house is decorated in red and green. Couches, wallpaper, dishes, etc. I am just saying. Mutliple benefits. It may be a good idea. I might look into it.

Ho Ho Ho...

Last week Kase called me and told me he had the best surprise for me after work. I thought about it all day. What could it be?

When I arrived home he called and said he was on his way.

I waited... could it be an early Christmas gift? A new puppy? Chocolate? Flowers?

In the end, it turns out he was right. It was a great surprise.

He walked through the door wearing this:

It was a gigg he did for work.

I guess I should've left him some cookies.

O Holy Night

Sometimes in all the hustle and bustle (is that how it's spelled?) of the season I forget about the true spirit and reason for Christmas. Our Savior's birth.

I am so greatful for the love the Savior gives to me. For His sacrifice for us all. I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas and that you all feel the warmth, comfort, and love of our Savior.

Merry Christmas!

It's a Wonderful Life

I have stories to tell about Green Santa Clauses, Lentil Soups, and 17th birthdays, but I haven't had time to upload pictures. So, I will get on that soon. I know you'll be in suspense until such time.


Until then...

Have a very Merry Christmas!

As a side note, I bought a present for me. It's a new purse for winter. Homemade and I love it!

Don't you love the vintage button? sighhhhh...

I will keep myself busy wrapping presents, organizing my house (it has to be clean for Christmas!), spending time with family, baking cookies, and watching Christmas movies. I love it.