Christmas Vacation - Day 1

I worked Sunday night until 10:30p then dragged myself home to finish packing and to get some sleep before heading out to CA. I managed about 3 hours of sleep then drove myself out to Dulles to catch my 8am flight. So grateful to be leaving that particular day as the weather had suddenly turned obscenely cold. So I arrived in CA by early afternoon and thought, I'll go home and nap then go see the kiddos. Right... So C jumped in my arms before I even made it through the door (I LOVE IT!) and an hour or so later I packed C and D up and headed up to visit Little R, Uncle S and Aunt K in their new house. We met up at Taco Bell - a first for me in years. Not bad actually. S got out the snake in an attempt to entertain C and the photos started. It's so good to be home.

R and D on the favorite Dora couch. They were showing us their shoes.
D looks like she's trying to get away with something... Not sure what but that is my phone.

Baby D showing us her shoes. She doesn't usually run around in just her diaper and shoes but that's what happens when you pour your sippy cup of water all over yourself and your aunt didn't pack extra clothes...

Baby D and Uncle S holding Moe the snake.

C and Moe

R was a little more brave and let her daddy put Moe around her neck. She freaked about half a second later.

Christmas photos - C's idea. Maybe you had to be there but it was pretty funny. Remember when Mom and Dad used to make you all line up in front of the Christmas tree and take a family picture. The only thing missing in this photo is someone being "naughty" and someone crying.

My best friend Karen came to visit me this weekend - my first visitor! We had a wonderful time. I'd like to say we got out and saw all the sites but... we went shopping. Come on, Banana Republic was having a crazy good sale on outwear and it's cold here. We had grand plans to check out a couple of Smithsonian's and the National Mall on Saturday but we (meaning I) had a hair color emergency on Saturday morning. It was purple, well fushia, but still, not good. So I spent the day getting my hair fixed while Karen shopped and occasionally dropped of bags for me to babysit. We do have a great mall here in Arlington. The lady who did my hair was an hysterical African American women. She told me at one point she was 38, which I couldn't believe, and while I was gawking at her, awestruck, she stated, "Black don't crack!" I promptly, without thinking responded, "I WANT TO BE A BLACK WOMEN!" At which point half the salon turned, looked, and started laughing. Delightful. Saturday night Karen and I went on double dates with her ex-boyfriend Rex and my platonic pocket pal, Ty. Let's just say we had to think of things to talk about but it was far less awkward than I anticipated. We went to dinner at a Lebonese restaurant in Arlington then into the District to see the National Christmas Tree. The National Tree is spectacular and then they surround it with trees decorated by each state and the territories. It was freezing and Ty did not dress appropriately, hence he looks like a moron in most of the pictures. We like him anyway. I took Karen to the airport today, as I was not able to convince her to move out here this weekend. I don't see anything wrong with her quitting her job over the phone and having her roommates ship her stuff out here... nothing wrong at all, but she disagreed. Since we didn't do much touring and she didn't get to go to the temple (her one request) I have leverage to get her out here again. Picture me with an evil grin and a wicked cackel. I can't wait...

Ty & Julie, Rex & Karen at the Lebonese Restaurant

A state tree, the National tree, and the White House

Karen and I in front of the National tree

Rex and Karen in front of the Colorado tree

Ty and I in front of the California tree

Ty and I dancing to the Christmas music

Ty was very, very cold

Thanksgiving

I couldn't decide where to go for Thanksgiving this year so I went to two. Good decision on my part. I enjoyed prepping for dinner on Wednesday night and then the socializing and appetizers at Wendy's house then went tripping over to my friend Amanda's house for dinner with the girls. I didn't manage to take pictures at Amanda's but don't worry, I adore those girls so they'll creep up at some point.

This Thanksgiving was bittersweet for me. I've been living in Arlington for almost 2 months now and I love it but this was my very first non-family Thanksgiving. Not bad for being a 31 year old but still a bit sad. I also learned on Wednesday night that my Grandma was in the hospital, quite sick. It was the first time I've felt homesick. So I tried to think of things I'm grateful for. It's not hard... Here's a short list...

I am grateful...

1. to have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. To know I'm my Heavenly Father's daughter and I have a place and a mission here on this earth.

2. to belong to a family (extended included) who loves and supports me. Even when I'm crazy. Or far away. Don't know what I would do or where I would be without you.

3. to be the aunt of Jonny, Crewe, James, Rebecca, Dayne, and Isaac. I love each of them more than I can express in words. I think of them often and missed them terribly. I am so grateful for eternal families and to know I get to keep them forever (even if their technically not mine).

4. to have a job I love.

5. to work with people I like.

6. to get paid to make people feel better. And to give shots and start IVs (I really enjoy doing that).

7. to have wonderful new friends in Arlington.

8. to have best friends.

9. to have roommates I like and a comfortable home (and a comfortable bed!).

10. for cell phones with free long distance so I can stay close to my family and friends.

11. for the temple. Especially with it being so close.

12. for fall leaves and snow flurries.

13. for Gold's Gym.

14. for laughter - if I couldn't laugh I would probably cry.

15. comfy sweats.

Patty, Julie, Michelle working on the Thanksgiving prep. We made a gratitude turkey, wassal, 100+ orange rolls, and a cheese ball.

Patty and Michelle shaping the gratitude turkey.The gratitude turkey "pre-feathers".

"Helpful Henry" aka Ty. He did make three trips to the store...

The gratitude turkey "post-feathers".Ty and I at Thanksgiving dinner #1.

Fours

#1: This photo was taken 10-31-07 at the Wilson House Halloween Party. #2: I was a modestly dressed go-go dancer. #3: I had fake eyelashes (that I loved). #4: The shoes KILLED my feet.

Thanks Kelli - fun idea.

Rules of the game: post the fourth photo in the fourth folder and write four things about it.

Thanksgiving posts to come...