2 More Days Until 25 More Days

So, good news: I saw a dog today (if you are a sad sad person and don't understand this reference, see HERE and go to the 50 second mark). 

No but seriously, good news guys: Thanksgiving is over and its OFFICIALLY time to start celebrating Christmas. Yes, in our apartment have been semi-secretly celebrating for over a month now... but now that the Turkey is gone and the radio has started playing Christmas music, it is socially acceptable to break out the Carpenters Christmas album and everyone can start spreading happy holiday cheer without being bullied for starting too early. 

This is, without doubt, my favorite time of the year. There is an almost tangible magic in the air. So everyone, I hope you are contributing to the special season by praying for snow, counting the houses with pretty lights, preparing for ABC Family's countdown to Christmas, starting in on your goodie making, decorating your homes, singing carols, looking forward to Santa's visit, and putting up your trees. No Grinchyness is acceptable in a time like this! Loosen those socks, enlarge your hearts, and making it the most wonderful time of the year!

Hmm, speaking of trees, I think its high time we get some new lights for ours...

Maybe Santa will bring some early!! :)

Thanksgiving in Texas

Last year and the year before, I spent the Thanksgiving holiday away from my family for the first time ever. Thankfully, I was still had wonderful friends around me to take me in and make it pretty special. However, the chance to spend a week with my family over the holiday this year was FANTASTIC. 

We played outside.

We made hard tack candy.

We did trust falls.

We went to school and bought a scantron from a VENDING MACHINE. Say what?

We spent a day at the park.

We grilled out in the summery weather in the backyard.

 

We made adorable candy turkeys.

We ran a super fun 8 miles in Dallas on Thanksgiving morning.

We ate a DELECTABLE Turkey Day feast.

We went to "cut down" a Christmas tree.

 Welcoooome to Texas...

 

 

This is why they pretend to cut down a tree and then buy one of the ones that are shipped in from the northwest :)

Found one! And yes, it is INSIDE the car.

We went to downtown McKinney to watch the tree lighting ceremony.

 

This is how Texas rolls. Making artificial snow for sledding in the streets downtown.

 

We fell asleep and looked drop dead adorable in the living room. And then let Aunt Nettie carry you to bed.

  

We played with beautiful long blond hair.

We played a lot of hilarious catch phrase.

 And then we got on a plane and headed back to Provo and wondered when we'll see Texas next. 

All I know is that its not soon enough :(

4 Days

Four more days until i'm reunited with 4 out of 6 of my favorite kids in the world.

Riding in a Winter Wonderland

Once upon a time, in the land of Provo, it finally snowed. 

And it snowed a lot. 

And it was beautiful.

My aunt Terilyn knows a guy who has the responsibility of keeping some horses in shape during the winter, so he takes people riding for free on the weekends. An awesome opportunity that just could not be passed up. My two horse-loving roommates Hallie and Christie joined me for the adventure on this snowy Saturday. 

Before we could get anywhere they took it upon themselves to get the six inches of snow off my car.

 So excited!!

Hallie and Christie are both long time horse lovers. They grew up with horses of their own and a serious passion for these large and in charge animals.

And then there's me. I did not grow up with horses. My experience amounts to one ride per year at girls camp. I wish I was a horse girl. I see horses in movies and read about them in books and learn about what wonderful and special animals they are and the great bonds that people form with them. So then I get all excited, but then I stand next to one and suddenly i'm overcome with hesitation and maybe some fear. They are just so big and I feel like they are going to bite my fingers off, or kick me, or fall on top of me (yeah especially that last one for some reason)... which is why I am shamelessly proud of myself for how I did yesterday. I rode a horse. In the snow. And we even trotted. On a horse. In the snow. Yep, me. I still wasn't 100% comfortable, especially considering the soreness that was quickly settling into my boo-tay, but I think that with continued exposure and practice, I could possibly eventually become a horse-lovin' kinda girl.

Cutest girl evaaaa.

Other cutest girl evaaaa. Plus she is amazing because EVERYTHING that comes out of her mouth is so hilarious and quote worthy.

The view.

 Love them.

 This was the perfect way to enjoy the freshly fallen snow. It was so picturesque, and this photo doesn't even come close to doing it justice.

Happy happy girls :)

 Riding in a winter wonderland.

I. LOVE. SNOW.

 ADORABLE.

This was such a great way to spend a saturday with my friends and awesome little cousins. 

I love the people in my life. 

And I love doing fun things.

And I love the snow.

And I love my life.