Yellowstone Photobook

Forgot to add in my Yellowstone Shutterfly Photobook that we gave my parents for Christmas, so here it is! Profesh.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Christmas/Birthday Rewind

I finally have a bit to recap Christmas and that joyous event on the last day of the year--my birthday! Prepare yourselves for a long one...

 

Christmas was wonderful...as if it would be anything less than that! We spent the holiday at my parents' house and set up camp there to spend the week. Saves on our utility bills, right?! For Christmas Eve, our family tradition is to spend the evening with our best family friends, Brad and Susan Tanner, who live a couple streets over in my parents' neighborhood. We got invited to their home for Christmas Eve years ago (because my family doesn't really have any family in Utah...we're lonely and they took pity on us!), and have been invited every year since. Each year the guest list gets bigger and bigger as more of us marry or have new babies. I think we're up to about 30 people...it's great!

Christmas Eve always starts out with the traditional carriage ride over to the neighboring neighborhood to see "Christmas Street" where each house is decorated elaborately in lights and tells a piece of the story from The Night Before Christmas. Since our four-wheeler-pulled-carriage is also decorated in lights and holds about ten people all bundled up from head to foot, we also become a spectacle and receive many waves and shout outs from other caravans of people. Maybe next year we should start throwing out beads since I feel like we're a parade float.

 

After our carriage ride, it's munching on hors d'oeuvre (aka "appetizers" for people who look at that and think WTF on pronunciation like I do) while waiting for Santa to arrive to get the younger kids excited. This year, Jake and I were forced to also sit on Santa's lap for a picture. Needless to say, you will NOT be seeing it. Next up is our Christmas feast, which also seems to get bigger and bigger...it's like a second Thanksgiving. When all bellies are full, it's time for our Christmas program where a fun Christmas story is read as well as the story of Christ's birth read from the Bible. A Christmas must! Once everyone is peaceful and quiet, we turn up the fun notch again and do our much-anticipated present exchange! No, it's not a white elephant gift (though some people's gifts make you wonder), so it's fun to fight for an actual good present. This years' coveted gift was a set of U of U legit headphones that neither Jake or I ended up with. Sigh. After games and laughs, it's time to retire home where cookies and hot chocolate are set out for Santa and Gage is whisked off to bed while Santa busily gets to work stuffing stockings and arranging the present pile for a maximum "wow" factor...that means ugly, soggy or bow-less presents in the back.

Christmas morning! A whirlwind of wrapping paper and bows flying through the air. Luckily, being at my parents' house with them and my brother makes the presents seem to last a little longer than if it were just our little family of three. Our present for my loving mother and father this year was a Shutterfly book on our Yellowstone vacation we all went on over the summer. It took me forever to finish (and cost a pretty penny for over-night shipping) but the end product was well worth it and turned out great. They loved it! I feel like quite the accomplished little photobooker.  Now, what was the "big" present this year for Gage? A bike. What was his most favorite present this year that cost 1/3 of the bike? A cheesehead to go with his Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers jersey for his completed Discount Double-check outfit. Let that be a lesson to all you parents who think buying a 9-year-old an iPod Touch and Kindle is the way to go...he's just as happy (if not MORE!) with a giant piece of foam. Let kids be kids...retarded, goofy ones.

 

For our traditional Christmas breakfast, my dad always makes buttermilk Belgian waffles with whipped cream and strawberries. Kill me now. SO good! Then, the rest of Christmas day is sitting around in sweats and pajamas watching movies, eating candy from our stockings, and playing games Santa brought. The Jones family fave? Lego Lord of the Rings for the Wii. Oh...my...YES. Jake and I ended up playing--or as we like to call it, "saving the world"--for at least 4 days straight and are halfway through the game. Unfortunately, life and work started back up and we haven't been able to save the world since then. I just know Frodo needs us!

Another Christmas fave is sipping cinnamon tea all day long...and I mean ALL day. I think I had a least 8 mugs full just that day. Our family's "tea" recipe came from my grandpa, who on hunting trips, would make this nummy beverage since it kept him warm and didn't take much to pack. It consists of boiling a pot of water and soaking cinnamon sticks in it, then adding a bit of milk and sugar to your mug as you would to coffee. Absolutely refreshing and so darn delicious. Move over hot chocolate! Christmas isn't the same without it, and the smell is heaven. 

After Christmas, we head on to New Year's Eve--my birthday! Jake and I spent the day together, first starting with a trip to the DMV to renew my license since I procrastinate...and then a second trip back because I didn't have my passport with me, and we discovered Jake also needed his renewed. Ha! I then chose to do a nice lunch outing instead of dinner since usually New Year's Eve means packed restaurants, so to Cheesecake Factory we went! I didn't realize that I hadn't been there since before I was married...waaaay too long to go without my delicious Chicken Madeira that I always get and their fried Mac n' Cheeese for an appetizer. Oh my WOW, you have not lived until tasting the friend Mac n' Cheese. Then, for dessert in place of buying a birthday cake, we both got slices of cheesecake to take home. Duh, Cheesecake Factory means you must eat cheesecake! Mmm...mine was caramel dutch apple. Next up was shopping at the new Traverse Mountain outlets by our house. I was able to get a new black winter coat and sunglasses, which go perfect with my new Sorel boots that Jake got me that me think "boots with the furrrr!" He spoiled me with presents. Love my hubby!

 

In the evening, birthday festivities continued by grabbing some dinner at our small and humble Wingshak (have I mentioned that I have a hot wing obsession? Like bad.) and then going to see Les Miserables. Oooh, it was fantastic! I've always grown up with the soundtrack since as far back as I can remember, and even got to go see the play at the Capital Theater with my family back during my elementary school days. So, Les Miserables is no foreign musical to me. What a beautiful soundtrack! It was so fun watching it on screen, and it really put the story more into perspective. I loved the cast, loved their singing, loved the movie. And yes, I was a mess a good portion of the movie and went prepared with tissues. Darn that Anna Hathaway! She started it! Our movie ended at 11:59 p.m., just in time for me to whip out my phone to check the time and wait one more minute for Jake and I to share our New Year's kiss in the theater. Presh. It was probably one of the better birthdays I've had, all thanks to a great guy to share it with. And thank you for all of your birthday wishes!

That officially concludes all of my adventures from 2012.

New Year, New Look

In lieu of the new year, my blog got a schmancy new makeover. Hi, new blog! For my first post of 2013, I thought I'd share a picture of my Christmas cards I sent out to family and friends. My first card sending session ever! I'm so mature and married...nevermind the fact that I just sent them like 2 days ago and not before Christmas. That's what happens when you decide to place an order on December 17th. Anyway, on the back of the card, our family's top 10 highlights from 2012 were printed, so of course those must be shared on here as well since it's important you all know we do cool things. I find this a perfect way to start the new year by taking a look back at our special moments this past year and waving them goodbye in hopes for more great moments to come...because really, twenty-twelve was kind of a B overall, despite my fun list. Welcome 2013! 

10. Jake successfully completed his 1st year of nursing school in the spring. He's now in his 2nd year and one busy guy. 

9. Gage is half-way through 3rd grade and loves it. He doesn't have a girlfriend but he does have straight A's!

8. In March, Jenny dragged Jake to Las Vegas for 311 Day at MGM Grand.

7. For Easter, we met Jake's parents in Carson City, Nevada to visit his grandparents.

6. Jake and Jenny celebrated their 1st wedding anniversary on May 20th. Both have committed to another year or two. 

5. Gage played his 4th season of baseball in the spring, advancing to Coaches Pitch and playing on a real baseball diamond all season.

4. Jake landed his first nursing assistant job at Intermountain Medical Center--the largest hospital in the Intermountain West.

3. In July, we vacationed to beautiful Yellowstone National Park with Jenny's parents followed by Lake Powell and Bryce Canyon over Labor Day weekend. (Her parents must like us.)

2. Gage participated in his first primary talent show. He did a self-taught hip-hop dance to MC Hammer.

1. In October, we celebrated being in our new home one year! Thank heavens for a garage during the winter.

An Island Greeting

Of course I can't pass up the chance to share something 311-y with you! Nick Hexum does the most fabulous version of Mele Kalikimaka ever, so I thought I'd spread some joy and share. I normally do not like this song at all and get visions of cousin Eddie from Christmas Vacation in his Speedo on the diving board holding his can of beer when I hear it, but this takes me to paradise!

Enjoy Nick's dreamy voice. Dibs.

 

 Ahh....

In ex-Chelsea's Day-O

Our family trio has been up some other things this December, so here is my snappy list of updates:

- We finally decided to brave the crowds downtown at City Creek, and it was b-e-a-utiful! It's so nice and so well put together. Totally fancy schmancy. I plan to go back so I can actually go in several stores for some shopping instead of just sight-seeing. I also loved that this is the first year Macy's brought back the traditional candy window displays that ZCMI used to do.

- Jake finished his semester with flying colors. He got a perfect score on one of his finals and passed the rest of his classes, despite even missing the deadline for one of his finals (which I about slaughtered him for because it means being kicked out of nursing school) until I found out his teacher was kind enough to cut him a break and take it. Phew! Stayed married after all. 

- Gage got straight A's on his report card (clearly we know who he gets the brains from) and can't wait for Christmas break. He must have been so excited for break that he decided to take it a week early because he ended up with a nasty cold and was out for four days last week. Poor little lamb! And thank heavens I didn't catch it. 

- I was deeply saddened at the end of October to discover I had not been a random "winner" chosen for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert tickets I tried signing up for this year. I've only been once before and it was easily one of the most unique and special choir concerts I've been to. So, where there's a will, there's a way...or if you have a dad who knows how to meddle his way into things, that helps too. So yes, we were able to get in. Ha! This year was spectacular because this years' guests were Tom Brokaw and Alfie Boe...my whole reason for wanting to attend.

If you are asking yourself who the heck this Alfie guy is, his big role was playing Jean Valjean in the huge 25th anniversary production of Les Miserables in London, which I have watched multiple times on TV and have cried to multiple times. Should I mention a Jonas brother is also in it? Needless to say, the MoTab Christmas concert was another such event where it was sobfest for me...especially when Alfie unexpectedly sang his most amazing tear-jerking song from Les Miserables! So join me in being a mess and watch the video below of Alfie's said song. Grab a tissue.

- This year, instead of taking Gage shopping to buy presents for me or Jake or other family members, we decided to give him ye olde lesson on giving to others by having him pick a name from his school's Sub For Santa tree. I was hoping he'd pick a young boy whose name would be listed (to make it more personal) and would have a list of fun toy ideas, but the tree had been picked over quite a bit. He ended up with an unknown older boy whose only request was adult size snow boots. We took him shopping to my beloved Kohl's and boots we bought. He wrapped them up and turned it into school the next day. Hopefully our lesson stuck and he'll remember it? Hopefully the person in need likes them because they weren't cheap!

- As I mentioned previously, I got to attend two ugly sweat parties this year. The one we had at work last week was fantastic, and not just because we had 5 different conference rooms of pot luck food to feast on. No, it was because this photo session went down...

- Gage also decided he wanted to give Christmas goodies to his classmates, so we had him pick out some cute reindeer cards from the store and bought yummy Jolly Rancher candy canes to tape on the envelopes. He loves giving presents and making things for other people. He even started drawing a Christmas picture in each card until we told him he wouldn't have time to do 30 of them! Oh, and side note: I've already started arranging marriages for Gage after looking at his class picture and seeing how adorable some of the girls in his class are.

- And last but not least, while tuning into Blake Shelton's Christmas special on TV one evening, a cat commercial came on and showed a cat just like my used-to-be kitty!!! I probably shouldn't disclose that I instantly got choked up and teary eyed, but there you have it. I did. And I obviously paused the TV to take a picture so I could send it to everyone in my family to show them Chelsea was on TV. Thus, I bring you to this post's title...during Christmas, our family loved whenever "Angels We Have Heard on High" would be sung in church or heard on the radio because the "in excelsis Deo" part sounded like Chelsea's Day-O and we would giggle thinking of kitty. So, tribute to her! Oh, and I've been soooo pet hungry! Might just happen soon.

Decking Our Halls

It's time to do another December post, so how about I show off my Christmas crafts and give a few updates...

First up, here we have the Jones Family Christmas Tree for 2012. After hassling with real trees over the past few years and all the crap that comes with them (sticky sap, nettles getting in every flipping nook and cranny, watering the dang thing like a pet, spiders in the cussing branches!), I decided it was time to give in and buy an artificial one. No discussion needed. Jake was not the happiest camper and pretty much thinks I'm destroying the Christmas spirit, taking it a step further to make sure to point out every tree lot we drive by now to show me all those trees left out in the cold that don't have a home this year. Yes, his guilt trips work and make me feel bad for the trees that don't get to be loved and decorated! I try to remind myself that I'm actually saving a tree because the more artificial ones that are bought means less of the real ones being cut down...right? Supply and demand, people. Anyway, I love our new 7.5 ft beauty! The branches look real and the set up was easy breezy. Hallelujah! 

Next up, here is my wreath I completed for our front door. Wreaths are so expensive, and I couldn't find anything I completely liked. So, I decided to call upon my Martha crafting powers and create my own. I started off with a simple $15 wreath from Hobby Lobby that was just greenery and pine cones. I then added Christmas ornament balls to match my Christmas tree (the ornaments were extra ones leftovers from my tree), red and pearl berry sprigs with glitter, and brushed on fake snow to the pine cones to make them considerably more visible. I love the end result!


My next project was something for our outside flower box sitting on our front walkway. Remember seeing my post about it in the spring? Well, it's all bare and naked now and needs something in it for winter! For fall it was filled with pumpkins. So, hello Christmas signs! These turned out adorable, I must say. I saw a blog post on them and knew they'd be perfect. Once again, they match my Christmas colors I use on my tree, and I got to use the fake snow stuff again. It...is...the...best. It is comparable to whipped marshmallow. And funny thing about the blue candy candy stripe, it is painter's tape. I had planned to tape it off and color red over it, leaving it white underneath for a true candy cane stake, but once I got the tape on, I liked the color so much that I left it. Brilliant! 

I kept going on the crafting craze and added a reindeer friend for my wooden Santa, and a plain red and white box sign to help fill in the top of our entertainment center that I decorate. Just add in a full hand-painted mini Nativity set for Jake's parents (not pictured), and that wraps up my holiday crafts. Whew!

Don We Now Our Gay Apparel

Ugly Christmas sweater parties have been popping up over the last few years, and I have only had the privilege to attend just one...and it was only because I was the one to arrange it. So, you can imagine my excitement this year when I found out Jake's work Christmas party is ugly sweater themed AND my work party. Time to strut my stuff! If you could have only seen some of the Christmas sweater gems my nana used to wear. One in particular that stands out in my memory was an ivory over-sized knit sweater with sequin Christmas light bulbs all over in an assortment of colors...we're talking like 4-inch big a** bulbs, and I'd bet you a Klondike bar that it had shoulder pads. A true beauty. 

Unfortunately, as I was rampaging for it through mother's collection of closets she's taken over since being an empty-nester, I was deeply saddened to hear that my mom had gotten rid of nana's fugly sweaters shortly after her passing. Even all the sweaters I used to wear as a child are no-more: no more moose sweater, iron-on kittens in Santa hats, homemade button-up Christmas vest, and even my red velvet Santa vest and skirt from singing group days couldn't be found. If only we could've predicted this fab coming back in style, then all those precious items wouldn't have been given to DI. I am left only with a red sweatshirt my mom used to wear that has a plaid Scottie dog on it, which really, is pretty cute...I just wish I had a turtleneck and leggings to go with it. Regardless, I am excited just to finally be a part of ugly sweater parties and hope they are everything I dream of.

Here's to looking merry and bright, and wishing Jake and I could look this awesome!...minus the freaky baby goat.