Christmas Break in Review...

So, I just want to review the events of my Christmas break because it really has been wonderful...

1. NOT missing my flight coming home. (Last Christmas I missed my flight, because an airport worker gave me misguided information about how long it would take to go back down to the check-in area to check an extra bag. I was at the airport the rest of the day trying to get on stand-by flights, but there had been a huge storm in Denver and getting home without paying a fortune seemed like an impossibility. My dad didn't even think I'd get home at all, and of course, I completely broke down at that. I COULD NOT be in VEGAS for Christmas. My parents just helped out and paid for me to have a reserved place on a flight the next morning.)

2. Seeing my old students at First Steps. The school I used to teach preschool at now has a Kindergarten, so I was able to go see some of my old students. I love seeing them so much. They are darling. And I have to admit that what makes it so much fun is that they remember me and love to see me. It was also really great to see old friends I used to teach with at the school. Making cookies with Erin at her house and hearing all the gossip going on at school was wonderful.

Dinner with other teachers at the tappas place in McLean (I forget the name). Vilma, me, Erin, Nick, Amber, Adam, Matt, Kate, Laurie.

3. Christmas presents! I pretty much asked for everything I got for Christmas, so none of it was a surprise, but it's great because you get exactly what you need! I love Christmas stockings. They might be my favorite Christmas tradition. In my stocking this year I got my MAC makeup (including a foundation brush...I had never had one before!), an eyelash curler (I had never used one before and was feeling the need to try one out! I think it works marvelously!). I also got work clothes (I just needed some button-down shirts and the like, so mom took me shopping. After a laborious shopping excursion of going back and forth between the regular Banana Republic store and Banana Republic Petites, we were able to narrow down exactly what I liked and needed. Leave it to us to be very particular and thorough), rollar blades (I love rollar blading! I'm good at it!), some black patent mary janes, the book Eclipse by Stephanie Meyers, running shoes, and that was about it.

4. Seeing old friends in Virginia...Ann, Ashley Gerber, Katie and all the Smiths, all the Johnsons, Liz Lindsey, Mary, and ALL the Melrose...

5. Some fun events in Virginia/D.C. ... Dinner at The Carlyle Grand Cafe/Restaurant - probably my favorite place to eat in D.C., Mount Vernon, the Christmas display at the U.S. Botanical Gardens right next to the Capital, caroling with my family (we do it every year to basically the same families. I feel bad we didn't make it to the Smith's this year, but you guys were going out to dinner Christmas Eve so we couldn't go then, and we didn't have another time to go), hiking down to the Potomac from our home (my family would hike the short distance probably weekly when we were young...I realize now really what a wonderful area I grew up in with so much available to me) seeing Juno, and the New Year's Party at 3078 (Mary is an excellent party planner...the fondue was SO good, Best/Worst of 2007 was a hit, and the Loaded Questions game was really fun - even if I did reveal too much information...why do I ALWAYS do this?)

Hunter as George and me as Martha Custis Washington.

This is the view of the Potomac River from Mount Vernon. I left my mom saving our place in line and went to wander the grounds a little. I couldn't help myself and started feeling like I was Elizabeth Bennett and longed to get my exercise wandering the moors of Pemberly. It would be a much simpler life. Marriages can be arranged that's fine with me. Well...not arranged, exactly, but based more on factual information. You marry if you are both of suitable standing in society, if the man can support you and a family financially, and if you both seem to have a good demeanor. It makes A LOT of sense to me. What's all this nonsense about knowing each other really well? Who cares?

The train display outside of the Botanical Gardens. It is beautiful and the detail is amazing. I wish we could've seen it at night as well.

My mom and I inside the Botanical Gardens in front of the replica of the Library of Congress. Yes, we look alike. I think we probably have EXACTLY the same smile. My niece Lesil (in St. George) told me the other day..."You smell like my faraway grandma" (which would be my mother)...Okay...so, I apparently smell like her too. I think it's cute they call my mom "faraway" grandma because she lives in Virgina, while their other grandma lives down the street .

Mary and I with the New York City backdrop on New Year's Eve.

6. Skiing with my family and the Clarks at Wisp. I hadn't skiied in forever, but I discovered I'm still pretty good! It felt great!

7. Going to St. George and seeing Spencer, Trina, and all the Coxs. They are such a wonderful family and they've had a really difficult holiday season with the unexpected passing of their husband/father. He was an incredibly kind, generous, and influential person.

8. Skiing with Hunter in at Sundance and running into Katie Johnson! What a great surprise.

9. Seeing Sierra and Elise in Utah (two of my best friends I made my freshman year at BYU. We've been close ever since). They are so great, and it makes me sad I get to see them so rarely. Playing Rock Band with Sierra and her family was the best! I loved it when Allie (Sierra's 4-year-old) was sitting on my lap "helping" me do the base and says, "I'm a rocker!"

10. Staying with Jane Partridge Anderson in Phoenix and running my 1/2 marathon!

11. Starting my blog! I now have a reason to "journal!" And I love keeping in touch with all of you.