Correction!

My mom brought it to my attention that we did not have a pot roast but a PRIME RIB or known in our house, the Roast Beast. Nonetheless, it is the best meat ever! Great job mom!

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas everyone! We had an amazing Christmas yesterday. Everyone made it safely over here on Wednesday, Christmas Eve. We got SUPER lucky because Tiffany won the "lottery" at work at got off at three. After a close call with 5 minutes to 3, she still got off, and was able to meet us at church. Church was beautiful, and once again, the candle light of everyone brought tears to my eyes. I am so lucky to have such an amazing family who all believe in the true meaning of Christmas. After church, we had a yummy dinner of our traditional pot roast, crab legs, rolls, sugar cookies, and lots, maybe too much, champagne. We all opened our Christmas Eve present of pajamas. Avery went to bed so Santa could some =)

Christmas morning is always full of memories! Avery woke everyone up in her Christmas jammies, the coffee was made, positions taken on the couch, and stockings opened. I think Avery was a little over whelmed... she got ALOT! We took our mid morning break for Pastor Tim's Christmas Morning Casserole, and Great Grandma Blanch's cinnamon rolls!

Christmas this year was so special, not because of all the presents, but because of the tears shed, love gifted, and memories made. Happy Birthday Jesus! Let us remember at this time, and all through out the year, how a baby changed our world!

Our tree and only half the presents!

Mom and I before Christmas Eve Church

Avery's Pony
"I am a pretty pony, clipity clap, clipty clap"

Avery going through her sock or in Avery's voice "ox"

Kellett/Newgard girls with their socks that Gamma Jeanne made

Holly might be the world's best present opening elf!

Coffee!

Joe and I got Avery a Leap Frog Caterpillar that she loved, don't ask how hard it was to open the damn thing!

Dad's expression when he saw Joe's gift

Avery opening one of her 5 million gifts!

Avery's "kick ass" present from Grammie and Grampie

Christmas Snuggles <3

Hahaha... Miss. Snore

~Merry Christmas Everyone~

Made it!

Well I made it home for Christmas!! I left Nampa yesterday at 9:30 (Boise time) and got home at 5:30 pm. A drive that usually takes me 7 hours, took me nine, but I am okay with that. The roads weren't as bad as expected, the sun shined for half the trip, I had lots of music and goodies to munch on, and the view everywhere was "pristine and an epicurean delight" (words of dad) from the snow!

Everyone was home when I got there for a Chili dinner. And although I did walk in with presents, I didn't represent the Folgers commercial that Tiffany said I should have done... drove all night, snuck in with TONS of presents, made Folgers coffee, and say "shhhhh" to the dog.

I can't believe how much snow is here!! We are also getting a TON in Nampa. Joe said it snowed there again last night, and there is a 100% chance for snow tonight, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Looks like we all will be having a white Christmas!

Plan for the day: hair cut with mom, then wrapping the rest of my presents, and relaxing in my snow covered house with a hot toddy and my dog (wow that sounded cheesy, but its nice to be home).

Done, Done, DONE

Wow! I am done! Everything went well on Thursday with my test. I feel confident in it, and hope I passed it! But its over, no need to worry about it anymore. I had orientation for GFU Thursday night and got to meet my teachers and the other people in my cohort. Everyone seems super nice. I think I am by far the youngest one there. But I told myself I would give myself a year after college to figure out what I wanted to do, and then go to grad school, and I did just that.

Last night a whole bunch of us went downtown for lots of dancing and letting loose. I am officially on a much needed vacation! Tonight I am going on a date with Joe. Tomorrow we have church, soccer games, and are doing Christmas together. I am sure going to miss him when I leave.

Thanks for all the encouraging thoughts and prayers this last week with my test! I hope that everyone is staying warm, enjoying time with their families, and enjoying the "most magical season of all."

I just want to cry

Its 6:08 on Tuesday morning, I'll be up for over an hour all ready not being able to sleep. The tears are brimming on the edge and I just want to let them pour. I took another practice Praxis Exam last night and did worse than I did on the first practice test by 4 points. I don't know WHY I can't concentrate when taking that test. Its on Thursday morning at 11:30 and much prayer would be appreciated. Please...

To add to the stress, my roommates aren't getting along, I can't seem to be nice to anyone, damn PMS, I have to drive to Boise in 5 inches of fresh snow from last night; guess we don't believe in snow days only a state to the right of the rainiest. And like I say in every other blog post "Finances suck".

I am ready to come home for the holidays and relax with my family, play with Avery, walk Lilly, have coffee in the mornings with my mom, see my sisters, and have some well deserved R&R before I come back to another semester of work and the start of Grad school.

Sorry about the early morning vent, but it is needed. Time to leave for work...

Snow and Christmas lights!

Winter has officially hit Nampa, Idaho! Yesterday (Saturday we got snow flurries all day) and it was around 25 degrees. Well, when I woke up this morning, I went to leave for church and there it was... SNOW!!! Full on blizzard, 3-4 inches covering a pristine (my dad's favorite word) landscape. Wow, that was kind of a cheesy sentence. It was stopped snowing, but the roads are icy, the wind is freezing, and the mountain is showing a promise of opening this Wednesday! FYI, we are suppose to have a high of 19 this week, and a low of 1... brrrr!

Last Tuesday, Joe and I went on a triple date with two my roommates to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and then to the light show of Boise's "Botanical Gardens". If you guys remember my post of when we went to Table Rock, the place with the huge cross, the gardens are right below it, next to the Idaho State Penitentiary. I LOVE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS! We got to drink hot chocolate, and walk around looking at the amazing light displays. I apologize about the pictures, they do not do the gardens justice, but I hope you can grasp a hint of the Christmas lights that make us all smile each year.

Looking forward into this next week: I am taking my Praxis exam on Thursday (prayers for a passing score would be much appreciated). I have to pass this test that tests me on reading, writing, and math, in order to start my Master's program, and student teach. School is done for the 2008 year on Friday. I am coming home on Monday, so hopefully the roads and passes won't be too bad.

My knee is doing well. I am hoping to maybe hit the slopes of Snoqualimie or Crystal with Kory. This will be the first time I have skied since my surgery, but I believe that I am ready!! Have a great week everyone, and remember at this time of hustle and bustle, the true meaning of Christmas, and the true meaning on the craziness we all put ourselves through!

Recrectreemm Lights

Mr. Amazing and I

Paige, Allison, and I

This was my FAVORITE decorated tree of the gardens

Shoulder ride, nice face Joe =)

Thanksgiving in Washington

Happy LATE Thanksgiving everyone! I finally have found sometime to sit down and blog about my amazing Thanksgiving break back in Washington!

Joe and I drove home on Wednesday afternoon of last week. It was the first time I have used my tape player in my car, as we listened to a book on tape. Does anyone remember what a tape player is?! Books on tape make the drive go SOOOOOO much faster because you get so absorbed into the story. We got into town and I was so anxious to get to the house because Avery was there (dad was babysitting because mom and Tiffany went to see "Twilight"). It MELTED my heart when she saw me because she said "hiiiii" and ran to me, clapping her hands and hugged me! I couldn't take my hands off her. It was the first time I have see her walk. She really like to mimic what you say, or the noises you make!

Thursday Joe and I got up and took Tiffany some Chai Tea and flowers to the hospital. Tiffany is is a true angel. It takes an amazing person to take care of such tiny, sick babies; all the while, being about 8 months prego, husband gone, and one year old at home. Tiffany, you are my hero. Joe and I then went to Tiff's house and hung out with my mom, Avery, and Krista! It was a really relaxing Thanksgiving day, but SO nice to just lay around with my family!

Friday was the YUMMY DAY! We celebrated Thanksgiving on Friday. Tiffany and Avery came over, Avery wearing the dress Joe and I got her for her birthday. Nana and John then came over and we all enjoyed nuts, veggies, then an amazing turkey dinner. Thanks Mom for the great dinner! That night, after eating, dessert, and watching the Broncos kick the living daylights out of Fresno, Joe and I went and watched Dad play hockey. Dad wore the Minnesota Wild jersey we gave him last year. HE IS A STUD! He scored two goals. After, Joe and I went bowling... I SUCK! Joe kicked my butt, but we had a lot of fun .

On Saturday, I went to Ladies Workout Express and saw some of the members and my former co-workers. I love that place! Joe and I then drove north to Lynnwood and had dinner with his brother Andy and his family. After we went to the Seattle waterfront and walked down the whole pier, then up to Pike's Place Market. All the lights and decorations were coming out and Seattle was as busy as ever! I love the holiday's and watching people scurry around with shopping bags, all the display in the windows, the chilly air, and the lights. I LOVE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!

Sunday, came way too fast =( We all went to church and then had lunch together. Avery was so funny laughing at Dad and doing her "popping" of the mouth with Joe. We took some family pictures and then we had to leave. I have never had a 4 day weekend go by so fast. Although it did, I cherish the memories that I made with my family! I can't wait to come home in a couple weeks.

On a side note, my first week of work was crazy at school. Bomb threats, lock downs, safety holds, and three early morning staff meetings. I understand what Dad means when he says "my heart cries out for students". Please keep Centennial, and all other schools in your prayers. Adolescence is such a hard time on teenagers, and I just pray that everyone will discover their potential, stop fighting, and love one another (here I go preaching again).

Last night, Paige and I went to dinner and then went and saw "4 Christmases". Not going to lie, it wasn't as good as I expected. There were funny parts, but I was a little disappointed. Today, my goals are to clean my room, clean out my car, do some laundry, study for a test, and then go Christmas shopping this evening. However,I am following in the footsteps of most high school kids, and the ladies of my family, and started reading the Twilight Series. I haven't gotten out of bed YET! But its Saturday, so I think I am allowed to by somewhat lazy.

So all of the pictures I posted are backwards! I don't know how to move them around to show the beginning to end of our trip back home, so I would suggest scrolling down to the bottom and coming back up! Have a great weekend everyone!

Avis to the Pavis and Auntie Jamie

Joe and I... isn't he handsome?!

The most amazing family, minus Kory and Sophie

Giggling at Grandpa

Busy Pike's Place

Seattle Waterfront

Bowling

The most BEAUTIFUL pregnant chick

52 and still a hockey hunk =)

Weird-0s

Isn't her dress cute?

Avery opening her present

Looks like Holly wants Avery's present

Joe and I at Tiff's house