Oh Christmas Tree

Yeah, you read that right. I know we are now in March, but I am determined to get caught up.
I seriously love December so much. I love the build up of the holidays and all the get to gethers and activities. I was really looking forward to the holidays this year and they turned out great.
The year before, Russ and I kicked off the holiday season with a trip to temple square and Thai food.
I love traditions and thought it would be perfect to do the same date.
So December first we did the same thing, Thai food and temple square.

This is not a great picture but It was my favorite tree.

He would probably kill me for posting this picture, but I dont think he ever looks at the ol blog anyway. Last year we stepped into the Joseph Smith Memorial building to warm up and go to the top for a view. We had found this ball room open so we helped ourselves to a little dance. This year it was open again...hey, its tradition.

Such a fun way to star the holidays and take a trip down memory lane.

Whats Christmas without an Ugly sweater party? Or in our case...4 of them.
We hit a few DI's and I feel like we really came away with winners. I found a really lovely Christmas dress and Russ had a...snug sweater.
Friend Christmas party..

I think my purple Uggs were a nice tough Russ.
The funnest table there...bar none.

Every year we do the nativity scene. I was Mary last year...my biggest role yet. I was demoted to the choir but we still took our job seriously.

The gang

I hate to brag, but I did win at finding the ugliest Christmas get up :)


Russ and his friends do a big ski trip up to Sun Valley Idaho every year. A few people went snow mobiling, most went skiing and Russ and I went snow shoeing.
I have wanted to go up in the mountains and cut my own Christmas tree for years.
It has snowed so much, and continued to snow the whole time we were up there. The snow was so deep so it was a big workout!

I had no idea looking for a tree would be so hard. You think there is a perfect one and then you hike to it and its no good.

We hiked around for awhile and then Russ thought he saw a perfect one....on top of the mountain!

Luckily..we found the most perfect Christmas tree ever!!


The only thing that would make this picture better was if Ecko was right along side him.

After we were all done playing in the snow the group met up at the lodge to go hot tubbing. This hot tub was incredible...it was the size of a huge swimming pool! I wish I would have snapped a picture.
Then we all met up for pizza and an elephant/ugly sweater gift exchange.
The group

After dinner there was an 80's band playing next door so we went and danced around for a bit. It was a fun trip!

Do you want to see how cute the tree looked in my house?
My first very own Christmas Tree..ta da.
These pictures were taken with my phone so pardon the blur.



Word of the wise. Dont wait until the last minute to put lights on your tree. You cant find lights anywhere!!! We had to use icicle lights...not easy to put on a live tree.

Then comes Christmas. Isnt it absolutely amazing how fast December goes?
Russ and I celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve. We made Christmas morning cake.

Russ suprised me with the sweetest gift ever!
My very own Beach Cruiser!!

I cannot wait until summer to slap a basket on that bad boy and pedal myself to pool.
Santa brought me and Ecko a stocking.

I love Christmas day with all the nieces and nephews.
There was only one thing missing this Christmas...my Grandma. I have spent every Christmas I can remember having a sleep over with her. Even last year when she was so deathly sick, I spent the night up at the hospital with her so we could be together on Christmas morning. I miss her so much!
My parents are die hard U of U fans. Ecko got them these hats to keep their noggins warm this coming season.


I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season!...3 months ago.