Christmastime is Here Again!

Last night, we set up our Christmas tree. Or, rather, I set it up and Cassidy worked on grad school applications and mocked me! 

People Who Do Things

This past weekend, Cass and I were one of those people, you know, people who do things! How strange for us!

On Friday, I went out with some of the ladies from work. We ate at Pizza Factory (Ranch Chicken Pizza . . . yum!), hung out at Walgreens (yup, we're that cool), and saw Breaking Dawn. I have only seen seen Twilight and New Moon, but I've read the books, so I wasn't lost. I actually really enjoyed myself. The cheesy one-liners, the new part, Taylor Lautner, etc. I had a great time. 

The Elder's Quorum had an activity on Saturday up at the shooting range, and they invited the wives to come along too. Cass and I had never been shooting before, and it was pretty fun! We even hit a clay pigeon or two!

Showing off his manly skills

Me with the other girls.

My awesome bruise. I started holding it the right way, but then it would slide down my arm I guess. It looks awesome. It's all nice and purple today!

It's a Girl!

awwwww . . . isn't my child an adorable little thumb sucker? 

We went and got the ultrasound done on Monday afternoon. I had a feeling, not super strong but still there, that it would be a girl. Cassidy had no predictions either way, but thought I was being ridiculous in thinking it was a girl. Well, I may be ridiculous but I was right! 

We skyped with our families that night and everyone is way excited for our baby girl!

Now, if you're not into alien-esque fetus photos, feel free to leave now. 

But I just think my alien is adorable! 

Ward Halloween Party

Last night was the ward Halloween party. Cassidy is a bit of a party pooper, so we didn't dress up. It was pretty fun. Cass even got to hit the pinata before it broke! Happy early Halloween!

I didn't get a chance to take my picture at home,
but I really wanted to show off my shirt :) 

Spectra Point and Ramparts Overlook Hike

Last Saturday, Cassidy and I went for a Hike up Cedar Breaks. We did the Spectra Point and Ramparts Overlook Hike. I checked the weather beforehand, but only checked for Cedar, not for the mountain. My bad! It was a little chilly and windy, but I said we'd get warm once we got moving, plus the sun was out. (Luckily, Cass still brought his hoodie on the hike! I needed it on the way back!) 

The trail was super muddy, so our shoes got very gross, and there was some snow on the ground. It was a tough hike, but the view was amazing! The contrast of red rock, snow, and the bristlecone pines was pretty neat. 

View from the trail head, no hike required!

all muddy! And this was just the beginning!

a lookout point along the trail

I tried to climb the tree . . . no dice

Spectra Point

Soaking in all that is Spectra Point

more Spectra Point

Cassidy's Video, with even more of Spectra Point :)

Yes, he climbed over the protective railing . . .  

Back on the trail towards Ramparts Overlook

Bristlecone Pines

See? Totally cool! Not what you'd think at all!

I made it! But just barely . . . can I blame my tired legs and lack of balance in the mud on the baby? 

Ramparts Overlook

Squirrel got so angry at us! He was yelling and hissing!
He was right over head and I was nervous he was going to jump on me! 

You can't really tell, but the backs of my legs were all muddy too!
But I was so glad to be back at the car and done hiking! It wore me out!

Why I'm a Lazy Blogger Lately

So I've kinda been a slacker blogger lately. I've been sick. I've been tired. I've been lazy. And this is why: 

Baby Bird is scheduled to make an appearance April 7th :) 

iPatch

Welcome to my Friday night! 

I guess I should be doing something fun and exciting, but eh.

Thus is married life. 

Plus Cass is in bed asleep ;) 

So I'll catch up on some blogging!

Before I get to my thought on the plays I saw, I want to show you the neat door decs Cass made for his staff. Their acronym this year is PTCH, or Patch, so he and I were brainstorming and thought of pirates and eye patches. We went to the craft store and Cass couldn't find anything resembling an eye patch, so he figured he'd make some himself. 

The next day we were going to get crafty and 

Cass thought: "iPatch! like a brand!"

And I was all, "You should do the iPod guy, you know the one with the headphones? And give him an eye patch! Could you do that?"

And he did. 

Preparing for Hong Kong!

It came! I can now officially leave the country -- and come back!

Getting a passport was a pretty painless process, minus the multiple trips to the post office.

Less than four months til we get to go to HK!

Cass just got his tablet, and I have my books, so we should be all set for a billion hour flight, right?

Right!

And I know how to say "I don't speak Cantonese" in Cantonese.

I'm totally prepared :) 

Hong Kong Here We Come!

It's a posh, posh traveling life for us! In May, Cass and I will be going on a lovely journey to Hong Kong! He's so excited to go back and I'm so excited to see it for the first time! We are so lucky to have this opportunity; it may be our only chance to get over there!

New Year's Resolutions

[oops, almost typed revolutions]

I'm not generally a New-Year's-Resolutions-Type

Probably because I never follow through on any of my goal

I kind of lack self motivation

Cass, on the other hand, is the resolution type

or maybe it's just cuz we're married now

& he thinks we should make some goals together

So we did!

1. Live A Healthier Lifestyle

we are super unhealthy.

So now we're trying to be more healthy.

Walks together

Less fatty food, more chicken and fish

And less eating out

also, we're going to try waking up at a reasonable hour

{it's really hard when your job doesn't start til 10:45}

 2. More Spiritual Lifestyle

we try hard, but our spirituality is often pushed aside

mostly because we're lazy

I'd say busy, but lazy is really the case

3. Do not get arrested 

     I stole this from a friend who includes goals they're sure to fulfill. 

I figured I'd like to at least accomplish one goal :)

So this year, we resolve to these

-No Drug trafficking

-No money laundering

-No public urination or other sex offenses

-No importing of illegal goods or bads

I thought maybe I should have some goals for myself, too

In accordance with a Healthier Lifestyle-

I want to dance more with my dance classes

Mostly this means stretching and conditioning

Hello sit ups, butt ups, and more!

My other goal is in regard to my Books-

I have a bunch of friends with goals about reading books

That's not really a problem for me (if you hadn't noticed)

but I would like to work on [a] reading the books I have

aka not buying new ones

[b]  reading books on my own level.

ya'll know I love YA books

So those are my goals for the new year. 

Wish me luck!

Wrapping Up 2011

2011 was a big year for me with lots of changes! [although nothing too exciting tonight, hence this post] Here's the recap:

• Cass and I rang in the New Year together, finally becoming official.
• In April Cass proposed
• Later that month, I finished my last semester of school, but didn't get my degree due to some "technical difficulties" on behalf of me and my professors. Although I did just receive it in the mail :) 
•  We had originally planned for an August wedding, but Cass got the CC job and we moved it up. We were married on July 18, 2011
• We honeymooned  
• We made our first home
• I started teaching dance class
• We left Juniper and moved into our second apartment
• We had our first Thanksgiving
• We had our first Christmas
• And we moved into our third apartment!

It's been a crazy year full of many firsts, and while I can't say I've loved every minute of it, it's been a great year! Thanks 2011!

Simply Having A Wonderful Christmas Time

Our first married Christmas was full of family, friends, competitive games of Catch Phrase, Ice Skating, catching up with old friends, and a great time! [warning: long post!]
 

Our tiny tree & Disney ornament that was too big for it!

Because we would be traveling all over for Christmas, we had ours the night before we left town. I got Cass some tools and a GRE prep book; he got me a subscription to a writer's journal. 

Our first weekend of vacation landed us in Flowell, UT for the Swallow Family Christmas Party. Cass had to work that morning, so we left a little bit late, but we made it in time to eat a little before the basketball games. Some of the cousins play for Millard, so we watched them play. Varsity even won their first game of the season! That night we had a little visit from Santa and handed out presents. We ended up staying up playing with cousins til almost two in the morning! Church was the next day and there was a great speaker. We hung out the rest of the afternoon, until Cass headed south with two St George cousins (he had to work Monday and Tuesday) and I headed north with Grandma Carma.

Cass & Dylan playing at the Swallow Party.

The kids had school Monday and Tuesday, so I just hung out with Mom and (sort of) helped her get ready for Christmas. Tuesday night was the big wrestling duals. Ammon wasn't feeling well, so he opted to wrestle JV at his weight rather than wrestle up for varsity. He won the match but it was clear he wasn't feeling well. Regardless, Ammon and the team won! Wahoo! 

Sisters!

Ammon wrestling!

Wednesday I had a Paparazzi Party. Not too many people showed up, but it was still nice. Veronica, an old dance friend, came by and it was great to see her. Dana and Natalie also came over and we got to visit, which was likewise lovely. Jenn also came by and we made sugar cookies with Jordyn and Matthew. We were going for non-messy, but that didn't really work! 

The kiddos decorating!

Jordyn made a Grandma Angel

 Thursday we helped Cass's friend move and spent the evening with Morrell and Dylan before they headed up to Seattle for football and Christmas. Friday we headed back to my mom's and had a late lunch with all my old high school buddies. It was great to see everyone, and their babies! 

The old group!

 Saturday was Christmas Eve, and it played out perfectly and according to tradition. Girls cooked during the day, then got all cute. Grandpa, Scott, and the cousins came over for dinner.

Jordyn jumped into our picture!

 

Jenn & Adam

Dad, Jordyn, Mom

Grandkids and Grandpa!

After they left, we got our new Christmas Jammies, read The Night Before Christmas, and headed to bed, where we were all too excited to sleep! 

Sunday morning we woke up bright and early. I told Jordyn she couldn't wake us up before six. And so promptly at six the door swung open. Santa came!! Dad handed out the presents (via Jord) and everyone was happy with what they got. I was especially  happy with my brand new ah-may-zhing pot and pans set. They're lovely!!! I also got two books, from Jenn, which I have wanted for a long time and am so excited to read! (after I finish my library books!) I also rock at picking out gifts -- Matt loved his books from Cass. 

After a cinnamon roll and chocolate milk breakfast and a rest, the lover and I readied ourselves for the day and headed northbound. We pitstopped at Spacious Acres to give Grandma and Grandpa McCoy their Christmas present, and ended up receiving cute towels and an ornament as well! 

We made it in time for church with Chris and Pyper, who was so excited to see us! She couldn't wait to see what Santa brought us, so we did that the minute we got back home. Pyper was so cute and excited. When we gave Chris her present, Pyper was all, "Do you need help unwrapping?" It was cute. Unfortunately, I got sick that afternoon and slept the rest of the day. 

Monday we went ice skating and it was a blast! Pyper even had fun!

Cass & Pyper

Chris

Cass, Pyper, me

 Tuesday we also rise bright and early, so we could make it to Cedar for Cass to pick up the on-call phone. I stayed awake the whole drive, so, needless to say, I was a little crazy, but we made it home safe and sound. We had a great vacation and loved to see everyone! Merry (late) Christmas!