Christmas Eve

This is the first year I haven't been home for Christmas. I was definitely homesick when I called home and heard everyone was at my Grandma and Grandpa's house having a party. But we have awesome family out here too! Thank goodness! 

Merissa made beautiful masterpieces of each person at dinner tonight. I thought it was really creative. We were mice and she made them look like us! Geoffrey was wearing a bandana and a leather jacket (for his motorcycle) and I was wearing a sweat band for working out. Can you find us? :-) 

I loved Josh... he was Santa. 

The Christmas Story was read while we placed Jesus in the stable.

Praxis

Back in the beginning of November I took the Praxis for Physical Education with my friends.  We were all stressing out and having study groups almost everyday for two weeks. I think I was freaking out because I  had two friends not pass it the first time. Although they didn't pass they told me it was extremely easy and not to worry. After their advice, I relaxed and didn't study everyday for four hours. 

The day we took it, all the PETE majors had a laughing party right after the exam! Some of the questions were ridiculous and so easy. For example:

During a hike, a child comes up to you with a tick on his leg, what do you do?  

A. Rub petroleum jelly on it

B. Burn it off with a match

C. Leave it there till it falls off 

D. Leave it, have a professional look at it. 

Don't let those easy questions fool you because there were also some hard ones. We had Kinesiology, Anatomy and Physiology questions. 

I left the testing center not feeling good or bad about it. 

Today I got my score and I passed! Now I can go on with my plan and student teach next semester and then I will be done with school in April! Yay! 

Advent

Today was the second day of Advent. All the cousins and Scott and Cindy came over for German potato pancakes. You dip them in either applesauce or sour cream and it was delicious! Geoff's specialty is German food, so for once I got to sit back and relax while he made dinner.

Wes and Natalie brought over Just Dance 3 and it was hilarious! All the boys danced to "Hit me baby one more time".....haha! We all enjoyed laughing! 

We had the newbies of the family up front and in the action, (Jake-Kailey's bf and Allison, Jared's gf). 

JD 3 also had a dance where all four players had a partner. There are two people on each wii remote and it was a little difficult trying to move together. 

Looks like Wes had enough...

Scott and Cindy made a great dessert, black forest cake. right now I wouldn't mind being in Germany and eating all the yummy pastries. 

Gingerbread

houses are a MUST during the Christmas season. Jenny and Brandon are always fun to hang out with, we love them! We were glad that they stayed here in Utah for Dental school instead of going to New York. Who would Geoff and I hang out with all the time? :-) The beginning stages of Jenny and Brandon's bomb shelter.... They struggled to get their house supported and kept piling on the frosting and graham crackers.

This post wouldn't be complete without a picture of Geoff being a creeper, haha! 

I love their house! My favorite is the snowman and the reindeer on the roof. 

Turkey Week

Geoff and I went to Vegas for the week. Geoff's brother lives in Henderson and his parents and younger sister flew out to join the party. We had such a fun time!! Since BYU had friday class instruction on Tuesday we were able to leave early since we both don't have classes on Fridays. 

We went to Las Vegas Boulevard and saw the Lions at the MGM. 

We went down the street to M&M World and Camryn LOVED it! She loved all the stuffed animals. 

Then we went across the street to "New York New York" to ride the roller coaster. It was a little rickety and gave me a headache but it was super fun. All it did was make Geoff anxious to go to 'Cedar Point' and ride real roller coasters. Unfortunately we won't be going to Ohio anytime soon. 

The day couldn't end on the Strip until we went to the Rainforest. Bryce enjoyed the thunder and lighting that happened every half hour. 

Piccadilly Circus was in town and Emily and Camryn went on an elephant ride. 

  

Emily and I also took a picture with a Lemur on our laps! It was so soft and adorable I wanted to bring it home with me! 

Justin and Miranda ordered sod to put in their back yard and we all pitched in and helped. It looks bigger with grass. Justin and Dad started at 6 in the morning and had half the yard done by the time the rest of us got out of bed. 

We celebrated when we were finished. Today I taught weights at Timpanogos High School and demonstrated the preacher curl (a biceps curl) and I could barely move my arms because I was so sore from moving sod. The kids made fun of my weakness, oh well! 

The lights on the Strip was gorgeous along with the Beliggio's water show. 

We passed this and couldn't resist taking a picture.

The garden at the Beliggio. 

This pumpkin is made out of roses. 

We had a blast hanging out with the family. Can't wait till next time!