Winter Break

Winter break? Wasn't that like a month ago? Yeah, yeah, but up until now, my life has consisted of Cinderella, Cinderella, piano, homework, and Cinderella. So I'm just gonna sum up what happened over my fabulous and much needed break.

• Shopping!
• Annual Christmas Eve party with the Smith's.
• Getting new jammies and making new goals (gifts to Jesus) on Christmas Eve.
• A beautiful pearl necklace and earrings.
• Christmas day with family.
• Snow the day after Christmas.
• LOTS of yummy food.
• Making up eating food with Jillian workouts..ouch (now I see why Jan likes her so much).
• Tangled, Inception, and Despicable Me.
• Cousins from Washington!
• Cinderella Rehearsals
• My cousin Jason's wedding reception.
• Doing a 360 on the freeway coming home from said reception (luckily no one was hurt, just a little bing in the back end of the van). Oh, and no one screamed! Yep, a car of 6 girls and no screams.
• Family party with almost all of my Dad's side.
• New Years Eve with cousins.
• Lots of laughs, great food, and delightful company.

So that's pretty much my winter break in a nutshell. It went by way too fast, and January is flying by as well. Ah! Before you know it I'll be graduated! I've just gotta enjoy every minute I have left of high school, and I am. Especially with Cinderella and then Disneyland next week. Eek! SO excited! Time really does fly by when you're having fun. 

I'm Dreaming...

I honestly haven't asked for anything in particular this Christmas. Strange, I know, but I just can't think of anything. I did tell my Mom I wanted stuff for college, but nothing specific came to mind. I guess the only thing I really do want is a white Christmas. As of right now all I see is dead grass outside... no snow. We watched, "White Christmas" last night, possibly my favorite Christmas movie, and they were in the same situation, but on Christmas Eve a miralce happens. It snows. I'm hoping the same happens here. 

Here is Bing Crosby's classic version of, "White Christmas." I've listened to it at least five times today, hoping it might bring a Christmas miracle.

Christmasing

This past week has actually started feeling like Christmas is on it's way. I guess with school, piano, and rehearsals, it just hasn't felt much like Christmas. That, and the fact that there hasn't been much snow. Anyway, after a week of shopping, baking, wrapping, giving, and listening to Christmas music, I'm getting pretty excited for Saturday.

On Monday we shopped and shopped. Amazingly, I got all my Christmas shopping done it one day. Hooray! We stopped at Gardner Village to shop and to see the elves. They're all over the place and super cute.

{Hmm.. naughty or nice?}

{No one under the mistletoe this year... maybe next?}

Tuesday I spent the day baking goodies for neighbors and friends.

Wednesday I had rehearsal, but I also got my scrapbook out to look at past Christmas pictures. Here are some of my faves.

{Meeting Santa for the first time}

{Age 3}

And today is Joseph Smith's birthday. We are celebrating by eating stew and biscuits for dinner. The world was forever changed by this man and I'm eternally grateful for all he has done. He is a true Prophet of God.

{Image by Liz Lemon Swindle}

Happy Christmasing!

David Archuleta and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

{David Archuleta and Michael York}

{Imgae via Google}

One of my highlights this Christmas was seeing David Archuleta sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. We were fortunate enough to get tickets the same night as my grandparents, so we were all able to go together, even if we were separated in the Conference Center. Everything was just perfect. David sang beautifully with his pure, Latino voice, and the Choir was amazing, as always. Michael York, a British actor, was invited to tell the story of how the Tabernacle Choir began (a really neat story) and the decorations were of course, amazing. Afterwards I felt like Christmas had really begun, and I couldn't stop thinking about how incredible it all was. Some of my favorite performances were when David sang about a cat and a mouse at Christ's birth ("Cat and the Mouse Carol"), "Joy to the World," and "Angels From the Realms of Glory," as well as Richard Elliot's organ rendition of, "Holiday Hoedown." If you want a professional review and some pictures of the concert, click here.

Ever since the concert I can't stop listening to David's Christmas album. To listen yourself, click here.

Bruges Waffles and Frites

A couple weeks ago, I went with a few friends to this yummy waffle shop called Bruges, across from Pioneer Park in Salt Lake. Lisa introduced it to us. Apparently there's a network called the Travel Channel, and there's a show called Man v. Food. The guy happened to come to Salt Lake and tried out Crown Burger and Bruges. See the review here (start at the 5:45 mark to see the review about Bruges). So Melissa, Lisa, Trevor, Gavin, and I headed to Salt Lake to give it a try. I got a cinnamon waffle, and we all split an order of fries. It was so good. The best waffle I've ever had, so I grabbed a frequent Bruges visitor punch card that I will hopefully use again soon. The funny thing is, earlier this year when I went to Pioneer Park to see She and Him with Melissa, we walked past this very restaurant and casually mentioned that we would go there someday (not actually committing to go). Turns out we did anyway! So if you happen to be near Pioneer Park anytime soon, stop by Bruges to try a delicious Belgian waffle. You won't be disappointed.

Caroling, Caroling

This Christmas season has been full of Christmas cheer. Why? Because I (as well as my choirs) have been singing loud for all to hear! (Kudos if you can name that movie).

Throughout December, Xela and Phoenix have been to various places to sing Christmas carols. We've been to nursing homes, elementary schools, and ward parties, but my favorite was singing at Temple Square. We sang at the Church Office Building and the Joseph Smith Memorial building. It's been one of the highlights of my whole Christmas. I love singing, and what better than to sing Christmas songs everywhere with your friends!

{Phoenix at the Church Office Building}

{Xela at the COB}

{Xela at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building}

{Phoenix at the JSMB}

{Xela and Phoenix with Mr. Smith}

Afterwards we had fun goofing off taking pictures.

{Phoenix singing at my elementary school}

The senior choir, aka A Capella, had the chance to sing at Temple Square as well. We sang on a Sunday night at the Assembly Hall. The acoustics were beautiful, and a lot of people came in and watched us. It was an unforgettable experience.

{Assembly Hall}

{A Capella}

After singing, my family walked around Temple Square to see all the beautiful lights.

We concluded spreading our Christmas cheer at our winter choir concerts. A Capella sang with the orchestra for most of our songs, which was so beautiful. We finished by singing 'The First Noel,' then the Hallelujah chorus with the audience. Awesome. I absolutely loved it. Oh how I love singing Christmas songs. :)

{Some of the Xela altos}

{A Capella}

{Thanks to Annie and her family, again, for some of the photos}

Oh, and click here to see a fun flash mob singing the Hallelujah chorus.

After our concerts were finished, we had a Xela Christmas/Ugly Sweater/White Elephant party during class. Schwabee's mom made us a delicious pancake breakfast, and the white elephant gifts were some of the best/funniest I've ever seen. Gotta love Xela.

Remember, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear, so be sure to sing this Christmas!

Ryan and Megan

On the first weekend of December, my cousin Ryan came to visit us with his fiance, Megan. It was the first time we met Megan, and I liked her from the very beginning. I can't wait to officially call her my cousin! Although they were here for only the weekend, we had a great time laughing, playing games, getting to know Megan, and having a miniature family party. On Saturday they went to Temple Square so Megan could see the amazing lights. Unfortunately I wasn't able to go because I was at the Christmas dance, but it looks like they had a lot of fun! I can't wait until June when we get to go to Washington for the wedding!

{Megan and Ryan}

{Cousins}

{My cute grandma and grandpa}

Oh, and guess what?! They got interviewed for the Church News, and were published the following Sunday! :)



Winter Ball

A week ago today was my school's Christmas dance. The theme was, "Snowball," and I asked Taylor, the boy with endless energy. We had a great time.

{Melissa and Me}

We didn't have a day activity (which I'm secretly okay with) because everyone was too busy. We had a delicious dinner at Laura's house, and because we didn't have a day activity, we played Psychiatrist for a while before we headed to the dance.  

{Taylor & Me.}

 {This is how he introduced me to his mom: "Mom, meet my Mom." (because I'm his mother in the upcoming musical). haha}

{My corsage was beautiful. I absolutely loved it.}

We had a little rut in the road when the car behind, following us to the dance (it was at the state fair grounds), got lost. We called and asked where they were, and they had driven clear down to Sugarhouse. Oh boy. They told us to dance until they got there, and then we'd take our group picture. They ended up arriving an hour after we did, so our group picture is going to consist of a bunch of sweaty people. :)

{In line, waiting for pictures. Taylor looks more Asian than Lisa! ;)

Eventually everyone made it to the dance floor and we danced like there wasn't a care in the world. Seriously, we went crazy and had a great time. I loved Taylor's endless energy because I love going crazy at dances, and he was the perfect person to go crazy with. Not only that, he's a really good slow dancer. None of that awkward swaying back and forth business. Nope, he led perfectly and included spins and dips. Ah! So fun! I loved it. 

{Last 2 photos: credit Annie's dad}

Senate was the one who put the dance together, and they did a great job. (that's you Grace and Melissa! Thanks!) After the dance we had a bit of time to get slushies at 7-11. This was easily one of the funnest, most relaxed dances I've been to. :)

Snow

Last Saturday was the first official snowfall of the year, and I can't decide if I'm happy or sad about that. That day we had been at a wedding shower, and on the way home we were dropping of my Aunt Laura. The snow was coming down fast, and pretty soon our van slid and got stuck on a curb. We had to call my uncle to come get us with his 4-wheel drive vehicle. We were a van on wimpy girls and all piled in his car while he got our van un-stuck. Then we made him drive the van home. It was a little scary but I'm glad everything turned out alright. I'm grateful for close family who love us enough to help us out of sticky situations.

After the snow settled for the night, it was very peaceful and beautiful.

The following day was even more beautiful. The sunset was gorgeous with it's flaming colors on the mountains.

Then, the following week, on Tuesday, there was a warning for, "the biggest blizzard in years." I was getting pretty excited for such a storm, and was expecting to be snowed in or something. Sure, it snowed really hard for a couple hours, but it was nothing more than a typical Utah snowstorm. Bummer. I kinda wish it was the biggest blizzard in years. However, it was nice being bundled up inside my warm house with my family surrounding me. I couldn't help but think, "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow."

Winter has officially begun.