Merry Christmas!

Family tradition is that we see a movie Christmas morning...this year we saw "True Grit"....it wasn't that good but at least we kept the tradition!

After movie time we went home, finished wrapping gifts and settled down to have dinner! We had Turkey, potatoe Salad, rolls, corn, it was delicious!



I looked on the fridge, and their I was!


We were lucky enough to open gifts with our cousins the Leifson's and our grandparents. It was fun - there were a lot of good gifts given and recieved. Dad got several shirts, and I got him some PJ pants and a new beard trimmer.
Dad gave nic some rocks. (I guess when we were young Nic wrapped up some rocks with a bunch of tape and gave them away....we all cracked up)


Chad and I spend a day in downtown Lodi a couple weeks ago with a borrowed Camera (thank you Harlow family) and took pictures to make these for our familys...Heres a picture of the framed one I gave to my grandparents..






The real winner...Mom. She scored this year. My dad gave her this sign - That said, " Of all the friends I've ever met, you're the one I won't forget. And If I die before you do, I'll go to heaven and wait for you." I wish these pictures could show how both Mom and Dad teared up..it was really tender.




The last and final gift. An IPAD from my Dad to mom. Nic and I got her a cute little case for it. Lucky. I'm super jealous. And Mom is already obsessed with "Angry Birds." MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

CHRISTMAS EVE - HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIC!

Alright. SO. I am officially dedicating this blog post to my little Brother Nicholas. (Landon, I'd brag about you too....if you came, but you couldn't. So I'll brag about you next time I see you!..promise)

Nic. My little short fat Nic. This is a picture of the last time I saw him:



He got changed. a lot. He got HUGE. He walked in the door and I literally had to step back I had NO IDEA it was him. My brother got HOT. Last time I saw him was over a year ago and he was short and fat. He's about 6'2'', chizzeled, has HUGE arms, a gorgeous smile, PERFECT cheek bones. That's right. I think my brothers hot. Not only is he HOT, but he is such a stud. I cannot even tell you how many times this kid has saved me from overdraft fees, lent me money, and just called to tell me he loves me. He always reminds me to pay my tithing to and make good choices. I got to listen to his patriarcal blessing and I seriously feel honored to be his sister. This little man is my angel in disguiese. He is such a good person, he is goofy, can be serious, opens the doors for ladies, and gives without asking anything in return. I seriously look up to my little brother more than I ever thought I could. He turned 18 today and is already looking forward to turning in his missionary paperwork. My mom votes Tonga. My vote is Louisiana. The bet is on.

For Nic's birthday my dad surprised him with Go-Karting. We drove up to Fremont with the Jeeps top down, it was freezing but Nic and I managed to sing and dance to Cascada...(video of our dance moves to be uploaded soon) and dad and Nic raced. It was awesome!

Heres us in the back of the jeep:


Racing:




Then we went out to dinner at Red Lobster. I seriously almost PEED my pants when we got ready to pay. My dad and Nic put a Blockbuster card in the credit card book. These two seriously can't be together or there is damage. The lady actually tried swiping the card before bringing it back with a smirk on her face. PRICELESS.






Oh ya. And then I took him out to get some scratchers! WOOHOO 18!!




I love you little brother.

Family Time on Thursday

First of all. I miss Chad. I miss sharing my silly stories with him at home after work, hugging him, looking into his beautiful eyes, rubbing my palms over his scratchy face, kissing his shoulders. I pretty much can't wait for him to get back, don't think I'll ever let him leave again. I am so glad he is able to go spend some time with his family, I just can't wait till we get to split time with both families this next year!

I love my family, and I am very very very thankful to be able to spend some quality time with them.
SO, today we all went to San Fransicso and then to Oakland....Frisco was a blast - I LOVE this place....pretty sure I'd love to live there. Even though it was chilly we walked the piers, had some clam chowder bread bowls, drove across the bridges....

Pier in Frisco:


This is my little brother Nic antagonizing Grandma:


A 'Lefty' store just for me!!



This is me taking a break...my legs were so tired from all the walking. I'm used to sitting at a desk all day!

Here's a picture of mom and dad at the Garidelli square:





The family at the bridge: WE MISS YOU LANDON!!




Then we drove to the temple. I slept the entire way (nope, won't post those pictures!) The temple is so beautiful with all the lights.. we got to listen to a beautiful musical performance in the visitors center. I loved being their with my family and feeling the spirit together. I am so thankful for family and that we all get to spend eternity together. Such an amazing plan.

Here's a picture of some Book of Mormons, I love just looking through all of them.

Family Time!

I am so thankful that I was able to take a few days off of work to spend time with my family visiting from Nebraska. They flew in on Tuesday, and I was able to drive down and surprise them that night! I was able to have Wed-Saturday off work and only lost 2 hours of pay! BOOYAH! So on Wednesday, Dad, Nic, Gma Gpa, and the Leifsons all went to the Beach while Mom and I went to Davids Bridal to pick a dress!

I love Santa Cruz, so I was very bummed I didn't get to go! Thanks to my little brother Nic's camera and his rad skills, he got some very pretty pictures




Dress shopping was so exciting! We made an appointment and were helped even though we got lost and showed up a few minutes late. The girls were very helpful and practically dressed and undressed me every time. Joyce (my helper) picked out a bunch of dresses that were within our budget, my size, and my style. They were all wonderful! It was so much fun to put on a big dress, step up on pedastal and just look at how beautiful this piece of clothing is. I loved all of them! I ended up falling in love with a dress but because Daddy was paying he asked that he see it on me before paying for it. So mom and I went to get some lunch and while we were there I ended up having second thoughts. We went back and met up with my Dad, Grandma and little bro. I tried on my top 3 dresses and ended up going with the dress I originally didn't like. Everyone LOVED it and it was the dress that fit me the best. Mom and I stayed behind to have it altered (my short stubbiness doesn't help), but it only has to be taken up about an inch. Other than that - it fits PERFECT! I am so excited. The dress makes me feel like such a sexy princess and I can't wait to see Chads face as I walk towards him.

Heres my mom and dad judging my dresses:


This is some of the detailing on my dress, gorgeous right?


SOOOO glad to check the Dress off my to-do list. SO thankful my parents paid for it- and so thankful it fits sooo well!

Edward --> Dexter

FINALLY to everyone's relief...I've taken a break from my obsessive crush on fictional romantic vampire Edward Cullen,and switched my crush to the tv series serial killer Dexter Morgan. I was sitting at the Harlows talking to a good friend of ours Alex Romero, who is a HUGE movie buff. I was telling him I needed some new movies to add to my Netflix queue,so Alex recommended Dexter, and I agreed to give it a shot - only because Netflix had recommended I add it as well. THANKFULLY Season 1 was on Instant Watch. I watched the entire series in a day and a half. 1 episode at lunch, the other 11 after I got home from work, and the rest until 2ish in the morning. I AM HOOKED. I'm currently on Season 2 (also instant watch) Episode 10. Dexter is just about to get caught and I am dying (hahah get it) to call into work sick so I can stay home and watch it.

Love Notes

I love my relationship. Even after 5 years Chad still makes me light up and gives me butterflies. I don't care if you think it's cheesy, or corny, or whatever, but yes... I took a picture - love notes on eachothers side of the mirror. It makes me melt. I pray everyday and thank the Lord for the best Eternal Companion a girl could ever wish for. Can't wait to Marry and then take this man to the Temple.

Thank you Martha and Craigslist!

I wish I was MarthaStewart (minus the jail time of course). This woman is AMAZING. I'll debate anyone who thinks otherwise! Look at this amazing idea for a centerpiece:


Isn't that great? Just vases and lace. PERFECT. I found 80ish vases of different sizes on Craigslist for 50 bucks. I was so excited as I loaded the first load into the dishwasher last night. This is my project while Chad is gone.....watch movies and wrap vases. LOVE IT!

Wedding planning....

We have chosen a venue! We were very thankful to have some good friends recommend a beautiful backyard to us - BUT after renting tables and chairs, and covers, and tableclothes and linens, it's just easier for us to find a place that will do that all. It helps with my stress level, and ultimately helps our tiny budget. We have chosen....::drum roll please:: Sorelle Winery in Stockton. They are very friendly and have given us an amazing deal because we don't drink. I am so excited and thankful that they are working with us - I cannot wait to start planning all of the decorations. I finally feel like things are rolling.

Frisco Nutcracker

I woke up at 445, and left at 515 in the morning. ICKY. Finals until 2, and then Chad and I dressed up and started the drive to Frisco. We stopped at Elephant Bar and had dinner, and then went to watch the Nutcracker. We bought cheap tickets a few months ago and had floor seats...we weren't very close to the front, but it was still awesome to not be on the highest seats. I am amazed at those dancers, they are incredible. I sit there like a kid with my jaw on the floor - it's so beautiful. We finished and started the drive home - we stopped at Denny's and got Hot Cocoa and some dessert. Then drove home. I LOVE date nights with my handsome man, I love being done with finals, falling alseep on the drive home, holding hands, cuddling, and goodnight kisses. the end.

Holy Moley

Only 132 days until we get married ::WHOOSH:: this is going by soooo fast!

10 quirky facts about kissing

1. Two out of every three couples turn their heads to the right when they kiss.
2. A simple peck uses 2 muscles, a passionate kiss on the other hand, uses all 35 muscles in your face. HELLO workout!
3. Like fingerprints or snowflakes, no two lip impressions are alike.
4. Kissing is good for what ails you. Research shows that the act of smooching improves our skin, helps circulation, prevents tooth decay, and can even relieve headaches.
5. The average person spends 336 hours of his or her life kissing.
6. Ever wonder how an "X" came to represent a kiss? Starting in the middle ages, people who could not read used an X as a signature. They would kiss this mark as a sign of sincerity. Eventually the X came to represent the kiss itself.
7. Talk about a rush! Kissing releases the same neurotransmitters in our brains as parachuting, bungee jumping, and running! (See Chad, I don't have to skydive, lets just kiss!!)
8. The average woman kisses 29 men before she gets married. Hmmm...
9. Men who kiss their partners before leaving for work average higher incomes that those who don't. CHAD, we are going to be rich! You kiss me everytime you leave the room!
10. The longest kiss in movie history was between Jane Wyman and Regis Tommey in the 1941 film, "You're in the Army Now." It lasted 3 minutes and 5 seconds!

...Wedding Inspiration....

Amanda + Ben's Wedding Trailer {wakeboarding included} from Epic Motion on Vimeo.

Eskimo Marshmellows

We geared up for a walk around the block last night. I seriously had like 8 layers on. We looked like fat gangsters walking down the streets all hooded up. HAHA. It felt great though. It was soooo much fun to look at all the lights, and to just hold hands with the man of my dreams. Yummmm.

Nemo makes it hard to study.

I have the cutest most adorable cat in the world, who also happens to be the wierdest one. Instead of laying in the middle of a cozy blanket, he lays on our homework! He will jump on the bed, sneak up on our homework, and spread out all over our papers and books. His latest cozy spot is the shower floor mat. What a goof. He's my little man though, love him.

It's beginning to look a little like Christmas!!

I'm not much of a decorator. I wish I was. I got a Martha Stewart (LOVE this woman) Christmas magazine, and want to make everything from every page of that book. But, for starters, I bought some lights and we draped them over our mirror in the bathroom. Haha, festive huh?