Quarter Century

So I expected most people to be impressed or at least appreciative that I turned 25 on Sunday. Was this the case? No! When I asked for advice on how to celebrate my 25th birthday the most common reaction was not advice but rather, "You are such a baby! You have your whole life ahead of you!" I was kind of hurt. I feel like I have accomplished something by turning 25! At any rate, I have been rather reflective the last few days and I hope that I can make my next 25 years even better.

My 25th birthday the celebration was low-key. Steve and Kitty cooked. I decorated. Kitty skunked us in yahzee. We then danced.

Oh, and my co-workers decorated my desk when I came in on Monday. I have very wonderful co-workers.

Here is to the next quarter-century! May it be all that I want it to be and more!

Things I Love about BYU/Provo, Part III

Hockey games!

I really wish I had discovered BYU hockey games before now. And the hot chocolate is only $1 with 25 cent refills. It was Stephan's hot cocoa too. What's not to love! Unfortuntely while I was getting a refill, I missed the only fight. *Sigh*

On a random note, there was a young family two rows behind us with a little boy who was about 1 1/2 years old. I knew he was behind me, but I was still surpised when I looked down and saw him sitting right next to me, as cute as can be. When he saw me looking down he gave the biggest grin! I hate to admit it, but I was rather flattered.

Birthdays at my Parents' House

The holidays are always really busy for us when we go home to Christmas at my parents' house. During only one week, we had three birthdays, one anniversary and one (very small) new year's party. I wish to never see cake again!

Steve's 25th Birthday:

My mom's 61st birthday:

My sister's 22nd birthday - an action shot!:

Candy Cane Reindeer

Who wouldn't want these reindeer pulling their sleigh?

An Inexpensive Christmas

For the last 4 years, Steve and I have had Christmas on the run. Consequently, we haven't had a tree together (I'm not counting the tree he won at a work Christmas party that we didn't decorate). We usually don't need to get a tree because we travel home every Christmas to California where there are TWO Christmases with TWO trees.

But before we leave for Cali we have to have something, so Christmas at our house currently looks like this:

It will be a very "Charlie Brown" Christmas until December 19th!

A close up of the presents (mostly for family) and our "tree":
A close up of our nativity:

Oh, and don't forget our old favorite from last year - the wreath hanging on the inside of our front door:

There are also lights outside but I wasn't able to take a very good picture.

Celebrating Christmas in my own house is another reason why I look forward to moving to Fresno!

Homemade Applesauce

There have been a lot of free apples in my life this season. A co-worker gave me some of his surplus apples. I made a pie. A family in my ward gave me some more apples. I made cinnamon applesauce. I put the applesauce in my fridge and it disappeared in a few days. I love that I can cook yummy food and I don't have to eat it all.

I am looking forward to the day when I can give food away and I don't have to buy fruit ever again!

Happy Halloween!

I have spent three Halloweens at my work, SirsiDynix. My job has taught me that Halloween can actually be kind of fun. This year I spent about 1 1/2 weeks making a costume my co-workers hadn't seen before.

I am proud of my scarecrow costume. I hope that everyone had a Happy Halloween!