Birthday fun

So Todd turned 23 yesterday and we got to do some exciting things to celebrate. To start off, some of his mission buddies came over for a good surprise on his birthday eve (because we had planned to be in St. George on his birthday over the long weekend). I got him over to my house under the pretense of watching a movie and the party crew camped out in the kitchen. He got here and wasn't thirsty like I had hoped and so I went to get myself a drink and he finally decided to follow me in... We had lit the candles around the time we thought he would be there... but when the wax started getting super dwarfed we decided to blow all 23 candles spelling Todd out and light one candle that we stuck in the "o" when he knocked. Well, he says he was surprised. Then on his real birthday we went up to Soldier's Hollow where we tried cross country skiing! It was a beautiful day and we had a blast... even when we fell down :) luckily there were just enough people around who we could spy some tricks of the sport from, tricks like how to connect your boots to the skis! It was a great work out with some fun rides in between. We had a blast too! And we got a free water bottle for filling out a survey of our Wasatch recreation experience... For dinner we picked up mighty tasty ribs and whipped up some more of Todd's favorites mashed potatoes and salad. To top it off we went to another birthday celebration for my friend Audrey where we played Mafia. I was a pretty sneaky mafia and Todd was a pretty effective last word investigator. What a Happy birthday! 

Wouldn't ya know

So, my brother-in-law, Scott, was checking out Jericho Road, an LDS man band (they are hardly boys), on their site and he stumbled on a little music video and spotted Nancy and I in it.... A few years back my cousin recruited us when they were filming... I hadn't even seen it and figured it just didn't get anywhere. Turns out I was wrong and we made the cut. haha check it out if you have a minute, we are just in the first few seconds.

Carolina Christmas

Our Christmas in North Carolina was complete with our 

CHRISTMAS TREE

COTTON

& KITTIES (Boots and Smoky)

But we missed Gordon :( Scott and Nancy made it down from Pennsylvania to my mom and Randy's house on Christmas eve and we have had a cozy little time, playing Quiddler card game, watching movies and make-over shows and making tasty food! 

                     Some of the houses in the area aren't really welcoming visitors,, or residents for that matter! Neat for pictures though! 

We went around Engelhard and saw a variety of bird life down town along the Pamlico Sound (Pelicans, Egrets etc.) and even more at Lake Mattamuskeet (Swans and even Beavers and turtles)... Scott says we saw more than we did at Yellowstone.. we are hoping to see a bear!  

Giving Thanks

First we had Thanksgiving....

These are the tiny troops trying to find a seat in Frost and Marie's PACKED basement :)

Grandma's successful call to silence, a plug for us to read our family history books, and assigning of the opening prayer (Gale Davis, asked the blessing on the food and gave thanks)

Todd and I had slaved over these dinner rolls, and they were super tasty! We just quadrupled the recipe. If you want the recipe click here.

          Delicious desserts! And happy family!

And then we really had Thanksgiving...

POMEGRANATES

   for making pomegranate salad :)

Thanks family! Thanks Todd!

For more pictures, please visit : thanksgiving pics

Proposition 8

There is so much at stake with Proposition 8! We must raise our voices and and let the courts know that judicial activism is on dangerous ground in over throwing the will of the people. A redefinition of marriage other than that between a man and a woman is not in our nations best interest. This would add to further confusion and heartache in our families and within our society. As prophets have forewarned calamities upon societies who fail to support the principles outlined in The Family: A Proclamation to the World, we must do our part as a people to support marriage as divine institution between a man and a woman. Voting to support propositions such as Proposition 8 in California is crucial! Vote Yes!

Back in the Saddle

And loving it! Look at my wonderful roommates! I'm loving being back in classes and in fresh mountain air!

Also, a Delicious Gift Idea