We had a wonderful Christmas and feel very blessed! Thank you everyone for all of your gifts and love! We feel so loved and are very grateful for your kindness. We were definitely spoiled :) And as always, it's wonderful to spend time with our families and catch up with them. We love you guys and wish we could see more of each other!
We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year! I'm excited for the fresh start and to work on some new goals, hobbies and to start new [good!] habits!
Decorating for Christmas
Our little Christmas Tree :)
Some decorations
Temple Square
We went to Temple Square and had lots of fun... even though it was freezing!! Love this Christmas tradition :) The lights are so beautiful! And the frontrunner was just barely completed, so we were able to take the train all the way up to Salt Lake City.
One of my favorite parts of temple square during Christmas! I love the peaceful reflection of the temple and the nativity scene. It's a great reminder of what Christ did for us--and through his gospel and temples I know I can be with Tyson and the rest of my family forever! That's the best Christmas gift I could ever receive!
We visited the apple store on our way home. Tyson was in heaven!
falling asleep on the way back.
Told you it was freezing!
Making Sugar Cookies!
I have never made home made sugar cookies on my own, so I was really excited to try a recipe Seleta gave me. Although I struggled a bit because the dough was really dry [and I'll admit I got a little frustrated because I wanted them perfect], they turned out rather nicely and tasted yummy! I think our fresh eggs from my parents chickens were a bit smaller than most eggs, and that's where the dry dough originated from.
Anyway, thanks for the yummy recipe Seleta! We had fun decorating the cookies [me mostly] while listening to my lovely Christmas Pandora station.
Love the cookie cutters we got from IKEA!
Tyson's participation with the sugar cookies
Christmas Caroling
Unfortunately we didn't get many pictures of this, but we had fun caroling with the family in Pocatello! And I scored a cute penguin hat from it, too!
Christmas Eve
The Nativity! Teancum was a great baby Jesus!
Christmas PJs
Cute and soft fleece nightgown. Love it!
All the boys matching on Christmas morning!
Random Christmas Break Pictures
The new addition to the Coats Family Animal Clan. I think they decided to name him Marley (from A Christmas Carol). He's a cutie and I loved snuggling with him and can't wait until I can get my own :)
Teancum sleeping and covered with all his Christmas presents
The boys paint balling the day after Christmas--what a fun tradition!
Snuggles with Teancum :)
SNOW!!!
We have had so much snow over the break! And surprisingly, I am loving it :)
The drive back to Provo was a little interesting, but we made it safe and sound!
Snow all the way passed my boots!
Beautiful [empty] campus!
Deer on campus on my walk home.
Sparkly :)
Icicles
Made this hat tonight to match my scarf. So soft :)
We also saw a few movies over break with the families and had lots of fun [Thanks family, for tagging along with us and indulging in one of our favorite activities!]--I wish I would have taken more pictures... Anyway, Les Miserables was wonderful. I sobbed [ugly cried!] through the entire thing and thought it was very well done. It was very emotionally draining so we'll probably wait awhile before we go see it again. We also went and saw The Hobbit again and loved it [even more] the second time! My parents gave us The Hobbit soundtrack for Christmas and we loved listening to it on our drive back to Provo. Howard Shore did an incredible job yet again.
Anyway, we are incredibly happy and grateful during this holiday season. We'll update soon. Love you all! Happy Holidays!
Currently, Tyson and I are watching The Dark Knight Rises [naturally], but I thought I could do a little multi-tasking since this is like the bazillionth time I've watched this incredible movie. Anyway....
This semester went by faster than I ever imagined it would--almost in the 'blink of an eye' as some would say. In a few short weeks I will be starting the next chapter of my life--student teaching [I got my placement: teaching History and English, 8th grade at Centennial Middle School]. By the end of next semester I will be graduating, looking for a teaching job and starting 'real life.' It's crazy to think that my college experience is almost done. After being in school since Kindergarten, I'm not really sure what life will be like, but I'm excited to find out!
Tyson also will be done after next semester. He has 2 psychology classes and will continue working full time [which he loves!]. We are both excited for what the future will bring.
We had a great Thanksgiving break spending time with family. We were happy that Sarah, Ben and baby Teancum made it to Pocatello and had a good time spending time with them. Baby Teancum is such a good and happy baby and we both loved getting to cuddle and hold him (and we love his hair!). We had a lot of fun at the Ranch in Swan Valley and enjoyed the food, the laughs and the good conversations! We are grateful for all the love and support of all our family and wish we could spend more time with all of you.
The beautiful Snake River by the Ranch
Sleepy Teancum
I haven't talked about this much, but some of you know one of my best friends passed away a few weeks ago. Her funeral was the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I was able to sing at her funeral, along with some of her other good friends, and other Poky High School choir members. It was a very touching experience and a great tribute to a great friend. She got into a terrible car accident and didn't make it. To say that I was devastated would be a serious understatement. It is so hard losing such a good friend and someone so young. I will always remember Chelsea coming over to my house for sleepovers and for long chats about anything and everything. Or going to her house to help her clean her room while eating candy, talking, and joking around. I think I'll miss our talks the most. Chelsea had a way about her--she could always make you feel loved, and when you were with her you felt like the most important person in the world. She cared deeply and loved deeply and I'll miss her. And even though her time on this earth was short, she made an important difference in my life and countless others.
Me, Chelsea, Kim
After I heard about Chelsea's passing I kept on thinking of this part [the finale] from Les Miserables [see attached video]. Especially these lines:
FANTINE: Come with me Where chains will never bind you All your grief At last, at last behind you Lord in heaven; Look down on him in mercy
VALJEAN: Forgive me all my trespases and take me to your glory
FANTINE, VALJEAN AND EPONINE: Take my hand And lead me to salvation Take my love For love is everlasting And remember The truth that once was spoken: To love another person is to see the face of god
Chelsea truly made me feel loved and I'll be forever grateful for her friendship. I love you Chelsea, you will be missed. It's hard to say goodbye, but I know you are doing great things on the other side. Until we meet again, my friend.
_______________________________________________________________
On another note, I though I would give you our current updates.
Currently: We saw The Hobbit at the midnight showing this passed Thursday night. Although it may have been foolish since I had a final at 8:30 am the next morning, I could not have passed up this opportunity. Plus, Diet Coke was made to get me through this circumstance anyway. Needless to say, The Hobbit was awesome. Still not sure how I felt about the high speed rate [48 frames/second], but Tyson liked it. The scenery was gorgeous, the music was awesome and I gotta say Martin Freeman did an incredible job as Bilbo. My favorite scene was hands down 'Riddles in the Dark.' Andy Serkis did a great job with Gollum [of course!] and I just could not wipe the smile off my face. I just loved it. Also, my overwhelming desire to visit New Zealand has been reawakened. I think Tyson and I will leave tomorrow [I wish!!!!]. Go see it. You won't regret it.
Our Hobbit Tickets--the information was too long to actually have the title on the ticket.
Currently: Making these delicious Nutella stuffed cookies. They are the best cookies ever. Please follow this recipe and make them yourself:
[http://martylovesash.blogspot.com/2012/11/nutella-stuffed-cookies-yes-i-just-said.html].
You won't regret it. Promise.
Currently: Enjoying these beautiful sunsets [though they come early] and dare I say it--the snow? Yikes. Never thought I'd say that.
Currently: Loving this t.v. show
Currently: Celebrating the end of a successful semester
Martinelli's, Pizza, and Home Alone.
Excited to watch these over break.
Best Friends--Celebrating Kim's impending marriage [which happened yesterday! Congrats Kimberly!]
Currently: Getting called to Sunbeams [me!] and primary pianist [Tyson!]
