Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

This Christmas was so much fun. Jake and I got new phones and santa brought guitar hero. We got new movies and games and cute new clothes. The biggest highlights were when we got to talk to jamie and mostly just having a break from school and work. Also it was fun seeing all the nieces and nephews and how excited they were to open presents. Our Christmas will be a lot more exciting with kids instead of jake knowing almost everything he is getting. Well that is all hope you all had a great Christmas and especially hope that you have felt Christ this Christmas in all the hustle and bustle. Merry Christmas!

Dec 09 in summary

This month has been so much fun. We have spent time with old friends and found some new great friends. This month we finished school and Christmas is almost here. We went to Vegas with the Tolds and went to Salt Lake twice: once with my family for the sing a long and once with Beth and Dallas to see the lights (which by the way turn off at 10! Found out the hard way). We also found some great places to eat (mostly Vegas) Jake's favorite Firehouse Subs and mine splitting the teriyaki chicken from Iggys (two full meals by the way). Also Jake helped recorded the second annual Jon Duke Christmas cd so that ought to be just fabulous! It has just been fun and this will be our first Christmas at our own place on Christmas day since last year we drove down from Logan. Life has been pretty uneventful in terms of life changing stuff but just loving life and getting through school! Only one more year and then student teaching and I am done...at least for 10 years probably!

Here are some fun pictures:


Me in front of the Wynn Hotel


Us and the Tolds in front of the famous sign


Dorky and messy picture but fabulous hotel for super cheap!!!


Us on top of the Stratosphere after riding the rides


in front of an amazing aquarium at the Silverton Hotel


Temple Square lights with the Deardens


Temple Square lights


My beautiful gingerbread house


Jake and Brandon getting ready for the Jon Duke cd recording


Last of all my beautiful apple pie that I made...yummy!!!

Just a little note

Just wanted to post just to say how thankful I am that my Heavenly Father knows exactly what I need. Also I know my life has been thrown off and not exactly what I have thought it would end up like but it has been great and also when I have a righteous desire he almost always gives it to me. That is the benefit of wanting what is good I guess. This week has just truly just been a testimony that He listens to me and is always aware of me and our family. Also I am thankful for my cute husband who listens to the spirit to know what is best for our family. I am sometimes amazed and how mature Jake acts with truly important spiritual things for our family (he isn't always, well almost never, mature but with the important things he is). That is all!

I PASSED!!!

I officially passed my Praxis exam so now all I have to do is finish school! I got 171/200 when you have to get a 159 to pass. Not too shabby for not studying and taking it a year behind every single other person in the test. I also got on the upper end of the average. Usually I don't like to brag but I am pretty darn excited and I get reimbursed for the test and don't have to pay for it myself now! Just thought I would share my excitement!

Griffiths Family Party

Here is a little recap of our weekend with the Griffiths at Nanas house. We had our annual family party and then after we went to Hannah Told's baptism which was really cool. I didn't get any pictures but it was really cool when Dave was confirming her because it did take so long to get her here, they couldn't have kids, there was a different spirit and just knowing how hard it was to get her to this earth that the Lord has some great plans for her.

Missy and I were twinner (well opposite twinners) so cute!


Jake, dad, and Mis just chillin while I interrupt to take a picture


Jake and I at the party but dressed up for the baptism


Kayla and Everett, Melinda, Meagan, Mike, grandpa, Nana, and the little ones looking for food


Nana, Shelby, Karen, Teri, Jer, Reesie, Kurt, and Alex


Ruby and Shelby-dang what cute girls!



The Three Amigos