Christmas Adventures

It's about time I catch up on my blog and write about Christmas! I can't believe it's already come and gone and that the new year is almost here...time just flies!! Well, me and Jeff had a great second Christmas together. It almost seemed like our first since last year we had just come home from our Minimoon and didn't have long until Christmas...so it was a bit of a blur. We had a great time this year with all the festivities, despite a bit of sickness. 

Before Christmas we had my staff party which was held at Alina's house this year, the dentist I work for. I was AMAZED at how gorgeous and huge her house was. Her bathroom was bigger than our entire apartment, not to mention covered in crystals. It was unbelievable, and very fun to get a tour of this dream home. The basement was where the party was... there was a bar and a dance floor and lots of food! We had fun socializing with everyone and also did a White Elephant gift exchange...the game where you can steal gifts from each other or take from the middle. Me and Jeff decided to make the party really fun and bring a ridiculous gift just to see the reactions. So we brought...a vibrating sex ring!! It was quite hilarious when my boss's husband opened it! It took a while before he realized what it was, but it sure got everyone laughing. Somehow everyone seemed to know it was us who brought it...why they would guess that I have no idea?? Must be the newlywed thing! We ended up with a monkey mug, bubble bath, and a Caramilk fondue set. Here's some photo's of the party and the super fun people I work with...

A shot of the assistants with the dentist...

 

We also got to go to my Dad's staff party, since we are technically staff. Me and Jeff clean his office every week as a great side job to earn some extra cash. He took everyone to Stage West, which was such a blast! The show was 'Two Hit Wonders,' which was very good. I was more impressed, though, with the food. They had anything and everything you could think of. It was a large buffet with my favorites being sushi, crab, and deep fried chicken with delicious sauces. The red velvet cake was also to die for! We had a great time and were very glad we could join his staff.

 This year we decided to do Christmas Eve with my family, and Christmas day with Jeff's family. So, for Christmas Eve we went to Jordan and Melanie's house for some great food and fun. We spent the evening with my parents, Cooper grandparents, Jordan and Melanie's family, Melanie's mom, and Tamara and Lee's family. We played some Minute to Win It games and had a lot of fun with that. It was more entertaining to watch the kids try to do these activities, but of course me and Jeff put in our share of participation as well. I stole this photo from my sister's blog and thought I would share it...

We also had a talent show and acted out the nativity. There were some great piano players this year (my wonderful students) that played some Christmas songs, and of course there could be no Christmas without magic tricks. My dad is an amazing magician and never forgets how to do any of his tricks...ha ha! Oh wait, he does forget just about every year! It's always so fun to watch him stumble with these tricks he's "prepared." Even though we make fun of him and he shouldn't quit his day job, he creates great memories with these tricks and it just shows how lovable he is!! Jeff also did a magic trick, just to show up my Dad. He levitated a 5 dollar bill, and actually did it very well. We were all quite impressed!

After the program we exchanged gifts with my side of the family, since we would be with Jeff's family for Christmas day. It was fun to open some presents early. Although those weren't the only gifts we exchanged early...me and Jeff may have been impatient and opened our gifts to each other even earlier. Oops!! In my defense though, I had been sick for so long and needed something exciting in my life that I could do at home! Also, it's a great way to spread out Christmas. I would do it again! Anyway...my parents gave us an amazing gift that we already knew about...a trip to Europe!! We were surprised to also get some luggage! What awesome parents I have!

Me and Jeff then went home for a good nights rest before Christmas! When Christmas morning came, we woke up bright and early...ugh...Jeff's family likes to start at 9am. I would've loved to sleep in more...but what can ya do? We went over to the Ady's and got right to opening presents. I was surprised by how many gifts that came to me with my name on it! Jeff looked over and realized I was the spoiled one even at his own family's home! All my gifts were wonderful, but I will share one that was very special and it was a Fossil purse. When me and Cindy went to Las Vegas together I had looked at this purse three times and wanted it so bad. Every time I looked at the price, though, I couldn't get myself to buy it. What a surprise when I opened it up! Cindy had remembered and found it for me...I thought that was super thoughtful! Anyway, we had a big breakfast and dinner and otherwise just relaxed and hung out with the family. Jeff had quite a bit of extended family come over that day so it was a full house!

We had a wonderful Christmas...although it started out with some fights between me and Jeff about where and who we would spend what parts of Christmas with. We worked it out though and decided to switch Christmas Eve and Christmas day every year. We look forward to having many more Christmas's together!

Ward Christmas Party

One topic I haven't mentioned is our ward! Me and Jeff are in the New Brighton ward, which is filled with young families and the primary is massive. When we first moved in we were super overwhelmed with how loud it was, and we also didn't know a single person in the ward. For a while, I have to admit, I didn't have a very good attitude about it and was kind of just thinking that our time here would be temporary. However, we soon realized how great many of the people are and became friends with many of them, and now feel a part of the ward. I got called to play the piano in primary and was super nervous at first. Although I teach piano, I didn't have a lot of experience playing for kids as they sing. After a year now, I can say that I've gotten a million times better at sight reading! And I also don't tend to get nervous anymore, it's more just second nature to play for these kids. Me and Jeff are really enjoying our ward! Jeff sees that I'm getting attached and gets worried because we will be moving at some point and he knows he's going to have a hard time pulling me away from the friends we've made...we'll see what life brings!

Well, our ward had a Christmas party last weekend and it was a lot of fun! We had a turkey dinner and a program. In the program the primary kids sang a couple of songs and Jeff took some pictures...

 How adorable are these kids???!! I get to see them every week!

Here I am focusing on my playing. 

We just had our primary presentation last week (yes, ours was a little late), and the kids did a great job. I had fun playing for them and listening to them in the rehearsals as well. 

I should also mention what Jeff does in the ward - he does a great job teaching priesthood once a month and loves it! I think he's a natural teacher, he comes from a vocal, smart family so it seems about right. 

Jeff and I are excited for more Christmas parties coming up and for Christmas itself to come! Today I wrapped all my presents and am now just waiting to give them...

Our 1 Year Anniversary

 Dec. 2, 2012

So we did it! Me and Jeff made it through 1 year of marriage. The first year is the hardest year right?? I think that saying must be a joke because it was no doubt the best year of my life! If that's the hardest then life will be bliss...haha. I made a list of reasons why I love Jeff and was going to post it but then decided against it. Some things should probably be kept just for Jeff! But, it made me realize just how very lucky I am. I think the biggest thing that makes me so lucky is how committed to his job he is, and making a living for us. He's dang good at it too! I'm so glad I didn't have to put him through school as well. Although we do have to put a big chunk of money into buying a business...but that's a great investment. Anyways, I am thrilled with how things are turning out for us!

So for our anniversary this year we decided on a low key celebration. Jeff made me dinner (steak) and then we did gifts and put up our Christmas tree! And then we went to bed =). We thought it would be a great tradition to always put up our Christmas tree on our anniversary because we both love Christmas and I love putting the tree up! It's a fairly small tree right now, but I love it that way!

Jeff's dinner included steak, baked potatoes, asparagus, caesar salad, and of course the sparkling juice! Not too shabby!!

Gifts:

I got the most amazing gift! So for my wedding I never got a wedding band because, well, I didn't want one. Since my ring is a split band I thought it would look too much to have another band. But...I was quick to change my mind. So here are a couple pictures of my ring now, with the band I just got!

Kind of pretty right! Actually I love it!! I got some cheesy shirts made for us that Jeff didn't want a picture of. But, since he loves me, he let me take one of the back and put it on here =). 

He thought it was pretty hilarious! The front just says I <3 Jeff or Ashlyn. We wore these to our family dinners to show them off to everyone...haha!

So me and Jeff are super excited about the next year of our marriage! We have some exciting things coming up, including a trip to Europe in April, and we can't wait for our lives to continue on together!

Birthday Fun

I just turned 23 a few days ago...boy am I getting old! I had a wonderful birthday and feel loved by so many people! The weekend before my actual birthday I had dinner with a couple friends. I didn't want it to be a huge thing so I asked the Manville's and Leishman's to come celebrate with me. We went to San Remo, an Italian place in Mckenzie Towne.

Here we are...as you can see I share Jeff with Porter now (Melissa's little girl). She has a little crush on him! We missed Steve this night, he was a little sick =(

Me and my girls! I love you Melissa and Alicia! =)

Me and my man! =)

After dinner we went to DQ to get a cake to share. However, with my craziness in not being able to make a decision for the life of me on what flavor, we ended up getting separate blizzards. After about a half hour of decision making...haha sorry!

The day before me birthday my most amazing mother in the whole entire world took me shopping! I LOVE LOVE LOVE shopping with my mom!! It's something we've always enjoyed doing together. I was so so excited and found some really cute things. She also bought me lunch...Edo of course! And then Marble Slab! How awesome is my mom? I had a great day with her and we were also able to get a bit of Christmas shopping done.

On the day of my birthday Kinga (my coworker) made me this delicious chocolate cake!  I ate it all in 1 hour!
Doesn't sound like me does it...don't worry I shared with my staff. It was definitely delicious though, Kinga knows how to bake!!

They also gave me this sweet card! Perfect for a dental office. Oh and Alina, the dentist, gave me a scale...which is kind of an inside joke so I won't go there. And Theresa forgot to tell me what time to come in so I showed up 3 hours early for work and she felt terrible! So she ended up getting me a gift as well haha. 

Then when I got home from work I found out how much Jeff loves me...

Boy does he love me a lot! He even bought me a present even though he wasn't supposed to because I had gone shopping online earlier.

All in all...a great birthday! I have the best husband, family, and friends! I feel so blessed. =)

   

Roast Beef

So I'm caught up in my blog now, which means I will probably struggle a little more to find things to blog about. But, I figured I should blog about little things that go on in life, not just big events. So... today I made ROAST BEEF. I got a call from work saying that some patients had cancelled and I didn't need to come in today. Sooooo...I thought it would be a great day to practice my cooking skills! My mom showed me how to do a roast beef dinner a few months ago when I asked her to come over and help me, but I haven't looked at a roast since then. So I wasn't sure how it was gonna go. But luckily, I have a great memory...and a mom to call at any moment with questions. So things turned out pretty good!

  

This apron is one of my favorite things. Kellie Ady gave it to me as a gift after I threw her a baby shower. Oh and she made it herself! I am not a crafty person in the least bit so I think it's quite impressive.

 Jeff came home from work just in time to cut the roast, thank goodness! While I'm on the topic, I think I better share a small story about what happened the last time I tried cutting the roast:

So I made this meal a few months back and as I took the roast out I asked Jeff if he wanted to cut it for me. He was almost asleep on the couch so I told him never mind, I will do it myself. So Jeff relaxed (which was fine...he had just worked a long day), until he heard a scream. I was trying to cut it too fast and completely sliced my finger! I had never seen my finger bleed so bad and it wouldn't stop. Jeff came over immediately and told me to put pressure on it, even though my first reaction was to run it under water...guess I wasn't thinking straight. When Jeff and I peaked at my finger we knew it needed more than just a band-aid so Jeff drove me to the clinic and I ended up getting a few stitches. To this day I cannot feel the tip of my pointer finger! It is numb and has not gained the feeling back...I must've done some nerve damage. So that's the story of my dead finger (as I call it now)! And now Jeff will not let me cut the roast! He is always right ready to do it and save me from the pain!

Well, dinner was very delicious. I was quite happy with the yorkshires I made because they are not so easy. Very touchy! But my mom is a great teacher =)

Staff Mexico Trip

This year me and Jeff got the chance to go to Cancun, Mexico with my staff. I am a Dental Assistant and work for Alina Drosu, shown in the picture on the right. She has an office in Calgary and in Fort Macmurray, so she brought both staff and whoever wanted to bring their spouses could. So there ended up being a total of 20 people who came!

It was a very fun experience to go with so many people. There were always people to hang out with, and I got to see my coworkers in a different place other than at work, which was neat. It built greater friendships and Jeff thinks I work with some pretty fun people. Here's a shot of the group:

We went to an all inclusive resort called Valentin Imperial Maya. So one of the big activities we liked to do (or at least one of my favorites) was eating! I loved trying the different restaurants and ordering anything and everything we feel like.

 The Italian place was our favorite! The restaurant had a bit more of a romantic setting than the rest so me and Jeff went there twice on our own - the only meals without a group. We both love pasta and bread with balsamic vinegar. Well actually, we loved most of the menu! The food was to die for!

The Japanese restaurant was also one of our favorites. We got to watch the chef make our food and put on a little show for us with the utensils. He started with sushi, then rice, then gave us vegetables with our choice of 2 meats. The food was delicious and it was a very fun experience!

The French restaurant was also very tasty. Most of our group went together for this one and we filled 2 big tables. It was very fancy and beautiful inside the restaurant. I ordered Chateaubriand, which I have always loved and it was cooked medium rare - to perfection. The appetizers and desserts were amazing as well. The only bad comment me and Jeff made was that it was a little too loud in there. It was a very romantic setting, but with our big group we didn't get to enjoy that. It was still a lot of fun though!

It was neat to have the waiters all come to give us our food and take off the covers all at once. They must have used all of their staff to do this!








We also went to a Steakhouse one night and tried Indonesian another night. For breakfast and lunch we usually went to the buffets, and sometimes ordered room service. We always ate way to much, but enjoyed every bite of it!

 Besides eating we enjoyed some awesome activities. One day we went to the Ek Balam ruins, and then to a Cenote where we rapelled down into the water. We went with 7 other people from our group and most of us had a good time...me and Jeff definitely being one of those!

 

Climbing was the easy part as long as you didn't look down. I got a little nervous when I got to the top and realized how high we were. I seriously wondered how I was gonna make it down! But I took it one step at a time, while Jeff practically ran down it.

Here we are at the top of the biggest one. It was a gorgeous view!

Then we headed over to the Cenote...

 

I had only gone rapelling once in my life and that was in Young Women's many years ago, which was terrifying. This time though...not so bad. I got a little nervous leaning over the edge, but after that it was easy!

 It was one of the neatest experiences to do this. We had no idea what we were rapelling down into until we did it and saw how beautiful it was. It was amazing! Me and Jeff were also lucky because Jeff volunteered us to do it first! So everyone watched us make it look like a piece of cake. Just kidding! It was good to be first to experience it though and as a bonus we got the most pictures! The guy even told us to kiss and moved our lines together! How romantic right?

This picture shows the full view of what we were doing. So neat!

Once we rapelled to the water it was a little chilly but felt good after a hot day at the ruins. We then watched as the rest of our group came down, swam around, did some ziplining and Jeff did some backflips off the cliff they have to jump off of.

We had a great day! After all the activities and having too much fun we were finally able to eat some lunch.

Besides these activities, we mostly stayed around the resort. We hung out around the beach and the pool. During the nights we usually hung out with our group eating, watching shows, and shopping! We had a bunch of shopping around the resort and Jeff insisted on buying me 4 necklaces and a swimsuit coverup, which I actually love! Jeff purchased some sunglasses and decorative items for his office. It's funny because when we're at home Jeff hates shopping, but in Mexico he loves it probably more than me!

What a great holiday we had! The only thing we would do differently next time is bring more clothes! We didn't realized we would have to dress fancy to every restaurant, so Jeff wore the same pair of jeans and 2 collar shirts over and over! While I had a little bit more choice I still had to wear some things twice. Other than that we were ready to go home after the week, but also didn't want to go back to reality and making our own food again! But the time came and we headed back to the airport on the bus. We thanked Alina for the great time we had and headed on our way.

Bye Mexico! We miss you already!