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!