A very merry Christmas

(photo taken Christmas morning while making Peaunt Butter cookies)

Our first Christmas together was a wonderful day. Christmas morning started with an exciting surprise when my phone rang with Whitney's dad on the other end. He put Sister Whitney on speaker phone and we shouted back and forth to each other whilest in my kitchen (whilest Jared slept with sugar plums dancing over his head!) It was the best Christmas present. I woke Jared Christmas morning with sobs. I told him they were happy tears but, I don't think he was so sure. (me either)

Santa brought me a beautiful pearl jewelry set and camping gear! When summer comes, we'll be ready for some fun weekends in the woods!

We had four stops on Christmas day:
-Uncle Kent & Aunt Jody's with my family. We had our tradition ham & yummy potatoes (grandma's recipe)
-The Tobler's for presents, delicious food, and games.
-The Richmond's to chat about Whitney's chat.
-The Njord's (we stopped by to drop something off and ended up playing games with their family until midnight!)

At the end of the day, I was grateful for so many things. I was feeling especially grateful for family & friends. Jared and I are so blessed to have the family that we do and to know the many wonderful friends that we know.

We ended the night reading about the birth of our Savior in Luke chapter 1&2. I loved reading about John leaping for joy in Elisabeth's womb, when Mary walked into the room and spoke. I found that really significant and I love how the Savior brings joy to my life and the lives of so many.

Merry Christmas!

Oh, Christmas Tree

(do you see the hearts??)

Labor Day

Jared has two really big families..

...Which is really nice! I have gained 350 family members! (that might be an exageration but, you get the point.) Santa & Mrs. really stole the show at the Hermansen Family Party. They are the real deal. (Except.. Jared and I call them uncle & aunt)

(Santa & Mrs. with my nephew, Kaden)

Santa: "Now be sure not to throw that ball until after we're done with the other children.."

Mr.&Mrs. Clause with Grandpa Hermansen

10 days until Christmas

Note: edited with bold "(checks)"

Can you believe it? As a little girl, I remember the excitement I felt when there was only 10 days until Christmas! Finally!, I thought. Now my way of thinking is so different. 10 days! Slow down! I have hardly had the time to enjoy the season! So weird how time can go by so quickly and at times, so slow. Although this December has been a quick one, it has been a wonderful holiday season so far.

At the begining of December I made a Christmast Live List:
-ice skating downtown
-mail Christmas cards (check)
-go to temple square to see the lights (check)
-read the Christmas story from Luke
-make krispy bears (check)
-go to see the movie, "A Christmas Carol" (check)
-have a candlelit dinner by the Christmas tree
-take a name off of an angel tree (check)
-go to a christmas concert (check)
-have a traditional breakfast on christmas morning
-play in the snow

I have 10 days to complete the rest of the list! Wish me luck!


On a side note . . .
This is my 100th post! That's some sort of milestone, right?

Thanksgiving Day

(Thanksgiving Day 2007 & 2009, infront of the Bountiful Temple)

Thanksgiving with my family

Dad, Mom, Uncle Jon & Aunt Deanne, Jerm, Jared, and me.

Jared and I were able to spend time with both families, which is such a blessing. Despite a usual holiday migrane for Jared, it was a wonderful day. I love this time of year and all of the fun times that come along with it.

We did it!

We painted all day (as you can see by our stove clock, this picture was taken just past midnight) and now we finally have our yellow kitchen! (and a yellow bathroom & light blue bedroom!) I will post pictures soon!

thankful

A few things I am grateful for:

-My life.

-Jared and the sweet and loving person he is. He has been tucking me in before he leaves to work in the morning. He always puts pillows behind my back so I "think" that he's there to snuggle with. It melts my heart every morning.

-My cousin Jeremy. He sent me this text a few days ago:
"I had a great idea for a Christmas gift for Austin (his brother). How about we take a photo of all of us! Could you bring your camera on Thanksgiving?" Now, it's probably just me.. but that is adorable.

-Missionaries, the gospel of Jesus Christ, a loving Heavenly Father, my nursery calling at church, and the cute little babies that let me read to them and snuggle with them every Sunday.

-Our families who I love spending time with, laugh with and.. spend Thanksgiving day with! (can't wait!)

-All of my wonderful friends, new and old. I am grateful for every last one.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Please click here.

Reading about the wonderful adventures makes me want to go to Europe even more..

..Also it makes me very happy that she is sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I must admit, I miss her. I miss her.

But, reading this blog helps! If you miss her too, please read. :)

-From the sound of her letters, it sounds like she is doing fantastic!

A weekend with Sussy

I am very excited to be attending Nicole Hill's Art Weekend today and Saturday! I took the day off of work and it is a very good day (for learning)! There's still room to sign up!

This is Halloween

Frightmares (soo much fun) and pumpkin carving to celebrate the Halloween season. I love Halloween! :)

I love to camp in really cute cabins in Heber

We were invited by the Buhler's to go to a cute little cabin in Heber with their family. We had a lot of fun four-wheeling and admiring all of the beautiful Fall scenery. We even made time to get our family pictures done. It was a very good time thanks to our lovely friends!

I'm weird 'cause I hate goodbyes..

To my best friend,
Good luck in England! I will miss you terribly but, I am so happy for this new adventure.
I love you! Love, Sarah

To follow Whitney's adventures on her blog (that I will be running -she's too busy) please click here. It's not much yet but, her adventure just started. :)

Whitney's Farewell 9.27.09

Whitney's Goodbye Party 10.9.09