Christmas 2011

On Christmas Eve, I put on my apron (for the first time) and started cooking while the Michael Buble Christmas CD played. It all felt very Christmassy. Jared was outside, cleaning the car and if you know him at all, this is no surprise.

My Uncle Cliff is a Pastor in Heber, Utah. We were invited to a Christmas Eve musical program. It was a very nice way to start Christmas Eve and great to be with family. We even had the chance to listen to a four-time Grammy nominee pianist. He’s amazing.

After hugs goodbye, we drove home and quickly finished dinner with my mom’s help and a friend’s oven (one oven just wasn’t enough!) When the rest of the family arrived, dinner was ready. I’m sorry to say that I didn’t take a single picture on Christmas Eve but, I think I was just having such a great time, I didn’t even think about it! It was such an incredible night. After we ate dinner, we talked, ate dessert (and ate and ate), and played games. We played our family game, Upwords, and Jared won! J (It’s always hard to beat my mom & aunt..) The family stayed all night and left around midnight. I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time and I sure do love my family. When everyone had left, our house was a disaster. Jared and I cleaned for the next hour and a half and fell on the couch when we were done.

Christmas morning came too early but, we were both excited to see what Santa had brought. We got all ready and then went downstairs to (quickly) open presents. Charlotte’s Web, The Brave Little Toaster, and Heavyweights for Jared. :) (He says he wants them for our future babies to watch.. ) Snowboarding equipment, slippers, books, and a skinny tie too. Hair products for me! –A straightener, curling iron, and a blow drier. (Do you think he was trying to tell me something? Haha.) When it was time for my last present, I was completely shocked to see that he had gotten me a new camera and photography equipment! It was such a surprise and I was so excited that I could have cried! I’m so excited to progress my photography in 2012 thanks to Jared and I appreciate that he believes in me.

We rushed out the door for breakfast at his parent’s house. They went all out and made every breakfast food you can imagine. The best waffles, cheesy potatoes, and strawberry drink I’ve ever tasted.. It was delicious. We opened presents and each of us got a stocking from Mom & Dad. Kaden & Jace were the stars of the day and we loved watching Kaden open presents.

We went with my family to visit cute 82-year old Aunt Maurine in Copperton. This is one of my favorite Christmas traditions. After our visit, we went to my Uncle Kent’s and Aunt Jody’s for our favorite Christmas dinner. Ham, Yummy potoatoes, green bean salad, and blue-berry muffins – A tradition started by my grandmother. (It’s also what I made on Christmas Eve) The girls talked upstairs while the boys watched TV downstairs. It was the perfect end to a great holiday season. Above all of the excitement Christmas brings, what I love about it the most is spending time with our wonderful families and reflecting on the birth of our Savior. We are truly blessed, Jared and I.

Thank you to my family and sweet friends. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

Nephew Kaden with his new BB Gun.. "You'll shoot your eye out!!" :)

Deck the Halls

This is a picture from our first Christmas as the Toblers.

 Pulling this out each year will just get better and better. :)

Our matching Christmas slippers. When we were shopping last weekend, Jared insisted that we get them. He couldn't get over how cute they are.. I had to give in.



There's no better feeling to have in your home than the feeling that comes at Christmas.

 Here's to the best month of the year! Happy December!



Christmas Highlights

-family over for Christmas Eve
-playing games
-being on a team with my dad playing Mad Gab. We totally rocked. :)
-opening presents on Christmas morning

-Christmas breakfast at my in-laws
-watching our nephew open his gifts
-Taylor Swift and Sara Bareilles
-talking to Elder Hinton

-ham and potatoes at my parent's house
-girl talk in the kitchen
-visiting my great aunt Maurine
-a movie with jared, my aunts, my uncles, parents, and in-laws.

photo source

Temple Square

Chirstmas time isn't complete without a walk around Temple Square. We went with our friends, Alex and Chelsie. We drank hot chocolate in front of the temple while talking with the Sister Missionaries. After seeing all of the wonderful lights, we went to Costa Vida (it's not Cafe Rio but, it'll do..) and then went hot tubbing! I love hot tubbing in the snow. Chels and I were dared to do snow angels in our bathing suits and naturally, we couldn't say no. :)

Hope you had a Merry Christmas

The Random Song

I love this time of year and the magic of Christmas. I am trying not to be overwhelmed but, I could use more hours in the day. Luckily I am leaving work 4 hours early tomorrow to do some much needed Christmas shopping and package sending! (yes, I am worried that they wont make it to England and Korea on time.. Yes, I am a procrastinator..)

I look forward to the fun things planned for the rest of December. Last night we went to a Voice Male concert with 5 couples, 10 of our closest neighbors. :) Our friends. We are so blessed to have found a whole neighborhood of some pretty wonderful people. I love our home and I love where we live.

I have been missing Sister Richmond something fierce lately. I can't believe I haven't seen her in 14 months. I was reading my happy list from the week she left and about our one tearless hug goodbye. She told me not to cry so, I didn't (against all odds). She comes home in about 4 months.. four. I can't believe it. I'm beyond excited and for some reason, just a bit nervous. However.. Mostly, thrilled!

Speaking of missing people.. I miss my friends. I sometimes long for the days of doing nothing together. Hiking in the mountains, going out for pizza after working out to a silly work out video, having Office parties, sitting around talking.. This is for you, my group. My loves. You know who you are. Come to me now and let's have fun. (after Christmas of course because, this is a busy time for all, you know)

I've been thinking a lot about the new year that is knocking on our door.
2011, I am excited for you to be here.
I am ready to take on new and challenging goals. I am ready to grow and become better. I hope you will bring with you some wonderul life changes and I know there will be hard times but, I promise to grow stronger.

If you've read this far, bless your heart. Random thoughts are sometimes needed and today, they were.

Happy Wednesday to you all. :)

a winter weekend..

(photo by)

The weekend is here and I am thrilled! My "to-do" list is long with Christmas preparations but, I am looking forward to an Ugly Sweater Party, Jared's extended family party, and spending quality time together with my love. :)

Jared and I didn't have any luck finding our ugly sweaters at the thrift shop last night but, we did find some great white elephant gifts! :) Now to find us some ugly sweaters..

welcome welcome

I am so happy and excited that today is December 1st. While driving today, I listened to my favorite Christmas songs and loved it. Mister put up the Christmas lights and tree yesterday. Now all we have to do is put the ornaments on the tree and the halls will all be decked! :) Jared overheard me say that I would like a poinsettia to put on our table and I came home to four. Yes, four poinsettias! Needless to say, our home is looking very Christmas-y.. and I love it.

Happy December. :)

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??)

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?

Baby, it's cold outside...

Christmas Eve

Austin's well wrapped gift

Jared's favorite part of the evening...

Martinellis

Christmas Day

Kadenbug and his bow

Melissa's house this morning..