My husband is ridiculous

Peter has had this last week off of school and my family is coming in town for New Years so I gave him a list of things I needed his help with. Now, keep in mind he requested a list so he could be helpful. So I gave him a large list which included tasks like:

- Clean both cars
- Organize laundry closet

- Clean both bathrooms

- Clean paint off fireplace

- Organize pantry

My sweet and perfect husband did all those jobs, but he couldn't just stop there. Without me even asking, he also......

- Repainted the paint mistakes on our ceilings

- Cleaned the kitchen

- Vacuumed the house

- Dusted and cleaned large bookcase (covered in drywall dust)

- Did all the laundry

- Went grocery shopping (for entire weeks worth of groceries for family visit)

- Went to Costco for more food

- Put together TV stand

- Helped me stain the daybed

- Put the sheets on all three beds in the house

....And got me so many darling and great Christmas presents all in one week. This guy is ridiculously amazing! And I love him. Don't be jealous ladies.

Wishin you....

a MERRY CHRISTMAS. We hope you all have a wonderful holiday tomorrow. We wish we could share it with everyone.

I've been tagged by the Christmas Tag

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

Hot Chocolate. I’m not a huge fan of hot drinks in general, but on occasion a few sips of hot chocolate can hit the spot.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

Wrap, but he always seems to use different wrapping than the other presents under the tree.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?

White! Love the look!

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

No, my husband already kisses me whenever I want!

5. When do you put up your decorations?

First weekend in December. This is the first year I’ve had an official tree and grown up decorations. Thanks to the donations of décor by Peter’s mother.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Homemade cinnamon rolls. My Dad makes them every Christmas Eve so we have a fun treat on Christmas morning.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?

Going on trips with my family for Christmas where we didn’t do any presents, we just went snowboarding all week and that was our present.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
Uh..... always known he's amazing.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

Only if my Mom or grandparents got us pajamas and they wanted us to wear them that night.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?

White lights, different colored balls, and pretty ribbon. I’m sure my tree decorating and décor will evolve over the years.

11. What is another favorite Christmas tradition memory?

I love, love making sugar cookies with the family.

12. Can you ice skate?

Yes, and I’ve got moves even! I like to go to the center of the rink and make up some spin move or something fancy like that. It usually never really is very fancy, but it’s always fun. Then I brag the rest of the night to whoever I’m with about how good I am.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

When I was a kid my parents got my sister and I matching pink and purple ten speeds. Those were the coolest things ever!

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?

Being with those I love. I get so much joy out of just hanging out with my family and seeing the faces of my nieces as they open their presents. Plus, the Holidays seem to put a better perspective on my life as I am reminded on the true meaning of Christmas.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?

I’m a fan of my Mom’s Chex mix.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Probably the food! Yikes, that’s not good. I also love Christmas Eve as we gather together to read Luke 2 and other stories. Our family always attempts to sing Christmas songs together and none of us are very good at singing and so it usually turns out to be a giggling session.

17. What tops your tree?

A pretty star!

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
Definitely giving! I love to see the reactions on people’s faces as they open your gift. Plus I’m not very good at receiving gifts or compliments. I usually get all awkward and stuff.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?

Probably Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

20. Candy Canes?

Only if they are watermelon or bubble gum or “something good” flavored.

21. Do you feel Christmas is too commercialized?

Yes, ma’am, but I still love it.

6 Months ago....

Peter and I were getting hitched! I can't believe it's been six months already. And I have to say I couldn't be happier about my decision to marry him. Peter has turned out to be even more loving and considerate and funny and charming than he was then. He makes me happier every day and there seems to be such an incredible sense of peace and meaning added to my life.

I love you Peter. I get all giddy-school-girl inside just thinking about getting to spend forever together. Party on!

Clever Peter

Peter and I are trying to re-stain a daybed we purchased and have had a hard time. It's been tricky trying to get them to dry correctly on our porch out in the freezing cold and occasional rainfall. So the other night Peter got tricky himself and cam up with this contraption to dry our bed posts. It's a spring for the bed against the wall, with the posts hanging from wire hangers. We then put our fans on each side and now these things dry amazingly. Hopefully only one more coat! Love that my husband is clever (because I'm usually not so much).

Sweats and Five Guys

Last night Peter and I went to celebrate him being doing with his finals and went to Five Guys. And in our sweats! It was so great. I love, love, love their fries. And I love, love, love my sweat pants. Life is good.

SHOUT OUT

I'd like to give a little shout out to our two favorite twin girls, Kim and Katie. It was there big 17th Birthday yesterday. These two girls are so funny and so smart and so talented. We just love being able to attend their high school sports and theater events and see them grow. Did I mention they are fun? It's so fun hanging out with them. It's not uncommon for them to break out in a duet together and the next second start hitting each other. I love it! Kim gets a little emotional about certain movies and Katie likes to tease her by repeating lines or singing songs from the movie until Kim is in tears. It's hilarious. Kim is really smart and super athletic. I love her sensitivity to others and her desire to do good. I admire how honest and open she is. Katie seems to be talented at anything she tries and it makes me jealous. She has this great sense of who she is and doesn't seem to care if people don't like it. It's amazing.

I could go on and on about these two. We love you Kate and Kim, we hope you had a great Birthday!

I just got these adorable pictures from my Sister and I am in love. These are my two nieces Halie and Lucy. Are they not the cutest things? I just love these girls so much! I miss them all the time and get so excited every time I know I get to play with them. Love you girls! Thanks for being so cute and fun!

Hot Friday night date at Costco

Am I the only one that loves these? Friday night, you pick up the essentials you need for the home with your significant other and then grab a delightful piece of pizza or a hot dog; always accompanied by a berry smoothie of course. Peter and I have had a few of these lately and I love them. This Friday night we even splurged and got a printer!

Saturday morning was another fun family activity. We scrapped all the existing caulking out of our bathroom in order to re-grout some areas and re-caulk everything. Fun for the whole family! Saturdays always seem to be filled with running errands and trying to get a million things done. Well this particular Saturday I was literally RUNNING errands, I was running from store to store in order to get everything done I needed to. Well as I was running out of Target I obviously did not see the patch of ice (out of no where, because it's not that cold here yet) and fell flat! One second I was running, the next I was flat on my belly with a few fun bruises on my knees and elbows. It was definitely more embarrassing then painful, oh man.

Speaking of embarrassing, at our ward Christmas party this year there was karaoke. Oh yes. Any my cute little husband always the one to try and make people laugh and support the program all at the same time, made us sing a duet. And me, not wanting to be the party pooper totally went along with it. It was embarrassing, the music wasn't loud enough and it turned out we really only knew the words to the chorus, etc. I'm sure you've experienced the same or watch some one do it. My entire life my mother has prompted all of us children multiple times a day and in every situation, "Be fun! Be fun!" and so I couldn't not "Be Fun!". Well at least I tried to be.

Today I am feeling very thankful to be healthy and happy. I wish you all the same.

I feel like singing "I'm so thankful.....", clapping my hands, and swaying back and forth like my African friends in the Humanitarian Center movie. All you T2 girls know what I'm talking about. Love it!

Merry TubbaChristmas to you!

Last night my good friend, Jeanette and I went to the Tuba-Christmas concert at Kennedy Hall. There were almost 300 Tuba players playing at the concert; ranging between 84 and 11 years of age. They played fun Christmas carols and the crowd sang along. It was really fun to go out and do something different. After the concert we went and got Ethiopian food. I've never had it before but I loved it. We had crazy good lamb, lentils, slit peas, and crazy crepe-like bread, all with deliciously amazing spices and sauces. Thanks for a fun night out Jeanette!

Could life get any better?

This weekend was so great! Peter and I picked up our very own Christmas tree and brought it home to decorate on Saturday. We aren't very "tree picking savvy" which caused some frustration at the store, but we ended up picking a great one. We spent the afternoon decorating it and working on projects around the house. I have to say, I really felt like we are our own little family. Some of you are probably thinking, "Well duh, you are one!", but it really felt like it on Saturday. Oh and to make the day even better we watched lots of great college football and ate Five Guys (Five Guys being the East Coast version of In-N-Out). On Sunday evening we cuddled up next to the fire, with a plate of hot chocolate chip cookies, and watched the Christmas Devotional. As we were there together I couldn't help but think of how grateful I am to have so many wonderful things and so much peace in my life. Oh, and I've decided that Christmastime is kind of a romantic time of year! I've never really noticed before, but I'm loving it and intend to take full advantage of it.

Move over Papa Johns

Last night Peter and I made the most amazing homemade pizza ever. I've never really made it before so I was unsure of how it would turn out, but it was so good! I can't even tell you how good it was. Ahh! We used Rhodes pre-made bread dough and then topped it with sauce, mozzarella, mushrooms and olives. Man, I never realized Peter and I were so talented in the kitchen. Take a look at our masterpiece. You want some don't you?!

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a dandy ol' time over Thanksgiving weekend this year. Wednesday, after skipping for joy out of work, we went to see Twighlight. I have not seen a movie in so long! I was reminded how silly and dramatic the whole concept of the books are. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed the movie and Edward's eyes. Plus, I think I want Bella's hair.

I started my Thursday morning off with the charity run, Trot for Hunger in D.C. It was an absolutely beautiful morning as we ran along the Potomac River passing the National Monuments; plus it raised money for the hungry in the area. I want to make this a tradition while we live in D.C., but it's hard to make it a real fun tradition when none of my family or friends join me. Sad. Peter, joined some boys from church and played some football, duh. Then we headed over to Peter's parents house for the rest of the day. His Aunt, Uncle and Cousin Emily came to town to celebrate. As I sat at the Thanksgiving table I was reminded of how truly grateful I am for this new family I've inherited. I'm so grateful to have additional people in my life to support me, to have fun with, and to learn from. This was Peter and I's first Thanksgiving together as a married couple. I know it's cheesy, but I loved it! I love that we get to spend holidays together. I love that he is my husband, seriously, I love it!

This weekend involved lots of game playing and watching sports. If you have not yet played games with the Bell family you are missing out. They are rowdy and loud ....... and so fun. I think I ate more and slept more this last weekend than I have for the last two weeks combined. It was fabulous!