Christmas has come and gone

I meant to get on on and wish everyone a very merry Christmas... but Christmas came and went like that....  I was in charge on decorating the house this year and here are a couple pictures of the things that I did...  

Christmas was great.  Nate, Ashley, and Hannah were able to come and visit.  It was great having a full house full of family and love.  We had a great time together and they will be missed.  We were also about to visit Alan's family.  We went over there on Christmas day and we were able to talk to Hyrum (Al's brother) who is serving his mission in Ecuador.  It was great to talk with him.. and it is even greater to know that he will be home in about 9 months.  Alan and I are so grateful for this time of year to reflect upon our Savior Jesus Christ and his life.  We are truly grateful for his humble birth, and for his life.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Well I have been very busy through out this month of December... and it is already long gone and now we are welcoming in a new year... This past year has been fantastic.  As I reflect on this past year I remember very little besides being busy all the time.  I love living the college lifestyle... but I will be very grateful when I can have a full-time job and not have to worry about impressing the professors.  Some memories that I wanted to share was Alan and I went on a cruise together in march.  It was so much fun to be together and relax in the sun for an entire week. Just boarding the ship and exploring our new home

Doing the drill... just in case the ship would sink!! it was kind of fun!

We were also very blessed to be able to have a wonderful summer time.  We were able to spend with family and friends.  Our two summer vacations included going to the cabin and going to the Petersen's family reunion!!

   Beautiful sunset on the lake!
Up in Duluth for the day... after we took a three hour short cut...

Another fun memory from this year is that Alan was able to start his college life at Rochester Community and Technical College.  He is loving is decision to go in the Building Utilities and actually enjoys going to school everyday.

Alan was also able to go and experience the joy of Pinecrest over labor day weekend.  Pinecrest is the cabin that I went to while I was growing up.  Needless to say I have tons of memories from this wonderful place in Danbury, Wisconsin
       Enjoying the beautiful weekend in the lake!

Alan and I attempted to go turtle hunting... but we caught nothing :(

Our year was filled will lots of memories... we are excited to start another year together..

Can you believe it is already December??!?!?

Well all I have to say is that this year has flown by.  I really can not believe that it is already December and that we will be welcoming in the new year in only a couple weeks.  

Thanksgiving was a hit.  Alan and I went to his parent's house and enjoyed a long weekend over in Austin.  The weekend was relaxing and it was great because we did not have to work at all.  We enjoyed ourselves by eating way too much, playing Mario Kart on the Wii, watching movies, going shopping, hunting, and Alan fixing the car.  We had a great time and we can not wait until we are able to spend time with Alan's family over Christmas.

So after our vacation we had to come back to Rochester and jump back in to our busy lives.  This is actually my last week of classes... so tomorrow (Thursday, December 4, 2008) at around 11:30 I will be officially done with classes...... for a very, very, very long time!!!!! Now all I have left is student teaching which I am looking forward to.  After school is done I am going to be working until the 22nd of December and then I will be officially quitting Subway forever.  Mark my words that I will not be going back to Subway ever again in my life!!!!  Alan is keeping busy with school and work.  He really works so very hard everyday and I am so grateful for his determination.  He was able to sign up for all the classes he needs next semester, so Alan is still on the right track to graduate next May!!! We are getting very anxious to be done with school and be able to find full-time jobs and start our family. 

We are looking forward to helping my mom out this weekend with The Wonder of the Nativity event that is going on at our church on friday and saturday night.  This is a great way to start out the holiday season.  We mostly work in the kitchen at this event, but it is so much fun to attend his event and feel of the spirit there.  The night will be filled with lots of musical performances, refreshments, laughter, friends, family, and nativity scenes.  We are excited to be a part of another year of this event and hope that lots of people will come and enjoy it.