I went home for Christmas

So I'm finally back in Provo after spending nearly 2 weeks in Fresno, CA. And my blog was neglected in the process. But I have NO regrets about that because it was nice to not have to worry about posting this or that.

Going back home reminds me of how much I love my family. This was my first time seeing them since I got married. A new record. So... it was nice to catch up on things and relax. Poke fun at siblings and not worry about housework. The Christmas season is all about family, and I'm so glad I got to spend the holidays back home.

From depleting my grandpa's supply of Starbucks Hot Cocoa, to attending my little sister's baptism, to Christmas festivities, the whole vacation was wonderful. I am so glad I have a loving family and that they all get along with my husband so well! It was our first Christmas together as husband and wife, and his first Christmas with my family. I'd say that it all went very smoothly.

Plus... we got to go spend a day on the coast.
The beach? At Christmastime? Heck. Yes.

A little bit of salty sea air never hurts. Especially when you get to eat at Jockos Steakhouse at the end of the day. I'm not much of a steak person. Unless the steak is cooked by someone who knows what they are doing. And at Jockos, they know. I wouldn't mind having steak from that place all the time.

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and that you're just as excited for a new year as I am!

Catching a glimpse

I was perusing some Facebook photos, and came across these pictures of my sisters that had been taken (courtesy of Tim Przybyla) at a church Halloween party.

Jenna and her ladybug costume:
(Oh... and the beautiful temple in the background is where Doug and I got married!)

Carissa is the one on the left. (Yeah... the one NOT in costume. Tsk tsk...)

I'm startled to see how much she's changed since I last saw her 5 months ago. She looks older... and different... it reminds me of how I felt when I came back home after my first semester of college and found that my brother Ryan had grown several inches and was considerably taller than me.

It makes me miss my family.
Less than two months until Christmas... and we're planning on spending Christmas in Fresno, so I'll see them then!

Jenna will be turning 8 in less than a month. I want so badly to be there for her baptism... but there's no way I could be there with school and travel expenses.

My little sister is growing up without me... and I can only catch glimpses through pictures.

*Update... I will be there for her baptism! She's willing to wait a while until we come to Fresno! Happy day!

Just settling in

Before I go into more detailed wedding stuff, let's take a look at the here-and-now.

Douglas and I are getting all situated at our new apartment! It's a nice, cute little place with a lot of storage space. I think it's perfect for a couple just starting their life out together. Who needs a huge place when there's only 2 of you?!

Plus, we have a balcony. And this is the view we have from it.

It's a nice, green backyard... wouldn't you say?

The lawn is perfect for games, picnics, etc... There's volleyball & root beer floats every Thursday evening!

And it'll be so pretty during the fall and when it's all covered in snow.

Plus there's a great view of the mountains.

Doug and I have a lot of stuff... thanks to everyone's support at our reception and open house.

In fact, the only major item we are lacking is a table and chairs We plan on getting a set soon.

Until then though, we just sit on our couch.

OR...

We invite another couple over and do this:

Sitting on folded up blanket-poufs eating pasta with homemade sauce, several different types of homemade bread, pink lemonade, brownies, and ice cream.

Yeah.

Enough said.

Life is all coming together.

Doug just got a full time 40-hour-a-week job for the remainder of the summer.

I have a couple classes for summer term (which starts next week).

Our apartment is feeling more and more like home every day.

Plus we just bought Dance Central 2.

Party time! :D