Merry Christmas!

We had Christmas early because my sister Lexie and her husband Jake were in town and Derrick and I didn't want to have to pack all of our gifts to take to Spokane. We did the gifts from family at my parents house and then Derrick and I turned the lights on our tiny tree at home and had our own gift exchange. It was so much fun! It was especially fun to have him get excited and try everything on the second it was opened. We got through all of our gifts without wanting to return a single one, so I think we did pretty good.

We are leaving Wednesday afternoon to go to Derrick's oldest sisters house in Spokane. All of his family will be there minus a sister, her husband, and two kids. We're really looking forward to it.

Yesterday at church I got called to be the 1st councilor in the Primary Presidency. That was a surprise! We are enjoying being in a family ward and have been welcomed by everyone.

We are so blessed! This is my favorite time of the year and a great time to reflect on the Savior and the amount of love that He has for us.

What do you think?

I have a hair appointment on Thursday. I want to keep my length but I need some ideas on color....

This Has Never Happened Before!

Last night I decided I would transfer all of the pictures from my camera to the computer so I could put them on here. Well, I have no idea what I did but I accidentaly deleted all of the pictures! I found a program that will restore them back onto the memory card but it costs $39.99 so I'm still deciding whether or not I want them. Hmmm....

Everyone came home for Thanksgiving and we had a great time. On Thursday morning we went to the Turkey Trot (a 3 mile run... or walk... or troot) in Burley. Jake was fastest in the family... Pam, Lex, Cole and Derrick all came in next... then my dad... and finally my mom, McKenzie and me. It was actually a lot of fun. My grandma and grandpa Spaulding came over and we had a huge lunch and then crashed while we watched football. At 3:00am on Friday I dragged Derrick and his little sister (who stayed the night with us) out of bed and met Lex, Pam, and my mom at Wal Mart. It was insane! The stupid thing about it: we didn't even buy anything! We went to Target afterward and got a couple of things before we went home and crawled back into bed for a few hours. That night Cole and Pam, their friends Brent and Marena, and Derrick and I went to Boise for the BSU vs. Nevada game and froze our booties off... but loved every minute of it.

I'm so glad I got to be with my family for Thanksgiving! I love everyone so much!

And This Is What We Came Home To

We flew all night to get home in time for the BSU game. Quite a change to be decked out in winter gear after walking around in 80 degree weather all week.

The Honeymoon!

On the boat getting ready to parasail

Temple visitors center

The BEST shrimp ever!

Sea turtles. Derrick got in and swam with them but I was too afraid.

Dole plantation

Pineapple delight dessert at the Polynesian Cultural Center

I wove a fish out of leaves

Derrick was playing a stick game

Learning a Tongan dance

Stick music

We got some fancy tribal tattoos

They were putting on a haunted house while we were there

On the bus

Outside our hotel. Derrick loves the Toes in the Water, Toes in the Sand song

Pearl Harbor

On our dinner cruise Derrick got chosen to dance for everyone

I love the trees there

Our hotel room

On the bus going to the hotel

Waiting in the airport

So the pictures are a little out of order, but you get the generally idea of what we did. We had so much fun that 5 days just didn't seem long enough.