You Know It's Cold When...

• you're excited that the thermometer is showing that it is over 30 degrees

• it takes you the full 15 minute drive to work before your heater starts warming up and you start feeling warm (then you have to get out of the car to walk into the building)

• you look in your closet every morning to get dressed and base your wardrobe off of how many layers you can wear without looking like you're wearing too many layers

• hot chocolate, scarves, gloves, boots and coats have become your new best friends

• you get ice forming on the inside of your car

• you start imagining what it would be like to live in the desert and it doesn't seem half bad

• going outside is a chore to be dreaded, especially after the sun has gone down (if you were lucky enough to have sun that day)

• you'd rather be outside of your car than inside of it because it is colder in the car than outside (refer back to the second point about the time it takes to warm up the car)

• you can store your frozen food outside and it will stay frozen (case in point: the turkey that has been sitting outside our door for the last week--it's still frozen)

• you dream of summer because it seems like it will never be a reality again.

Promotion

I got a promotion!  

I am still working at Heritage Makers, but I am no longer in the customer support department.  Last week, the new general manager and president pulled me aside and asked me to be their new executive assistant.  I don't know what all is included in the new position but I do know that I am excited and ready for the change in responsibilities.  It's a great way to start out the new year! :)

Who Knew That Having Fun Could Hurt So Much?

Covey was able to score some free ski passes up to Sundance from his work, so we went skiing yesterday.  Covey's brother, Shawn, his sister, Heather and her husband, Brett came with us.  It was only my 3rd time skiing so I was kind of nervous because I knew that everyone else was better than me.  Bless his heart, Covey stayed with me probably 50% of the time while I tried to relearn how to ski and made my way slowly down each run.  It was fun, but I was done for the day before Covey and the guys were, so Heather and I hung out in the lodge cafe chatting it up and staying warm.  

Sadly, I don't have any pictures of our fun because I didn't want to bring my camera and smash it when I crashed. (Notice I said 'when' not 'if'.)  Overall, it was a fun day but I was pooped and sore when I got home.  Hopefully next time I will be better and actually make it down the mountain without crashing.

There's Something Satisfying...

...about taking the peel off an orange all in one piece. :)

My First Completed Pillow Project

When I found out that one of my best friends was going to have a girl, I wanted to make something really fun for her to put in the baby's room.  I had found a pattern for a cute and decorative pillow that I was dying to make and this was the perfect opportunity.  I'm quite pleased with how it turned out if I do say so myself. :)

Date Night

Covey and I went on a much-needed date this weekend.  We realized that it had been long enough since our last "real" date that we couldn't remember when that last "real" date had been.  We decided to go out to Macaroni Grill, one of our favorite restaurants, for dinner and use a gift card we had.  After dinner, we walked around the Riverwoods to see the different shops and also some of the changes they had made to the place.  As we walked around, we noticed that there were people going on carriage rides.  I assumed that it must cost money, but it turns out that it was FREE!  So we stood in line for about 10 minutes or so and took a short ride around the area.  It was fun to go "riding a long in a 'two-horse' open sleigh" and hear the "sleigh bells jingling".  I was sad when the ride was over.  Covey and I proceeded to walk around some of the shops.  The most popular one by far was the toy store.  There were adults and children playing with the various toys and looking at all of the old fashioned candy.  We ended up buying Bananagrams.  After looking through the rest of the stores, we headed home and made some hot chocolate and played Bananagrams.

My bananagram (I won)

Covey's Bananagram

  Then we watched the old Christmas movie "Santa Claus is Coming to Town".  (Covey had never seen it but I grew up on the show.)

All in all, it was a great night and we promised ourselves we would do it more often. :)

Not Just A Coincidence

This photo was found inside of the Provo Tabernacle after it had been completely gutted by fire.  Some people may think it is just a coincidence that this photo burned everywhere except where Christ was. Not me.

Brooklynn Photography

Last Christmas, my dad and step-mom gave Covey and I a 1 hour photo session with my step-sister, Brooke, who is a photographer.  We were pretty excited about it because the last professional photos we had taken were at our wedding and we were in dire need of new pictures.  (As much as you love your wedding photos, you can only look at them for so long.)  So the time came to get our pictures taken and it was a lot of fun.  Brooke did a really great job!  See for yourself:

If you like what you see, you can also check out Brooke's website.  :)  (Yes, I'm advertising.  What are sisters for?)

Thanksgiving Twice

Between Covey and I, we have 3 families that need rotating when it comes to the holidays.  This year, we decided to stop by his parent's house in the morning and help them prepare the food for their Thanksgiving lunch.  We weren't able to actually stay for lunch which was a shame because the food all looked and smelled so good!  Oh well.  Next year. :)  After leaving the Ogdens, we drove up to Herriman to my dad and step-mom's house for our actual Thanksgiving.  It was a small one, but still good food and good company.  We spent the night at my dad's and then went over to my mom's house for another Thanksgiving dinner.  I love spending the holidays with family!

Thanksgiving Day 1

Thanksgiving Day 2

Sad, but True

Covey got this card from my dad and step-mom for his birthday and it made us laugh.

This card is both funny and true.  Mostly because it shows how well my dad knows me and my love of clothes and lack of closet space...

Confession

Okay, I have a confession.  A confession that includes fabric, thread, a sewing machine, and not nearly enough money (or storage) to devote to the purchase of the first item.  You may remember that I received a sewing machine for my birthday after giving various not-so-subtle hints ("Hey Covey, I'd really like a sewing machine for my birthday.") to my very observant husband.  Since this time, I have become aware of all the fantastic blogs that give step-by-step instructions on how to make all sorts of crafts, using a sewing machine and various other tools.  Most of these sites have been introduced to me by family (Heather) and friends (Emily) and I blame them in part for my newly acquired obsession.  I have included a list of said blogs in case you want to find out why I've become so obsessed and enthralled with crafts and sewing:

www.makeit-loveit.com

www.cluckclucksew.com

www.crapivemade.com

www.dana-made-it.com/

Poor Covey just rolls his eyes at me and shuffles over to my computer when I yell over to him to "come look at this!  I love this!"  Bless his heart for putting up with me and my crafts.  I hope to be posting a bunch of the things that I have been making and have already made and will make very soon.  Wa-hoo!

Mold...

...growing in my rice cooker.  Gross.