Fireplace Mantel

A couple of you have asked to see my new fireplace mantel decorations, so I thought I would post a picture here :-)  I got my fireplace last year after Christmas, so when I pulled out all my decorations this year, I realized I didn't have anything to put on the mantel.  A trip to Pottery Barn solved that problem!  I love all the mercury glass and it looks so pretty when all the candles are lit...  It's much prettier in person (with the lights dimmed and the fire glowing and the candles flickering!) if you'd like to drop by - I love visitors!

Empty Bowls 2010

It's been a while since I've posted, so some of these are out of order.  Beki and I went to Empty Bowls the day after Thanksgiving.  I picked out a blue and orange Bronco bowl.  I am looking forward to using it in a couple weeks when we watch the Broncos play the Utes in the LasVegas MAACO Bowl game.

Dessert Fondue

Yes, this is another one of those "repeat posts".  As with each year after the First Presidency Christmas Fireside, we had dessert fondue - who wouldn't want to eat this plate of deliciousness dipped in chocolate???  Definitely good times!

Lance, Jen, David, Carsten, Brooke, Brad, and Jared

I will have to do fondue again soon - I can't believe Jen has never been over to my house for a full fondue meal.  Winter is a good time for fondue because it gets dark so early and we spend a lot more time inside.  Maybe I'll shoot for fondue in February :-)

Polar Express

For my parents' anniversary, my mom decided to buy the entire family tickets to ride the Thunder Mountain Line Polar Express!  To be honest with you, I wasn't sure how much fun riding the train would be, but my mom was just so excited about it.  I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed myself :-)  We began the train ride in Horseshoe Bend, and from there we rode the train up to the North Pole (aka Banks).  On the train ride up, we had fun playing games, listening to an elf sing songs, and chatting with Mrs. Claus.  Once at the North Pole, we got pictures with Santa, ate cookies and milk, and visited Santa's Workshop.  On the way down we sang Christmas carols with the carolers, and even got to join in with ringing the bells for Jingle Bells.  Thanks mom (and dad) for such a fun adventure.  It was definitely a nice pick-me-up after a DEVASTATING loss by my Broncos to Nevada the night before.

Family picture with Santa!

Such a sweetheart - enjoying cookies and milk at Santa's workshop

Playing games on the train ride to the North Pole

Ringing the jingle bell

Carolers at the North Pole

Thanks for the fun ride mom and dad!

Beki & Me - Hanging out at the North Pole

Gingerbread Houses and Hailey's 3rd Birthday

I took vacation yesterday in part so I could make gingerbread houses with my family.  I know, anyone who's been following my blog for a while must be shocked :-)  The last few years I've done gingerbread houses with friends, so it was extra fun to be sitting next to my adorable niece Hailey as she made her house.

The whole gang was there, minus my brother who was out of town so he made his house earlier with his girlfriend Rachel.

My dad's cousin's daughter Gabrielle made a gingerbread house with us too in case you were wondering who was sitting on my lap :-)

We also decided to celebrate Hailey's third birthday since her birthday is on Thanksgiving this year.  I think she is just such a doll!  Happy birthday Hailey!

Proud to be a part of Bronco Nation

Thanks to Coach Pete and the Boise State football players!  This video chronicles 12-year-old Stephen Kinsey's trip to Boise.  He was granted a wish through Make-a-Wish and was Coach for a Day for the Broncos.

One-Track Mind

Mike and Me - loving the Broncos in their orange uniforms!

Yes, I know I blog a lot about Boise State football.  Football really is my favorite part of fall.  I figure a lot of my friends have pretty much "dedicated" their blogging to updates on their children, so I think I can bombard you all (whoever reads this!) with updates of my favorite college football team for a few months out of the year :-)

Well, last night was pretty much Bronco Dominance.  I was SUPER nervous that first quarter, where we had an interception, a fumble, and only 3 points!  Not to worry though, my boys came back... the defense was amazing and the offense picked it up too for a 51-0 win.  I'm REALLY hoping to jump TCU in the polls.  I know that Oregon, Auburn, and TCU all have byes this week, and I hope this shutout helps prove the Broncos case for a bowl bid.  Yes, I'm optimistic that we'll win our last two games.  I'll be cheering for Alabama and South Carolina to win out over Auburn.  I would love an Oregon-Boise State rematch in Glendale!