Decemberween

Once again time has slipped away. The end of another year has come. Goodbye 2008. Hello 2009.

Let's see, this month has been eventful. I got a Costco membership for my birthday so James and I went for the first time. Of course it was hecka busy because it was a Saturday but I still had fun. I went to IKEA for the first time. Wow. I loved it. I got called as the new Primary President. There are only 25 ish kids so nothing too stressful. The hardest part was calling counselors. I really wanted to make sure I did it right. I know the Lord has guided me and I'm excited to get started this Sunday. James finished up his first semeste of gradschool. He loves the program and the friends he's made in his cohort, (the group of students he progresses with through the program until graduation. I think they'll get to know each pretty well...) Having James home has been nice. He gets up with the kids in the morning and lets me sleep because of course Lizzie is waking up in the middle of the night again. And I'm too tired to let her cry so I just get up with her twice a night. James being home also means that we get kind of bored during the day and we just want to shop. We finished up Christmas shopping in plenty of time. Plus bought a few new clothes, and Edin got new shoes.

Christmas was a blast for us. My dad is back in Utah so we made a trip to Salt Lake to spend some time with her. He and his wife showered us with gifts. I finally have all the seasons of Gilmore Girls. Wahoo. In reality, the best gift from them I think has been having them so much closer than Vegas.

While we were in the area we hopped over to James' dad's house. They took us to dinner and we went back to their place to hang out and play. James loves playing ping pong in their bastment. And Paul made some incredible fudge! Man, it was good! Paul and Becky always make sure we feel welcome and loved when we visit.

Christmas Eve was spent at Jame's mother's place. I almost said house but had to ament it. Because they're in an apartment but just announced they bought a house in Salt Lake. Yay! They've been wanting a house for a long time and it's finally becoming a reality. Good for them. Dinner was famulous and we enjoyed spending time with James' siblings and Mom and John. And, drum roll pleas, drdrdrdrdrdrdr, I got a sewing machine!! Connie and John, and Bill and James went in on it together. I'm so excited to get started. I have a little experience but nothing I can be really proud of. That's all about to change. I jus t need some project ideas. If you have any, let me know. I think I'm going to make my own throw pillows. We'll see.

This was the first year we spent Christmas mornin in our own place. James and I got up early, got ready, opened our gifts from each other, and then got he kids up. Edin says "Yay, Santa. He brings candy canes." It's so cute how excited he gets about Santa. So obviously he's easy to please. All we really have to give him was candy canes and he would have been set. We did get him a little more than candy canes. We just got several small things we new he'd be happy about. And in fact, after opening a few things he seemd board of opening and just wanted to play. Haha, how typical of him. We headed to breakfast at James' sister Annie's. Kind of a tradition. James' dad Bill was there with his cute son Cody. We ate, opened MORE gifts, and I have to tell you, it's been a great Christmas. I stayed up really late making bows for my sisters-in-law. They both have baby girls and the headbands and flowers were so cute on them.

The festivites did not stop there! We drove to Salt Lake again to have a small party with my siblings. We do a sibling gift exchange every year and this year we added a little pizza and a little guitar hero. Only my second time playing. The first was actually this month at a cohort birthday party for Carly. Happy birthday, Carly. And I have to say I'm a big fan of Guitar Hero and the wii.

And finally, the Bigler family party was Sunday. We always play a white elephant gift exchange and we always have good food and games. My grandmother recieved the gift of new carpet for her living room. She's wanted new carpet for so long. I'm happy for her.

I swear this was nearly the Christmas of my dreams. Don't take this the wrong way but I've been spoiled. I got to spend Christmas with all the people I love and we got nearly everything on our wish list. Plus, James' birthday is in 18 days and he's getting a great surprise.

I'm too distracted watching Gilmore Girls to write anything more but Happy New Year!