The good, the bad, and the ugly....2008

The Good:
Engaged!
New car!
New house!
Wedding!
Honeymoon!
Season tickets to watch the Utes!
Vacation to Jackson Hole!
Friends and family!
Birthdays!
Holidays!
Teaching!
Dalan's beard!
Internet Spying!

The Bad:
Dalan's grandmother passed away.
TWO car accidents.
Kidney stones.
Piper's seizures.
Internet Spying

The Ugly:
Cold sores
Unorganized spare bedroom

Kids

There are so many pictures from the wedding to share with you all, so I have decided to do them in small amounts with specific themes. This way hopefully no one gets burnt out on our wedding, and I can keep reliving my most favorite day ever! Here is a collection of the beautiful children who attended our wedding.

Morgan: belongs to Dalan's cousins Mindy and Randy

Ellie: belongs to our friends Hilary and Greg

Annie: also belongs to Hilary and Greg

Olivia: belongs to our friends Crissy and Oliver

Gracyn: belongs to our friend Cyndee

Burn baby, burn!

Two and half weeks ago, I burned my hand while getting a green bean casserole out of the oven. I did not even want to make the stupid casserole. It was for work, and they put up the sign up sheet while I was out with the kidney stones. Everyone had already signed up for the super easy things (cups, napkins, rolls) or the fun things (dessert) by the time I returned to work on Monday. So, I got stuck with a casserole. I know, I know a green bean casserole is simple to prepare and cook, but I wanted to run to the store and buy some rolls and be done with it, not run to the store buy the ingredients and still have to come home and cook. Well, I was being lazy when it came time to pull the casserole out of the over and did not pull the rack out. I burned my hand and it hurt like the dickens.

I am pretty sure it is/was infected. I did several "surgeries" on it with my special mix of neosporin and hydrogen-peroxide, but it never seemed that effective. Usually my surgeries are the best. I once healed Ali's impetigo with my surgical skills, but this time not so much. I have tried covering and not covering it. Nothing has seemed to work, and it still has not healed all the way. In case you were terribly interested here are the pictures of the progression of the healing process.

Day One. OUCH...I am burned!

Day Eight....still green, full of puss, and red all over.

Day 15.....looking a little better. Still red all over, but not so infected looking.

Day 21...still really red around the edges. Does anyone have any suggestions or is too late for my little hand?

Feliz Navidad

Dalan and I had a wonderful day on Christmas, and a very fun long weekend together. Christmas started out with a blizzard for us, and ended the same way. West Jordan ended up getting 12 inches by noon on Christmas day while most of the valley just got rain in the morning, and then got about 9 more inches that evening when the entire valley was hit by a ginormous storm.

Despite the storms, we had an incredible time celebrating the holiday with our families. We got up early and went to my parents' to open gifts from Santa and one another. We also had breakfast there. Everyone was overly generous and thoughtful with their gifts. It was a little overwhelming. Then, we got to go home and rest. It was the first time in years that I got to take a Christmas Day nap, and it was spectacular! In the later afternoon, we headed over to Dalan's parents for dinner and gifts. Again, we were overwhelmed with how thoughtful and generous everyone was, especially after having a wedding just two months ago! We had a yummy dinner and got to visit with some of Dalan's cousins. That evening we went to my Nana's for some Christmas games. We had a white elephant gift exchange, which was hilarious. I think I may have brought the best "gift" of all.....left over wedding stationary and other odds and ends! Santa also visited us there, and I got some very nice bath and body stuff, and Dalan got a Nerf dart gun, that he has played with non-stop....yes, he is turning 30 in two months.

Here are some pictures of us going through and trying out all our new loot!

Piper working on her giant candy cane shaped raw-hide.

Dalan showing off his new knives, and his super chopping action!

Dalan's super growing Army man. He is already like ten times his original size!

My snugglie! It is incredibly warm...and makes me look slightly like a jedi warrior!

My new back stratcher...this gift is really for Dalan and me..... so I can relieve my back itch on my own and not annoy him with my constant requests. Sorry this one is so dark. My head is blocking the light!

Dalan and his nerf gun....see all the Christmas mess around him...I can only imagine what out house will look like once we have babies!

Christmas Eve at the Carlson's

Christmas Eve was spent with my parents this year. We had a yummy shrimp (steak for Dalan) dinner, and then my aunt, uncle, and Nana came over for some holiday visiting. Nghia stopped by as well. After all the visitors left, we opened our new jammies, and went out side to spread oats and glitter so Santa and his reindeers could find the house. Piper even got new jammies this year.

I know I have been posting more pictures than actual blogs, but that is how I am rolling this holiday season. Here are some pictures from Christmas Eve at my parents' house.




We had quite the time getting the timer set and then squeezing us all into one photo, but I think it turned out awesome. Except my big head is blocking Dalan.....damn my big headedness!

Santa Claus is coming to town.

In honor of the big guy, who will be venturing down chimney's before we know it, I thought I would post Piper's pictures with Father Christmas through the years. Like many of us, you can witness Piper going from super skinny in her younger days to a little more robust in this year's picture. You can't judge a girl for putting on a few extra pounds later in life, now can you?

2005

2006

2007

2008

And finally, Piper wearing her own little Santa suit.
She is one festive dog!

Baked Goods Christmas

Dalan and I decided to bake some Christmas goodies this year. We spent some of the day on Saturday baking, and most of the afternoon today. The house smells so deliciously yummy right now. You should be here. I will not need to eat dinner tonight due to all my sampling of the treats. (You have to make sure things turned out all right, don't you?) I took pictures of some of the items we baked, and I am by no means a food photographer, but I am proud of all our hard work!

Christmas sugar cookies with sprinkles.

Dalan's family recipe for buckeyes. (Go Ohio State!)

Seriously, would it really be Christmas without fudge?

Peanut Brittle....my great aunt Elaine makes the best peanut brittle....but we gave it a whirl anyway knowing we would have tough competition.

Red velvet whoopie pies. I found this recipe in a magazine. They are very rich and yummy!

Oh, and I got my car back from being repaired today! I am so happy, no more driving around that ridiculous PT Cruiser wanna-be thing anymore! Also, finished my Christmas shopping finally today. I had just a few odds and ends to buy, and I found them all at Target, the greatest store in all the land.