Nutcracker and Benihana

As a tradition in my family we go to the Nutcracker and Benihana the Saturday before Christmas. I look forward to it every year.

In this picture we are showing off the drink cups which say Benihana.

Each year we get a girl cousin picture at Benihana. We were able to get everyone there but Kayla.

After dinner, we headed to go see the lights at the temple grounds. They were beautiful! I love this red tree. I think it's so pretty, how they make a "tree" with the lights.

I love this picture. We changed the lighting on our camera, so that we could get a great view of the temple and the lights.

My favorite part of the temple grounds was the marble nativity. It was so gorgeous in the water with the candles.

Christmas Tree Hunt

Finally now that the semester is over, I can post some blogs. The day after Thanksgiving we cut down our Christmas Tree. This has been a fun tradition in my family since I was little. We always go to Chicks for breakfast in Heber. It is delicious! My parents always get a twenty foot tree, so our poor little tree always looks dwarfed compared to theirs. This year the only dog that we could bring was Keisha, since Penny tore her ACL and walks on three legs :-(I love this family picture. Keisha is such a gorgeous dog!

My parents and their tree. (notice that you can't even see the whole thing in the picture) I still think they should have used this on their Christmas card.

We always go with my parent's friends the Bowlers. This is them posing with their tree.This picture just makes me laugh. We were pretending to do a cute kiss picture but instead notice the white powder on my jacket from the aspen trees (why we wear our old ski clothes) and that I am fogging up Preston's glasses. :-)

Last day of finals...for this semester.....

Well it has finally come, the last day of finals. Its December 19th and Miss and I are just a few hours away from a whole 3 week break. This has been a tough semester with trying to fit everything in. I have constantly felt that I never got to see Miss. Well at least next semester wont be as trying and our schedules are a little more flexible... or at least thats how it is looking. I cant believe my stats professor decided to have the final on the last day of finals week. Its been 4 weeks since our last lecture so the material is not as fresh in my mind. I hope all goes well. Look to see us post some more blogs once we get some more time. The Christmas season can now begin...at 5:30 p.m.

Why I do what I do

It's nearly midnight, and most normal people are in bed. Unfortunately I have to write a paper... one of the joys of grad school. During weeks like this, I often wonder why I do this. I never see my husband, I don't sleep, and I have had a cold almost the entire semester. Last night after teaching my cute student Mia, I was reminded by her parents that I had promised to play for them. I had a big final this morning, but I figured I could spare a few minutes. After playing I was astonished to see tears rolling down the mom's face. She told me that she had never heard anyone play like that before, and how different it was than listening to a recording. I was so flattered. I am glad that my music could touch someone like that. It's nights like those that remind me why I do what I do and give me the strength to survive the next week.