Feeling Blue

Tonight this little cutie left...

with the rest of the Hopkin bunch to go back to Texas. It was sad to see them go and we can't wait to see them soon!

I was feeling a little blue when I received these pictures to lighten my mood:

#1- My favorite Chihuahua in her Christmas sweater

#2: My 17-year old brother in his "One-sie" Christmas Pj's

Leave it to Dallas to pull it off! Thanks Isabella and Doodle for the good laugh!

Bowling!

We decided to go Bowling with the nieces and nephews today. We had a great time at Red Rock Lanes and wish the Hopkins lived closer so we could play with them even more!

Bostyn & Audrey

Little Audrey was so sweet. I am not a very good I bowler, and every time I went however many pins I would knock down she would say, "7, oh that is really good Aunt Jillian" I loved hearing it each time, such a good confidence boost!

Cari and Bostyn

Taylor and Mitch plus Dan and his victory dance

Uncle Drew

Each time the girls would go they would lay down and watch it, it was so cute!

We love bowling... Thanks everyone for making it a fun day!!

Merry Christmas!

This year was my first Christmas without my mom and dad. I was a little skeptical going into this Christmas season, but it has been such a great Christmas.

We were so excited for Christmas Eve because that meant Grandma Jane's Orange rolls, plus the Trythalls were in town. As we sat down for dinner the doorbell rang. Jane went to get the door and this lovely family Surprised ALL of us by driving all the way from Texas just to spend the Holiday with the family!! It truly was a Christmas Miracle!!

We haven't seen them since our wedding and have missed them so much. I was so excited to see the kiddies and meet Little Spencer and Lucy. They are adorable, and we are having so much fun doting over them. i keep hoping the snow kicks in and they have to stay until it melts. It has made our Christmas so much fun! We woke up this morning at 4:30 AM because we were so excited. Usually my mom just tells me to go back to bed, but mom wasn't here! So Andy and I put our Christmas PJ's on and headed out to see what Santa had brought.

Santa was very good to us this year, and Ju-won loved his stocking. It actually worked out better because then we got to head over to the Coons' to see all the kids open their presents.

PLUS we got to talk to Elder Trevor Dean which was great! It was so fun to hear his accent and all of his daily activities.

Little Lucy and Spencer

(**Don't mind the shiny forehead)

Cute Hopkin family and their talent of Feliz Navidad in the Coons family talent show:

We love you Hopkin and Trythall families and we wished you lived closer!!

All the little girls got American Girl dolls this year. I wished I had known I would have brought mine to play with. Mariah and Meg got matching outfits and looked adorable!

Side Note: Andy wanted to "throw me off" so he added rocks to my boots box.. it totally worked, I thought he had bought Bocce Ball.

We hope you all had a Merry Christmas. Here's to 2009!

Are you interested?

Ashley and I were going to throw a "Bow Party" in Southern California after New Years, but after talking with a few people it sounded like maybe there was more interest in a class on how to make bows?

So... If you live in the Southern California region, would you rather go to the Bruce's to Learn how to make bows? Or would you rather come to Purchase? If we taught a class it would include:

$10 for...

- 2, 3 & 4 inch basic grosgrain bow instructions (Measuring, folding, pinching, stitching, and attaching)

- Korker Bows

- Headbands

- A Book of instructions to take home

- Two 3 inch bows of your color choice

- Best places to purchase ribbon

Either would take place on January 2nd at 1:00 PM at the Bruce residence. 

Let me know so we can start preparing either way. If you could please leave your email address so we can send e-vites it would be much appreciated!

"Ju-won is not getting ANY Christmas gifts this year!"

That is what I woke up to this morning. At 3:30 AM Ju Won came running into our bedroom, nuzzled into the bathroom and started drinking water out of the toilet. WHAT? I didn't even know Ju Won knew what a toilet was, let alone how to get water out of it. Ju-won got kicked outside in the cold night. 

So what was causing Ju-wons thirst?

 

My red vines from the BYU game last night and an attempt at Andy's Swedish Fish. Keep in mind these were on the counter in the Kitchen. We feel like real-life Marley and Me. Each time we see a preview we just nod in understanding because of little Ju-won.

So now Ju-won is banned from the house until after Christmas. Hopefully we won't get anymore snow!

In other news, we went to the BYU game last night. Yes, it was a sad game to watch, but we had great seats and it was a fun date night. I loved singing the fight song (as always) even though we were sitting on the AZ side and I was literally the only one Rising and Shouting. The guy behind me asked what I was saying at the very end, and when I explained to him it was "Ra Ra Ra Ra Ra" he looked at me weird. 

Also, all the AZ students were drinking and having a good time when Andy leaned over to me and asked, "Is this how real College football games are?" Real as in, non-BYU, non-drinking, no children, etc..." 

Until next year..... GO Cougs!

OK then AL, whatever you say...

So you say you invented the internet? Nice...

Oh what's that? they gave you the nobel peace prize? Cool..

.

No Way! Your movie about global Warming won an academy award? Awesome...

In my whole entire life in Las Vegas it has never snowed like it has in the past three days. NEVER

Yea AL thats right, the world is burning up, thats for sure. Maybe I should run for president too. 

Heavenly Father Hears and Answers our Prayers

(**Since this is my Journal I want to remember our experience tonight, so I apologize for its length.)

While we were in the Dominican Republic we took a day trip to Santiago (In the Northern most part of the country) and was an area my dad served in. We got up at 6:00 AM to hopefully beat the traffic, but it ended up taking 4+ hours. We almost turned around a number of times because we got lost in the Capitol, Santo Domingo. We were going in circles, but eventually found our way. When we arrived in Santiago we were all very hungry and the first place we saw was McDonalds so of course we had to have a hamburguesa con pickles and papas fritas. While we were sitting and eating our meal Andy spotted two missionaries across the street. My mom and I told him to bring them over so we could buy them lunch.

They were a little confused, but were grateful for the meal. As we got to talking we found out that one of the missionaries (Elder Anderson) was from Las Vegas! We then found out that he was on his way to the post office to send Christmas presents to his family. Of course we couldn't let him spend money on postage, when we were heading back to Las Vegas in a week's time. We told him we would take the presents with us, and drop them off to his parents. Because what mom with an Elder would not want to hear that her son is well and happy? I know that if someone called my mom to tell her that they saw Trevor in Argentina she would flip!

So we had Elder Anderson write his address and after a farewell we went on our way. Last night we called Sister Anderson to let her know we wanted to stop by and she was thrilled. Tonight for FHE we went over to the Anderson's home to drop off their Christmas packages.  Andy and I were a bit nervous, not sure what the night would bring.

As Sister Anderson opened the door she welcomed us in with open arms. We both immediately felt comfortable. After sitting down and talking we found out that this sweet family had endured a tragedy only 18 months ago. Two of their sweet daughters were in a car accident, and they returned to live with our Father in Heaven. When this happened Sister Anderson did not want her son to leave so soon on his mission. She didn't want another one of her children to leave. However, Elder Anderson knew that he shouldn't delay his mission and that he needed to go. 

Elder Anderson has been in the field for 5 months. Since he has been in the Dominican, Sister Anderson has been praying faithfully to know that her son was in good hands, that we was healthy and happy. After going through her trials and tribulations, having her son leave was even more difficult. Tonight as we spent time with the Anderson's and felt of their sweet spirit I am so glad that we didn't throw in the towel while lost in Santo Domingo. I feel so blessed that we were able to be apart of this family's Christmas Miracle. Words cannot express Sister Anderson's gratitude that we were able to see her son, and let her know that he was doing well.

What a loving Heavenly Father we have, that even when we think He isn't listening or we just can't ask one more time, He is there. He knows us and loves us individually and Hears and Answers our prayers.  

Elder Anderson, his companion Elder de Leon and the family. 

Our first Christmas Tree...

Since last Christmas was spent with finals and moving to Las Vegas this is our first Christmas with an actual tree. Both our mom's made it possible so Thank you Thank you Thank you!! I love all our decorations and I am so happy to feel the Christmas cheer each time I come home.

Making some bows for the tree

The stockings I want are at Pottery Barn, but since I am too cheap to buy them full price when I know come December 26 they will be 75% off... these lovely stockings will do for 2008!

Going through SheAva withdrawals...

I miss it already

We had the best time in the Dominican Republic. I had every intention of updating the blog each day with all our festivities, but we were without internet. So, be prepared for a VERY long post!

This was the house we stayed in. It was so pretty and nice, we loved every inch of it!

We had two helpers stay with us each day. They were Miriam and Josefina. Not only did they help around the house, but they were the best cooks! We had the traditional Dominican food each day for lunch. It included habechuelas y arroz con pollo. Also we had homemade banana bread, platanos, and maduras. (Spelling??). You would think after 7 days of eating this we would be tired of it, when actually I am craving it right now! It was delicious. Miriam loved baby Shea. By the end of the week we had all become such good friends we didn't want to say good-bye.

Both my dad and Andy served their missions in the Dominican, and it was fun to go and see all the places they lived. I have a greater appreciation for them after seeing the conditions they lived in. We took a day trip to Santiago to see one of my dad's areas and while we were eating two elders walked in. We bought them lunch and figured out that one of them is from Las Vegas!


Each day we did the same thing.... the boys golfed and the girls hung out by the pool, so relaxing!


When the sun goes down in the Dominican little vendors come out on the street and serve Chimi Churi's. It consists of meat, cabbage, onions, peppers, with a red, brown and white sauce. This is served on a bun. The girls were not adventurous to try them, but the boys got them each night. El Gobierno was the master at Chimi's! One night I tried the meat, that was all I could muster.


We found this yummy restaurant Limoncello that served pasta, salad and soups. We went a number of times, but only took pictures on the last night.


I love our family trips each year, and this one was no exception!

**Side note- Thanksgiving was a ton of fun as well! We ate a Marbella and it was SO yummy! We then did a Christmas craft and ate yummy pies and sugar cookies.

And we're off!!

7 days in paradise... Dominican Republic here we come!

Check back for updates! 

Hopeless Romantic

Most people know that I am the worlds biggest hopeless romantic. Regardless of the cheesiness I always like it.... My favorite movie since the first time I saw it has been The Notebook. I LOVED this movie...I could watch it at any time, and fall in love with it. 

Today I now have a new favorite... Twilight! It was so good... I loved everything about it. I seriously cannot wait for it to come out on video so I can watch it whenever I want. I think my mom and sister thought I was kidding when I said we should go see it again tonight... I wasn't.

This was my favorite scene.... 

Just perfect! I'm obssessed. So hot. I fell in love with Edward all over again. I'm glad I waited to see it with my best friends so that we could all see it together.

New Moon, come soon!!! :-) 

Happy Thanksgiving

We are heading out to California for Thanksgiving 2008! Our agenda looks something like this...

Thursday morning:

To burn off extra calories before eating lots of yummy food

The afternoon

Eating a YUMMY Thanksgiving feast at this lovely place... (The Bruce's go out to eat on Thanksgiving...it provides a happier mommy=a happy holiday AND no dishes...highly recommend it to all)

The evening

Ashley and I decided to fight the urge to go opening night so that we could see it together and have a Twilight experience....I think the anticipation of everyone's reviews is making me more excited then I was before... I can't wait!!

I love Thanksgiving, and I can't wait to go to California!!

We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Who disturbs my Slumber?

Yesterday I had a 12 hour day at work... Suffice to say I was exhausted when I came home. When 8:00 rolled around I got ready for bed and went to sleep. At 2:00 AM their was a HUGE crack and POP went a window somewhere in our house. Naturally, Andy and I wake up and think (worst case scenario) Someone is breaking in! Andy grabs his civil war gun underneath the bed(really, it's from the civil war, aka, really couldn't do much) and tells me to get down while he checks out the house.... we couldn't find the broken window ANYWHERE! After 15 minutes or so we decided to go back to bed. This morning I wake up and find this in our kitchen...

It is a bad picture, but this is a little tiny window that is double-paned and only the inside window is broken. Now first off, no one could fit through that window so we know no one was trying to break in, and second of all, how did the inside window mysteriously crack at 2 AM?

Andy went outside and lying underneath the window was a dead BIRD! What bird flies into MY window at 2AM to disturb MY slumber? (Sidenote, can anyone name that movie?) It was the weirdest turn of events. Everyone should have seen how cute Andy was with his gun, going out to find the culprit. 

Darn birds... its a good thing my Grandma Glenda taught me to hate birds (a very long story, but every grandchild of hers hates birds), I didn't feel bad for the little thing this morning. 

4x4

I am just getting around to this blog tag... Here is the 4th folder and the 4th picture:

This is me and Ava eating at ricardos the day I tried on and bought my wedding dress! Ava really is happy, she just took a big bite of some spicy salsa. This was in the days when Ava LOVED to dip anything... syrup, ranch, salsa, is she got to dip her food in something she would eat it. One day we were at Red Robin and my mom got a salad with her vinaigrette dressing on the side and Ava was screaming because she liked the dipping container that the dressing was in. Sure enough she dipped her french fries in the vinaigrette because she could "dip"!

Look how long my hair was... oh the good ole' days!

The Holidays are here!

I know that technically we aren't supposed to start celebrating or putting up Christmas decorations until the day after Thanksgiving, but this year we are starting things early. From Christmas shopping to Hot cocoa we are ready and excited.

Last night it was cold enough for some of this...Yummo!

(The gingerbread cookies mentioned below are SO good dipped in hot cocoa...also, Andy had some too, he didn't want whip cream)

And today we made this at our Enrichment Holiday craft extravaganza! 

I think it turned out really cute! 

It's that time of year...

and this year they have sprinkles! (For those of you who don't know, I LOVE sprinkles... on any dessert. Most people think they are tasteless and not worth the calories... I tend to disagree!)

Tracy's Surprise Birthday Breakfast!

Yesterday was my mom's birthday. A few weeks ago Ashley and I decided to throw her a surprise birthday breakfast with all her closest friends. She didn't even know I was coming! Although my flight was delayed 3 hours Sunday night, I arrived and everything went perfectly. She didn't even know what hit her. We decided to have it at Strawberry Farms and if you are ever able to go I highly recommend it. The pancakes with fresh strawberries are divine!

The invitation...

The "Surprise!"


All the attendees


The three of us


My new love


Afterwards we went to the Mall and shopped for hours. The three of us had the best time just being together. Unfortunately, I had to leave that night, but not before some yummy dinner at Taleo and a birthday tres leche!



I'm not sure who had more fun, Ashley and I or my mom! All in all it was a great day and we can't wait for the next party! A BIG thank you to everyone who helped make it such a special day for our special mom!