Married in the Winter- Shows

Okay, Maybe we would be really stuck if it weren't for generous family members who take us to see shows with them too.

LION KING

Crazy costumes, excellent singing, barely fell asleep one time.  Success!

TRANSIBERIAN ORCHESTRA

Amazing.. the whole show is a must see.  

The violinist... wow.

The lights... induced seizures.  

The fire... practically felt the flames.

The box seats... felt like a VIP.

Watch this.. you can have the experience too.. from the poor quality of my digital camera. 

Meet Jack

I am a dog person.  I love big protective, loving dogs.  Having a big dog that you raised from a puppy is like the big burly friend you always wanted around.  They let you squeeze them like a teddy bear even though they can crush you or anyone around you like a bug.  To convince Karsten that our family could use one of these furry creatures was one of my greatest challenges yet.  However, after weeks of research and persuasion and my eyes locked on the perfect litter, my dear sweet husband caved to my Christmas request.  On December 17th, Karsten and I drove to Bakersfield, California up a canyon to a 20-acre horse ranch where a group of labrador retriever puppies were waiting for a home.

We picked him.

Jack is a sweet 11-week-old puppy.  He was the cuddler out of the litter and his favorite sibling was his one sister.  He takes naps like a baby and will sleep in the most awkward positions.  

He was potty trained in less than a week and learned how to sit and lay his first full day with us.  He has not only grown accustomed to living with our little family but has become a part of it.

Karsten can't wait until he comes a big hunting dog so he can take him out on trips.  I can wait for that day.  Even though I love big dogs, you can't really beat when that little face looks up at you then falls asleep in your arms.

Married at Christmas

Christmas is just one of those holidays that is just as good a month or two before the actual day. I am one of those early Christmas people.  Karsten tried to keep me from watching Christmas movies and listening to Christmas songs until after Thanksgiving.  Poor guy.  The songs and movies came on early November however, the activities didn't begin until Karsten was ready for them.  I found that to be a good compromise.

We kicked off the holidays with building gingerbread houses.

Karsten and I are particularly proud of our garage, porch, and garden in the back.  We don't mess around.

On another lovely December weekend, we decided to drive up to Cedar City, Utah and get our Christmas tree the old fashion way.  Bundled up with an ax in our hands, we trudged the deep Utah snow in hopes for the perfect Christmas tree. Once my toes, hands, nose, cheeks, and ears were sufficiently numb we began to walk back to the car empty handed.  I turned and looked at Karsten and said that we came here for a tree and we weren't leaving without a tree.  So, on the way back Karsten picked out the most descent-looking tree we could find.  I was a little skeptical at  first, but it turned out to be pretty great!

In keeping with my new found desire to make everything myself, I decided to proceed with Christmas decorations.  I was planning on making our Christmas stockings this year.  Karsten having grown up with a specific stocking insisted on them being knitted.  So.. I went to JoAnn's and hit up YouTube.

The red one is Karsten's and the unfinished green one is mine.

And now, the countdown is on.  Christmas is coming and we can't wait!