UpdateS

I have a confession: I'm internally torn about blogging. I like looking at everyone else's blogs, but I often feel like I should be doing more constructive things with my time. And then there is the fact that we don't have kids ... and its pictures of people's kids that are always the most exciting, so I feel a little silly. But my mom told me to update. I can't say 'no' to my mom. So ... here is a list of updates as of late:

First: Christmas. We both had a few days off and it was a big debate as to what we should do. Between weather, money, timing, etc we could come up with no clear answer. My dad says "indecision+time=decision." We ended up staying around here. But it was pretty great. 3 families from our ward had us over for dinner right in a row. Plus, on Christmas the Lehr's set up their projector screen so Tyler could watch the Lakers game with a real sized Kobe. We were very grateful for everyone that fed and pampered us. (they really did)

Second: We are turning in to old people. I got awesome craft stuff for Christmas and Tyler was thrilled about his gifts that will be helpful when he has to "live off the land." (and his nose hair trimmers)

Third: I know our house looks sparce. My mom sent us some Christmas decorations and I made a few, but I actually loved having a very simple Christmas.

Fourth: The week prior to Christmas I was 'a little under the weather' to say the least. I hadn't felt that bad in years. Anyway, I now think I am caught up on every non-rated-R redbox possible. Who doesn't love redbox?

Did I mention it was 70 degrees on Christmas? One reason I wanted to move out here is because I wanted to be warm. Sunday was in the 80s. I'm lovin' it!

Fifth: Continuing with the last post. I have been reading quite a bit. My sister-in-law, Jenn, recommended "Marley and Me." So, I read it (actually listened to it), and then Tyler and I went to see it last Saturday. Caution: its about nothing. Its about a life kind of like any of ours (referring to people I think may read this) and I loved it. (the book more than the movie of course). But if you like action ... its not for you. If you could love a movie where there is no climax of conflict and you like dogs ... this one is for you. (By the way, I couldn't help but think of my Holly-dog, making everything all the sweeter ... except she was a very GOOD dog)

Sixth: We do not have a TV. I really enjoy it actually. Tyler REALLY wanted to watch the Ponsietta Bowl. We decided to go to Buffalo Wild Wings (40 cents on Tuesday nights) to watch the game. The wait was longer than that little boy could handle. I thought I saw tears brimming in his little Robin-hood eyes. So ... we broke in to our friends' house and reaped the benefits of their TV and cable. Really ... yanked their screen out, climbed through a little window and over the furniture. (Thanks Marina and Steve) And BSU didn't even come through for us. :)

Okay ... last ... (are you bored yet? maybe I SHOULD post more often): We went to Raleigh for the day. We have only been to Raleigh for the airport and the temple so we haven't really seen it. Its pretty awesome! The capitol area has its own little smithsonians. Free ... and really impressive. We went to the natural history one. It was pretty incredible. They have huge fossil whale/shark dinosaurs hanging up, and one of those butterfly rooms that even had a sloth in it, and big snakes and the works. And the dead sea scrolls. I think those things follow me around. It seems like wherever I travel to they happen to be in that city. And I've still never paid to see them. They were in seattle last time I was there, I think they were in NY when I was there. Just strange. We also went to an old farm plantation place and a giant mall. One thing I love about this area is all the cool old houses. This one is less impressive than some, but it is the one from the farm.

Thanks everyone who made Christmas great (we were spoiled).

down time

so ... this week i worked 2 whole days. thats right ... 2. tyler has started to bug me about picking up more hours. i will ... eventually. anyway, my classes ended last week and tyler actually DID work a lot so i found myself with quite a bit of 'down time.' the downtown library here is a pretty rad place. as far as architecture and buildings go. i got myself a card and i managed to fly through 2 novels already. knowing that i will have more down time coming up over the next month and a half at least i need some recommendations for 'best books ever.' i just finished 'persuasion' by jane austen (rice family- aren't you proud of me?) and ' forgotten fire' by adam bagdasarian (historical fiction about the holocaust ... a topic i find fascinating). anyway, i know i have plenty of blogging friends with opinions on books. let me know some of your favorites!