Twenty-Eleven

How is it the new year already?

First of all, how cute is my new blog template?!?! I'm loving the owls! Not sure why, but I love them!!

2010 flew right by, as well as my Christmas vacation. While I have loved every minute of my time off, I am ready to go back to work on Monday and get back in my normal day to day routine. I know that sounds absolutely crazy, but my nearly 2 week break was just what I needed. I feel totally re-charged.

Cameron and I had a wonderful holiday season this year.....beginning WAY back in November. We had an awesome Thanksgiving with our families. Our day began early.....when it was about 8 degrees outside. The fam (Dad, Cort, Tayler, Cam, Mom, Susan, Gerry,Melanie and myself) headed to City Creek Canyon for the Cold Turkey 5K.

Tayler, Cort, and Me heading to the race!

It was the coldest morning we had had in a long time, but we still braved the cold for some good old fashioned walking/running fun.

This year we opted to only do one dinner, and alternate between my family and Cam's every year. We felt like last year we spent the day in the car and didn't get to spend enough time at every place we went. Since Susan and Gerry were here from Boise, we decided to start the rotation with my family. We had a great dinner and Stuart and Melanie's house, followed by a few games and dessert with Cam's family at Greg and Karine's.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, I got in some much needed "FuFu" time with my girls since we were all around. We hit up the Cheesecake Factory (our usual meeting place), and Cam and I had the opportunity to introduce Stacy to In n' Out. On our way to our delicious cheeseburger extravaganza, we had a mini adventure.....thanks to my quick acting, nurse-in-training husband. We were driving down 45th South after we picked up Stacy Lou when we saw a hug puff of snow. I thought someone was blowing the sidewalk or something....but I was SO wrong! A car actually was run off the road, and slammed into a tree, which created the huge puff of snow all over the place. Without thinking twice, Cameron flipped the car around and parked the car....to go and provide medical assistance. It all happened so fast, Stacy and I were left staring at each other wondering if we should get out of the car and go "help" (since we are all knowing when it comes to providing medical assistance), or if we should stay in the car. We opted to stay in the car and leaving the care-giving to Cameron. Needless to say, it was a proud moment for me. Only one more semester and he can get paid for his nursing skills!

I just love this picture of Cam.  He looks so official!!

We did a lot of celebrating this Christmas. Christmas came early to our house this year because I got new ornaments for our tree for my birthday (Thanks Karine!). I broke my own rule this year and put up our tree before Thanksgiving....the day after my birthday actually. Our tree caused us a lot of grief this year, so this was the best picture I got of it. The lights on different parts of the tree kept going on and off at different times, so I had one shot to get a picture of it all working.

Our Tree.....which is now in the dumpster.  Stupid lights.....

We did a lot of celebrating this year, which began with out annual Angel Tree shopping night/dinner with Dad and Cort. Each of us kids had the name of one of the kids from the Angel Tree to shop for. In lieu of gifts for us, the parentals give us each $100 to buy clothes and a few toys for our Angel Tree kiddo. We had so much fun shopping for our kids! We got them clothes, shoes, socks, undies, and at least 1 toy. Being the teacher I am, I had to buy one educational item for my little one. She is 5 after all....just the right age for ABC puzzle cards!! Her teacher would thank me! After shopping, we had an AMAZING dinner at Aristo's. I had lamb for the first time (which was delicious), and some of the most delicous pita bread I have ever had. I could have eaten just that!! It was a really fun night, and one of my favorite holiday traditions! We have what we need, and it makes me feel great to give to kids who don't have the basics they need. You know I'm a softy for the kids.

Jan and Byron were here from Washington for a wedding in early December, so the Boam's gathered for some delicious seafood and a cookie swap at Bryan and Janalee's house in Farmington. You know how I am a sucker for all things that come from the sea....crab especially. It was fun seeing all of Cameron's cousins at the same time, performing some pretty interesting talents during the Talent Show (a Boam Family holiday tradition), not to mention leaving with a whole bunch of delicious cookies....which I also am a big fan of. The cookie/recipe swap sparked an idea with all of us amateur chefs in the family, so we decided to create a family recipe blog so we can share all of our recipes with each other. I added it to my blog list if you are interested in some delcious recipes! Right now, there isn't much....but I am sure everyone will be posting some delicious things shortly!!

We celebrated with the Gehrkes as well. I made a fabulous prime rib for that shin-dig. Cameron was sick as a dog that night, so we didn't stay long (I'm not sure if I brought home his illness from school, or if his body was just beat do death from the fall semester....but be got hit HARD!). We don't do gifts with my mom's side of the family either. This year, we Sub for Santa'ed another refugee family from Africa. Tayler found this family, and organized all of the shopping, wrapping, and delivering of the goods. We were able to get them some warm clothes, a lot of food, as well as some fun things for the kids to play with outside when it gets a little warmer. Giving is my favorite part about the holiday season.....it really makes the holidays a lot more meaningful for me. 

We also partied with the Ogzewalla's, Cort's side of the fam, which is always a good time.  We ate some more.....no wonder the average American gains 6-10 lbs between November and January.....played pool, and watched a picture slideshow/iMovie that Cort made for everyone.  You know she did a good job when she get's Roger (her dad) to shed a few tears. 

We also celebrated my Dad's 9th "Birthday".....also known as the 9 year anniversary of his sobriety.  I made a turkey and all of the Thanksgiving sides (since we didn't have t-giving with Dad and Cort), and we hung out at our house celebrating.  I am really proud of the changes my dad has made in his life.  10 years ago, I spent a lot of time and energy worrying about him and his well being.  Now, I know he is great!  I am so happy he was able to take control back of his life so he could be the Dad I always know he wanted to be, and that Tayler and I always needed. 

Dad and Roger (Cort's Dad) at our Wedding

We also had a MHS reunion of sorts over the break!  Kim and Nick hosted the party at their clubhouse and we spent the night eating more delicious food.....pasta this time....playing Rock Band, and some other game Liz planned....can't remember what it was called but I laughed a lot while we played it!  Cam was at work that night, so Stacy agreed to be my date for the night since everyone else there had their spouse and/or child.  Good times were had by all (Kim, Nick, Liz, Josh, Jaynann, Adam, Emma, Brett, Amber, Josh, Emily, Chloe, and Stacy and I of course)!!  Liz was the designated photog of the night, so you will have to see her blog for pics.

Finally, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we were able to spend a little time with each side of our families.  We ate more, laughed a lot, cried a little (happy tears of course.....there are always tears when we do stockings with Dad and Cort), and were spoiled rotten by our families.  We really are so lucky to have such great families.  We spent Christmas Eve at Cameron's Grandparents house eating more prime rib, reading the Christmas Story from the Bible, exchanging White Elephant gifts, as well as Santa gifts for the little kiddos.  We then ventured to Dad and Cort's to open stocking (which were HILARIOUS this year), and watch a movie....which we all fell asleep during.

Christmas morning we opened presents and Greg and Karine's and had a delicious breakfast of cinnamon rolls, breakfast casserole, hashbrowns, german pancakes, and other goods.  We were spoiled and got a new TV for our bedroom......which went along with the PS3 we bought off KSL.  I think we are officially set up now in the technology department.

Our new bedroom set up!  Thanks Greg and Karine!

We also went to see a lot of movies over the holiday break.....all which were pretty good.  Little Fockers was probably my favorite!  We were skeptical because it only got a 10% on Rotten Tomatoes, and we tend to agree with their reviews.....but this time they were wrong!!  It was hilarious!!

We also took Lauren to see True Grit.....which was also pretty good.  We tend to like Cohen Brother's movies though.  Cameron wants to take my Grandpa to see it.....we will see if that happens.  My grampy doesn't like to go to movies too much.

And, Tron.....which wasn't my favorite.  But, I may have gone into it with a bad attitude.

I also got to spend a lot of quality time with this darling little lady during my break...............

I love snuggling with Jinxy on cold afternoons...and we have had a lot of those in the past 2 weeks.  She doesn't complain about what TV shows I want to watch, and loves me unconditionally!  I just love this little cat!!  I mean, how can you not?!?  Look at that face!!

All in all, I think this was one of the best Christmas's Cameron and I have had.  Was it busy, yes.  But spending time with all of our families is always a good time!

I am kind of glad the holidays are over though.....I am not sure I could cook/eat another big meal or bake another cookie!!  While I love the holidays, my waist line does not!!

2011 is going to be a big year for the Romero's......stay tuned!!

Happy New Year!!!