LMP

Pasadena was an amazing trip. I got to know people a lot better, made some new friends, laughed a lot, traveled a lot, was tired a lot, had tons of fun and created memories. My roommates were Sarah, Jessica, Mikaela, Paige and Melinda. So we had 3 juniors, a sophomore (me), a freshman and a senior. These girls were all so different and so genuinely nice. Right down to their bones, they were just so nice. It was kind of an awesome break to be with some teenage girls who don't have any selfish motives or only talked about clothes and makeup. Anyway, the drive down or I guess West, to California was pretty long. Getting to the buses in the first place was kind of a hassle, as it was a blizzard. Seriously. Tons of snow, one-digit temperatures, and icy roads. But my parents, being the amazing parents they are drove me down and helped me carry my stuff on. My mom even went back to get a DHS hat and a draw-string bag that I was so thankful I had! Seeing the buses lined up down the street...

Wow! I had an amazing time in Pasadena. I can't believe I'm almost home, but I was so excited to see my family and sleep in my own bed with my view of city lights and sparkling snow. I will blog later with pictures and details about California but I had some major AP homework to do, but I need to blog about something else right now! Today I finally got to see Tizzy after a week without her. She already looked bigger! After dinner and ballet, I was playing with her on the floor, trying to help her walk. She can do it well if you hold her hands. This time she didn't need my hands! She took her first steps to me! She was so proud of herself and just giggle after she got to me and let me hug her. Usually she's not cuddly but she must have been tired from taking almost 3 full steps! :)What an exciting thing! I'm so happy her first steps were to me! I can't imagine life without little Tiz, I love her so much!

 Closer...  Closer...           Christmas was so amazing this year! I just love Christmas time and I'm so glad I got in the spirit right in time. I got a snow globe, cute 'New Yorkie' jacket, pointe shoes, raspberry-filled Girhadelli chocolate, a Kindle Fire HD!, a toaster, mini-blender, ballet leg-warmers, Sephora makeup, a ballet book, hot chocolate and some jewelry and a sweater and a scarf. Santa is too nice! From gma and gpa I got a cute shirt and jacket, lotion, the softest mink blanket ever, a pillow grandma made herself and a cute shirt from Neeley my secret elf. Coco had the cutest gifts! It was all Paris-themed and adorably wrapped. I got a pretty necklace with a little rhine-stoned bow, Monet stationary, Eiffel Tower sticky notes, and a Paris bag. Trajan even gave me a camera and a colorful tote from Turkey! Christmas Eve was ...

Well, if you'll notice what time this post was published, you might get an idea of how long we've been up. Ruby woke everyone up at 5:20 am which was okay since Santa came and it's Christmas!! This was Tizzy's first Christmas and I think she liked it. Last night I showed her my special Nutcracker pop-up book I got from a little book store in Paris and also showed her some of my favorite snow globes. She was too excited to go to sleep! :) She loves when I make the snow globes "sing" as Tolly says. Like always, all the kids sat on the steps to wait to go into the TV room and find our treasures that Santa brought. Finally, this year everyone was on the steps. All seven of us got here thank goodness! Well, Santa sure as holly came! I got everything I could have wanted and asked for and more! This is the best Christmas ever! Merry Merry Christmas!

I  Can. Not. Believe. It's. Christmas. Eve. What the?! Where does time go? Well, we have been doing lots of fun holiday things like The Nutcracker (Performing and watching), Music and the Spoken Word, Stake Night of Music, caroling, seeing the lights, flute concert, Christmas movies, given gifts, gotten gifts, and gone sledding. It's so exciting for Santa to come tonight and I am so excited to do our Eve traditions!

Yesterday I went caroling with some friends then went back to Sara's house for doughnuts and hot chocolate. Today the ward choir sang and it turned out really well. I had great church lessons, then the Kings came over for lunch. I started an ornament project that I should probably finish right now, so we'll see how that works out. Then we went to Coco's and she made me french toast with yummy jam and we watched my favorite movie; The Sound of Music. I can't believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve!! I'm so excited!   DeBry Pics... Awwww! There goes Santa up the "chimney" Going to be Tizzy's first Christmas! Mark, Jim and Bob   Anthony and his dad Stewart. Anthony is waiting for a heart transplant and is an amazing example for all of us! Jessie, Eliza, me and Rubes. It was so fun to see them! Especially Eliza who came all the way from Tennessee!

I did #3 Cobalt, ivory and a mysterious gray streak the landscape in a precise, water-colored shot. The cold dawning air stands still and rests on the smooth surface of the water, While the Sun begins to rise over the towering mountains who are layered with snow and shadows. The reflection in the lake is almost as clear as the real thing. It is an icy image of the massive and serious image it reflects.  Clouds lazily glide through the sky, barely avoiding mountain tops And giving the marine-like mood of this wonderland A golden streak of illumination. I wish I could trap this place in my own personal snow globe And keep it to swirl the snow around its wintery contents And let the snowflakes fall where they may on the frigid sapphire setting.