OUR FIRST CHRISTMAS

We have been loving our time here in Billings. We have been so busy finishing up shopping, eating good food, and hanging out. I have to warn you because this post might be really really long but I don't want to leave anything out! Hold on tight, and if you make it through the whole thing... you deserve a gold star and a high five! 

Christmas Eve day consists of going to Target with everyone and spending up to about $3 for our pass around gifts and then coming home and wrapping them. Then we head down to my Grandma and Grandpa Stott's house (who live 4 houses down the street) around 5. 

There are usually so many people there but this year there were only 21 people which is tiny compared to normal! We dug into all the food and ate until we couldn't anymore. There was a nacho bar and so many different and delicious finger foods! It was so fun to catch up and talk to my cousins!

After eating we went into the living room and almost all of us got to sit on the couch! We are moving up, although we will be forever at the kids table! The best part of our Christmas Eve is when we do the "Oh Come Let Us Adore him" program. It is a program that the Stott Family has been doing for 44 years! We sing mulitple Christmas songs, people read passages of the Christmas story, and at the end someone always bears their testimony. My dad always starts us singing on all of the songs and this year he was struggling to see... 

Don't judge him because his birthday is tomorrow and he is turning 48 so he is getting up there. ;)

My Grandpa hands out the folders and Garrett's name was on one of the spots and he got to bear his testimony at the end of the program. First time at Christmas Eve with the Stott's and he is thrown in! He bore his testimony of Christ and the spirit filled the room. We are so blessed to have the knowledge that we do! I love doing this program because it helps us focus on the true meaning of Christmas! 

After the program we do the pass around game. This is when we use our gifts that we bought at Target earlier in the day. We sit in a big circle in the living room. My Grandma reads The Night Before Christmas and everytime she says the word AND we pass our gifts to the right. At the end of the book we all say with her, "and to all a good NIGHT" and then we rip open our gifts and start trading people! 

Next, we did the gift exchange! Around Thanksgiving my Grandma draws names for everyone and we have $15 to spend to get them a gift. Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins all participate.  One person starts and they give the gift they bought to the person that they had. So that person opens the present and then gives the present they bought to the person they had and so on until everyone has recieved and given their gift. My Grandma ended up having Garrett and I and she gave us the dice game tenzies! It is so fun! We will love it! 

The final thing was when we walked in the door when we first got there, we drew a stick that had numbers on them, and were told that if we lost our stick we had to go sit in the car. I was nervous so I gave it to Garrett! Luckily he kept it safe for me so I didn't have to sit in the car. 

So we all went around calling out numbers and picked the bag out of the bin that had our numbers on them. We had to wait until everyone had theirs before we could open. My Grandma and Grandpa gave us all a gift card to different places. Some people recieved cash, some buger king, subway, gas cards, or taco bell! Before we opened our gifts she said to us, "We are all different so all of your gifts are different." Garrett and I both got gas cards which we were pumped about! They always come up with the best things! 

After we finished doing all of the activites we had dessert, chatted, cleaned up and headed out! Then we came back to our house and did sibling gifts with Elle, David, Payt, and Soph! I got the cutest peplum shirt and necklace from Elle and Garrett got 2 cutie shirts from Payt!

Elle and David headed to the Lovato's so we played some games with my parents and Sophie. We played tenzies and Q-bitz which was kind of tough and really made me think haha. Then we headed to bed so that Santa could come visit us! We sat out cookies, water (our Santa is lactose intolerant, not really he just doesn't like milk), and carrots. Santa loves us and most of the cookies and carrots were eaten the next morning! Santa left us this sweet note and apparently him and his reindeer were not very hungry. 

CHRISTMAS DAY

After our fun night down the street we got up at 8 to open our presents! We woke up to SNOW! We got our white Christmas! It was such a good suprise! Because who doesn't want a white Christmas?! Sophie came and jumped on our bed then we went and got Payton up and met my parents upstairs. Santa filled our stockings full and left us a present because we were a good girl and boy this year! We got SPIKEBALL! My parents got Garrett a new sweatshirt! I got him a new jacket, shoes, some shirts, mugs (he loves hot chocolate), and sharpies for his artistic skills. New coat and shoes are shown below!

My parents got me the cutest sweater,  a few shirts, gold flats, rings, and other little things! I also got a new coat and scarf from Garrett. Garrett and his parents spoiled me and gave me a nice new camera that I am IN LOVE with! It will be used often and I can't wait to learn all about it! It came with a few different lenses, filters, a tripod, a case, and a ton of other things!

Santa brought Payton a watch and let's just say he reminded us all day while showing it off! That was the highlight of his Christmas along with some shirts and a nice new sweatshirt!

I asked Sophie to take a picture of her and this is what I got...

We all got miniature sparkling ciders in our stockings! Soph got a new coat and boots and other things as well! After we finished opening presents the boys shoveled the driveway and deck and my mom finished making breakfast! 

*Notice the new sweatshirt*

For breakfast we had these delicious ice cream carmel rolls that are way to sugary but so delicious, farmers casserole, pinneapple and juice! Best breakfast of the year. Prepare to drool in 3..2..1..

On Christmas Day we would usually go to my Grandma and Grandpa William's house for the afternoon and evening but they went to Provo this year to spend Christmas with my mom's sister Rona and her family. It was a weird change to not go there! 

So we decided to go to the church to play our new spikeball game! We taught my parents and Payton and Sophie and I think they really liked it! 

It was a lot of fun and I know that we will love having that! Thanks Santa/Mom/Dad! After that we came back and finally got ready for the day! I decided we should try and take some family pictures with my new fancy camera and see how they turned out! 

*Mom and Dad getting the Prime Rib ready to eat* *Notice Joel's apron*

So we took some pictures inside as a practice run before dinner! I really do love how they turned out! My mom's mantle makes a beautiful background!

 

We ate our DELCIOUS Christmas dinner around 2:30! We had prime rib that was way too good, ranch mashed potatoes, salad, and sauteed mushrooms. Yummy!!

We had called Elle and David to see if they could come over for pictures and right as we were about to go inside they showed up! It was an eventful picture session so I hope you like them! Don't judge, I've only had the camera for a day! It can only go up from here!

To start us off Payton flashed us... 

Then made us all laugh so I had to set the timer again...

Then we took couple pictures...

How cute are my parents? So cute!

Payton and Sophie make a good couple huh?

Elle's baby bump is adorable as well! 

*Handsome boys*

*Pretty girls*

We finished off our Christmas with bunco with the Spoonemore's and italian sodas!! We had the best first Christmas ever! We are so blessed with the best family and friends! We are thankful for this season and what it truly is based on. Our Savior Jesus Christ and all that he has done for us! He is the gift! Share the gift!

Lander and Friends

We survived fall semester!!We couldn't have been more excited! Finals ended and we hit the road! We headed to Lander with the Vance's and the Jacob's left shortly after us from Salt Lake to meet us there! Don't judge our car selfies, I love them. 

We were in 3 separate cars with 1 destination! We pulled into town right at the same time and headed to Garrett's parents! We hung out and talked and then we ate dinner. We had a "CRAB BOIL"

Rules for a "CRAB BOIL"

1. No plates

2. Forks are not for putting food in your mouth

3. Forks are only for splitting crab legs

4. Hands only

Debbie made sure everyone washed their hands before we took a seat at the table. We sat down and Vince walked in with a HUGE pan and dumped it on the table. We were all in shock and then we quickly dug in. We were all inhaling the food! It was SO good! We ate so much crab, put our cocktail sauce on the table cloth and dipped our shrimp in it, we dipped everything in butter, Jon threw crab all over the place, and we stuffed ourselves. Since we loved eating off the table so much we even ate our blueberry pie straight from the table cloth as well! So fun, and everyone loved it! But who doesn't love crab?

Friday morning we headed up to Togwotee Mountain to mess around in the snow! It was the perfect day! Garrett worked so hard to have everything ready and make sure it all worked out ok! And we are so grateful for all that he did! Like Tyler said, "In Garrett we trust." I love this awesome, talented, and sweet husband of mine. 

We got there and all hopped on our snowmobiles and got about a quarter of a mile down the trail and the Phazer broke down and wouldn't go any farther. So we turned around and took it back to the truck. But then we couldn't get it up the hill to where we were parked by just pulling it with Garrett's sled. Then we all got off and counted to three and pulled it up the hill little by little and it was hilarious. And afterwards we were exhausted. Well at least I was. 

So then we tried again and headed back out. We parked ourselves at the bottom of a pretty decent sized hill. Katrina and I kind of just hung out at the bottom, took pictures, and watched the boys snowboard down. 

Garrett was the taxi driver up the hill and I don't think he minded it too much, 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, We have the BEST friends. We had the best day hanging out and messing around! It was so fun for me to see Garrett in his element. I've always heard stories and from the very beginning of knowing Garrett I knew he loved to snowmobile but I had never seen him do what he does. He is a stud and scares me half of the time but I love to watch him do what he loves to do. 

Although we spent the day playing on the mountain Madeline and Elle stayed in Lander because Elle was sick. We really missed having them there! But we made up for it that night! We came back and went to Tony's (the best pizza place in Lander) and thankfully for Madeline we were able to get in. They were having a work party and were supposed to be closed. We ate pizza dipped in ranch, listened to bad karaoke, and talked about things that only really close friends would. Then we drank hot chocolate and played ping-pong! 

Saturday morning both the Jacobs and Vance's headed their separate ways around 8. After we had crepes of course. The Jacobs headed to Colorado for Christmas and the Vance's headed to Canada. We were so happy to have them come to Lander for a few days! We loved hanging out and not having to worry about homework! We are thankful for Debbie and Vince for letting everyone come, feeding us so well, and letting us use their snowmobiles. Garrett has awesome parents and I have awesome in-laws. We are blessed with great friends and great family. 

MIXED EMOTIONS

Well, here I am catching up again. Blogs are hard. Well, maybe they are not but I am bad at keeping up with what we are doing. Or we are just not that exciting! 

Let me explain the title really fast...

We have mixed emotions because...

1. The semester is almost over= we are SO HAPPY

2. The semester is almost over which means the Jacobs are moving= we are SO SAD

Anyways, we have just been super busy with school and finishing up with all of our classes. Garrett has had SO many tests and I am busy writing my research paper and taking a few tests. I am so anxious for Christmas Break. This semester has been so fun because we have had the best friends to hang out with on the side of doing all of our 17 credits a piece. Worst decision ever but it will be worth it when I finish fast. Right? At least that's what I keep telling myself. 

We had our ward party! There was a delicious dinner and as always good company! They set up a photo booth and once again Madeline took our pictures! I feel like she is our own little photographer. I love it but she probably hates it haha

After the Christmas Party the boys had a guys night and us girls watched Holiday in Handcuffs, my favorite ABC Family Christmas movie so it was good!

Then, last week our ward had playoffs for Stake basketball and they won on Tuesday pretty easily so we celebrated with Dairy Queen with Madeline, Tyler, Elle, and Katrina!

Then they played again on Thursday for the Championship and they WON by 3 in overtime! They were so happy! And us wives were happy to have happy husbands! So it was obvious that we had to celebrate with Dairy Queen again. 

Our friends the Jacobs are moving to Salt Lake City for Jon's new job and we are so sad about it! But so excited for their new adventure and we already can't wait to go see them! So since they are leaving we had a non-stop party weekend. 

Friday night we went to Idaho Falls to go to Mackenzie River Pizza with everybody and had the most delicious meal. If you ever go, get the house salad with creamy vinaigrette and the willow creek sandwich. SO GOOD! Then we played basketball at the church until after 10.

We soaked up every last minute with them this weekend and we loved it! Saturday morning the boys played football for Elders Quorum so Katrina and I walked around the track for an hour and talked! We came back and Jon and Garrett had made us waffles! Then later that day the boys had dinner for Elders Quorum so I made homemade raspberry ice cream and had Madeline and Katrina over and we talked until the boys game back! 

Elle and David had Garrett and I over to make Christmas treats with them on Saturday night which was a lot of fun! Then we watched The Giver over at the Jacobs with them and the Vances. 

To end the weekend, on Sunday after church we had lunch/dinner together! We had Taco Soup, the most delicious salad that Madeline made, and cheesecake bars. Everyone loved it! (I think it helped that everyone was starving) We forced the boys into taking a picture and I'm so glad we did! Looking at the picture, the Jacobs are on our left and the Vance's are on our right!

Later Sunday night we got a text saying there was a fry party going on so we ran over! We had fries and deep-fried oreos! It was the best night! We have gotten to know each other so well and have so much fun all the time. We are constantly laughing which I love. Married friends are the BEST!

So now we are counting down the hours until we are finished with our classes, tests, and papers so we can have Christmas break already!

Remember, we are SO sad because the Jacobs are moving. We had to say bye to them today and it's already weird not seeing their car there. We were so lucky to meet them this semester! We are thankful for the example they are to us! They are so outgoing, fun to be around, funny, and kind! We love them!

Maybe, I am over exaggerating because we will see them in 2 days but it will be so different! Anyways...We are headed to Lander on Thursday with the Jacobs and Vance's to go snowmobiling on Friday! We are so excited to have them there for the weekend. Then on Monday the 22nd we are headed to Billings for the Holidays!

Here's a picture of us just in case we don't survive our finals! Please don't forget about us!

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO

Exactly today 4 months ago, we got MARRIED! Here is a list of things we have been up to since then:

1. We went on our honeymoon to Cancun the very next day! Thanks Vince and Debbie! We laid by the pool, ate way too much food, lived at the swim up bar drinking delicious tropical drinks, and made some cool new Mexican friends. 

2. We had our 2nd reception in Lander! It was awesome to have both of our families there for the weekend! Garrett gave my family a tour of Lander, the boys golfed and I took my mom and Sophie to see the Sinks! 

We love a good family selfie!

3. We lived in Lander for a month working at Sprouts Greenhouse and lived in Garrett's grandparents rental house! We spent most of time at Garrett's parents. We ate most our  meals there, hung out there, made many batches of homemade ice cream, and played with Mack. 

4. We went to the Ogden, Utah temple open house. One word: AMAZING! Hands down one of the prettiest temples ever! 

5. We became Aunt Hannah and Uncle Garrett to sweet baby Emmett on September 2nd!

And we are expecting another sweet little nephew in March!

6. We went to the Madison High School football game and it was surprisingly fun that we even went again! You have to get creative to have fun in Rexburg!

7.We found our new favorite hobby--- SPIKEBALL! It's addicting and so fun! 

8. My parents came to visit us, but we didn't take any pictures! They just drove up after Payton's State Golf Tournament in Bozeman! The girls shopped and the boys golfed! It was so fun to see them and have them stay at our place! By the way he took 2nd! 

9. HALLOWEEN! Our neighbors the Jacobs threw the cutest party! And we dressed up as a referee and a cheerleader!

This is Tyler one of our good friends at the party with Garrett!

This is Tyler's daughter Elle, she was the cutest homeless baby!

These are the Jacobs who live right across the parking lot from us, and they threw the party!

10. Garrett played on a flag football team! Let's just say there were a few very VERY cold games.(sorry for the bad picture quality)

11. We sent Garrett's sister off on her mission! She was called to serve in Sweden and will be the best missionary! We already miss her! We went to Lander for her farewell and earlier in the month we went to Utah for her Endowment. 

And look at this cute snowman we came home to thanks to the Vance's, Jacobs, and Powell's! We love you guys!

12. Garrett had his 23rd birthday and we celebrated all weekend!

These are some of the things we have been doing for the past 4 months! Happy 4 months to us!