Weathering a Winter Wonderland

We spent Christmas this year with my family in Oregon. It was so much fun to have everyone together. It was the first time we've spent Christmas with my Grandma Hammond since we were in elementary school. 

Bonnie took our spur of the moment Christmas photo after opening presents on Christmas Day. It turned out quite well.

I discovered that I am allergic to cats over the break which was so sad because my parents have the cutest kitten. I'm also worried that I may be allergic to dogs and that it would prevent us from getting one this month.

Adam has been to Oregon so often that it's hard to come up with things he hasn't done yet. Due to traffic, we were taking the back roads home from Costco with my brother Jared and drove right by Mission Mill. As we toured the mill and the mission homes, we were filled with a sense of gratitude for our current work. None of us could imagine working in dangerous and hazardous condition day after day.

As we were driving back to Utah from Oregon, I was so remorseful to leave my family and the mild weather. I didn't help that we drove past 9 visible waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge. As I was reflecting on how sad I was to be leaving, I decided that one of my goals for the New Year is to find ways to enjoy the winter and not just endure it. I  plan to do activities each week that will help me enjoy the winter weather. So far, I've noticed that getting a warmer winter coat for Christmas has really helped.

On New Year's Day we planned to snowshoe Big Springs with our friends the Cottrell's. I need to get a group picture from them.

Renovations, Renovations, Renovations

Most of the last two months we have been working on the house we purchased. We first made an offer to the bank last March. It's been a slow process, but we are so excited about it. We have spent so much of our time at Home Depot. It's our main hobby currently. They have been so helpful. I asked Adam about his goals for the New Year and he replied "finish the house." It's the number one goal on my list too.

Signing the papers in November

This is what our house currently looks like. I look forward to posting a before and after shot once we are done. 

There Goes October

October has flown by this year since I spent two weeks recovering from sinus surgery. The surgery went very well; the hardest part was resting like I was told since soon after the surgery I felt better than I have in quite some time. It was sad to miss the fall weather, but it is very nice not to get sinus infections any more. It's also nice to feel normal and have energy again.

I realized I haven't taken many photos this month. I took a selfie in the hospital right after surgery (I'll save everyone from having to see that) and these photos of my Halloween costume this year. It was the first time that Adam and I did not do a couple costume, though his cowardly lion costume from last only consisted of a lion t-shirt. The past two years we were Belle and Gaston and Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion.

 I thought about using the same dress to be Alice from Alice in Wonderland, but opted instead for Frida Kahlo based on photographs taken of her.

Cabin Weekend

We spent the weekend in a cabin in Jackson with my sister, her husband, and one of Adam's friend. It was so beautiful and relaxing. We could hear elk bugling in the morning and evening. They surprising sound like velociraptor noises from the Jurassic Park ride.

View from the cabin

Enjoying the view with my sister.

Jenny Lake is one of the prettiest lakes I have ever seen. I loved the turquoise water.

I call this one the face of a summer of sinus infections. In this picture, I have my 7th sinus infection in three months. I am looking forward to life after surgery when I shouldn't be getting them any more.

Carolyn and Daniel in the Rockefeller Nature Preserve. 

Adam said the Rockefeller Nature Preserve maybe the first natural landmark  he's been that his dad hasn't.

Orlando Girls Trip

Brooke and I went to visit Cait and her puppy in Florida. Our girls trip included gators, the beach, and of course, Harry Potter World.

Canoeing

Harry Potter World

We got completely soaked while waiting in line for Butterbeer.

Dog Beach

St. Augustine

St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States and is celebrating 450 years this year. It was such a cute beach city. The St. Martin's fort reminded me of Panama. 

Feeding Gators

Orlando Temple

Donut Falls

Last week, I dressed the same as a mannequin at the MTC bookstore even though I had purchased my skirt and shirt somewhere else. It looked like I purchased my whole outfit at work haha.

It was hard to get a picture of how cool the waterfall really was. Most of the pictures just looked like a stream disappearing below ground.