So Proud to Be an American!!!

I have felt so blessed, especially these last few days, to be an American. I love our country! I have watched in awe at the support President Obama has received from the Nation. I hope he can live up to all of the expectations America seems to already have for him!!! I hope he will be strengthened by our prayers-he will definitely need them. So many people expect so much from him. I feel blessed to have witnessed the historic event of the first African-American President in my lifetime. I think about my son's future and wonder what it will hold for him. I hope he grows up feeling pride for his country and a bright hope for the future.

When I was in college I was fortunate to intern on Capitol Hill. I learned so much about our Country, and loved meeting friends from all walks of life. My internship stands out to me as a highlight in my lifetime. I had the BEST experience in DC. I'm so grateful I took the opportunity to see the government in action. Interning in the Nation's capitol instilled in me a fascination with America's leaders past and present. Here are a few pictures from my experience on Capitol Hill.

The Holidays in a nutshell

It's been a while...I know. We have been really busy with weddings, family, traveling, and a sick little one. Oh, and did I mention that everything went so fast that I woke up the day after Christmas & couldn't believe it was already over! I always DREAD the day I have to take the tree down. I feel like the "Holiday Magic" just came and went! But, this year I got the decorations down early because I was excited to start the new year & set some new goals for 2009. One of my new goals is to keep up with my blog!!! I'll let you be the judge of how well I do that. :)

One of the beautiful things about marrying a man from your hometown, and living in that same hometown is that there is family GALORE! And we eat it up. We were able to spend Thanksgiving with both sides of the family. I love Thanksgiving food!!! Not as much as Ben, but pretty close. I even tried a few little recipes of my own. It was fun to add to the meal. Ben and I have the best chefs in our family!

After Thanksgiving dinner we headed up to my mom and dad's cabin in Island Parkwith my family. We had a blast watching movies, hanging out with family, and playing games. And, not to rub it in, (Bubba and Olivia) but Ben and I dominated at POUNCE! (An insane game that our family gets WAY too in to.)

On Saturday the Dance side of the family came to the cabin too, and we went out in search of the perfect Christmas tree. Landon was such a trooper! It was fun to bundle him up and take him with us. Ben found the perfect tree, and we took turns cutting it down. And, just as a disclaimer, the tree next to us in the picture above is NOT the tree. :)

December 2nd was our two year anniversary. Yay!! Two years! It was in the middle of the week, so we decided to celebrate during the weekend. So, that Friday night my mom (who loves nothing more than having Landon all to herself) watched Landon, and Ben and I escaped. We got a room, (thanks dad) ate take-out from our favorite restaurant, watched movies, and enjoyed a good night's sleep! It was so fun to relax and be together. When we got to the room, there was a huge basket of yummy food, sparkling cider, candles...etc. Thanks mom. We had such a great anniversary.

Also in December we took a fun trip to Salt Lake City to celebrate Ben's sister's graduation. Emily received her Master's Degree from Utah State. Yay Aunt Emily!!! We are SO PROUD of you!! We went to the Spaghetti Factory at Trolley Square for dinner, and then we jumped on the Trax and headed to Temple Square to ohh and ahh at the Christmas lights. They were, as always, so magical.

Early the next morning the weather was crazy. It was snowing non-stop, and we got a frantic call from my business partner, Mel, saying that she rolled her Durango on the way to set up a wedding. Thankfully, nobody was hurt-but the SUV was totaled. So we packed up our stuff and cruised back to Idaho Falls to help. No more traveling in snow storms for me. Good job Ben! He was completely calm & collected. Overall, our trip was a complete whirlwind, but it was so fun to be with family.

Ben's company Christmas party was the 15th. Becky and Byron are so good to us. We had dinner at the Sandpiper with the whole Byron Beck Builder's crew. Again-such good food. Are you seeing a pattern here?? We love food at our house!

The next few days were a frenzy trying to finish getting ready for Christmas. We tried to spend as much time with family as possible. We took Landon to visit Santa-and he loved it. He sat down and started pulling on his beard. :) I thought Landon might be a little afraid, or even apprehensive to sit on a total stranger's lap. I was wrong.

We have a couple Christmas birthdays in our family. Deanna (Ben's mom) is the 23rd, and my mom is the 24th. It's actually really a lot of fun because we get to celebrate for 3 days! On Christmas Eve Landon got really sick. So, Ben and I took turns trying to comfort him and help him sleep. By Christmas morning he was feeling a lot better, and Ben and I were SO EXCITED for him to open the things Santa brought him. It was so fun to watch him get excited over the paper. His grandparents spoiled him rotten. I can't wait until next year!

I know it's overdue, but we loved your Christmas cards and letters! Thanks you for remembering us. We hope you had a wonderful, memorable holiday season!

***Sorry about the random pictures...they are completely out of order-I'm not a savvy blogger... yet. Maybe with my resolution to be a better blogger I'll figure it out.