Some More Holiday Fun...

  Yesterday Paul's Mom and little brother came in town for some more holiday fun.

To get the night started we decided to go out to eat.  We headed to Buffalo Wild Wings but they had a 30 minute wait which is less than idea with a baby so we went next door to good old iHop.  It was actually really good and we had had a great time.  After we got done eating before we left I said I wanted a picture of all the Tatums. Well I siad blood Tatums as in no in laws so Paul, being the funny one that he is, threw up the Blood gang sign.

  We then headed back to the house for presents.  Mom got all the boys matching pajamas and all the girls matching pajamas.  They are actually really cute and I was super excited about getting them.  Kevin got a lot of fun things like firecrackers and Paul and I gave our presents to Kyle, Abish and Lily.  Nintendo stuff for Kyle, a camera strap for Abish, and a book and little blanky for Lily.

  Then we gave Mom her gift.  She had asked for two things.  A house that we all obviously couldn't afford and a wall hanging birthday craft.  I normally stay clear of crafts but decided to give it a go.  She was super excited about it and it actually turned out alright.  Not as good as I would have hoped but non the less better than I thought I could do.

  After presents Mom headed back home and The rest of us stayed up to play ticket to ride.  It was a fun night and great to spend time with the family.

Mine, Ours & His

MINE:  Christmas morning Paul & I woke up and went over to my parents.  We had a fabulous breakfast, cooked eggs and all, before starting the festivities.  After eating we all headed into the living room .  Mom and Dad made blankets for all the grandchildren and pens for all the kids made from wood from The Fort. They were very thoughtful gifts, although I wont complain about the check we got the week before either.  Then we did the cousin exchange followed by the sibling exchange.  Paul had Ryan and I had Red.  Paul tried to do an innocente on Ryan but he didn't really fall for it but we think maybe some of the others might have so it was worth it.  Paul wrote him a note explaining we had ran out of money and would get him a gift as soon as we got paid.  Everyone in my family thinks were ghetto so we thought it might work.  Anyway I had Red and Red had me.  We both just got each other things on of our lists.  Which is good cause it's what we want/need anyway.  Bo had Paul and got him a book that is an epic poem.  Paul was super excited although I still can't figure out why.  We have such different taste sometimes.  Mom got a camera and a pan she has been wanting and Dad got life jackets, gift cards and a few other things.  One of the best parts was looking through the awesome calender Red made for my Mom and Nanna.  It came out so nice and is perfect for them.  That and Nanna wearing a life jacket were the highlights.  I love that woman.  She can be a grouchy as they come at times but moments like this make up for it.  Overall it was a fabulous Christmas morning. 

OURS:  Paul and I decided to do our Christmas a little later.  We had a house full of guest and waited until after my family's Christmas to do our own so we could have the house to ourselves for a few hours.  Paul got an art kit from Santa along with a few penguin thing, toys and candy in his stocking.  I got the cutest shoes and in my stocking cole and a flying pig from Santa.  I love my shoes so much and the flying pig is one of the funniest gifts I've ever gotten. Santa brought Stella a new bed and filled her stocking with balls for catch.  Santa really nailed it!  I got Paul a sketch a day journal, minimalist work shoes and a book Persepolis.  Paul got me a scrapbook  for all of our tickets and put all the concert, show, museum, etc. tickets in it and a book called 14,000 Things to Be Happy About.  I cried when I opened both gifts. They both were super perfect and thoughtful.  Then we took advantage of the empty house, aka lack of lots of people and crying babies, and took a much needed nap!  It was a perfect Christmas together. 

HIS:  After our nap we went over to Paul's Dad's house to do a little Christmas together before they all went out to eat.  They had set up Megan's little Christmas tree with all of her ornaments from when she was a kid. It was the cutest little thing.  Megan opened her gifts from Santa and Dad then we gave Dad a down mattress pad that he had been wanting.  Dad and Megan got us all gifts from cookies to the fun Beatles mugs.  They got Lily a globe that lights up and spins that she found very mesmerizing.  We were able to talk for a bit and catch up before they had to head out to dinner. It was a short but sweet.  Then tonight we will be doing a post Christmas gathering with Paul's Mom and little brother. It should be good stuff.  I am super excited that even though they couldn't make it for Christmas they were able to come down today to celebrate.  

MORE OF MINE:  Last night Paul & I also went out to dinner with my siblings and their significant others before the annual Christmas Ping Pong Tournament. 

3rd Anniversary!

  Yesterday Paul & I celebrated our 3rd anniversary!  It was a perfect day.  We slept in then went to brunch, like people of leisure do, at this little place called Rise and Shine that we have been wanting to try for a long time.  They are only open until 3 PM so we have never had a chance to try it and we are sure glad we did.  The food was delicious and the service was great.  They even had this bread in a pot that was super yummy. It was cinnamon bread and some other type of bread mixed and baked in a tiny pot.  It was super cute.  I would highly recommend this little family run breakfast joint to everyone.  My only complaint was I wasn't the biggest fan of the decor.  

  After brunch we headed to Town Square for a movie.    We were pleasantly surprised to find out they do $5 Wednesdays for students.  Thankfully Paul had his UNLV ID on him so we got the discount.  I have mutual Tuesdays so we can never go for $5 Tuesdays but now have Student $5 Wednesdays to look forward to, for at least another semester. Wreck It Ralph is good, clean fun movie with a phenomenal cast. After the movie we got some yogurt for the car ride home.  When we got home we took a nap.  It was awesome.
  When we wok up we went to Bachi Burger for dinner than drove to Quiver Point to see Christmas lights.  We had fun running around and even saw a family dressed up.  The mom and daughter were polar bears and the dad was a coca-cola.  They were super cute and asked us to take a picture for them.  I wish I would not have been a chicken and asked to take one with our camera too.  After walking around we drove around for a bit then went home and worked on projects while watching How I Met Your Mother.
  I know three years isn't mush of an accomplishment but it is still fun to celebrate.  These past three years have been the best of my life.  Paul is my best friend, partner in crime and the best person I know.  I am one lucky lady!

Mini Concert & Gingerbread Houses

  Before everyone showed up to Ryan's for gingerbread houses Paul & I got a little concert by Chase and Sydney.  They both played two songs and did an amazing job.  I started to tear up because they truly are talented and beautiful young women growing up before my eyes.  But no worries cause Paul was there to make fun of me so that I would stop before it got awkward.   

After everyone arrived we had breakfast for dinner to celebrate Ryan's birthday.  After breanner we all decorated our gingerbread houses.  I thought Paul and I did a great job! I also enjoyed seeing my Nanna decorate her first gingerbread house ever.  It is cute to see her like a child sometimes.  Kinda like when she eats s'mores.  I love it!

Oh Christmas Tree!

  This year Paul and I decided to get our tree from The Home Depot.  We borrowed Dave's truck and went on our way.  We picked one out that I thought was a bit big but Paul assured me it was not.  When we got back to the house Paul put on the stand and brought it up.  It was ginormous!  I said the tree was too big for our house but Paul corrected me and said our house was too small for Christmas.  Anyway,  we listened to Christmas music as we decorated and had a good old time.  I think the whole thing was confusing to Stella.  It was Paul's turn to put up the star and our new ornament this year was shaped like a bone since it is our first Christmas with a dog.  Although real trees are messy I am glad we get one every year.

Bo!

 

My little brother came home from his mission Thursday.  All the family in town went to pick him  up at the airport it was funny cause we were all waiting at the bottom of the escalators and he came down a different set.  It was kind of  anticlimactic.  Anyway he and my parents had their homecomings today.  It was great to hear all of their testimonies and hear a little more about their missions.  "Good times and noodle salad."

Texas Forever!

 

   Alison turned the big 30 today!  For her birthday I went to Texas to play with her for a long weekend.  Thursday after work I flew to Texas and Alison picked me up from the airport.  It was super late but when we got back to their apartment Alison and I stayed up all night talking and catching up.  We stayed up until around 6 AM.  That's just silly.  I haven't done that in ages but it was a blast.
  Friday we slept in then went to Torchy's for tacos with Tyler.  They were "Damn Good" tacos!  After we went back and took a nap due to the sleep deprivation from the night before.  I woke up and went for a little walk around their apartment complex and over to the little library right next to them.  Later that night we stayed in and watched a movie and had dinner.  Alison made this amazing pizza rolls.
  Saturday we got up and got the famous Round Rock Donuts then we had lunch at a BBQ joint called Rudy's.  It was a super fun place and was attached to a gas station.  It was exactly as I would have imagined Texas.  We then headed to down town Austin for some window shopping.  The main street, Congress, has lots of cute little shops, vendors on the street and mobile food trucks.  Austin has a fun vibe to it and would be a fun city to live in.
   Sunday was church, food, games and a quick stop at the San Antonio Temple grounds before our goodbyes. Paul and I really miss them but are happy that they are on a new adventure.  Texas Forever!

The Tell-Tale Heart

   On Monday for Family Home Evening Paul and I decided to carve a pumpkin while watching Arrested Development.  We had a good time and were rather impressed with the end product.  I know it isn't the best but it is good for us.
   Then last night was Halloween.  I worked so Paul invited his Dad over to watch some Alfred Hitchcock short films and pass out candy to the trick-or-treaters.  Paul said the best costume was a little boy around six years old who was dressed up as Michael Jackson.  He even danced a bit cause his mom had bribed him to in exchange for a DS game.
   When I got home I got ready for bed and then Paul read me The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe.  We decided to make a tradition that each year he would read a story from his fatty Edgar Allan Poe book.  It was fun and a great way to end this Halloween season.  Now on to Thanksgiving and Fall. 

Come on Down!

Last night was our wards trunk or treat.  Paul and I wanted to do something cheap and easy so a trip to Walmart and five dollars later this is what we came up with.  Price is Right contestants.  Anyway we had a good time but ducked out a bit early to meet up with our friends. Overall it was a great night!   

One Tough Mudder

       Ere it twas' an October morn. The race was the Tough Mudder and the hour it began was 9 and twenty in the morning. But lo' the story began many hours before. The race was in Beatty Nevada which meant that my running partner and I had to leave Las Vegas at 6 in the morning in order to make it in time to pick up our numbers, stretch and drop our bag off at the check in station. We made the journey with just enough time to wander around the extra booths they had but soon after our arrival we headed to the start line.
      To begin the race we both had to climb over one 8 foot wall just to get to the starting line so we did, then we were lined up getting ready to go as an announcer with a microphone tried to pump everyone up by getting them to yell and jump and stuff. Then we were off. We started running and the dust was kicked up in our faces and the fun began. We soon ran into the first obstacle, the kiss of mud. We had to army crawl in some pretty cold mud under barbed wire. We got up with our bodies covered in muck and started running again. We then ran through two pools of the thickest mud around. It was waist high, sticky gross mud. Then we kept running. Next was a man made hill at about a 45 degree angle covered in mud only about 20-25 feet high. So far we were cruising. We made it a little over a mile and ran into a terrifying obstacle, the arctic enema. This obstacle had you swimming, fulling submerging your entire body and head in a pool of ice water. The ice was so thick that it was difficult to just get through the ice itself but the 34 degree water was cold...very cold.
       Then we ran, this was all trail running so there was a lot of sand, gravel and steep hills to prove the run more difficult then expected. We ran until we got to what are called the Berlin walls, two 10 foot walls back to back that we had to climb over so I boosted my partner, Clay, over the first wall and then some stranger helped me out, and the same for the second wall. For those of you who haven't experienced that fun it is very difficult, even with a boost.
      Now I do not remember every obstacle, being as there were 24 of them, so I will briefly go over what I remember. Walk the plank is jumping off a 15 foot ledge into a pool, we rope crawled about 100 yards over a lake, army crawling under electric charged wires, 2 more Berlin walls that were 12 feet instead of 10, a few more water obstacles, monkey bars, a huge mud covered quarter pipe, more electricity, 11 miles of trail running and lots and lots and lots and lots of that thick thick mud.
       The next one is in April and it will be a good time. Fun was and will be had by all. Huzzah.

This is Halloween....

Paul and I absolutely love Halloween now.  It was always fun but since Paul and I started dating it has become even better.  We decorated the other night and this is how our porch turned out.  We did a sign last year on a poster board that keep falling down.  This year we decided we would use some left over base boards we had to condemn our house.  I think it turned out great.  We are super excited about Halloween.  All we have to do now is come up with costumes. 

First Day!

Yesterday was my first day at World Market.  Paul packed me a dinner and wrote on it that I was new and needed friends.  I felt like Kevin from the office when Holly helped him count his change.  Anyway, it was a long day but fun.  My shift was only four and a half hours so it wasn't too bad.  I am about to head out for my second shift now.  I am excited and hope it goes well.  I don't know why but I get nervous when I start a new job.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday....

FRIDAY night Summer was in town.  She had to work all day until ten so we hung out from about 10:30 PM to 2:00 AM.  It was great to see her and get caught up on her life.  Summer is such an amazing person and over the years has become a dear friend.  We ate at Firefly's and talked for hours.  Summer has been loving life in SLC working for a non profit organization. 

SATURDAY I had my second interview at World Market and got the job.  I will be working a few nights a week and Saturdays.  I love this store and am supper excited about getting a bit more money and keeping busier for a few months.  Also the discount doesn't hurt.  The great thing is if I hate it I can just quit but I  highly doubt that will be the case.  After that Paul and I went to see my parent get released from their mission to Cove Fort.  It was great to hear their testimonies and see how much they loved their mission.  I can't wait until Paul and I can go.  We then headed to a wedding of one of Paul's friends from Wells Fargo.  We were glad we were seated with his friends and had a great time.  After the wedding we met up with Jack and Jeff and hot tubed for a bit.  It was a busy but super fun day and we were glad we could do so much.

 

 

 

SUNDAY we had Stake Conference then Chad and Lindsie were in town and stop by for a few hours.  They were in town cause they had a wedding in Utah then stayed in Vegas to celebrate their 3 year anniversary.  I was super glad that we got to visit and see them.  I felt bad for Paul though cause he didn't get a his Sunday nap.  While they were over Dianna came over too.  After Chad and Lindsie left we had dinner then the three of us went to a fireside with Brandon Flowers from The Killers.  It was a weird fireside cause it was outside and people clapped after testimonies but it was good.  His wife's testimony really touched my heart and hearing her conversion story was awesome.  Brandon did a good job as well and talked about getting reactivated and how he was glad he was not a "causality of rock."  He shared his thought process on a couple of songs and about how he writes.  Paul ate it up.  We then raced over to watch the last bit of Amazing Race and have snacks.  It was a super busy weekend and I didn't get my cleaning, laundry or other things done but it worth it. 

Family

Family is one of the most important things in my life. I have been blessed with a great family, even though they come with a lot of crazy and at times drama,  I love them. I have nine nieces and five nephews. All of them are in the picture to the left but the oldest Madison, she had to work. I have loved watching them all grow up and become interesting individuals.

While the kids played at my house all my siblings, besides Bo who is still on a mission,  went to a late dinner after the priesthood session of conference.  We went to Hash House A Go Go at The M Hotel & Casino.  It was great to all get together and catch up on each others lives.  We may have our differences and fight at times but I know they will always be there when I need them.

Stella!

   The latest addition to our little family is Stella.  Paul works at Wells Fargo and one of his customers is moving out of state and was unable to take her dog with her.  The owner wanted to make sure her dog went to a good family and would be loved.  Paul and I have wanted and given a lot of thought to getting a dog.  Dogs are expensive even when you adopt so we decided now obviously wasn't a good time.  But when this opportunity came up we knew it was the right thing for our family.  The owner had a crate, bed, leash, treats, food and every thing you would need for a dog.  Stella is also already spayed which was really important to us and has all of her shots.  She is two and perfectly trained.   Stella is such a good dog.  We got her last Thursday and have been having fun with her ever since.  We already love her and are so happy to have her.  

The Kirkby Family

 Meet the Kirkbys.  Or at least the Kirkbys from two years ago.  I couldn't steal a more recent photo on facebook of them so this will have to do.
The Kirkbys moved into our ward at the beginning of last year.  I got to know two of their girls will serving in the Young Womens.
They recently moved out of our ward and I have been sad about it cause Paul and I felt like even though we don't have kids that we could be good friends with them.  Not only the Mom and Dad but the kids as well.
Luckily, for us, last night the person they had invited over to dinner cancelled leaving extra food.  They called and asked if Paul and I would like to join them for dinner.  Paul and I will eat free food anywhere with anyone so we kindly excepted.  After dinner we played Ticket to Ride Europe.  We had played the US version with the Isbells a few weeks ago and loved it.  Paul thinks the European one is even better.  We were able to sit around and talk for a bit and even got some yummy dessert.
It was a blast and we really do love The Kirkby Family.  They inspire us.