Holiday Madness, finally settling down and finally an update :)

WOW it's been a REALLY long time...it was time for a new post like a month and a half ago...sorry! SO a quick update,

Holidays:
Awesome! Our first Christmas together was great! We spent the 21, 22, and 23 here in Utah with John's family. His dad Lane was visiting from Israel, and it was fun to be with the whole gang together, we went sledding at Soldier Hollow in Morgan. On the evening of the 23 we drove to Oregon...one shot, a lot of driving! 15 hours later we're home and beginning Christmas festivities at Mom and Dad's house...okay it's weird to me saying Mom and Dad's house instead of home...did anyone else have a hard time adjusting to that??? Okay John was so thoughtful in his gift giving, and my favorite gift I think was a pair of red rain boots with white polka-dots! They are SO cute! Also, my parents got us the DVD series "planet earth", oh man it's my FAVORITE thing to watch! We spent a few days at the beach with the fam, and it was SO fun! Fun to have Nate and Amy and their kids, and SO fun to have Joey spend the whole time there with us! It's been awhile since his presence at family functions has been constant, and I just love his guts it was SO fun to spend time with him! It was also really fun to see my family get to know John as he came out of his shell...he is apparently the best at charades and Cranium! Who knew! He also jumped into the stormy ocean with his clothes on...on purpose! CARAZY!!! William and Lily are so Hilarious, I started calling Lily Tootle-Bug in Nauvoo this summer, now when anyone asks her what her name is she says "Tooda-Bug, Rufie" (her name is Lily Ruth...:)) William adores John, they play ninja's and star wars and Buzz Lightyear, it's awesome!

New Years:
We spent New Years at Mom and Dad's with the Jolley's as always and played games...it was my very first new years with someone to smooch! Ooh La La! :) The next morning we drove to California...another 15 hours. And we almost hit a wolf! Like a real wild crazy wolf! It was a close one, good thing John was driving, if I had been, the wolf woulda been a gonner! We went to Disneyland with Johns family for 3 days, it was madness! I mean don't get me wrong it was the happiest place on earth, it was just crazy trying to coordinate every one's wants and the little kids needs, whew I don't think I would ever go with a group like that again too much of a headache! But I did go to the California side for the first time, that California Screamin is insane, and so in the Hollywood Tower! My favorite is still Indiana Jones though, can't be beat!

Monterey
After Disneyland we drove another 6 or so ours north to Gilroy Cali. to see John's Grandparents for 4 days. It was nice to relax with them after Disneyland, and we went to Monterey and Carmel, it was gorgeous! We went to the Monterey Aquarium and saw all kinds of crazy fish and creatures, I love that kind of thing! We also did a lot of Shopping, and I finally got to but some much needed new clothes for John, ladies- do you got my back on that? Did anyone else's husband need fashion help after you got married? Of course I got some screamin deals for myself as well, I think I hit a record even for myself, at Ross I got 2 skirts, some panty-hose, and SEVEN shirts, all so cute okay TEN items and I spent 29 dollars!!! Dang I am so good! Shopping like that gives me a high, it really does! I wish finding good deals could be my job, and it's hard to find people that really appreciate a good bargain around here:)

HOME :)
After 3 weeks on the road I must say the drive home was a welcome one, another 16-17 hours drive and we were back in good ole SLC. That's like a boat-load of driving, seriously! SO now I'm back in School and somewhat of a routine. John leaves for training Feb 26 to Washington state for 2 months, and then over the middle east for 10 months...I'm keeping my chin up though, or trying to. Packing to move is so depressing, I feel like somebody popped my bright red balloon. But We both know it's where he belongs so that brings me comfort. It will be a busy year for me, I'll do details later.

Anyway, that's an update, much needed... here's some pics from our travels :)

Okay so Lily is so girly, I got out my old tea sets from the attic and we had a tea party, it was so fun!
Me and Tootle bug at the beach, she looks so cold!My new red boots:)Me and scooter racing the waves, I love that kid!

Steph, me and Mom at the beach
This is my..."how many more lines do we have to wait in?" Smile
Sporting some sweet Disneyland paraphernalia, those ears aren't mine, but I think they suit me :)
Ahhh the happiest place on earth, everything was decked out for the holidays notice how the castle is all snow clad and such

At the tide pools in Monterey, it was such a gorgeous day!This is a lighthouse behind a golf course, you all know my love for lighthouses! We went to the Ghiradelli Chocolate store in Monterey, these sundaes were HUGE! And you better believe I ate every last spoonful! :) A great ending to a great couple of weeks!