Provo Usually.....

So Provo with all its holiness, tucked up against the mountains usually looks like this all winter. There is snow, but pretty mild and a usual storm brings a skiff of snow to the streets of downtown Provo. Last year I can only recall having to really shovel my sidewalks and driveway several times. So much to my surprise in the last week or so we have had two really large storms hit Provo. Earlier this week as a huge storm rolled in, I was excited as ever. I was so ready for the snow and loved it. This morning as I am driving to work with terrible driving conditions, slippery roads, and stupid drivers I still have a huge smile on my face for the amount of snow coming down in Orem/Provo. It is so exhilarating. Of course the day would only be so much better if I was at home reading or watching a movie and relaxing. Something about snowy days makes me want to do two things. First hit the slopes skiing and two just curl up on the couch and watch it snow. Then if only life permitted two lazy days in a row to hit the slopes skiing the next day. Wouldn't that be nice. Anyway I am excited for the snow. Driving up 2000 north today I saw this Nissan all over the place and barely making up the short hill. I was grateful for my reliable Element in the snow and that it was steady as ever cruising up the hill.

There are a few things that I am so glad to have as it gets cold. They bring a smile to my face each time I think about winter.

This exact Red down jacket. It is so warm and I am beginning to feel like I live in the thing.

My Rocket dog fur boots. They always keep my feet so toasty warm and completely dry.

And last but not least my new slippers that I wear. They are the best!

I am grateful to live in this beautiful state, with the killer mountains as my backyard, and the wonderful

SNOW!!

ChRiStMaS fEsTiViTiEs

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES

My mom's side of the family got together on Saturday to make and decorate sugar cookies at the bakery. It was so fun for all the kids and everyone. We had so much fun watching the little ones frost and decorate the cookies. I always love seeing all my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

the below picture is of my Cousin's little girl Ava and my Niece Attley. So funny! You would have to know Ava to understand she has a reputation of being stubborn and a bully. This displays her personality so well. She is such a babe! I think she is just adorable.

Kennedy was doing an awesome job dumping the whole bottles of sprinkles on unfrosted cookies. She kept looking at my mom and saying "Grammy- more inkles". Every time you asked her what she was doing she would replay "painting".

At this point Kennedy steals Kate's cookie and starts eating it.

Attley was more interested in the sprinkles than the cookies.

Ava Stratton (left), Karen washing dishes (right)

Kennedy Cutting out Cookies (left), Granny and Grandpa Swain (right)

Uncle Mike baking (left), Ava Stratton (right)

The Killers

So I do a lot of driving, so consequently I have been doing a lot of listening to music. I love the new Killers album. In the past some of the albums I haven't loved at first, but they grew on me after I listened to them more. Day & Age I have loved from the beginning. Track number five is so awesome! I love the array of words they use throughout the whole album.

GIRLS NIGHT

Driving to Janelle's house yesterday the sky was amazing. This picture doesn't even do it justice, but I thought I would try.

Last night we had a girls night. Janelle and I went to our favorite place to eat.... Pizza Factory. It doesn't get better than their salad bar and bread sticks with ranch. On our way there we saw this house. Need a I say more other than Griswalds family...

After dinner we went back to Janelle's for ice cream and to hang out. I ran to the bathroom and when I came out Brody was standing at the door waiting for me. I looked down and saw this. I mean come on Janelle, the kid is just learning how to walk and then you have to go and do this to him to make it more difficult..

It was pretty funny. Just giving you a hard time J face. In a rush to get inside for dinner, due how cold it was, Janelle threw his shoes on. So we didn't notice until we got back to her place. I hadn't seen Brody in awhile and he is still as cute as ever, even with his huge nasty cut and goose ache on his head!

As always it was so good to see Alyssa and we can't forget Jack. As we sat around and talked Alyssa played with Jacks hair so by the end he had a mow hawk. It was awesome.