Winter Getaway 2010.

The getaway started with Bry bringing home these beautiful flowers on Friday morning. He usually gets me gerbers (since their some of my favorite), but he wanted to change things up. I'm glad he did. The vibrant colors are beautiful!!

We got a bit of a late start, but by 11AM we were on our way.

I think I'll make it a getaway tradition to take funny pictures of myself
in the car while Bry's filling up or running in the store ;0)


The drive to Manti was absolutely beautiful.
Take a look for yourself...

I couldn't help but pull out my telephoto lens to snap a few shots.
Or a lot of shots :0)

Driving down Main Street in Manti. This was a first time here for both of us. I loved the small town, homey feel.

Our first stop was the Manti Temple. WOW. The hymn that came to mind was, "A Mighty Fortress is our God." A mighty and majestic fortress it was. Quite the sight to behold. Bry was sweet and offered that we first wander the grounds for a little photo shoot of the temple. He knows me well :0)


(If you click on this picture, you'll see on the enlarged version the snow falling through the sun rays. It was magical.)

me and my sweetie.

(a wedding party and a COLD but beautiful blue-skied day.)




We came across this little wooded path behind the temple.
We didn't last long though, it was FREEZING!!!!!

But we did last long enough to spot...

Some beautiful deer.

By that time we were ready to head in from the cold. It was so nice to be inside of the warm, clean, reverent temple...to feel of the wonderful spirit there and to meet some of the wonderful saints in Manti. We felt so at home and had a lovely time doing a session. We even got to see one of the famous spiral staircases. Overall, it was such a sweet experience to share together and a perfect way to spend the afternoon.

After leaving Manti we headed to Richfield, where we checked into our hotel.

Bry was able to use some of his hotel points--that he accrues when he stays at Marriotts while traveling for business--to reserve us a beautiful room. I loved the modern look and the accents of lime green throughout.

Once we had unpacked our things and changed into more casual clothes we were off to Pepperbellys for dinner. (Pepperbellys = a unique retro service station feel meets Mexican)

I LOVE booths (they make me feel like I'm having my own dining experience instead of surrounded by a restaurant full of other diners) so we requested one. Usually Bry sits across from me, but the table was TOO wide and we felt too far apart (it's TRUE!), so he came and cozied up next to me :0)

Other than getting a strawberry lemonade to share, we decided to order some of their "Mexican" items...chips & bean dip, quesadillas, an enchilada, tostada and sweet pork smothered burrito. OH and to finish it off we got their fried icecream with caramel & chocolate, whipped cream and sprinkles on top. Yum. It was A LOT of food, but we wanted leftovers to take with us :0)

The next day we woke up at 8:30 and enjoyed just staying in bed cuddled up and chatting...without a cute little one year old wanting us to get her out of her crib :0)

We had a yummy continental breakfast in the lobby and then I insisted on bringing up something to eat in bed while watching Saturday morning cartoons. I brought up Strawberry Pop Tarts and Bry brought up some cereal. None of the cartoons really interested us so we ended up watching a few fascinating minutes of "The Woodwright's Shop." Ok, probably not a show for everyone, but it brought back good ol' Saturday morning memories of watching, "This Old House" and "Bob Ross." :0)

We savored a few minutes of lounging around on a Saturday morning, got packed up and were off!

We considered driving to Bryce Canyon or Capitol Reef, but, since we probably would have run out of time, we got back on the road and....


...enjoyed more beautiful & snowy scenery, being together, chatting and listening to Michael Bublé's "Crazy Love"....and decided to visit Fish Lake.

Bry's (Stevenson) relatives spent many a Summer family reunion there, so we thought we would revisit their old stomping grounds.

We pulled into the parking lot and were surrounded by trucks...



...and more trucks!

I think we were the only car there! Our little Chevrolet Malibu :0)

The vehicle next to us had the best bumper stickers plastered all over their side door. My favorite was the "Have a Crappie Day" :0)

And here it is in all its frozen splendor...

Fish Lake.

We couldn't help but walk out on the Lake to talk to some of the ice fisherman. After all, I had NO clue what ice fishing was all about. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to get a little 101 education. AND plus, it's not every day that you get to say you walked ON a Lake :0)


Me, walking on Fish Lake.

Afterward we headed home. Our excursion to Fish Lake made for a lot of driving, but we enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the chance to chat, set goals and plan. What a great trip!!

Bry, thanks for planning such a fun getaway. You're awesome! I sure love you :0)

**Now it's time for me to let the Valentine's Day scheming begin!**

Winter Getaway.

Bry and I got back from a wonderful winter getaway...pictures are of course en route, but in the mean time I just wanted to thank Julia, Mom, Em and Ben & Ashley for watching Brie while we were away. THANKS! We had an AWESOME time. Getaways are great :0)

When things get too quiet.

A few days ago I was sitting here at the computer--typing an email or working on a blog post or something--when I noticed that things were a little TOO quiet. I went to investigate and this is what I found...

That's right, Brie had found the butter. And what a sight it was. TOO funny...I couldn't help but grab the camera to get a few pictures :0)

Bringing in the New Year.

Yay for spending New Year's Day up at
G & G Stevensons with Bryan's family!!


(G & G gave Brie this little bear hoodie for
her birthday and doll for Christmas. TOO cute! )

I am now teaching the 12 year old sunday school class in our ward, and am so excited for a fresh start! I really enjoyed my class last year (12-14 yr olds), but had so many things to work on as their teacher. It just felt like every week was a chatting fest. We had some great weeks, but on the extra chatty weeks I walked away feeling frustrated and wondering how someone who graduated in teaching wasn't able to manage her sunday school class. But there is always room for improvement and the need to humble myself...to rely on the advice of others and the help of the Lord. So here's to a new class and a new chance!

Last week I asked everyone to write down three goals. As part of my classroom management plan each week and month we're going to report on how we did with our goals. And then if we, as a class, collectively meet our overarching goal we're having a pizza party this summer. Today when I presented the plan they seemed excited, so far so good. I hope this will motivate us all to try harder and longer to acheive our goals this year. I know that I sure could use some extra motivation :0)

In any case, I'm grateful for
new beginnings and clean slates.

Think Simple.

As mentioned in a previous post, my sister-in-law Heather makes the CUTEST cards! Since she was out of school for Christmas break we decided to have a little Girls' Night In. She and Julie braved the snowy roads and came over to make cards. We joked at the beginning that we should have a 30 minute timer for each card. We should have. It can take FOREVER to come up with a cute design and make it happen. In any case, 3 hours and 6 cards later...we had a great time!


It's funny though, Heather is great at embellishments and I go for the simple. So we tried to meet in the middle...I tried to take my cards up to the next level, and she tried to simplify. It was hard for both of us. Maybe we'll stick to what comes naturally :0)

Thanks, Julie & Heather for a FUN evening!

Winter pictures with Little Miss Breebsie :0)

I don't know about the rest of you but I love the snow!

OK, let me rephrase that, I love the snow when...

1) I get to look at it from inside where I'm toasty and warm
2) I'm still toasty and warm, dressed up as the Michelin Man, but playing out in the snow
3) I don't have to drive
4) I don't have to trudge around in the slush and cold

AND

5) It is freshly fallen and still white and beautiful--not the ugly grey it turns after a few days of smog or yellow when peed in by your neighbor's dog!

Anyway, last week when we got all sorts of snow, I couldn't help but get a few snapshots of me and Brie. But that's easier said than done when it's just me and Brie at home. Here are some of the results...

Not TOO shabby.
At least we're both visible in the picture
and looking at the camera :0)


Later that day (29 Dec.) Em, must have read my mind because she asked if she could take some pictures of us. That sweet girl! Anyway, here are a few of them...


(To see more, click here.)

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snow

more snow
and still MORE snow.


HAPPY WINTER, EVERYONE! :0)

Christmas Morning and Day.

These "early" morning shots of courtesy of Nana Julz :0)...

It was so fun being with kids again for Christmas.
They make it so fun. That's where the magic is at :0)

The girls got beautiful new bed sets--comforters, quilts, dust ruffles, pillow shams and pillows.

Graden Tradition: Putting mini boxes of sugar cereal
under the Christmas tree.

I love how quickly kid's get bored with one thing and move on to the next. (But I guess adults do that too.) Sugar cereal! Oh, wait...a tag to play with! :0)

Check out that adorable doll though...thanks G & G Stevenson.

It was fun to watch Jon then Dad & Julia open the presents we had (helped make) made for them...

Calendars for 2010.

Heather made this card. She makes SUCH cute cards.

Hawaiian Staycation.
(Click to enlarge pictures.)

Thank you Dad & Julia and Alan & Liz (we opened their presents Christmas Eve since they weren't able to spend the night.) for the awesome presents! And thanks girls for Brie's CUTE barrettes :0)

The rest of the day consisting of snacking, chatting, napping, playing games (namely Cranium), more sleeping, eating, chatting....you get the point. Just the way a Christmas Day should be :0)

Brie and Bry all snuggled up in his coat. Cute.

Thank you everyone for a WONDERFUL Christmas,
and thank you Hamiltons for, in large part, making it possible!!

I can't forget, when we got home Em had a YUMMY Christmas dinner ready...ham, mashed potatoes, corn and stuffing. Thanks Schmemmie!

Christmas Eve, second time round.

For Christmas Eve the whole Graden family headed
up to the Hamilton's. It's a beautiful drive totheir place,
especially around sunset.

We thought we were going to be late, but ended up being the first arrivals. Not too shabby. Anyway, Beth and I finished up the rolls and chatted while Bry and Randy figured out seating arrangements. Too close for comfot? Not too close for comfort? That's the question :0)

It was great when everyone arrived and definitely a full house! I love seeing all of the different families mixing and mingling...cousins with other cousins, Nana & Grandpa with the grand kids, aunts and uncles with nieces and nephews, etc.



Our little family.
(Note, this is the shirt Bry picked out for me for Christmas.)

Brie playing the piano with her Uncle Jon.

Everyone pitched in by making/bringing something. Dinner was delicious!! Plus, Beth & Randy were such great sports...dinner was a bit chaotic with EVERYONE in attendance, and they were great to make sure that everyone was taken care of.

After dinner, we had a little Christmas Eve program. Jocelyn played beautifully on the piano, Jessica read us a witty and fun children's book and then came...
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...the good ol' Nativity reenactment.
Here is a line up of this year's cast :0)...
(Dad was the narrator, Randy was the donkey, I was the inn keeper, and Julie and Beth...were you angels? I can't remember. Gosh, good thing I'm documenting this now before I forget everything! :0))








(the younger Baby Jesus had HAD it,
so in came his replacement :0))




After the nativity came the Christmas songs.



Heather & Beth did a cute and sassy
impromptu performance of "Santa Baby" :0)

To finish off the evening, Mr. & Mrs. Claus....and a very cute little elf...distributed a gift for each person to open before going to bed.


Some headed to bed, others of us chatted, snacked....
and did a little bit of Santa impersonating :0)

(A few of us put our heads together to write a note to the kids from "Santa Claus"--thanking them for the delicious cookies and reindeers' carrots and asking them to cut up Prancer's carrot next time. In his old age he has a frail digestive system and the whole carrots do a number on him :0)--It was too funny!)

Anyway, what a FUN Christmas Eve!