Birthday Surprise!

For my birthday this year, which isn't until the end of the month, my boss decorated my apartment! I was away in Omaha for a week and came back to a newly furnished apartment. I knew about it before I left but I had no idea she was going to do this much. I was speechless. I couldn't take it all in. Then while I was laying in bed I just started crying. It was one of the nicest things anyone has done for me. I'm extremely grateful for the wonderful gift I received. I'm thankful for the opportunity I have to work with my nanny family and for their friendship.

Ben & Kelsey

Today my brother-in-law Ben, his wife Kelsey and their baby Emery were sealed in the temple. It was a beautiful and simple ceremony that I felt honored to be a part of. Congratulations! Love you.

Safety First

Daniel and Cosmo came to visit me in Atlanta this weekend. We have had a crazy last month. It started off with me spending a week at girls camp then Daniel spent the next week at scout camp then the next week I spent working in Atlanta (which was really fun). So we have only seen each other on the weekends. While we were in Atlanta we went to the temple. It was nice to feel the spirit there. I love him and my baby Cosmo too!

Catching Up

Here is a little recap of what we've been up to the last couple months. I'm a visual person so I'll just give you some pics.

Brother Grant and his bride Amber

a couple of goof balls

Daniel's graduation. Wheres Waldo?

A sock creature I made London (the girl I nanny for).

A quadruple layer chocolate raspberry cake I made Paula (London's mom) for her b-day.

Girls Camp in Georgia in July! Hot doesn't begin to explain what it felt like. But I love my girls!

My brother Jacob and his fiance Kayla!!!

Daniels Thesis Show

Last week Daniel had a gallery opening for his thesis project called Natural Selection! I am super proud of him. It has been amazing seeing the transformation of his work. I've seen these images for awhile now but they took life once he printed them, framed them, and hung them in a gallery. You can view all his images on his website. Here are a couple shots I took that night.

I was put in charge of the refreshments and had Paula (my boss lady) help me decorate. She is amazing. It would have been cheese cubes on plastic trays if I would have done it.

Marjorie

This winter I created an apron line called Marjorie, after my Grandma. She was my inspiration for the aprons. She is such a talented women. She can sew anything! I still have Barbie doll dresses that she made for me. I look at them and go, "how did she sew that little sleeve on!?" I've been meaning to post pictures of my aprons to show my Grandma but as you can tell I'm a little behind. Then recently my Grandma, who is 88 years old, got really sick and had major surgery. Miraculously she is doing well. I was really upset when I heard she was sick because I hadn't shown her my aprons yet. So I can't delay any longer. I'm glad she is doing well and hope that I can master just some of the skills that she has mastered over the years. Love you Grandma!!

Merry Christmas!

Daniel and I made the trek to the midwest to spend Christmas with his family this year. It was a long 18 hour road trip. A highlight of the trip was when we accidently stumbled across one of our favorite BBQ places, Two Dudes BBQ in Missouri. We come across it 2 1/2 years ago on our way from Idaho to Atlanta. It was a Festivus Miracle! Here are some highlights of Christmas Day.

Daniel putting on his new man-apron. I had to be really sneaky when I was making him this since he was out of school and I worked all day.

Here he is outfitted with the man-apron, kitchen utensils, hat and work gloves.

This was a 'sweet' surprise from Mike & London, an amazing box full of treats!

My niece Emery with her new Christmas ornament. My Aunts made us kids ornaments each year until we graduated high school so I'm trying to continue the tradition with my nieces and nephews.

This is becoming a George family tradition to go to King Kong on Christmas while they are giving away free meals.

Daniel with his free Gyro, fries, and orange drink (but you can't see the drink, its in the cup holder)

I had a really great Christmas. This year I tried not to focus on presents and getting my hopes up for things I would like but instead more on service and the true meaning of Christmas. Another thing that has helped is Daniel and I have been reading The New Testament and have almost finished reading the first four gospels. I have really enjoyed reading more about the life of Christ, and give him credit for all the many blessings in my life.