4 days till Christmas!

Every year the Riverwoods in Provo put up all sorts of lights and decor.  It is so fun to walk around and stand under the heat lamps. They have a fun toy store and carriage rides.  

 I wouldn't consider it Christmas if I didn't see at least one Santa. I was telling Riley that one night while we were driving by our house. Right after I said that we both saw a man dressed as Santa walking down the sidewalk.. we are pretty sure he was drunk though. So I don't think it counts!  Luckily the Riverwoods had a Santa there!

 Matt and Jessica Tanner came with us and we had a great time. We saw Sherlock Holmes II while warming up!  What a great movie. I recommend it.

On Saturday we headed up to Bridal Veil Falls (we somehow managed not to go the entire semester).  We took a nice cold walk up and saw some ice climbers (pictured below).  At the bottom of the falls was this huge pile of snow-we are convinced there had been a small avalanche.  Everything was frozen but we had lots of fun!

Can you see him?

We almost walked too far off the path and would have landed in a freezing stream.  

This is where the falls meet the Provo River. It was frozen solid! So cool.

There was only one foot of water under there or else I wouldn't have let him. I didn't want to hear complaints the rest of the trip!

 Later that day we went up to SLC to enjoy the MOTAB concert. It was totally awesome. Jane Seymour was really great.  Here is Mom, Dad and Riley S.

 Jake, Kelli, Riley and I!

 On Monday we celebrated the end of finals by using a KSL Deal to Rodizio Grill. Man was it good.  I have never been so full in my life. The pineapple was just. so. good.

 Yesterday we made gingerbread house!  It is made to look like the Wilson's cabin... which has an A frame roofbut the frosting we used didn't dry quick enough to hold everything. So we improvised with a flat roof.

 Note the Moose head made of nuts made by Riley and my snowman with googly eyes.

We are nothing but proud!!

Kneader's pumpkin bread

If you "knead" a tasty treat this Christmas season you must try this:

I found the recipe here. This bread made me think I am a really good cook. The people at work and Riley all agree with me too!  But all I did was follow the directions, it was really really easy and super delicious. I even had all the ingredients sitting around so I felt like it was free, too!
It has a nice balance of pumpkin flavor.  Perfectly crunchy top and moist inside. So so good. I even ate it for breakfast this morning with hot chocolate. Healthy, I know. (It doesn't count at Christmas time, right?)

9 days till Christmas!

 Yep! That's right! NINE. And we are finished with finals! (they were horrible) Life is good :)

We have already started celebrating! As soon as we finished finals we bought a pizza (thanks mom!) and watched a movie. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AFTERNOON! 

Then yesterday we made lots of lots of homemade oreos. We were practically a cookie factory. I've never seen someone roll cookies in crushed peppermint better than Riley! We took them around to some friends and neighbors. It was so nice to visit with people and wish them a Merry Christmas.

Tonight we are going with Matt and Jessica to the Riverwoods for a horse sleigh ride and will see Sherlock Holmes! The first one was so good so hopefully the second is too!

We are definitely getting in the Christmas spirit around here.  Our tree is lit every second we are home, the house is decorated and we search for Christmas movies every night.  Riley and I usually don't argue but when it comes to putting on the next day for the countdown it becomes war.  But only for a minute or two. Sometimes I take down the ones he put on and re-put it on just so I can feel the excitement too! Nine days! 

I'll post more later! Merry Christmas everyone!!!

the background

One day I will find a blog background that I really like and it will stay throughout the seasons.  I however love Christmas and really liked this one. Merry Christmas!