Christmas

As my family put up the tree and decorations, I could not help to think how the lights seemed a little less bright this year but through the season, I was reminded of the Love our Savior has for us and how grateful I am for my family and how much we love each other. Travelling is a big part of my life, however, it felt right to stay a little closer to home this year. Las Vegas is always a treat and I am fortunate to live so close, so it was an easy getaway weekend to do some Christmas shopping. I was very pleasantly surprised by the Venitian's rooms. And I was even more surprised when I found out the Western Cowboy expo was just a small jaunt away. What a fun Expo! It is good to see the different cultures within our own country, and I felt like I had been transformed to another place and maybe even back in time, the jeans were a little tighter, the shirts were all button up, the clank of boots and spurs was prevalent and it felt like the theme song from Pure country could start up any moment. After Vegas, life seemed to roll back into a bit of a melancholy state. I miss my Grandma Lenore very much and not being there to put up her tree or help her take out her Christmas village has made for some sad days. Most of what I miss is the opportunity to speak with her about life, about life decisions, about concerns, hopes, and dreams. And so when our tradition to go to Salt Lake started to take shape, my heart hurt a little bit because in years past my Grandma had come with us, to see the Nutcracker, to go to Temple Square to go shopping in the large malls etc. I cannot emphasize enough how grateful I am for the fond memories I have of spending time with my family. This year my family started in Gardener Village where they always put up darling displays (we go to the Witchapolza whenever we can that is their big shebang); then it was off to Temple Square to see the lights eat at Nauvoo Cafe, enjoy the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and shop at City Creek; The Ballet West Nutcracker, I have been going for forever it seems (Personally I do not like the changes that have recently been made to the Nutcracker) and was disappointed in that there were no more Gingersnaps (not sure what the bees represent) and the set no more sent Sugar Plum Faries dancing through my head, instead it felt like a hot summer day. I was saddened that the once famous Nutcracker with many Prima Ballerinas was now more like a bunch of children dancing about for a premium price. It was like another Chapter in my life was closed, I am not sure I will go back as it is so far removed. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir was next on the list and there is nothing that speaks to my soul like music. And with the Special guests every year it seems to be more wonderful than the last. After coming home from a wonderful weekend in Salt Lake, my family's annual Nativity gift giving began. This Tradition was started by my amazing Mum many years ago when she wanted to help expand my sister's, mine, and my brother's outlook on Christmas. We truly learned that Christmas is not just about Santa (Though he is magical), and it is more than just receiving gifts, the "I want's" seemed to become less as we started to focus on what Christmas is really about. It is about learning to give without receiving anything in return, it is about loving others even when they do not return that love, it is learning to be happy for other's accomplishments and finding the good along the rough road, it is about bringing the life of Christ into the home. For many years my family has seen the positive impact this tradition has brought into our home. This year we chose a family who helped us with my Grandma, the Mom has 3 wonderful Boys who loved my Grandma as their own and would check up on her whenever they could. Normally we keep it a secret so that the family doesn't know who has given them a Nativity set, but this year we decided to let her and her boys know how much gratitude we have for them. Driving by my Grandma's old home was probably the toughest part ... but to see the light come upon the mom and boys faces when they opened the door Christmas Eve was priceless and worth it. Christmas would not be complete without going out to the Tuacahn Live Nativity one of my favorite things is to see the children's eyes light up when the camel comes out and then the awe as the angels sing and the Savior is passed around to the shepherds This season is truly about the Birth and Life of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the Love of my family And though there is a large hole in my heart for how much I miss my Grandma, She has been and will always be an example to me and though she was not perfect, she was the perfect Grandma. My Testimony in Jesus Christ has been strengthened this Christmas. I am grateful to my wonderful Family, who comes together to support one another and who encourage one another, pray for one another, and cheer each other on the road we call life. Love will always win in the end.

.

Roman Holiday

There is nothing more important than Family; in may my Grandma started to decline in health which in turn postponed all plans. I had planned for Mother's day, fly my mum to Paris and take a road trip to Mont Saint-Michelle (if you have seen Scarlet Pimpernel with Jane Semore than you know what I am talking about), Normandy and other parts of the French coast. She and I had for mother's day before flew into Nice France and took a road trip through the French Rivera into Tuscany Italy. Just a few days before we had planned to go, my Grandma got very weak and needed full-time care. I am so grateful for the time from May to October. The opportunities I had to hear more about my family history and to learn more about my Grandma are moments I will treasure forever. After the funeral, my family started the daunting task of cleaning out all of my Grandma's belongings, it was a time of healing for my family a chance to say a final goodbye. There came a time where I realized I needed a break from everything...and so did my Mum. She had put her life on hold and for the past 10 plus years, since my Grandpa passed away, and had been the primary caretaker of my Grandma. Though we have traveled in the past, this trip was the first we didn't have my Grandma to come back to. This trip was a trip to heal and my Mum and I became even better friends than we were before. Not everything went as planned but it was so much fun and there are so many things in Rome that were historic and I was able to check off several items on my Bucket list. The one thing I am finding about Europe, that is so sad is all the Graffiti I keep seeing everywhere, all over the buildings, historic sites, in the transit along the walls of the riverwalks... in a way it helps keep me thankful for my home. Here are some pictures of our adventure, I love my adventures with my Mum. We flew to Lonon First class and then hopped onto British Airways over to Rome it was perfect!

So little time!

Time really does fly by when your life is going well. I feel like yesterday had just graduated from SUU with my Bachelor's degree and just beginning my journey at SkyWest Airlines. I have been surrounded by many good friends and have had the opportunity to visit a few places in this wide vast world. And I was able to host a bachelorette party and be part of a wedding of a woman (Katherine) who is like one of my sisters and is now expecting her first child. In the Travel department, these past two years things have been epic from the German Christmas market in Vancouver to my Mum and I going on a week long adventure driving along the Mediterranean From Nice France to Florance Italy and included seeing the Monaco Grand Prix, Cinque Terre Italy one of the most beautiful places on Earth, Eze France, Pisa and other parts of Tuscany Italy. I met up with friends in Puerto Rico; went on a girls trip to Florida Miami amd Florida Keys; I just got back from a trip to Ireland including Galway, Cliffs of Mohr Dublin, and other Amazing towns; Southern California on a couple of occasions for the theme Parks, Church conferences, the Ocean, the Swap meet etc.; Living only an hour and half from Las Vegas It is great to go see the Gardens at the Bellagio, Shopping at the differnt malls and even on the Strip (esp. the Hawaiian stores!) seeing shows and going to concerts etc.; Helping my "Aunt" Terry get her puppies from Washington DC; Going and honoring the fallen in Gettysburg Pennsylvania and visitng the Amish. I love my girl trips, one was to Cancun Mexico and now Salt Lake City is starting to become like a second home, going and seeing the Ballets, going to concerts, visiting the Zoo and Aquarium, shopping, going to the many temples up there, working on my family history at the Family History Center, seeing family and friends there; visiting friends in Idaho and having them surprise me with a trip to Bear World! That was a real treat to see the bears up close; Enjoying Hawaii for Christmas, Hawaii is also becoming another 2nd home; Chicago for a work trip being able to go into the Willis Tower to the 99th floor and meeting with Industry leaders from Different Airlines at United's Headquarters; and living in Southern Utah I can't forget to mention the many State and national Parks I am able to visit on a moments notice, Each Park being unique and beautiful and I love meeting people from around the world who come to see my part of the world just as I go to see theirs; I think I included everything... Here is a glimpse of my experiences.