Christmas Highlights

It has been quite a while since the last time we have posted, but that's because we've been with most of you! We had quite the whirlwind trip and we arrived home exhausted, but we had a fabulous two weeks! Thanks for all the fun everyone! Here's a few pictures we accumulated along the way:


- AT THE WERRETTS -


Bowling a few days before Christmas:


Making gingerbread houses:






Opening the jacket Luke gave me for Christmas:



-AT THE HOOPES' -


A big welcome home from Matthew and Jadie:


Meeting little Jadie for the first time:


Luke and I were a little tired that first night in Idaho:


Trying out the "big swing":




Christmas for the Grandkids:


Isn't that a big bat for such a little kid?


The rush for the loot:


Whitney making sure her pockets are packed full:


Snowmobiling:




Luke's snowball fight with Matthew:


Matthew and Eva:


Happy New Year Everyone!

Black Friday

For those unconcerned with the financial statements of huge department stores, would understandably deduct that the name "Black Friday" was coined by observing the moods of shoppers and those dragged along with said shoppers as stress levels spike and people find themselves going to extreme methods to save a few bucks on sweaters they would never be caught dead in. We found ourselves in the mad rush this morning -- not quite along with the crazies (the 4 AMers) -- but just behind -- and as soon as we took the exit towards Pearland we wondered what on earth possessed us to leave our nice warm beds on a vacation Friday to shop. Yes, to shop.
We had a mission though. Luke and I needed one thing and the newspaper ads promised us that we would get the best deal of the year if only we would drag ourselves out into the madness for just a little while. Our mission? A Christmas Tree. I was hit with the "Christmas Bug" this year and I have found myself more excited for Christmas this year than I can ever remember -- and I convinced Luke that our Christmas season cannot begin without a tree. I figured with only one thing on our list, we could be in and out, right? Little did I know, that "in and out" simply does not exist on Black Friday. The term ceases to have meaning on this one day.
After treking all over town looking for a tree that didn't look too fake or wasn't too expensive or wasn't too tall or too short (it was like the city version of our tradition of looking for the perfect tree behind our house, only a lot less fun) we finally ended up with the very first tree that we looked at 5 hours previously.
As we tiredly returned home, Luke and I made a vow to each other that next year, no matter what, we will wake up on the fourth Friday of November at a very late hour, make ourselves some pancakes and pity all the pathetic shoppers who just could not resist a few terrific marketing schemes.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi Everyone! We just wanted to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving today. Heather and Troy came over for our Turkey Day celebration and we had a great time. We miss you, but only a few weeks until we get to head your way!
Have a fabulous week.

Eva's Blessing

Luke and I were happy to be there when Troy blessed little Eva Madeleine. Heather was a little stressed because the member of the bishopric they told they were going to bless her forgot and went right into testimonies, but they got it in at the end. Better late then never, I guess.
Here's an adorable picture of her in her blessing dress:

Spooky Bash

Luke and I decided to celebrate Halloween a little early this year with a carmel fondue and pumpkin carving party. We invited a few friends from the ward and Heather and Troy and had a good ole' time. The pumpkins were pretty impressive -- especially Luke's as always...I was just happy I didn't have to make mine a pirate to cover up a crappy eye like last year... :)

- Luke looks pretty intent on his pumpkin lobotomy -



- Eva is probably wondering why her dad is wielding such a big knife -



- Wait, it's just a little knife... -



- Some of the crew -- Kenny and Texas Adams and Glen Barney -



- Our very scary bunch -

Answers to Some Pressing Questions

So, I have decided to be a good sport and answer the questions that Melanie "tagged" Emily and I with. So without further ado . . .

1. Best thing you cooked last week.
Emily and I made a pretty sweet spinach and tomato pizza, but I think some ice cream with magic shell chocolate that I had on Thursday is right up there.

2. If money and time were no object, where would you go and with whom?
I would go on a world tour with Emily, ski all the best places to ski, stay in all the coolest cities, and find out where the best place to be a beach bum is.

3. When was the last time you cried?
Seriously, you expect me to answer this?

4. 4 things you were doing this month 10 years ago.
This month, ten years ago, I was a punk 15 year old in my freshman year of high school. I would have been just finishing up football season, I would be practicing and preparing for basketball tryouts, sitting in the back of Algebra two with the seniors and making fun of my teacher, and probably going to a stake Halloween dance sometime around now.

5. 5 things on your to do list today.
I have no to do list on Saturday, I do whatever I want; after grocery shopping, cleaning the bathroom, cleaning the kitchen, patching holes in the wall (don't ask), and moving furniture.

6. 6 favorite snacks:
1. nachos
2. cheese and crackers
3. cheese (sliced or in stick form)
4. ice cream
5. licorice
6. chips and salsa with orange juice

7. 5 bad habits:
1. leaving my shoes wherever I decide to take them off
2. going outside with socks on
3. procrastination
4. dessert first
5. missplling wrds juust to drive Emily crazy

8. 5 favorite foods:
1. cheese
2. steak
3. kung pao chicken
4. salsa
5. cafe rio chicken salad

9. 5 places I've been:
1. On the hood of a stranger's car (accidentally nearly causing an older couple to die instantly, and their little dog too)
2. Top of Mt. Hood
3. Whistler, Canada
4. Top of a 120 foot distillation tower
5. a lion costume

10. 6 favorite memories:
1. Wedding day
2. Last month of my mission, it was way fun
3. Camping on labor day
4. Going to DC with Em
5. Building "huts" in the forest behind the house
6. Renting out a cabin on Mt. Hood with the family for a few days.

Tagged!

Melanie has "tagged" Luke and I, which I've figured out to mean that we answer the questions and then tag someone else to answer the questions on their blog...
We decided that we are going to answer the questions separately because we have very different answers (and because Luke doesn't post blogs very often, so this is the perfect opportunity), so here goes:

1) What was the best thing you cooked this week?
I made Luke and I's original "gourmet pizza." We experimented one night with various crusts and toppings and came up with a recipe that's sooooo good. We are hooked -- and the best part is that it is a lot healthier than normal pizza.

2) If money, time and babysitting were no object, where would you go and with whom?
If money and time were no object, I think Luke and I would go to New Zealand, Australia, Tahiti and then to Hawaii for about a month each. Then I think we'd head out for a European Tour that includes London, Paris, several spots in Italy, and a few in Germany, the Scandinavian countries, etc.

3) When was the last time you cried?
I think I got a little teary when we watched "Freedom Writers" about a week ago.

4) Four things you were doing this month 10 years ago?
Let's see, it would have been 1997 and I was in 7th grade. Yikes, that was only 10 years ago?? I was playing basketball, probably taking some pretty boring classes and trying to survive the very awkward and horrible time of a pre-teen.

5) What are five things on your to-do list today?
Go grocery shopping, clean the bathrooms, vacuum, get prepared for our Halloween get-together, and have some fun with a few friends tonight.

6) Six favorite snacks?
Licorice, chocolate-covered cinammon bears, Quakes, pretty much chocolate anything, string cheese and jerky.

7) Five bad habits?
I leave my hairdryer and curling iron on the bathroom counter and it drives Luke crazy, procrastinating unpleasant projects, perfectionism, avoiding awkward situations at all costs, and talking too quiet on the phone (at least this is what everyone tells me, even though I think I'm talking normal...)

8) Five favorite foods?
Center cut fillet steak from Outback Steakhouse, Kung Pao Chicken from PF Changs, Cafe Rio (especially the chicken salad and the pork salad), Chocolate, and Salmon (the way Luke makes it).

9) Five places I've been?
Washington D.C., Seattle, Southern California, Calgary, and Orlando.

10) Six favorite memories?
1) My wedding day, of course. Everything was perfect, all the way down to the weather. I wouldn't have changed a thing.
2) The day I went paintballing with Luke and some friends in the morning, then went skydiving and then had a second date with Luke and found out he was definitely a keeper.
3) Mom, Dad, Bethany, Neal and I's trip to Orlando right after finals my sophomore year of college. We had such an awesome time together!
4) Going to Washington D.C. with Luke for our second anniversary -- what a cool city...
5) Working for YCC the summer between my sophomore and junior years of high school --- what awesome memories! We had so much fun!
6) Buying my first house with my fabulous, cute and wonderful husband.

Now we tag...Paul and Betsy!

Beach adventure

We finally made it out to the beach and now we are wondering what took us so long! We had a fabulous time.
Unlike the icy coast of the Pacific Ocean, the water is perfect! It isn't too warm, but warm enough that even I can stay out there for a good chunk of time (and we could even feel our legs after...)
The excursion was Eva's first adventure and even though she slept the entire time, I think she enjoyed it. (Maybe she had better dreams or something.)



- Relaxing and getting some sun -


- Luke. Just plain Luke. -


- Sweet dreams -

A visit and a new baby

For the last two weeks, Mom has been here to visit us and to help Heather with Eva. Mom arrived on the 5th and was able to stay with Luke and I for about a week before Eva arrived. We had a great time together and we were able to show her some of the sites of the area.

Eva Madeleine Small arrived Sept. 11, and since then we've been helping Heather adjust to being a new mom. Eva, like most new babies, had her days and nights mixed up for the first week, but she finally had a good night last night, so Heather and Troy are crossing their fingers that it will stay that way.

Here are a few pictures of sweet Eva (courtesy of Troy):



Her "I'm going to cry unless you fix something" face.

Lefty Loosey, Righty Tighty

We found a quiz that tests you for right or left brain dominance...and here's the results...
Try it. You might be surprised.

Me (Luke):

You Are 35% Left Brained, 65% Right Brained

Give or take 15% :)

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Emily:

You Are 60% Left Brained, 40% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

Paddle boats, metro stations and an amazing city

Washington D.C. is an amazing place. No matter how long you are able to explore, you still feel like you've only scratched the surface of what there is to see. Luke and I tried our best to fit as much as possible in this weekend, but we left feeling like we'd like to come back very soon!

We have tons of pictures, so this post might be a little long -- but hopefully not too tedious.
Here are the highlights of the weekend:

Saturday:
1) Attending a temple session in one of the most beautiful temples in the world (it is as breathtaking inside as out)
2) Visiting the Smithsonian Natural History museum
3) Walking The Mall end to end and seeing all the monuments (we especially loved the FDR memorial and the new World War II memorial)
4) Renting a paddle boat at Tide Basin (This was a great idea because for a mere $8 we got to see the Jefferson memorial and some of the other sites by water -- also, we got to rest our feet because by that point we'd already walked over 6 miles...)

-Washington D.C. temple -



-The view from the top at the Museum of Natural History -




- Luke with a gigantic elephant in the entry way of the museum -



- This is a hilarious picture that we saw in the photography section of the museum -- check out that stiff-arm -



- Luke thought it would be funny if it looked like I was being slobbered by the giraffe (although if that was really happening, I don't think I'd look so happy) -



- In the gemstone section, they had amazing rock and gem formations and gemstones that were up to 50 carats! -



- The Washington Monument -



- The new World War II memorial -







- Each state is represented at the WWII memorial -- so we had to pay tribute to Texas! -



-We took this ourselves -



- The Lincoln Memorial -





-The Washington Monument and Reflection Pool -



- The FDR memorial -



- The Jefferson memorial -





- Views from the paddle boat -







Sunday:
1) Visiting the Washington National Cathedral
2) Scoring sweet tickets to a Nationals major league baseball game from a friend of Val and Alice's
3) Dinner with Julie and Karl and Heidi

- The stained glass Rose at the National Cathedral -



- A small chapel in the basement -



- The carvings and statues on the outside of the cathedral are so detail oriented and intricate -- no wonder it took over 200 years to build! -



Monday:
1) Visiting the incredible art collection at the National Art Gallery with Val and Alice
2) Nationals game -- Our seats were on the 4th row, right behind home plate! Incredible!
3) Seeing the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and other cool documents at the Archives museum
4) Dinner at an amazing Mexican restaurant (best mexican I've had in years!)

- One of the many atriums in the National Gallery of Art -



- We were right by the action at the game -- I'm pretty proud of this shot -- Maybe I did learn something in photography class!! ;) -





- The archives museum -





The city is just chalk-full of history and I think you'd have to live there for a lifetime to see everything it has to offer -- but we came back very happy that we'd had an opportunity to visit. Even if it was just for a few days. All in all, it was a fabulous way to celebrate our second anniversary.