Daily Dose

A few days ago I was cleaning up in the kitchen when Zach came in from our living room smelling like a gingerbread cookie. I asked him, "where did you get a cookie?". He just stopped and said, "I don't know what you're talking about." At that moment it was easy to know that he was hiding a treat from me. So I went into the living room to see what he was sneaking and not sharing. I didn't find anything for a minute, until the gingerbread house caught my eye. Walking towards it there was nothing missing visibly, but when I peaked behind the house I saw this...

Apparently he had been taking a bite off of our GB house for a week straight.

Do I have to explain why I named my blog what I did? It's pretty self explanatory. 

Daily Dose

A winter sunset. Just beautiful.

Bye bye 2013

A year ago on the 31st (an hour before the ball dropped because I was so tired) Zach asked me to marry him. That day turned into a huge turning point for us. 2013 brought so many great memories. April we celebrated both of our birthdays and our wedding day. A little over a month after that we moved to Utah where Zach has dedicated the next few years to his education. I started work right away and then got another job with Marriott. We have grown so much together since that time. We have relied on one another for many things since we've been on our own. And I love him more every single day. I would not change any of my/our decisions in 2013, we are so much better because of the choices we've made.

The beginning of last month Lauren and I put together a thankful jar. Us four filled it to the top and got together one evening and read them to one another. It was so sweet to see what we all had to say about one another and about all our blessings. We are very blessed for all we have, and we do recognize it. Some were pretty funny as well, and one of my favorite things to do is laugh with each other. After we read all of our notes we then made and wrote down our New Year resolutions. We shared them and will put them up where we can see them.

Last night we were invited to a neighbors house for a New Years party. We had such a great night watching a movie, eating dinner, and playing games. We are so lucky to have such great neighbors!

Last years new years where I look like I'm ill and Zach's hair is actually cut...since I left my phone at home this year I don't have one of us.  

We want to wish everyone a happy new year! May 2014 be another great one.

This is my favorite New Year's Eve memory!

And finally..

The last of our first Christmas.

Our picture from 2012

and 2013

It was our first Christmas together that we just had, away from the sunny state and without my family. On Christmas Eve, my first Christmas Eve non-danish style, Zach and I went to the Olive Garden. Pretty lame of us, but we were those Americans that went out that busy night. On Christmas Day we were surrounded by the Walton's this year, so that was a great relief. We were at my bro and sis-in-laws early in the morning to watch our neice open her presents. Her face was priceless! I hope we will continue going over there for that every year. I just loved it. Later that night Zach, his brother, his lady and myself went out for a movie to see The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

 Zach and I didn't get each other gifts this year since we are broke. But we still did little things for each other. I made the advent for him, and in fact one of the days was a dinner for two. It was fun to cook for him, we had Italian, and it was delicious. Definitely a gift since I don't cook that intensely very often.

Lasagna rolls, chicken pesto, chicken bites wrapped in bacon, and a pizookie for dessert..

 Zach had me wait in the room while he prepped everything that he had planned. He called me out to the living room, telling me to hurry up because he had put our little tree on the table and lit the candles. He was, of course, afraid of the tree catching fire along with our house. A lot of people are, and I understand, but every Christmas since forever we have lit our candles on the tree. Every member in our family does this. Don't worry, we don't leave the tree alone. We are pros. Anyways I was so surprised and thrilled that he did that for me. He asked if I wanted to sing a Christmas song, since that's something else my family does, but instead he sped sang a song solo and then we blew out the candles immediately after. I noticed some of my picture frames wrapped up around the living room..and that's what he did for me for Christmas. Zach filled up our empty frames with our loved ones. I was so excited to unwrap them and see what photo would be in the frame. He did so well. That was very special to me and all I needed.

And Lastly for the months fun.
During the time I had off from work we had invited our class over to make gingerbread houses. Sara and Abi showed up, and we had so many laughs together. I will say it over and over again but I love those kids. We had pizza, built our houses, and played a game. It was a ton of fun!

Now we welcome the new year!

Our jolly ol' days

We are a week away from Christmas! 

After having our Christmas tree for a week we finally hung our candles. We are so behind. Also, we don't have any ornaments, so we only hung the candles and left Zach's Ironman up on top. Next year we plan to be better prepared and maybe we'll even get a star. I must say though, we have brought the spirit of Christmas into our home everyday.

Zach got a chocolate advent from Lauren, everyday he is full of excitement to see what it is...

Also, we started this jar at the beginning of the month. Lauren and I came up with the idea for each of us to write something we are thankful for on a piece of paper everyday. Alongside the jar we also put twenty-five scriptures about our Savior in a small cup for us to read. We have filled up our thankful jar and will read them together at the end of the month. 

Over the weekend I made treats for our students at church. Sadly this is our last month we have with them before they head to the next class. So we are trying to make the most of our days with them. This coming Friday we will have them over for a gingerbread house building party. We are pretty excited! I never want to leave Primary, and especially these five kids. They have been the best students and teachers to us. It will be an emotional transition when they leave for the next class at the new year, I love them so much! I'll be getting a picture of all seven of us soon. I will miss the bunch. As for yummy treats..

 

 It is still cold here, and that won't change I'm sure.

And lastly, it is finals week for the boys. I'm so impressed with their commitment in studying so so hard. Everyday, hours on end they study. At some point Zach needs to rest his head...and that gives us time to be together. AKA he sleeps and I put laundry away. We are very much looking forward to this semester being over! Way to go Zachary on your first semester!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Today was my mom's birthday! She is an extraordinary woman who has accomplished so much in her life. I'm very lucky to have her as my mother. She is always someone that I will look up to. I love you mom and wish you another happy year! Happy Birthday! 

Because of you we are one very close family.

Happy Anniversary!

Lauren and Hector have been married for four years today! I have so many great memories with these two these past years. Our very best memory would be OUR first date nine years ago. Lauren was "too young" to go out with Hector alone so I was their chaperone. We went out to the movies to see Elf, best movie date ever. They have taught me so much...like driving with a stick shift when I was fourteen without mom and dad knowing. They have been there for me for everything. For graduation, and even my grad night! I was the first to know about Hector proposing, he showed me the ring one night and told me to keep it a secret. I was so excited! Six months later he proposed. (it felt like the longest secret I've ever had to keep.) I flew home for two weeks from Denmark to join them on their wedding day. It rained all day and it was beautiful. Now years later we live together, in Utah of all places! We have never been closer, literally and figuratively. I love them so much and wish them all the best for years to come!

And us three way back when..