I forgot to post photos of the fun Halloween party hosted by my lovely sisters. My cute parents even dressed up. Mom was so proud of her witch costume. She made it all herself. She's amazing.
The invalid and the witch.
Haynie sisters dancing the night away!
More than half of the fam. Maija and Helaman's family clearly forgot their costumes.
The craziness with work started to subside by the time Thanksgiving rolled around. I took my computer home with me, but only opened it once. I had my phone of course, but I didn't even check that very often. It was a much needed break. I had to be in Dallas for a Deloitte tax case competition the weekend before Thanksgiving and instead of flying back to Utah, I flew to CA to visit Tara's new home in Huntington Beach. I was just there a couple of days but the weather was perfect for running/riding on the beach every morning and I got to see some old friends. My old roommate Becca and my old co-worker Katie Bell who has been living down there with her family. We started the same day back in DC and became instant friends. It had been years since I had seen her.
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| Another fun moment from my job. Olympic gold medalist, Evan Lysacek was the guest speaker for the case competition I went to and we all got to meet him and take photos and hold his gold medal (see below). That thing is huge and heavy! |
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| My old roommate Becca and her cute little Bonnie. |
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| Cute Katie. |
Tara and I drove up to Utah making a short stop in Vegas to visit. I got to see more old friends, Ben and Steph. Steph was my relief sociey president my freshman year at Ricks and we had some great adventures, including the best spring break trip to Vegas that I've ever had. She and Ben dated at Ricks so I know them both pretty well. It's always so much fun to catch up with old friends. I also made a quick stop at the Bellagio, just to see the flower room and the water show. I could watch that water show forever. And this time it played one of my all time favorites. Tara and I used to "dance" to this song with our friends Krystal and Heather Esplin. God Bless the U.S.A.
We finally made it up to Cedar City and the party began. It was our year to have everyone for Thanksgiving so all 20 of us plus three foster children and a few favorite cousins. On the agenda: family photos in St. George. This is always an adventure that rarely gives the results my mother hopes for. We ended up with a few good ones, just none of the entire family. I'm posting some of my own as well as other from the weekend. I love my family.
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The tables are set. The children are ready. |
Post dinner posing.
Cheerleading
Family Photos
Cute little Benson
How cute are we?
Dog pile on Aunt Becca...I'm clearly loving it.
Trying to do a piggyback - 4 deep
Lick, Squirt, Pop...such a great game.
They wanted in on the dancing as well.
A little game of Reverse Charades, it involves even the youngest family members. I think they were trying to act out Totem Pole.
After Turkey day there were only a few weeks left until Christmas break. I am discovering that when the students are on holiday, I get a holiday. Or at least a chance to catch up a little bit. One of my favorite things about my job is the students. Each month we have a "Spot the Dot" day and I give the students a gift card if they come and see me sporting Deloitte gear. A whole group of them came at the same time all wearing Deloitte apparel and I just had to get a photo.
Team Deloitte!
I got called out in Relief Society for not singing in the ward choir which led to someone asking me to do a number for the ward Christmas party. I couldn't just do any old song after being a part of Elvis' Blue Christmas last year (see photo below). These ladies graciously jumped in to help me put on a sassy Santa Baby performance complete with some volunteers from the Elders Quorum.
Every year at Christmas we decorate Gingerbread houses. My family always makes fun of me because I take so long. But I say, perfection takes time. Look at that beauty. I would want to live there.
This was the happiest day of my break. One of my dearest friends in all the world, Dianna Norton, married the man of her dreams, Casey Potter, in the Logan, Utah temple. I have never been happier to see someone married. It was truly a joyous occasion.
Her bouquet was lovely and it smelled good.
I was in charge of the Hot Cocoa bar for the reception. I think it turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself.
Their wedding was a perfect ending to the year. I loved every minute of it.
