Yesterday my friend Natalie and her husband Matthew took us skiing at Alta. They have free skiing from 3-4:30 every day. It is a great place to learn. Natalie and her family ski on a regular basis, and she gave me my first lesson. The first time going down the bunny hill scared me to death, but then it got easier and I moved up to the big lifts. I made it all the way down, and only fell once after accidently going over two jumps. It was more fun then I expected, so now we're going to have to wait for the equipment to go on sale after the season is over. It is such an expensive hobby.

Over Christmas my parents and brothers Bobby, Daniel, and Jacob were able to come and see Brent and I. Also, my Aunt, Uncle, and cousins Dennis, Rene, and Brent from Pennsylvnia got to come stay with us too. It was a busy week. Rene got Married on 12/23 to Mike at the Timpanogos Temple. We had lost of fun Skiiing, skating, sledding, and visiting the SLC temple lights. It was great to see them all again!









Mike and Rene












Jacob, Daniel, Dad















Brent and Val

Here is my Christmas tree this year. It's the same 7 1/2' tree we have had for our fifth Christmas now, but almost all new decorations. For the past couple of years, Thai Pan Trading has had shatter proof ornaments, but this year you could find them everywhere. They look real, but now I don't have to worry about the cats or our friends kids breaking anything.

This year for Thanksgiving Brent and I went over to his aunt Leslie's and uncle Randy's house in Orem. It was fun catching up.








Nicki

I am going to be an aunt! My little sister Melanie is going to have the first grandbaby in the family- and it is a boy. She is due March 7th, 2010. This is making me feel old. Growing up, it seemed so long away, almost unimaginable to see my siblings having families of their own, and now it's that time.

The other exciting news is that my best freind, Mandy Hinton, just got back from her mission in Oregon. I am so proud of her service and her good example. I am glad that she is taking a break now that she is back home (I think she's always been busier than even me!) I cannot wait to see you Mandy!

Brent started work again about two weeks ago, and it has been such a relief to not have to stress over every penny we spend. It has also been nice to have him gone when I have time to be at home- not because I don't want to be around him (I wish I had so much more time too) but because it helps me focus on getting my school work done. I don't know what it is- this whole semester has been manageable, but now at the end of the semester, the teachers are cramming everything in. I have been swamped! I justt have to keep telling myself that there are only three more weeks until I graduate!

Just a couple of hours to do all this.

After: