Saturday, December 31, 2011

Review of this Year


Here is my review of our 2011!
I've divided it down into sub-categories, because the idea of summing up an entire year is just far too daunting. And I'm sure I still left out lots of important stuff!

Trips: 
- Crawdad Canyon with Ryan & Kristin! 
- Many mini trips to Moab & Monticello during Andrew's work weeks, just to squeeze a little extra time in with the husband!
- 2 trips to St. George & Vegas- We saw Lion King & O, shopped at Urban Renewal (Julie's new favorite find!), bought a gun (Andrew's new favorite find!), and discovered Anasazi Steakhouse (Andrew & Julie's new favorite find!)
- Celebration of our 2 year mark in SLC! We spent a nice weekend in the big city with good food & entertainment!
-Even though Andrew wasn't able to come, Wasakee was definitely one of the best parts of 2011. It was such a wonderful place to spend some family time & celebrate my parents' 40th anniversary!
- Again, Andrew was absent, but I visited the great state of Texas for Jamie's wedding in August! I was able to see a lot of old friends that I love and miss so very much!

Best Books (for Julie, I can't speak for Andrew here):
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card
The Hunger Game series by Suzanne Collins

Netflix Obsessions: 
How I Met Your Mother
Vampire Diaries
Mad Men
30 Rock
Storage Wars
Breaking Bad
Community 
17/18 Kids & Counting
Bones

New Discoveries: 
- Pinterest 
- In 'N Out's secret menu
-Arshels Cafe in Beaver
- Urban Renual in St. George
-Anasazi Steakhouse 
-Lots of sweet thrift shops & antique stores


New Additions:
- We love our new nephew Jude. He has the sweetest demeanor and is a little snuggle bug.
- Paul & Kelsi got married this August and we are happy to call her a Nevin too! (And they have a little one on the way!)

Work: 
Julie:
- Started the year off by stage managing Ireland: A Dance Experience at the SCERA. She and Kendall discovered their secret talent of Irish dancing and the girls from Shelly's Irish Dance studio made it all possible... And because this video can no longer be hidden from the world, here is all the proof you need: The Great Irish Dance Off. 
- Had the privilege of working with Jerry Elison again on a SCERA Shell production of Singin' In the  Rain. She loves working and learning from Mr. E!
- Was the production stage manager for BYU's Fall Opera, (which was actually a combination of 2  Operas) Menotti's Help, Help, the GLobolinks!, and Amahl and the Night Visitors. This was her first
experience working on an Opera and it was definitely challenging and fulfilling!  
-Worked on the development of a new Muiscal adaptation of the children's book The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey all year long. Her role as production stage manager began in February for a staged reading, and lasted through the full production in December. It was produced by both BYU and the SCERA. It was a wonderful experience to not only be a part of a new work, but also to work alongside a couple of her favorite professors from BYU: Roger Sorensen (Director), Ward Wright (Playwright), David Morgan (title character). The music was composed by two wonderful musicians: Randall Wright & Marvin Payne.

Andrew:
- Andrew is still working at Frontier Drilling as a derrick hand. He loves the challenge of it and has many friends out on the rig (and now his brother, Matt!). He is located in Moab and works one week on and one week off. It is not ideal but between both of our jobs, we make it work!

Best Costumes: 
- Thor & Wonder Woman
- Pirates! (In celebration for Parker's 5th birthday!)


The Most Surprising Feat: 
- No moving of houses during 2011!!

THE Highlight of 2011 
On March 16th Andrew & I were sealed in the Draper Temple! This was definitely the best part of the entire year. It was such a wonderful, peaceful experience.

New Years Eve

Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas Cookies!

Christmas Eve was spent with the Nevin family! We decorate Christmas cookies...

*Angel & baby Jude*








  .....and opened presents! 

(Paul & Kelsi both drew Andrew & me for Secret Santa 
and they got us Ticket to Ride - Europe! 
I'm pretty excited; we will definitely get a lot of use of it!)

Knight in shining armor!

Tiger Caden

Fairy wings!

Batman jammas complete with cape!


*Gramma & Grandad with (most of) the kiddos!* 


Happy Christmas Eve! 

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Breaking Dawn!

As most of you know, the 4th Twilight series movie came out on November 18th! 
For each movie release Candis throws the BEST midnight-showing Twilight parties ever! Seriously. They are awesome. I have only been to two, but can attest.
She makes a iron-on decal and we all make matching shirts,* eat lots of food and enjoy the night! 

Here are some little pictures to prove the awesome-ness! 


 I feel like I really pulled off the Kristen Stewart I-have-no-emotion-other-than-pain look here. 


I thought you would like being so close to Edward, Carolyn...
and having your left hand on his thigh...

 Jessica's eyes say it all. 


*This year's shirts read: "Why am I covered in feathers?"