finally using my Christmas present

With the help of Sara, Steve, and Brad I made my first skirt!! (yes, it took 4 of us to figure it out.) Sara is seamstress extraordinaire and helped the most, but it definitely wouldn't have gotten done without Steve and Brad. So, finally, one month later, I actually got to use my sewing machine that Brad got me for Christmas! I'm so excited to be learning such an invaluable skill like sewing (and especially using patterns), and I'm so grateful for my fabulous friends who are so willing to help me pursue my goals!

 

After the skirt-making extravaganza we celebrated its completedness by going to see Avatar.

 

We saw it in 3D which was definitely a new experience for all of us. I would recommend saving the extra 2 bucks and just seeing it the normal way. There were parts that were really cool in 3D, but it took a long time for our eyes to adjust and it wasn't what we expected it to be (we thought it would be like 3D movies at amusement parks when things jump out of the screen at you ... it wasn't like that). But overall, it was awesome! I would definitely go see it again. Just this past weekend it officially became the highest grossing movie EVER, surpassing Titanic's 9 year winning streak. And I'm proud to say that I contributed to that, even if it was only 22 dollars.

Happy Birthday Neil!!

Happy birthday to my wonderful brother-in-law Neil!!

 

 

 

We definitely wish we were there to help you celebrate! We meant to get you a card in the mail this past week but completely forgot, so hopefully this blog post will make up for it!

Happy Birthday!!

My Media Blog

Last semester my absolute favorite class was SFL 333: Adolescent Development with Dr. Sarah M. Coyne, who studies the media. This was also by far one of the hardest classes I've ever taken at BYU, but with lots of dedication and a never ending amount of time studying I came out with a 98% overall! So...this semester I decided to take Dr. Coyne's media class (which I'm so much looking forward to since that's what she researches; she's so passionate about it, which always makes a class more enjoyable). One of the assignments for this class is to keep a media blog. At least two times a week I'll be writing my thoughts and feelings about something in the media. I also have to comment on at least two other blogs. I've only written one post so far, but I've gotten some really good feedback from some of my class members (comments always make you feel good, especially if they agree with what you say). So, if any of you ever get bored and would like a good laugh or to know my very opinionated opinions check out justanothermediablog.blogspot.com!

Remembering 2009

Looking back on a great year - some of my favorite memories from 2009:

And last, but not least:

Merry Christmas!

Brad and I have known each other for three Christmases, and before going home each year we have always gone to the same spot to take pictures with Christmas lights. This has been such a fun tradition!

December 2007

December 2008 (the night before Brad proposed)

 

December 2009

Before flying 2000 miles across the country for our very southern Christmas, we had our own little Christmas a couple days before we left.

Here's some of my goodies:

The second book in my new favorite trilogy - The Hunger Games. I had to read an adolescent book that was on the New York Times best selling list last semester for my adolescent development class. I picked The Hunger Games, and Brad and I have been hooked ever since. We actually already finished the second book (it's been a matter of a week and a few days) and are anxiously awaiting the release of the third and final book.

My last present was a sewing machine! I've been wanting one for so so long!! Brad was afraid that if he put it under the tree I'd know what it was, so instead I was sent on a scavenger hunt through the house to find it!

Here's some of Brad's goodies:

Oh, how this boy loves fruit snacks!

 

Next on our Christmas-to-do list was seeing family. 

First stop: Atlanta to see Brad's family (well mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa at least). We got lots of goodies there, including a new camera, which was desperately needed! Thanks mom and dad Giesler! Also, on a side note, Susie Giesler cooked up some fantastic homemade dinners while we were there.

Second stop: Knoxville to see my family. My siblings definitely made Brad feel welcome giving presents that fit his personality. 

Third stop: North Carolina to see my extended family. My grandparents live on a very rural farm. We saw a brand new baby calf (it couldn't even walk yet);

we played with goats, donkeys, and dogs; 

 

 

we watched the sunset; 

 

we went on hikes;

 

we ate a lot of good food;

 and participated in some excellent family traditions ...

What an excellent Christmas!