By this time next week.....

I'm so excited, I can hardly stand it! I can't believe it's been 11 years since I've been home from Chile. Next week at this time, my parents and I will be in Valparaiso, Chile, then getting on a cruise to go down south to Patagonia and around Cape Horn, ending up Buenos Aires, Argentina. The first couple of nights we'll be in Santiago and it works out great because one of the girls I taught when I was on my mission, is now at the University in Santiago, crazy!! and we're planning on meeting up w/her to get a tour of the city. I can't wait to see old friends from my mission and to also explore new places that I wasn't able to go to while I was on my mish and can't wait to see my parents impression of one of the most beautiful, friendliest countries on earth, but of course I'm partial :) For Argentina, have to say, even though I'm excited to see the sights, can't wait to see the Tango dancers! If any look remotely like him, then sign me up :)

Christmas is coming....

 
 
 
 

So this week my friend Maria from my ward invited me to this party that a friend of her who lives in Westwood was throwing at her house. Apparently this lady has been throwing this party for the last 20 years or so to showcase all her decorations and by decorations, I mean her entire house was converted to a little Christmas village. It was amazing, seriously every little nook and cranny had something Christmassy and every Christmas item had a theme, so yes in the laundry room, she had figurines of Santa and his elves ironing, etc... In the bedroom, she had Santa sleeping, etc... It carried on all the way outside where she had an entire Santa surf theme. I really don't know how they live in their house or where they store the stuff when they're not using it, but it was pretty cool. They live in this beautiful mansion and had valet parking and a little catered dinner. All that we had to do was bring a children's book that they donated in our honor. Very generous and such a fun tradition.

A Thanksgiving to Remember......

I just got back from a quick visit home for Thanksgiving, it's never long enough! We had such a great Thanksgiving, everyone except for Mitch and Beck and their fam's were there and they were really missed! Because there were so many of us, we ended up reserving the chapel for our festivities and it actually ended up being perfect. We had a very yummy dinner, played some basketball, played "turkey" bowling, actually it was a cornish game hen, and a mighty thawed one by the end of the round, gross!, did a little dancing and topped off the night w/Sardine's, a family fav and have to say a little bit creepy in the chapel. I really can't even begin to say how thankful I am for my amazing family and friends, I know I really lucked out in that department. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!