we love our little niece!

2008!

so i can't even believe that christmas just flew by! we spent christmas in provo this year and nick's parents and youngest sister traveled here to be with all of us. the saddest part is that we didn't even take pictures during our first christmas! it makes me so sad....and we didn't even get a picture from new years either! we have a good camera so there is no excuse....

the highlight of our christmas was talking to becky my sister, who is on a mission in arizona, and nick's brother, who is on a mission in south korea. it was so good to hear how they are doing and we miss them so much!

we spent new years with nick's family and it was so fun! we played this great game called ticket to ride and played wii all night! even though it was hard to be away from my family, we had a good time.

so nick and i recently were called to work at the provo temple as ordinance workers. we have been doing it for two weeks now. we work on saturday nights from 5:30-10:30. our lives have been so blessed already for just working the two times. i know that they are in need of workers if you have weekends free. i would recommend it to everyone!

so i had a long day at work the other day and i came home thinking about what to make for dinner. i walk in the door and i hear music playing and smell an amazing dinner. i looked around the corner and saw nick and a set table with candles lit! what a sweetheart! he knew i had a bad day and made me a great dinner!

after a great dinner of stir fry and rice it was time for a surprise dessert!

creamsicles!!! i love nick!

nick and i both had our work christmas parties. they were fun! my work party we ate at carrabba's (i am so sad i have been wasting my time on other food!) it was amazing! for nick's we went to dinner at a hotel and then went to the jazz game! we saw them play the miami heat... nick was stoked to see dwayne wade and shaq play. we had a good time driving on the way there and back... probably because we didn't have to drive...

thanksgiving was so wonderful! we were able to spend time with my grandparents, cousins, phil, steph & adam, and my dad in salt lake city in the morning. i am sad i didn't get any pictures with them. then we went to pleasant grove with nick's family and cousins. it was our first thanksgiving together as a married couple and i was so glad it turned out so smoothly (and that we were able to have two dinners :) ).

so we have been having a great time during the holidays! we hope everyone is too! while i was looking for some gift ideas and ran across this picture....

i can't believe how much it looks like lukey!!! i thought it was hilarious! denise, this would be a great present wouldn't it?! maybe a paperweight for derek at the office?

so nick has been hard at work and school but when he has free time he has been playing music with his friends that he grew up with in california. they have played a couple shows in provo and have done a great job! it is fun to go and support them (especially because they have fun wives and girlfriend to hang out with :) ). If you live in the area, i think i am going to post when their next shows are if you would like to come and support them. Its always fun to have a big crowd!

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and also i have become a stylist at von curtis salon. i work wednesdays and so if you need to cut, trim, color, or style your hair call me or leave me a comment and we will get you scheduled!

nick and i had a great halloween! we had a last minute party with some close friends. we only had one other couple dress up....we were so disappointed! :) see if you can tell who we dressed up as....

we hope everyone had a great halloween!

so for mandi's birthday she got a pretty awesome present... her very first niece! nick's oldest brother gabe and his wife jessica had a beautiful healthy baby girl! her name is malina kailani corotan. she weighed a little under 7 pounds...she's so little! we have been spending a lot of time with them just ooing and ahhing over her.




isn't she adorable? we just love her!

mandi is going to become a stylist at von curtis salon in a couple of weeks and she can't wait! nick has been doing great in school and enjoying the free time that he has. he is playing his first show with his band on saturday. they have been sounding great and it will be exciting to see them play!

its crazy to be back in utah with the crazy weather! it was a blizzard on saturday and has warmed up and a lot of the snow is gone...thank goodness! i mean come on... its not even halloween yet! hopefully the weather stays good for a little longer...