Even in the winter you can say the valley has heat. I am in love with snow, but it was so nice to have the Christmas I am use to. So much to do in so little time. I am so thankful I was able to see so many people and build memories with the friends that sometimes seem like just a memory.
Getting off the plane I was met by the whole family. We had an early dinner at Fuddruckers and then stopped by this gem on our way home. Yeah. This is me. The larger than life poster hangs on Copperstar's new studio. I love it.
Obviously we love her the most. Santa even filled it to the brim.
I wanted a Christmas tree so badly. It was fantastic to come home to such a decked out Christmas house. The first night I was home Laura Jones, Joey, and Colton all came over. We laughed for hours. It was the best. At some point in time Colton started stroking the tree and realized it was real. He had never seen a real tree before apparently. He even checked the bark and water. His excitement was hilarious.
I grew up with the Christmas animatronics so I love them, but my friends weren't so smitten. Except Colton of course. He loves Creepy Santa as much as the gold praying boy.
Neighbor friend gifts! This year we had a giant assembly line of cookies goin down. Delicious.
Finished product.
Adventures with Bryce in Phoenix. We went to hand out food to homeless people with some of Bryce's friends that dressed up as super heroes. Not only was it fun, but opened my eyes to how blessed I am.
Christmas Dinner. Codling tradition: never have it on Christmas. Who wants to dishes before/after presents?
Wrapping up Bishop Smith's house. Gotcha :)
Making Colton sneak up to do the front.
I wonder that present is?
Tepee of wrapping paper rolls.
Elisabeth liked the neighbor's grinch.
Mission Accomplished
Rudolph! Christmas Eve was spent with the Bells and Manwarings. Everybody thought my reindeer looked like an alien during cookie decorating.
What a dapper cookie.
I think these were Maddy's. She's an artist.
Codlings won the Christmas Tree contest. Valerie was a beautiful evergreen.
Zack Bell, Megan Manwaring, Valerie Codling.
Time for the puppet show nativity. You wish you had traditions as silly as ours.
Valerie, Megan, Kelly, and Owen.
Three Wise Men
Tyler, Megan, and Hannah
Christmas Eve with my girl Maddy Bell.
Letters from Sister Andersen! This one had a picture with her companion.
This is the picture we put on Uncle Ryan's Christmas giftcard. Codlings and Corias.
Jerika's wedding reception. Valerie and I had a great sister date since Laura Jones was too sick to go with me. It was in the Newitt's backyard. The colors were mostly red and white. They served cinnamon rolls with the hot chocolate we're drinking in the picture.
Laura Hawkes! I got to sit with her after she was done fulfilling her bridesmaid duties.
Fixing the Andersen's tandem bike with Bryce. William might have been more help than me.
After a long time of repairing the wheel we accidentally broke it again. Accepting defeat, Bryce moved on to the unicycle. Brynna and I tried it too, but we were all pretty awful.
Dinner with TayP! This girl is going places. I am so proud of her.
Downton Abbey party at the Peterson's. Sister Peterson made this great wassail. Things get pretty classy when we all watch Downton together.
Maddy Bell's 18 birthday! I don't know anyone prettier than Maddy. She is a wonderful friend and I miss her so much in college. Not many people are always up to party like she is.
Riley Peterson, Kristin Adair, Maddy Bell, and Me
Me and Colton at Maddy's party. Woah, just realized we match. The party was at Brother Bell's work. I'm glad I went with Colton since it was a little sketchy to get to.
BRIANNA! Andrew probably thought we were crazy since we tackled each other. Reunited!
Gigi day with all the grandkids. This year we went bowling and then to froyo.
Happy New Year!!! Reenacting 2013's picture and Laura added in to help with the 14. I may have been so ready to graduate, but I miss these people so much now.
Bryce Coleman, Emily Robinson, Joseph Knight, Me, Laura Jones
After a party at my house, riding the light rail to Tempe for the Institute party, and riding back with a hobo, we went to IHOP. It was way too late to out. It was great. If you haven't guessed, we all really like purple. We planed it out and I think we may have looked a little bit like a classy gang.... If that is even a thing.
Adventures back to Tempe to order Laura's institue parking pass. A retaurant next to ASU lets you create your own ice cream sandwhich with cookies and several kinds of icecream. Genius!
Sienna Perry, Laura Jones, and Me.
Playing Bang at Laura's house. This game is so fun.
We're outlaws! I can't remember if we won, but I'm going to say we did. Playing this moved a lot faster than playing Risk a few days prior.
Accepted to the London Study Abroad. This is unreal. I took passport pictures while back home. UK here I come! Spring 2014 with BYU's theatre department.
Look at this pie. Does it not look wonderful?!?! I made this pie. :D Success.
Recreating our picture from Baccalaureate. Elisabeth and I made everyone bring their robes since we didn't take pictures together on graduation. They are so kind to humor us.
Here's the gang. Of course Cameron is already on a mission and we're missing some other great friends like Sienna taking off early, but I'm glad we were able to take this picture. We did it. We're growing up.
Joseph Knighton, Elisabeth Poit, Tori Newitt, Me, Laura Jones, Emily Robinson, and Bryce Coleman.
Watch out. We're all adults.
Last night home. Really last night together. I love Gilbert. I loved High School. I love all of them. There was always someone ready to party and adventure. <3
Brynna Andersen, Me, Bryce Coleman, Laura Jones, Colton Stock, Brianna Baxter, Jackson Steele, Tori Newitty, Emily Robinson, Joseph Knighton, and Elisabeth Poit.
After two weeks I was almost ready to stay home, but BYU was calling and I missed my roommates so much. It was a blast to have fun and not stress about school. The weird thing about graduating is once you move on, so does everyone else. We are already at such different points of life. It's sad to think space will just continue to grow between us. Time will pass, but the moments and memories like this will stay.
