To sum it up

my Disney Christmas trip was exciting, warm and cold, exhillarating, tiring, new and old, and so fun. Thanks Mom and Dad, You made it happen Capn'!

We made it...babeh!

We got in at 2:30 last night to our resort Vero Beach .


We were delusionally tired, but we were greeted by Jackie who was very welcoming and kind. Rob and Jos and Evelyn were already asleep, which is completely understandable.

They all also had cards on each of our pillows for us along with a piece of chocolate. Inside the cards were these poems.

Derek - "Mr. Young.......We're glad that you could come....You never are a grouch.....We hope you like the couch!"

Erica - "Little Miss Erica....You've traveled across America....We're glad you are with us.....And didn't have to take the bus!"

Miranda - "Randa-Roosie.......We sure love YOU-sie......Well my dear............We are glad you here!"

Mom - "Dear Mama-cita.......You're so hot we have to turn down the heat-a....These days were filled with stress....Now lay down and get some rest!"

Dad - "Big Daddy Haws.....You make a great Santa Claus.........Thanks for footing the bill.....So we can come and have this thrill!"

They were all signed "Love, RJJE" for Robert, Josalyn, Jackie, and Evelyn.
It was fun! But the best part was waking up to my niece who I haven't seen in 3 months, which is more than half her life..

It's very possible to love someone who you barely know. She is a beautiful, patient, observant baby. I love her. I'm her favorite aunt...at least that's what I keep telling her.

Today we swam in the pool, played a game of family football and won! jumped in the ocean, played a round of mini gold and celebrated my dad's Birthday. We also had our traditional Christmas fondue dinner since we wouldn't be later. We had some nice family festivities after dinner and I can't wait for more fun to start tomorrow. It's been so nice to have Derek here with us. He is so great :)

My dad is 52 tomorrow, but we decided to celebrate it today. He is a good guy, and I love him. I tried to upload a picture of him but it wouldn't let me! Oh well, have a good one dad!

What a day!

We arrived at the Portland airport at 8:00am on the shuttle. We left the Portland airport at 3:00 pm on the shuttle....that's right , our flight was CANCELLED!!!!!! I saw a whole lot of this those 7 hours.
and this...

and this (Derek) :) So it was ok. But it was the craziest thing, because the weather was just fine and we even heard on the radio on the way to the airport this morning that there was only one flight cancelled so far. I wonder if ours was second. And of course it was for technical difficulties.

But ya know what?? A Christmas miracle happened. Most of the time "cancelled flight" is the worst possible thing you can hear 4 days before Christmas. Because flights are booked or often overbooked. But my mom somehow got through on the Delta reservations phone line, and found a flight for ALL of us just a day later than scheduled. Crisis averted. That's one less day at Vero Beach, big deal :)

I couldn't believe it. I myself tried calling that line 4 or 5 times and was booted off because of all the busy signals. And the line for new flights was a mile long and took a half and hour a person.

We are lucky duckys...
And I realized something today... No offfense guys, but Mom, you look an awful lot like Mrs. Clause would, and Dad, you look like a jolly Santa...and Don't ya think "HAWS" sounds an awful lot like "CLAUSE?"

I'm just sayin'...

We leave tomorrow

and I have a Christmas wish list for this trip. If I were cool like Derek, I would just write a 14 stanza poem about it. But that would take me a year. So I'm going to make an acronym using the word "Disneyworld".



I think acronyms can be quite poetic.
Oh, the other day Erica Marley told me they leave Santa a Coke
instead of milk. I thought that was so cute.


Dear Santa,

This is what I want to see for Christmas:

D erek, in swim trunks, relaxing on the beach

I ndescribably yummy food

S now in Florida, even if it's fake

N o weight gained between 12/21 - 12/29

E velyn, my baby niece, preferring me over Jackie (this would be a first.)

Y ear after year traditions repeated

W orld peace

O ggling children trying to get an autograph from a certain "Alice" (aka Miranda in a costume)

R obert losing the golf tournament so he has to wear that embarrassing shirt with Mom

L owest outside temperature being 60 degrees

D erek saying in all sincerity, "This is the happiest place on earth."


Thank you! And if world peace is too much to ask for, family peace will be good enough.

Love,
Erica

How much wood could a wood chuck chuck...

if a wood chuck could chuck wood? Well, I don't know about that, but I do have my own personal "wood chuck",if you will,who is working with a wood project for me as we speak!

Derek and I were just at Goodwill looking for cheap frames, and we stumbled upon a great deal...just not a frame.

2 wood bowls, the perfect size for cereal and such! They were $0.99 a piece and we got two of them. I am in love with wood bowls. They are so luxurious and such beautiful works of art. I've always wanted one.

Derek is so sweet, he offered to take the bowls to the LongBoardLarry Shop, and sand and clear coat them so they will be functional. He is so handy!

They look a lot like this:

I'm going to have two beautiful new bowls for college, and beyond.

Thanks for the gift, Derek!

45 minutes left of work...

There is a lull and so here I am just quickly updating.

Today has been a fun day at work. It's the big Holiday potluck and work gets out two hours early for yummy food, awesome raffles and chit chatting. There is also a gift exchange. Today is extra special because it's my last day. How nice of them to throw a party because I'm leaving...haha just kidding they do this every year.

My dad is going around to all the sewers right this minute passing out Christmas Bonuses. They work hard, they deserve them. It's been a profitable year becuase of their hard work.

My tummy is growling because all I had for breakfast this morning was eggnog. Did you know there is 440 calories in one cup of eggnog?? That's worse than a whoppper!! But it's oh so tasty. I made a special trip last night just to get it.



I hope I win a gift certificate in the raffle. If my name is drawn my dad, who announces the winners, will discretely set it to the side. There would be some people who wouldn't be very happy if the "Boss's daughter" won.

But we've got a deal. If it's drawn he will later reimberse me for my winnings. What a guy!

I'm feeling so excited and filled with the Christmas Spirit. I just needed to blog about it.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and God bless us all!

Derek...

Roses are red
Violets are blue
My poem is lame
But I love you!



Happy One Year Anniversary!

Thrillertastic!

I just made that word up. For the Halloween party Derek and I put on we performed Michael Jackson's "Thriller" dance spontaneously with a group of 8. It was awesome! When the music came on everyone turned in to zombies and we hobbled to the dance floor. It was like something out of "13 Going on 30"! Unforgettable!



My friend, Jason Christensen, who was in the original group, has invited all his friends on facebook to join him in performing the Thriller dance at his house this week, then putting it on YouTube. I'm so there...

Check out the 80's video here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOnqjkJTMaA

When I grow up I want to be a ...

...fitness instructor. Who knew? My whole life I've come up with such career ideas as a nurse, a singer, a pilot, an english teacher, or just a mom. And I wasn't sure what I was going to major in as I started college. I decided Exercise Science. Nothing else was obvious. I like to sing, but it's really just a hobby. But I still wasn't sure. Was it the best of the best? Was it my calling?

So I took career explorations a year ago and I came to the same conclusion....exercise science.

And I wouldn't say exercising is my calling in life either. It's not even like I'm super athletic or anything. I've only casually pursued sports in Middle school with 2 years of being on the "B" team for girls Basketball. In High school, I did Lacrosse one year and track the next, and was only mediocre.

But I think that's why I want to be a fitness instructor. To prove that you don't actually have to be athletic to be physically fit. Plus I love working out.

I know, I'm such a nerd. But, to me, the feeling of being in a gym and running on a treadmill surrounded by other people doing good things for their bodies is the best! It's empowering. Sometimes I catch myself smiling. It's like, we're all in this together :) (humming High School Musical...)

I do want to be an involved mother someday, and this option would be great if I wanted to work around my kids schedules. Or I may not end up doing this at all, which would be fine too :) Time will tell what I decide to do.

But if I do end up teaching classes, I would invite all to attend! I plan to make it a safe and inviting atmosphere, where exercising will be fun!

I believe

in the magic of disney. It's a real thing!! I feel it every time I enter a Disney park. I get excited and I'm filled with wonder at the amazing place it is.



I've been going to Disney parks a good majority of my life, and the memories made there are treasures.


I don't know what it is about these places but they bring my family closer together. We're kinder to eachother, and we laugh more together.


It's not about the rides either. It's about a wholesome atmosphere, where dreams are made real. It is SO FUN.


I can't imagine my life without the influence of Disney. I have watched the movies over again, sung the songs so many times that they're forever engrained in my mind and heart.


You feel like a Princess there!


That's Mickey butter! I love the attention to detail Disney takes in everything.


We got to go snorkeling on a Disney cruise. I remember in preparation, my sweet Mom bought us snorkeling gear, and we practiced in a swimming pool a good number of times before.


Although money was tight, my parents still found a way to take us to Disneyland when we were young.


There's nothing like the happiness you feel when you get to meet your Disney Heroes in person!


They're flirting with the camera.


The Queen in her Kingdom!


I'm so excited and grateful to be able to go again this Christmas.


Of coarse the best part about Disney is spending time with the people that you love most.


Oh, and we're bringing someone else along, which will make this trip particularly wonderful

It's Icy

today, and I don't think my parents are going to let me venture into town, or anywhere today. Not Even Derek's house :(. Which is wise since it would be too dangerous.

However...I still want to have a fun and productive day.

So, here's what I'm gonna do:

1. Finish wrapping presents

2. Clean my room

3. Do laundry (see #2)

4. Go in the hot tub

5. Watch "The Santa Clause"

6. Bake AT LEAST 3 Christmas goodies

7. Do a yoga tape

8. Catch up with at least 3 friends on the phone

9. Make flyers for church tomorrow

10. Spend time with family (throughout #'s 1-10)

Ok....ready....set.....go!

Today is a good day

because I'm spending it with my Mom, and not at work! No, I'm not faking sick, and I wasn't fired.

There just isn't much to do at work today, and so I slept in without an alarm, and it felt amazing. I stayed in bed as long as I could-- 8:15am, haha.

My mom and I have had a nice time together packing up the tree to send to Florida where we're spending Christmas, delivering the packages, dropping my sister Miranda off at work (sorry Miranda), and then going shopping. I got two new winter coats for Rexburg's chilly climate. They're both early Christmas presents, and I'm so happy with both of them. I've pretty well worn out my couple other coats, and I think my Mom started noticing when I was wearing Miranda's more than she was.

They were on sale at TJ Maxx. Awesome deals:

This one is so warm and fuzzy. More of a pleasant " lazy walk through the snow" coat.



Classic Black coat that I've desperately needed.



And this is my Hot Mama in her new luxe coat



Thanks again Mom :) This was a nice treat. I love you

So, Rexburg. I'm ready for ya. Bring on the 20 below weather!

I LOVE this time of year...

I love that people are nicer drivers and let you into lanes more easily. I love that there are more mugs in the dishwasher because of all the cocoa consumption. I love that sometimes you get "Last Christmas I gave you my heart" stuck in your head and you don't know how. I love my pine tree scented car freshener. I love buying that gift that you are sooo excited about because you have no doubt the receiver of it is going to adore it. I love Christmas Claymations!

I am so cuckoo for Christmas this year, and i don't know why! I have been so filled with the Christmas spirit since the day after Thanksgiving. I don't remember the last time I was this excited. Maybe 6 or 7 years old. :)

I've watched almost every single christmas movie we own, i've been done with my Christmas shopping for a week, i'll only listen to Christmas music, and I've had one too many cocoa comas already! What power does this season have over me?? I mean it's taking over MY LIFE!!!! AND I LIKE IT!

Oh, and I've watched 4 different versions of A Christmas Carol already, and I have the lines memorized.

Oh well, my fanatic ways are better than being a Scrooge, right? :)

In the wee small hours

of the morning, I get up to go to work. Well, 5:20am. And to me that fits into the "wee" category. I've been working at my dad's production factory, Summit Sportswear. Throughout my adolsecence I've been able to count on this place to employ me in times of need. I've worked here a little and there a little. Probably all together I've worked there 1 and 1/2 years.

Production is tough because you're expected to work real fast on what can be pretty physically taxing stuff. And you CAN'T stop. At least until the 10 minute break every 2 hours. Boy, do I love those. I'm not kidding. I've done tasks such as sewing buttonholes, heat pressing, ironing, threading pant laces, cutting, stuffing, and even some janitorial work.

But my time at Summit is coming to a close. After today I will have only 7 days of work left. Maybe my last ever. (fingers crossed.)

And Dad, if you read this, I hope I don't sound ungrateful. This job has helped me so much time and time again. I just don't think I was made for production work. I like sitting down too much, taking breaks too much, working closely with people too much.

But I do have the best boss ever! I won't forget the Cake Days every month, the drawings for prizes, the Christmas tree, the Christmas Bonus, and your patience with me when I keep coming into your office because I have ideas or questions, or basically anything I can think of :)

8 days!!!

These are a few of my favorite things...

So the other night Derek and I were in Red Robin sitting at a booth waiting for our waiter to greet us. While we were waiting a waiter bursts around the corner, sits at our table with us as if we've known him forever, and starts venting about the song that's playing over the restaurant, "Ok, who ever said that 'raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens' could be called a Christmas song? You know, that song from Sound of Music? Seriously, what whack-o thought it meritted being on the radio with other Christmas classics?

Derek froze. He didn't know who this guy was or what the heck he was talking about. He's so cute. I, on the other hand, was right there with him! Who DID say that was a Christmas song anyway? Weird.

Anyway, he ended up being our waiter. Great guy, we liked him a lot. :)

So this little blip from my life serves as a pre-curser to a few of MY favorite things. A few being 3, and the things meaning tangible items.

Here goes!

Numero Uno:

My Cruiser

I love this bike! I've had it for less than a year, but it served me well last summer in Rexburg, ID where I attend school. There is nothing like meandering through the streets of this quaint little town on your bike. I felt like a million bucks on it, and it is also my favorite color, I might add.
I got firm thighs, an escape from homework, and a lighter wallet. (My parents paid for a lot of it too. So, there's a plug for you guys. Thanks! )

Number 2!

My GUITAR!

My guitar is my friend. We get along pretty well. I've had it since I was 16 and have gotten to the point where I can accompany myself when I sing, which has been really fun. I love music, especially singing, and this instrument has been a great tagalong on some great memories.
Oh, and can you tell I like turquiose?

Last, but not least...

Number trois!

My Boyfriend...Derek. aww shucks :)

Not to say I own him (ladies, hands off.), but he is MY boyfriend, and he is amazing. I love him because he is the kindest person I know. He can do basically anything he sets his mind too. And he can keep up with me. I also really love the deep creases around his eyes when he smiles real big. I don't know why, but they do something to me.

Next Wednsday will be our one year anniversary as a couple, so I just wanna say- "Happy One Year, Boo!" XXX