Christmas Surprises

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! From what I see on your blogs, it looks like everyone had a nice holiday. Thanks to everyone that sent us Christmas cards, we got excited every time one came.

This year we stayed with my family on Christmas eve. Christmas morning Scott was up at 5am ready to start the day. We made him go back to sleep, poor guy. Around 7:30 or 8 we woke up again :)

When we were all gathering around the tree, not quite ready to open presents yet, I heard a faint squeaking sound. I turned around and noticed it was coming from a big wrapped box in the corner. I got closer and put my ear to it and yep, there was definitely something squeaking in it!

I was curious, and I guess I finally just assumed it was for me. Without waiting for anyone, I opened the lid and peeked in the box. I saw a tiny furry thing run from one end of the box to the other and I threw off the lid!

Scott bought me the cutest little hamster for Christmas! I have wanted a pet for six months, but never thought Scott would want us to get one, let alone go and buy me one! What a sweetheart. (Scott, not the hamster. Well, actually she is too...) I was beyond excited and was so happy! We named her Belle.

I think I surprised Scott with his gift too. When we were in New York two years ago, he saw a shiny gray suit at a store in Soho and fell in love with it! He didn't buy it (partly because it was $400) and often says he regrets not getting it.

Well, gotta love Amazon.com, I found him an awesome shiny suit for less than half the New York price! I don't have a picture of him in it yet, it's getting hemmed, but this is at least a picture of the suit. Trust me, he looks incredible in it :)

Later that day we went to the Cutler Christmas party at my grandparents house, and it was so nice to get to see everyone.

On Saturday we went and saw Princess and the Frog with my family. It was pretty cute. More than anything, I was just happy to be seeing an animated Disney movie again.

That just about sums up the weekend. I'm excited to wrap up this year (which has been an awesome one) and start 2010 now!

P and E

I was so happy to be able to go down south this last weekend for my cousin Paul's wedding! His twin brother Matt was married on Valentines day this year. Paul found his perfect match Emily this summer and he has been so excited to marry her. I didn't get to meet her until the wedding, but I love her already! What a sweetheart. Both of these brothers found amazing wives, it is so fun to have new people come into our families.

As everyone down south could tell you...I was pretty sad that Scott couldn't make it :( He had to work this weekend. I still miss him quite a bit when we're apart for a few days. We were so excited to see each other again Sunday evening! I was at my parents house having dinner when Scott called saying he was on his way up. My parents hurried and set up two table settings for us and lit some candles to give us a 'romantic dinner' for two! It was too cute.

I have another run of Nutcracker this week, and need to squeeze in some Christmas shopping somehow! Violin and shopping seem like a good combo to me though, it should be a fun week.

A post by Scott

Thanksgiving was special this year we had the whole family together with the addition of Grandpa & Grandma Hendrix.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Having Grandma to represent the "WestSide" in Jeffs Baltimore Orioles hat. And playing her favorite game Dominoes (chicken foot) where the boys completely dominated.

I took a minute to teach Grandpa & Grandma about new.familysearch.org while Grandpa wore Darren's big headphones. A bunch of regular thugs at the Hendrix home.

We took three hours to get to know Grandpa a little more and it turned out to be the highlight of the trip for me. He talked about what his youth was like, his parents, birthdays, holidays, car accidents, and his one and only fight. Don't mess with Grandpa or you may just end up with a head ache.

Julie and Heather played some violin pieces for us and it was beautiful as always. Then Heather took a minute to let the neices fiddle (double meaning) with Julies little violin. The girls were very good at it and Heather makes a fine (double meaning) teacher.

Fishing as usual ended up with Dad catching the most and Brad coming in second. But I didn't get skunked.

On Friday we went shopping, and one sister in law (who I won't name in case she joins shoppers anonymous) went six times in a 24 hour period.

We returned home Saturday and during the BYU Utah rivalry football game, Heather accompanied me to the showing of New Moon.

After work today we hopped in the Xterra and went in search of our Christmas tree. We found the perfect one and hauled it home.

We are enjoying the holidays (except for us both being sick!)

Monday again?

I'm kind of getting into a routine of posting on Mondays, I wonder if it will stick?

First of all...GO RSL! Woohoo what an amazing game yesterday! We are the champions!!! Scott and I are hoping they'll have a parade (like the Yankees did when they won the world series). Last week was great! I'm glad the snow waited to come until I was done with the ballet-commuting :) It was lots of driving going up to Ogden every day, but luckily my bro played in it also so we ended up just getting to spend lots of time together! Can't go wrong there.

I'm excited for Thanksgiving this week, we're going up to Idaho to be with family for a few days. We're very excited to see everyone! Those of you that know Scott's side of the family know they're an incredibly fun group. We laugh so much when we all get together.

This Sunday night, the 29th, is that Messiah performance I mentioned, it's at Northridge High School at 7pm.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! I'm definitely grateful for all of your friendships. I'm glad that these blogs can help keep us all in touch, especially since lots of you are far away!

I'll be tired

Lot's of surprises this weekend- we got to go to Park City for a night at the beautiful Marriot right on Main street. Our Aunt Elaine and Uncle Mont have a time share there and were staying with family for a few days, but left before their week was up. They let us go use the rest of their stay (thanks!). The night we went the snow was falling quietly- it looked like cotton balls. It was really stunning.

We had lots of fun seeing Scott's sister Kari and two of her girls. We love having visitors, and we were excited to have them stay in our newly decorated guest bedroom! (Scott's interior design class is paying off.)

Saturday Scott had planned a surprise date for us. We went to Tepanyaki and then to see the Utah Symphony! I was in heaven! The new Conductor was great- so entertaining to watch.

Speaking of music...it is that time again, remember this post last year? I am about to play more violin in a week than I do the whole year (hence the title of this post...I'll be tired). I'm excited though! I love the Nutcracker. Some of the music is challenging (got to love Tchaikovsky) so it keeps me sharp. I've played the ballet enough now that I have realized that I definitely have two favorites (out of the 90 minutes worth of songs). Here is a clip of one. It gives me chills!

The Grand Pas De Deux with the sugar plum fairy and her cavalier. BTW I looked on youtube a long time to find a cavalier with pants on (instead of tights). The last 2 1/2 minutes of this song make my heart sing!