This year we spent Christmas with Brandon's family. It was a great visit filled with lots of new emotions/ adventures as this was my first Christmas not with my family. I did A LOT better than expected. It was fun to be with lots of his siblings and get to hear from Jordan on his mission.
Before we left we opened presents from my family because we drove to WA for Thanksgiving and they sent some back with us. This is our cute little Christmas set-up.
Las Vegas
Our journey to CA from Rexburg began with our first flight from Twin Falls. We then stayed the night in Las Vegas and got to experience some of what Vegas is like since I have never been. There was A LOT to see and it was really cool. (Minus the crazies) Here are some Vegas pics.
New York, NY, right across the street from where we stayed.
The Cosmopolitan: A new 4 story club/casino/mall with the COOLEST chandelier I've ever seen! It's all these beads 4 stores high!
This was the ceiling in the Cosmopolitan on the bottom floor. Such a cool new building.
B by the Bellagio
The Elfie Tower. Another one of my favorites.
Us by the Bellagio.
A really cool ceiling in the Venetian or Cesar's Palace
The Brooklyn Bridge on the strip.
A look down the strip.
California
We had tons of adventures in California. I guess that's why they call it "California Adventure" haha. I don't have many pictures before Christmas so I guess that's where I'll start.
Christmas Eve dinner complete with the tri-tip steak special!!! Yum!!!
We reenacted The Nativity with everyone who was there. We then attempted to play chimes to music songs and had some acapella dingers which was hilarious! We made tons of treats and blended lots of traditions including truffles (my house), and authentic Philipino soup made my Lauren.
The 3 Wise Women
The sheep, the Shepard, the Angel
Christmas morning
I got B but managed to stay out of camera's sight!
The Christmas Tree
Monterey, CA
Each year (I think it's every year) Brandon's family heads out to Monterey. This place is absolutely stunning! It's the middle of winter and there could not be a place more beautiful! We were able to hike around Point Lobos, see the Butterfly Sanctuary, and eat and enjoy the Warf.
I call is "trifle" rock
Cute in-laws
I look dead this time of year....but the scenery was gorgeous
A cool butterfly bench.
Our duck story continues...
Really pretty flowers that I was excited to see.
Hilmar Cheese
Here we visited the Hilmar Cheese factory. We got to eat tons of cheese samples (who doesn't love that?!) And were able to watch them make cheese. I've never seen so much wasted in my life! No wonder cheese is so expensive!
The waterfall
After the bus finally moved
Feed the Birds...Ducks
We went over the a pond to go feed the ducks. I was kind of scared of the large ones so I stayed my distance. Notice how they get closer and closer to the car!!!
Adventure with Richard & Lauren
For Christmas Richard & Lauren treated us to a day on them. We started with the Jelly Belly factory of course! Where we bought tons of Belly Flops!!! And got to go on a quiet tour. (They weren't in production that day)
The sample bar! You get to try any of their current flavors of Jelly Bellies including Baby wipe!
They give you hats on the tour that you have to wear.
The bride and groom jelly belly.
The sign.
Squeeze Inn
For lunch we went to Squeeze Inn. It's this burger place in Sacramento that is AMAZING! The picture you see below used to be the outside of their building before they had to move. The wait it forever but by the time you get your food you forget all about it. When Lauren asked if it was worth the wait after getting out food I said, "What wait?" It is seriously THAT good!!! They make the burgers fresh and put a massive piece of cheese on it and grill it. It's the most amazing thing ever!
Truly greasy and amazing!
The Capital Building
Here we were able to take a self guided tour by Richard where we got to see The Govenator's Office!
A really cool light fixture.
The big meeting room (don't remember the name)
A view out the window of the sun going down.
I got my cute picture! Thanks B!
Christmas Tree in front of the building.
Blury but Lauren and I.
The Jelly Belly mini-van (opps I clicked this one to load too late)
Old Sac Town. At the old school house.
Well that's it. I will not apologize for not posting sooner because everyone does that and we all get busy so we should all understand. But I will apologize for how big this post is. I just wanted everyone to see the cool things we did. Hope you enjoy!
We made it back to Rexburg a day, many tears and lots of support later due to Allegiant Air being ridiculous. Note to self: Never fly Allegiant again! We are happy to be back in Rexburg where Brandon is finishing his BA and will be moving onto an internship in April! We're not sure where yet but I will let you know when we find out. I just finished a 3 week subbing job and am now waiting for more to come.
Merry Christmas to all! And a Happy New Year!!!!
Oops I forgot to put Thank you Richard & Lauren!!! It was such a fun day!
ReplyDeleteyay! i loved this post! great job! i have to do my christmas post someday lol but we had a lot of fun spending time with you two over christmas and we miss you guys!
ReplyDeleteSo I must say that I loved the picture of the Jelly Belly Van, how stinking cool was that!!! It sure looks like you had a fun time, and I am glad that you made it back...later then planned but better late then never!!!
ReplyDeleteWe are glad too! What a freaking nightmare! haha I wished it was an Odyssey but any van was fine by me!
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