Not Now, Arctic Puffin: December Happenings

We're only ten days into December but a lot of celebrating has been going on.

December began with me in this turtleneck. If that's not festive, I don't know what is.

Ugly Sweater Party

Also, Mallory came to visit! This usually involves fazookies and facials and the like.

And we went to the Fancy Pants Art Show. Thanks McKenna and Aubree for always having crazy awesome theme parties in your house. With gallery artwork and a live jazz band.

These are some of my favorite people. They make everything so much fun.

Alexa, me, Katie, Aubree, Lauren, Mallory

 Things got pretty Christmasy the next day. We put up our tree!

We made sugar cookies, listened to Christmas music and decorated our living room completely. There's a lot to look at in our apartment right now.

roommates...and Neil

I also got to help with the Festival of Trees this year. This is our tree for Saavi, which will be donated to a family in need in Cache Valley. I love spending time with other people who want to make a difference.

Another highlight of the month has been visiting our elderly friends, Polly and Keith. They always inspire me! I really need to start writing down their stories.

At the Williamsburg

Another highlight was going to the gallery walk on main street with Lauren, Alexa, and my sister Abigail. Logan definitely has the adorable factor sometimes. And afterwards when we watched Pearl Harbor because it was Pearl Harbor Day...then we had the adorable factor.

Alexa, me, Abbie, Lauren

This weekend the roommates and I took a road trip to Salt Lake to see the lights. I go downtown multiple times every year, and I will be there next weekend too, but it's still special to me every time. I always think of the line from Meet Me In St Louis: "Wasn't I lucky to be born in my favorite city?" Plus, last week was CRAZY for me with final papers and projects so I was really ready for a getaway.

We took Trax and went to The Gateway first, and I loved watching the lights change with the fountain show. So pretty! Then we walked to Temple Square and I swear every Mormon in the world was there. It was so crowded, but I actually liked that because it was exciting and Christmasy.

We watched the nativity and walked up to the Christus statue. When you look out the window, you can see the reflection of the Christus as if its floating above the manger scene. Above that is the temple. I think I am starting to get more missionaryish and thus more cheesy and emotional because I just stared out the window for a long time thinking, "This is a BIG deal."

The lights and trees in City Creek were also gorgeous, and we had a yummy late night dinner at Applebee's. I would say the night was a success, especially since we didn't die on the blizzardy freeway.

Waiting for the train

Temple Square

just a little snowy!

After we spent the night at Alexa's aunt's house (Thank you Aunt Phillis!), we got up Sunday morning and drove to Sandy for my dear Mallory's mission farewell.

Mallory has been such a good example ever since I met her. I'm so lucky that I got to live with her. She is one of the best friends a person could ask for, as evidenced by the hundreds of people at her house after her farewell. I'm so excited for the people in Texas who get to meet her!

I loved getting to talk with so many friends at Mallory's after-party. It makes me so happy that even though we've all gone our separate ways and are living in different towns, etc, we could all be there to support Mal together.

That night when we got back to Logan it was time for pajamas/Christmas movie night! What delightful people I live with.

I think one of the best December highlights for me has been having late-night living room talks almost every night. I am lucky to have good friends and roommates around. So thank you Neil and Cody for always staying up with us until 2 am for our late-night chats!

Mission update: My paperwork is completely done and it has been for a while. The stake president has everything ready to go, but since my availability date is May 4th, I can't submit my papers until the first week of January. So I will be calling the stake president on January 4th and reminding him to press the button.

Getting ready for a mission during Christmastime has been fun. It's weird not knowing what country I'll be living in next Christmas. My mom told me yesterday that they are waiting to put up the Christmas tree until Abbie and I get home, which will be a lot later than we normally put up the tree. I tried to say, "Mom it's not a big deal, you can put it up." "But you won't be here next Christmas!" I keep forgetting. That's pretty weird, but I've also loved seeing Christmas a little differently since I'm thinking about my mission every day. My life just gets luckier and luckier! Can't wait to see everyone next week!