Christmas in Review

Well, it's the end of 2009, and what a year it was! I don't know if it's just me, or did this year just fly by? It's hard for me to believe that Christmas is already over, and now we are preparing ourselves to welcome 2010.

Sorry, this post is going to be a long one!

This Christmas went a little differently as planned. Dan's parents' planned their Christmas dinner for 4:00pm, so we decided to hit up my parents' place first. We woke up Christmas day, and I woke up pretty early because I was just so excited that it was Christmas, and I have to say, I haven't felt that way that early in the morning in a long time! Dan was surprised that I was the one dragging him out of bed instead of the other way around. I think the cats were just as excited too.

We finally got up and looked in our stockings that Dan so graciously organized for everyone, then opened our presents from each other.

I got Dan a tie-organizer (which he asked for last year, but I couldn't find a good one), a little vacuum cleaner for his car (he loves keeping his car clean...on the outside at least. I thought this one might help him a little), a hat that he actually picked out so I can't take credit for that one, and cologne.

We didn't want to spend too much this year because we have other goals in mind. I have to admit though, that Dan didn't spend much at all! He had me believe that he hadn't even started shopping until a couple days before Christmas. Then I found these wrapped up under the tree...

Yup, that's a fruit cup, an empty toad head candy container, a pack of jello mix, and an empty cologne box. But there was a little note attached to each one. So I had to go find my presents around the house so that there was no way that I would guess what my presents were by looking at them all wrapped up under the tree! The first one I opened was the fruit cup which had a note "look in the bathroom cupboard", then the toad head with "look in the linen closet", then the jello pack with "look behind the computer monitor" (which he hid that one on my pillow because he had me wait in the computer room so that he could get ready), then finally the cologne box with " look behind the couch". And this in what I got in that order...

If you can't see them in the picture that well, Dan got me a small jewelry box with my named engraved in it so that Izzie can't steal my earrings off my nightstand anymore (I'm still missing one), a sweater that looks like the one he got me last year but accidentally shrunk it in the wash on me (I think this one is even better), another cute red sweater, and last but not least, a Wii Fit Plus!! I really wanted a Wii Fit Plus, but knew that it would be sort of out of our budget for Christmas, but Dan got it for me :) What a great husband I have. Now I actually kind of feel bad for the few gifts that I got him. Good thing his birthday is coming up at the end of January so maybe I can try to make up for it. All in all, Christmas morning was so great! After opening our gifts, we made a delicious breakfast, played in the Wii Fit Plus, then got ready to head into Carstairs.

I just wanted to mention that this was Izzie's first Christmas, and I think she enjoyed it!

We arrived at my parents' house to find Kimberly, and my mom still in their pj's, and my dad. My brother Arlen and my sister Tammy and her family were supposed to be there too, but they didn't make it in time before we left for Dan's parents' place. I was pretty sad about it because I was really looking forward to seeing them. My mom told me afterward that we missed seeing my brother by about 3 minutes! I hope I will be able to see him soon, because it has already been a really long time since the last time that I saw him.

My parents did a really good job for Christmas this year! My mom tends to buy a lot of little things, mostly Christmas things, from the dollar store or other inexpensive places, which sometimes we don't use them all the time. However this year there was none of that! The first gift that I opened was a blender! But not just any blender, it was a blender that she had in her house all boxed up, unopened for years. I had my eye on it the whole time, and this year I finally got it! (thanks mom!) Maybe next year I'll get that Kitchen Aid that's been there for even longer *hint*hint* We also got the DVD Marley and Me (which I love!) with a Costco gift card taped to the back. Very sneaky mom and dad. A lot of us got a nice 72 hour emergency kit for a family of four. It even has coloring books! We also for a nice glass laser etched nativity scene, complete with a lighted base. Kimberly had me for Christmas this year and she gave me earrings as part of my gift. My parents also got all the married couples in the family a beautiful picture of Jesus, and we got this one of Jesus with children, which was framed.

After we said our goodbyes for the day to my parents and Kimberly, we traveled back into Calgary to Dan's parents' house to eat dinner at 4:00pm. It was so good too! Grandma Reese, and Spencer and Laurie and their 3 boys were there too. After dinner we opened gifts. Once again this year, Dan's parents' rented a beach house for the August Vacation! We are super excited! I also got a few lotions from Dan's mom and we also got some cash. This year we had Spence and Laurie's family for Christmas, and we got them a couple helicopter-type flying balls with lights, some toad-head candy and a chocolate train. It was really nice spending time with everyone there. Christmas Day was really busy for us, but at the same time it was quite relaxing. We then went home and just relaxed with our pets for the rest of the day.

Boxing day came and Dan had to work at 6:00am. Best Buy was crazy! I went for a little visit and it was so crowded! Then Dan told me that I should go and check out the new Banana Republic Outlet store a couple doors down. I don't normally like shopping there because I get so sad when I see something that I like and it's super expensive. But I went anyway to check it out, and it's a good thing I did! I got 5 tops, including a couple sweaters, for just over $61.00! What a great deal! I don't normally shop on boxing day because I just don't think it's worth the long waits and crowds of people everywhere, plus the horrible traffic. I guess this year was an exception. At about 4:00pm was the Olsen family dinner held at Kristie's house. I think everyone had a good time there. The only person missing was my brother Arlen. I miss seeing him. I feel like I don't know who he is anymore, and I miss that. Maybe this next year that will change. After dinner, more gifts were exchanged and Dan and I got a Magic Bullet! Then we just visited with one another. And of course, more family pictures were taken.

My work was closed the next Monday, and it was probably a good thing too because that day I got the flu. I was pretty bummed out, but we didn't have much planned for that day anyways. I can't remember the last time I got that sick. But hey, at least I lost a bunch of that "Christmas weight"!

I am most grateful that I was able to spend time with my family and loved ones. I think that is the best thing about this Christmas season, and I wish it could happen more than just once a year just for that purpose. I am grateful for the true meaning of Christmas and for the gospel that I am apart of.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas 2009, and cheers to the New Year 2010!

Christmas Party Weekend

I love this Christmas season. It has come so fast once again this year. I can't believe 2009 is soon coming to an end. Either way, this time of year is known for time spent with family.

Last Friday was the Olds' Ward Christmas Party that I was able to go to. That day was also a small Christmas Party at my work with a secret Santa and a potluck lunch. I was let out early from work so I was able to make it in good time to Olds. Unfortunately, Dan was DJing a couple dances in Carstairs at the school so he wasn't able to come with me. Maybe next year he'll make it out. I arrived in Olds to meet my Dad who was waiting for everyone to arrive. Then came my mom, Kimberly, and Jodie and Aaron and their family. Shortly after them, Tammy and Mike arrived with their two girls, then came Kristie and Iain and their kids. We took up two tables. I can't remember the last time that this much of our family was at the Olds chapel at once. It was so great! We ate a turkey dinner which was so delicious, then watched the program that was put on by a few people in the ward. Then after that, Santa came for a visit! And let me just say, I think this Santa was the most Santa-looking I have ever seen! His beard was real, the was plump just like Santa, and even his nose was the perfect shape. Well done Olds Ward Santa, well done. After the party Kimberly and I made our way to Carstairs to meet up with Dan. The dance was so brutal. Not saying that they music wasn't great, but there was only about 10 kids there in the gym dancing. I guess one of the teachers let Dan know that there was a lot of other events happening that same night, so there wasn't a great attendance. Oh well, at least Dan still got paid! We helped him pack up his gear and headed home. We were so exhausted that night.

Saturday quickly came and Dan headed to work at Best Buy and I went out to finish my Christmas shopping. I am happy to say that I am finished!! All I need is a couple stocking-stuffers but that's it. Dan hasn't even started. Best of luck to him. Later that night was the annual Glenn Family Christmas Party, and what a party it was! This year it was held at Aunt Cyndi's house. We arrived and visited cousins and relatives and we has a prime rib dinner. Soooooo goooooood! We then took some family pictures,and had a white elephant gift exchange where Dan and I ended up with a toy sword. Don't worry, I had Dan trade one of our nephews, Will, and he loved it. It was so much fun seeing everyone and catching up with everyone. I really love this season especially just for that reason. I never really grew up to become close with my cousins because I lived so far away from them, but on the Glenn side, everyone is so close and I just love that feeling.

Sunday morning came and Dan got up for his last early morning meeting of the year. Next year we meet at 1:00pm instead of 9:00am. He's pretty excited about that. I didn't make it to church because I was feeling really sick. I was so sad that I couldn't go because I really wanted to see the Christmas Sacrament Meeting. Dan went and he even blessed the sacrament, and he told me that it was probably the best Christmas Sacrament Meeting he'd ever seen. Dang it. It sounded so wonderful too. Oh well, maybe next year will be just as good. After church we had tithing settlement with the Bishop and we were the very last people that he saw. Surprise, surprise, we're the last ones. We got home and finally finished decorating our Christmas Tree. We've had it up with the lights on for weeks but never found the time to actually finish it. But we did. We then headed over to Dan's parents' house to have another dinner. And once again, it was so good. I think I've gained a lot of weight already this Christmas season! We visited and played with the kids and took some more family pictures and had a really good time.

This week, Dan and I are mostly working all of it. Dan get's Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off, but I have to work half of a day on Christmas Eve. It's tradition for the Glenn Family to go see the LDS Nativity at Heritage Park on Christmas Eve, so that's what we will be doing. Then for Christmas Day, we will be sleeping in, having a nice breakfast, and opening our gifts from each other before heading over to Dan's parents' place. Then we will be visiting there and opening a few more gifts, then going out to Carstairs to do the same thing at my parents' place. Not everyone it going to be there in my family, but on Boxing Day, we will be having the Olsen Family Christmas dinner. I am pretty excited for that too. I love spending time with my family, and we always have a lot of fun no matter what.

I am hoping to post again before the end of the year but until then, have a very Merry Christmas!

I would also like to wish my sister Amanda a very Happy 28th Birthday as of the 13 of December.

P.S.~Pictures are coming soon!

Blizzard of '09

Wow. What crazy weather we are having! We were really spoiled when we had one snow storm early October, but then it went away the next day and we were having pretty nice weather until the end of November! However, December is a different story. It started off with a snow storm at the end of November. It was bad, but not that bad.

On Friday night (Nov. 27), Dan and I decided to go out and get a movie and maybe go to the mall. Well, we got the movie, but then we were at a standstill for most of the night. It was nice to be able to talk to each other while we were waiting in traffic. We were sitting for an hour and a half just barely inching along. I guess the route that we were taking had a slight hill, and no one could get up it. We saw an ambulance coming up behind us so we pulled into the shoulder but no one else did. So we drove up the shoulder and were weaving through stuck cars that were scattered all over the road. Don't worry, we let the ambulance weave through the cars first. We had no problem making it anywhere that night. If people we more prepared, then each snowfall wouldn't be so chaotic. Calgarians don't realize where they live so they think that if there's no snow, and it's the end of November, then why should they get winter tires? This is why people! It's drivers like you who cause the majority of the accidents.

Then we were preparing ourselves for the storm that was all over the news this past weekend. It was coming and it was going to hit us hard. Friday morning at about 8:30am we started to see snow falling. Then it seemed that the sky just tipped the clouds over and it all came down so fast! And the wind was so strong it was pretty much snowing horizontally. My work closed early because of the conditions, and it's a good thing because rush hour was horrible!

The roads weren't like skating rinks this time but covered in white stuff. People had to abandon their vehicles because of snow banks and whiteout conditions. On the news they were telling everyone to stay home because there were so many road closures. Good thing we had no where to go!

I can't remember when I saw a blizzard, or even if I ever have seen a blizzard in real life. But I hope to never see one again!

On Saturday morning, there was a house fire in Citadel (NW Calgary) and it ended up burning 5 houses right down to the basement foundation because the wind was so strong that it was hard to keep up with the spreading flames, and because when the firetrucks arrived, they got stuck in the huge snowbanks in the area! Neighbors had to come out and help haul the fire hoses to the hydrants and help push/pull the trucks out. I couldn't even imagine being in that situation.