Merry Christmas

I received this picture from an email... It reminded me of a good ol' Wyoming Christmas:

If I show this to my dad, he will do the same... no doubt.

I can't wait to go to Wyoming to spend Christmas with the fam!

Hizzle and Bizzle

(fo doz hoo get bizzy widit)

In the Sager House, there is no such thing as a 'Birthday.' It is really a 'BirthWEEK.' Yes, we celebrate birthdays for an entire week, and it is the best tradition.

SUNDAY:

I started out my birthday week going to Kaari's fabulous Cookie Swap. This year, I decided to make my sister's delicious recipe of "Oreo Truffles."

Last year, I took 2nd place. The competition was fierce this year, and I did not place. But, I did get to swap out my Oreo Truffles for about 20 different types of cookies. Bring on the calories...

Thanks, Kaari, for a great cookie swap!

MONDAY:

At school, I learned waxing. This may be TMI, but I waxed my armpits for the first time. I am sold. No more shaving my pits!

WEDNESDAY:

On my actual birthday, Kyle treated me to some great gifts. Some of my faves - a pair of knee-high Christmas socks:

And my Babyliss Pro Hair Dryer. Yes, I picked it out!

Then, we headed out to Flemmings for the ultimate Filet Mignon. Excellent. They even brought me a molten-lava cake with a candle on it (courtesy of Kristen M. - one of my friends from school who works there).

Afterwords, we stopped by to see some friends, and she made me cupcakes. You are the best, Kara!

FRIDAY:

Then, on Friday night, Kyle told me we were going to a Christmas Party for his work. He said he had to stop by a friend's house to borrow a red tie (something he does not have). As we pulled up to the house, he asked me to come in with him and say hi to the Smiths. When they opened the door, there was a little surprise waiting. Kyle had planned me a small surprise birthday party, and I was absolutely shocked. (I even thought that we were crashing a party already in progress...haha). He did an excellent job at keeping this party a secret!

Since we are becoming dutch oven fanatics, all of the food was made dutch oven style, including the birthday cake.

Kyle also planned some fun birthday party games... which, although we did laugh at the dumb ideas, they were a really good time.

(The push the small rubber ball with only your nose game (aka: rear in the air game)). Barnards have this down.

SUNDAY:

I am so mad that I don't have pictures of this, because this was one of the best nights of the BirthWEEK. We got together with some friends and had a CAFE RIO night. Living out here in California is great, but it really makes me miss Cafe Rio. So, we found the recipes for the sweet pork, rice, Cafe Rio House Dressing, and the mild green sauce. And, with these ingredients, we were able to make our very own Pork Burritos (enchilada style), and Pork Salads. They were SO GOOD! It may not have been the real Cafe Rio, but it was pretty dang close, and we were all in heaven eating the great food. Thanks to the Barnards and Ashbys for contributing to all the Cafe Rio goodness.

MONDAY:

On Monday, we went to the annual Bethlehem exhibit that one of the churches puts on. It is always amazing to see how much work goes into this live nativity, including the wise man riding a camel:

It was a bit cold that night:

As you can see, my BirthWEEK was a great (extended) week. Thanks to everyone for all the birthday wishes.

Turkey and More

This year, we were not able to go visit our families for Thanksgiving. So, we decided to make the entire meal. After lots of cooking, we went over to the Smith's house for a great Thanksgiving feast.

This was the first time I had ever cooked a turkey. I forgot to take the lid off, so the turkey didn't get very "brown." But, it was very moist, and very yummy.

And, here is "Paul's World Famous Secret Recipe Stuffing." (Paul is my dad.) This stuff rocks... Stove Top Stuffing is non-existent in the Stevens' Family.

Kyle's mom makes the best candied yams. Here they are. I love food traditions - can you tell?!?!

Kristen made her beautiful 14 layer jello.

Kyle and I were so excited to eat the food! Here we are in front of the Turkey, stuffing, yams, potatoes, and frosted cauliflour. The rolls and homemade cranberry sauce are not shown. There was so much food for only 4 people.

I know I look really silly. But I was just so excited to eat!

The boys after the big feast. They were so full:

But not full enough to eat this little puppy!

(Mom, the crust looked so cute. You taught me well, and you would have been proud.)

After the big feast, we had a ton of left over turkey. We ate as many turkey sandwiches as our little stomaches could handle. Then, we turned the turkey into an amazing Turkey Noodle Soup. My mom did this every Thanksgiving, and I I had to carry on the tradition.

Smith's - thank you so much for hosting our Thanksgiving Dinner.

BYU

Mr. Barnard - this one is for you!

~~~Go Cougars~~~