The Holidays in Iowa

We opened some of our presents in Provo before we left for Iowa.






















We always act out the nativity scene on Christmas Eve. Brandon and I were wise men this year.


















We also had a snowman pinata.














We have a tradition on Christmas Eve of eating rice pudding and whoever gets the shaved almond gets to open a present for the family. The present was Disney Princess Pez. Trevor and Brandon were sure stoked about that :)



For Christmas, the 4 oldest girls in our family went to the spa for the day. My mom is a receptionist at this spa. It's the St. Luke's hospital Women's Spa and it is such a gorgeous and amazing place. There is no place on earth that gives a better massage, facial, pedicure, manicure, waxing job, you name it. So we all had an amazing day and came home with shiny smooth faces, relaxed muscles, stylin fingers and toes, perfect eyebrows, and renewed spirits. It was such a treat.























After hearing about our day at the spa, the rest of the family wanted in on it so my mom created a spa night for everyone. My dad helped her light candles, set up chairs, play relaxing music, hand out vitamin water, and gather enough blankets, pillows, heating pads, socks, eye masks for everyone. My mom warmed up her paraffin wax and we all got paraffin hands and feet. My sister Abigail gave massages. My mom taught a few yoga moves. We all had a great time.
























































Amanda celebrated her 21st birthday. Her birthday cake was to die for! It was raspberry mousse with a yellow cake and chocolate layers and frosting. Yum.







Happy New Year 2008! We watched National Treasure and turned it off to do the countdown, drink some Martinelli's, sing Auld Lang Syne, go a little crazy, and then we finished the movie :)































So there's the tradition of saving the top of your wedding cake and eating it on your one year anniversary. Well ours has been in my family's freezer for a year and a half so while we were there my mom said we'd better eat it or at least take a picture because she was going to get rid of it. The cake wasn't so pretty anymore but we had to at least take a picture. Then I got the idea of shoving the cake all over Brandon's face because we didn't do that at our reception and I think a part of me always wanted to do it.





So while Brandon wasn't paying attention and posing for the camera, I did it. Brandon could have gotten me back really bad but he's too nice and just got me a little bit.













For Amanda and Blair's birthdays, we went to Red Robin for dinner.

Blair's birthday is actually January 19th but we always celebrate it while we're home for the holidays. She turned 6 this year!



We had such a fun few weeks at my house for the holidays and we can't wait to see them again!



-Amy