Let me sum up.

   We went to a hockey game with some of Bryce's family while they were up in SLC for Thanksgiving. Hockey is fun to watch, especially with all the intensity/fights in the arena. One of our favorite quotes from one of the other fans was, "Drop the puck, chubby!"  and the same guy called the referee Petey a few times, so we thought maybe he knows him haha. Also, during a break in the game, there was a kiss cam to find couples in the crowd for the big screens. The camera people zoomed in on Pete and Aeme and they kissed, but sitting right next to them was Tyler... making a funny almost disgusted face, probably showing off for the camera haha wish we had a picture of that moment.

^ Some of the family

Tyler left on his mission! To Mississippi. We were glad to spend time with the family and see him before he left for the MTC. We know he'll be a great missionary, and it sounds like he's enjoying his mission so far. 

We had fun seeing some of the Mills at the family adult Christmas party! The white elephant gift exchange was a bit lengthy and silly, but we came away with some cute decorations. The party planners (Frank and Lavon, I think) did a great job, simple and amazing. It was great to see everyone that was there :-)

We found Monopoly at Walmart for pretty cheap, so we decided to get it. I guess we started a new holiday tradition... play monopoly until unreasonable hours of the night while listening to Christmas music!

I thought that this Christmas present that Bryce got online was pretty funny... haha 

(Picture from one of our fun date nights, we got to see Frozen and eat some yummy In and Out Burgers!) Oh yeah, and it snows a lot. We're getting used to it, but it's definitely colder than we're used to. Yay for snow shovels and ice-melter salt stuff... And yay for heaters and warm clothes. Anyway... 

We were super excited and determined to try and find a bigger Christmas tree this year, because last year we just used a little bitty one. Bryce found an awesome one at Savers thrift store. Yay!  It had some lights out for a while, but Bryce found a light fixer thing and he made the tree all bright and lovely again!  

(Pajama present on Christmas eve tradition... with our lil' tree... we got some comfy pj's,woo!) Christmas was a fun day!

And a random picture of a food we just discovered. "Buckeyes"  ... incredibly rich delicious and a kind of easy recipe if you have a million powdered sugar. Here's a link to someone's recipe if you want to try these bad boys. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/buckeyes-i/

Merry Christmas and happy holidays all you cool people!

Love, Us

Happy December!

It's not Christmas yet, but Merry Christmas to you, our amazing family and friends! I read a quote somewhere that said "Today is next year's Christmas memories, make it one that you will always cherish."     I don't know about anyone else, but sometimes in the holiday season... I forget to stop and think. December is a busy month with all the ward/work/family parties, college finals for some, work, and all the other things that seem to happen right near Christmas. It's good to recognize that the time to enjoy Christmas is right now, and we don't have to overwhelm ourselves with the cultural holiday to-do's. The messages in our church today had a lot to do with remembering the true meaning of Christmas. We celebrate the Savior's birth, but we also celebrate His life and His love for us. He is the reason that we can have hope and happiness, and He has already given us the greatest gift.  Everything about Christmas can be symbolic and turn us towards Christ. When I realize that, and when I stop and think, Christmas becomes more meaningful and Christmas spirity.  We feel extremely grateful to have such incredible family and friends. You all mean a lot to us and we hope you're doing well wherever you are! 

(On a side note... and definitely off topic haha... we won some tickets to go and see The Hobbit and Frozen this month. They are awesome movies, we recommend them!) What are some of your favorite holiday movies and traditions? We're beginning to make our own traditions and it's fun to celebrate Christmas in our first home that we plan to live in for longer than a year yay! We've moved once every year since we got married and it feels great to live in a nice place that we can stay in for a while. We're grateful to be in an amazing ward and have great neighbors. (On another side note, I'm so so proud of Bryce for doing so great in all of his college classes this semester. He is working full time and working on his Master's degree at the same time. He spent a lot of time writing quite a few papers for his finals this month, and he got A's in his classes. He amazes me evvvery-day. I'm grateful to be married to the most amazing man I know.)

 Anyways, Merry Christmas everyone! 

We hope your 2013 has been great and that you have a happy New Year! 

Love, Bryce and Tiah...

 Eskeleto