Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Happy Birthday Brody!

I can't believe we're here! I thought of this day once or twice and here it is! Brother, it's your Birthday! Not just any birthday but your 18th Birthday! Congratulations, you survived eighteen years of torture from me, your big sister. I know there were a couple times through out the years that I honestly tried to kill you. But I guess you grew on me because I love you more than you'll ever know!

Once upon a time you were short, loud and really obnoxious. Now you're tall, loud and still obnoxious. But don't let my choice of words fool you. I really do love you! Anyways, I'll avoid making this a long, sentimental, sappy, tear jerker of a blog (as much as I would LOVE to make it just that) and just say... Happy Birthday Brody. I'm Really Proud of You!

Love Always,
Your (little) Big Sister

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Where is my Winter Wonderland?

What's this? What's this? I feel like I'm in Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas but instead of stumbling upon a Winter Wonderland, I'm smack dab in the middle of a dry, hot and snow less Christmas Season! What's this? a palm tree with lights? Where are the cute sweaters and adorable pea coats? What happened to snow boots sitting, dripping with water by the front door? What's this? Blow up lawn ornaments of Santa! Where are the children running, laughing and throwing snow balls? In their bulky coats and cute hats with warm mittens to match. What's this? Plastic Christmas Trees  lighting up dark windows that are outlined with fake frost.  What's this? Star Bucks Ornaments....?  Where are the snow flakes cut from paper made right at home and proudly displayed in those windows?

 It's already the Third of December and still there are only a handful of people who are getting into the spirit of Christmas. A few houses on each block have even bothered to celebrate the season with lights. Driving through the housing developments on base is boring. I figured everyone would be setting up lights right after Thanks Giving but I figured wrong and I'm disappointed!

I'm so ready for Christmas to be here, singing the silly songs we learned growing up like "Batman Jingle Bell" and of course the classics like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and I'll be Home for Christmas. I am so excited to walk through the 'man made forest' of the pine trees, searching for the tallest, roundest and fullest tree to take home and decorate! I want my home to smell of cold pine needles, freshly baked sugar cookies and the sweet aroma of hot cocoa. I can't wait to hang out stockings begging to be filled with goodies and surprises from Santa! So badly do I want to show Boston that the snow is white and cold, that you have to bundle up snugly before heading out for a few hours of sledding. He's going to go nuts for hot cocoa, such a warm sweet concoction of chocolaty goodness! Oh Utah, I miss you terribly. I can't wait to see your snow covered mountain tops.