Christmas and First part of our trip

We spent Christmas Eve with the Johnson Family. Jill's sister was also there she is the one in black. We hang out with the Johnson's all the time at least once a week. Chloe is also our favorite and I think she likes us too seeing how she loves to come to our house and can say both of our names.We made gingerbread houses. Jill and I worked on this one with a little help from Adrienne. Jesse made a sweet cow but I don't know where that picture went but I will find it later.
And I guess a picture of the 2 of us would only be appropriate. Not sure what is going on with Jesse's smile but this was the best out of 5 pictures.
You can tell what we both wanted, we got each other DVD players. Now we just need an updated TV. Hmm maybe that will come one day.Don't mind Jesse but I really wanted a picture of the tree Jesse went and chopped down for our Chirstmas tree. It is a very special tree to say the least. At least we got lights on it.Our first stop was Cleveland. We went to a science museum and wanted to go on this ship but it was closed for the season. So Jesse gets his picture with it instead. Behind him is Lake Erie. We then drove around parts of his old mission which was fun seeing where he served.
I think i was the most excited to see the Newel K Whitney store and Jesse probably thought he married a little kid. I'm not sure why I was so excited to see it. I guess because i have read about it and heard about it so much in church that was just really exciting to be there in person. The coolest part is its 75% of the original building.
Took a trip of the Kirtland Temple. Its amazing how many different hands this building went through and is still in good shapeThe John Johnson farm was our favorite. The spirit there is so strong and its just amazing to think of and learn about all the church history that happened there. Below we are standing on the same steps that Joseph Smith stood on to preach. Oh and I am wearing my really sweet jacket that Jesse found at Marshalls. Its a Marmott and I LOVE it. I have worn it pretty much every day on our trip.We saw the falls American Falls at night. Maybe next time we will have our passports and can go on the Canadian side. Its still pretty from the US side.
We went on the Cave of the Winds tour. You take an elevator to the bottom of the American falls. During the summer they build boardwalk type things so you can walk out farther but its a little dangerous with the snow/ice so they take them down. We stayed pretty dry where we were and it was still cool to be down at the bottom of the falls
We went out to the view point and froze our butts off. The wind was so strong. We ran out took a picture and ran back to get out of the wind.
I will post more pictures later we are in Palmyra now and its cold. I haven't taken too many pictures because my fingers freeze when they are not in gloves. Tomorrow is on to Connecticut to see the Pearson Family!

Merry Christmas

We didn't get Christmas cards out this year. Oops I guess you are supposed to do that kind of thing when you are married. Anyways life is great and thanks to Joy you can now enjoy this song. Thanks for sharing yours Joy. Merry Christmas to everyone! -Jamie and Jesse

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

More Pictures

Last Saturday I froze my butt off along with these fine two people to take their engagement pictures. It seems every time I have pictures to take its the coldest day of the week. Taking engagement pictures are fun because the couples are always so silly. Thanks Kati and Blake!
Later Saturday afternoon I went over to my bosses house and took his family picture. It was a challenge 1 because they wanted it indoors(I don't blame them because it was cold) and 2 because those kids were hyper. I think they turned out okay not my best or favorite but hey i took them indoors and almost everyone is looking at the camera. I was so worried about having the 2 older kids look at me I guess I skipped the baby. By the way that baby is super cute.

Wilson Family

I love taking pictures but I do not love the cold. I want summer back or at least a warmer fall. Why does it have to be so cold? I thought you were always supposed to warm when pregnant...so far I still have freezing hands and feet.

This weekend

There is a little bit of fall left around here but not much. I just thought this leaf was pretty. The singles ward planned a pig roast this weekend at a member of the churches house. Jesse and I went down to help get things ready. It was freezing but so nice to be outside for a whole day.
Here is the pig on the roaster. I kind of wish we got to butcher the pig and all that fun stuff but we didn't. Bro. Locklear just bought it at the store. I was amazed at how much pig there was. We had a ton of food.
Brother Locklear has a river that runs at the back of his property. It was so pretty. He told us we could come and swim during the summer and I plan to take him up on that. He also said we could go tubing and kayaking. That might be a little challenging with a brand new baby but I think we can figure something out.
One thing I love about North Carolina are all the trees that grow in the water. I think they look so cool.
After a few hours of freezing we decided to build a fire. It was a nice big fire and it was HOT but felt sooo good.
Here are some of Brother Locklear's cows. I liked how there are pastures in the middle of all the trees
Jesse kept himself busy by chopping down stumps and trees. Now he gets to go back out in a week and get free firewood!
While Jesse worked hard I kicked up my feet and hung out by the amazing fire. I was also playing around with my camera.Some decided hugging a tree upside down was fun

Here are somethings I made for our house for Christmas
I like my fireplace I think its my favorite. Mainly because I have the ornaments we used for our
My wreath isn't so pretty but I also only spent $4.oo on it. It looks better in person too

Durfee Family

I really enjoy taking pictures. I have learned a lot recently about my camera and photoshop. I wish I had more time to learn but work gets in the way. I also really appreciate my friends who help me out and let me take picture of their cute families. This weekend I went downtown with the Durfee family and took their pictures. I was really happy with the way they turned out. Thanks Durfee Family

M Family

I love taking pictures and I love learning more about my camera. I had the opportunity to take pictures of these cute girls this week. I am really excited because I have more pictures to take this weekend. There are more on the photo blogI learned that 15 month olds do not look at the camera when you want them to

For Cathy

Sunday night the Johnsons came over for dinner and Chloe was wearing a UVU t-shirt. Cathy's team has been having some trouble so I think she needs some cheering up and how can you not smile after seeing this cute face.Here we are being silly, and Chloe not wanting to sit in my lap but in Jesse's. She LOVES Jesse but almost all kids love Jesse and he can't figure out why...heheAnyways Cathy better luck in your tournament! We love ya

Richmond

Friday I had one of the best days I have had in a long time. I hoped in my car and drove to Farmville Virginia to watch the UVU women's basketball team play. The drive was nice and it took me on a lot of back roads which were fun becasue I got to go through some cute towns and down roads like the one below. I am sad I didn't get to drive this road a couple weeks ago I can just imagine how pretty all the leaves would have been.I was so excited to see Cathy and Courtney and spend just a little bit of time with them. Cathy's team didn't do so well at the game but man it sure was fun to see them play in person and not have to listen to them on the internet. I should have taken some pictures but was to busy watching the game or texting Emily about the game (Em I really missed you at the game). Courtney couldn't make it to the game so we met her at the hotel. Below is a picture of Cathy telling me not to take her picture =) hehe I did anyways.
I had to document the fact that I did get to see Courtney and Cathy so we took some pictures
I really do love my friends and miss them so much. I wish we could all live closer.
Cathy left at 5:15 Saturday morning and Courtney and I slept in then ate a great breakfast at the hotel. We decided we wanted to go look around and see what was in Richmond. We went down to some Civil War visitor center and found this cool park with this really cool bridge. Its suspended by the over pass.
So this sign was on the bridge made us. Courtney took a picture and then I decided I should probably take one too since I liked it so much. Good to know moving vehicles are always at fault.This sign was on Belle Island and it made Courtney and I laugh because so much has happened on this little island.
Here is another picture of the cool bridge we walked on. It really is a neat bridge I can't wait to go explore more of Belle Island sometime.
This is the pretty sunset I followed while driving home. It looked a lot better in person thats for sure.
I really did have a wonderful weekend and was sad to go back home. I mean I was excited to get back home and spend time with Jesse but there was something very special about seeing old roommates and yes I consider Cathy a roommate even though I never lived with her. I can't wait to see all the Cherry Chubbs in February. Thank you Cathy for having a game close enough for me to drive and see. Thank you Courtney for driving down and playing with me.

One Project down

So I have a few projects well more than a few that I am trying to do and get done. This is a baby blanket that started years ago but then only bought one spool of each color and then ran out. Well when I went back to buy more the store didn't carry it. Well a few years later I decided to get on line and see if i could find the yarn. Well guess what I found it at Joanne's here in town and well now the blanket is done. Thank you Melanie for helping me figure out the pattern. I have to say I am pretty proud of myself for finishing this blanket. I have never crocheted a blanket before.Now its onto more projects like jean blanket, other quilt, Christmas wreath, and photography. I have a few scheduled families for the next week. Yeah I'm so excited.

Check these out

Took engagement pictures yesterday in downtown Fayetteville. It was a lot of fun and I think they turned out pretty good. Please take a look on my photo blog and let me know what you think.

Mashed Potatoes

(I forgot to take a picture but couldn't blog and not put a picture up so thanks google)

The other day I was flipping through a magazine my grandma sent me and I saw an add for mashed potatoes and cream cheese. I love cream cheese, I know its not very good for me but man it tates so good. So today for break the fast at church I decided to try out this new recipe and it is super good thats why I'm sharing it with you all.

What you need

2-2 1/2 lbs potatoes (I used a few more)

1 tub cream cheese spread either chive and onion or spinach artichoke (we use chive and onion)

1 tbsp butter or margarine

1 tsp of salt

And make mashed potatoes like you normally would.

This recipe was super super easy and the cream cheese makes the mashed potatoes creamy. I will be making this again soon thats for sure, and everyone at church seemed to like them because I didn't have any to bring home afterwards.

Its study time

Monday Jesse started his 18 delta course for Special Forces which means he gets to study a whole lot. When I got home the other night this is the stack of books I saw and my mouth just fell open.

This stack is only for the next 6 months! They go over at least 3 chapters a day and more and have a test about once a week. So pretty much I have lost my husband to his books for the next year and a half. I guess I better get some projects going.Oh and doesn't he look so happy to be studying? Good thing he has to go through this stuff now while its cold outside and not during the summer. Well I guess this program is a year long but the hard part is the first 6 months