Christmas in Colorado

Collin and I made it to Thornton just in time to catch the tail end of the festivities at Grandma Shirley's house. We missed the program of songs being played and sung, Santa's visit and Grandma reading the Nativity story while the grand and great grandchildren act out the parts. Apparently, it was chaos as usual. Grandma and Grandpa are so generous and give everyone more than necessary. I love watching them open gifts at the very end.

We went home to my parents house afterwards and just relaxed before going to bed. Jen and Dustin hung out for a while before going home for the night. Another great part of the night, was to talk to Collin's parents on Skype. For those of you who don't know, they are in Uganda, Africa on a mission. They are so sweet and it was great to talk to them for a while. Even though we can talk to them whenever we want, it was special to talk to them on their Christmas morning.

My parents gave us girls matching pj's which is a fun tradition. Gotta love the red w/ white polka dots! All my syblings were in town for Christmas this year, which made it so fun to have all the kids there together. We first watched "O Holy Night." It is such a great little video (only about 4 minutes), with paintings of Christ's life set to the songs.

We got started with opening gifts, and the best gift of the day was from Jen and Dustin to my parents. They gave them a brick that said "TRAIL" on it. Ever since they were engaged, they joked around how they were going to name their first baby Brick. (Jen is entirely opposed to the name, but likes to entertain Dustin's thoughts.) Anyway, my mom picked up on it immediately, as you can see in the video.

Next year, Emily will have her twins and Jen will also have a baby! 3 additions to our growing family. And although it would be fun, no, we are not feeling any pressure to add another to the crew. Sorry! :)

After the baby surprise, we made breakfast and hung out until it was time to go to Grandmas house again for dinner. Collin and Dustin thought it was a great idea to shovel the sport court in the backyard so they could play Horse. They crack me up. It was freezing, but that had fun anyway.

I helped my mom make the Apple Pie she's perfected over the years. I didn't slice my finger with the peeler this time, so it was a success. We finished up and took the potatoes, pies, and the tenderloing. Dinner was delish, of course, and hanging out with everyone was so fun too. I love being home with family. We had prayed that the time there would feel longer than it really was, and that it'd go by slow enough to take it all in, and that's exactly what happened. I loved it!

After Grandma's house: Part 2, the Denney's came over and played Catch Phrase with us (My parents, Jen/Dustin, Collin/Me). We played girls vs. boys. It was so fun to have so many of us playing together. I love the Denney's. They are my favorite 2nd family, and I love the relationship we all have together. My mom/Sheri. My dad/Craig. Us/Brett, Kristy, Kim. It's so fun to have such great friends. We're so blessed. YAY!!!! :)

Our 1st Christmas!

As mentioned in previous posts, Collin and I celebrated our first married Christmas this year. Since we were heading to Denver on Christmas Eve, we had our own little Christmas on the 23rd. First, we went to the temple after work, which was the absolutely most perfect place to go to feel the intensity of our Savior's love. Then, Collin took me to "Elements" for dinner (SO delish...). We got home and got into some jammies for a few pics. I set the timer on the camera and this is what came out.

Then, we started opening up our stockings. Collin made me a beautiful bracelet (he's SO talented with all this Goldsmithing he's been doing). Most of it is silver, except the ring in the center and the toggle on the back are yellow gold. If you've seen his Wedding band(s), he has 4 separate rings... 3 are platinum and 1 is yellow gold. So, the bracelet he made is kinda matchymatchy with his rings. And I love it. It was totally a crier. So, here's the bracelet along with the other 2 rings he's made me. (I didn't realize that I'd never put up pictures of them.)

His stocking has some fancy running socks, micron pens and WiiMadden2010. His reaction? "Can we open the rest of the presents later, and play Madden for the rest of the night?" :) He was joking, but so cute nonetheless. We opened the rest of our gifts, switching off back and forth, watching each other. I was extremely impressed with Collin's choices of gifts. He did quite well; he never ceases to amaze me.

We both got each other Nike running shoes, which was a surprise (on my end). He had guessed that gift the day they came in the mail. I couldn't believe it, but I couldn't lie and say they were something else. He likes them though, so it all worked out.

Anyway, we had a great 1st Christmas together! After work on Christmas Eve, we flew to Denver to spend the holiday with my family! It was short but wonderful. More to come on that tomorrow.

2009 In Review

My internal battle over sending Christmas Cards ended almost as quickly as it started. Needless to say, I didn't send any out. My logic got the best of me, and since we had sent out Announcements and thank you's with photos, I talked myself out of sending another picture of the Newlywed Rotheys.

So, here's our year in review:

January: Wedding planning? I can't even remember 01/09. I wasn't as good at documenting on the blog then.

February: Collin turned 27. More Wedding planning. Went to CO for a Bridal shower.

March: Collin and Traci got married in Denver, CO. No more commuting between Logan and Provo for visits. Finally living in the same city (LOGAN, UT) for the first time since 2006.

April: Collin's parents left for their Mission in Uganda, Africa. Traci got a part time job @ Hallmark in Logan!

May: Rothey's go to CO for Jen's Bridal shower.

June: Rothey's went to CO for Jen & Dustin Trail's wedding!! Traci turned 25. Collin finished goldsmithing his first ring (Mozambique Garnet).

July: Rothey's went to the Red Roof Cabin (Island Park, ID) for 4th of July & ran 5k. CO for Traci's Moms Bday!

August: Traci quit Hallmark and started the new/current job @ Chase Bank!

Sept: Rothey's hit their 6 month anniversary!!!

Oct: Emily & Aaron (and boys) came to visit and stayed a wknd with us! Sanders and Denneys come to visit for the Halloween wknd. Collin finishes his 2nd ring for me(fabrication, this time... Blue Topaz).

Nov: Collin's sister, Casey, marries Steve Nichols!!! Rothey's went to CO for "Wicked" wknd. Had Thanksgiving with Denneys in Alpine.

Dec: Rothey's celebrate their first married Christmas together (and celebrate the 1 yr anniv of our engagement on Christmas Day). Rothey's head to CO for a quick Christmas vaca to spend with the Thornton's.

We have had a great year and are extremely grateful to our Savior, Jesus Christ, who has made all things possible. We are grateful for our testimonies of His Gospel and for all that we have. We hope everyone has a fabulous Christmas!!! Travel safely, whether you're flying, driving or staying! May 2010 be a wonderful year for everyone!!!

Winter in Logan

Driving to work yesterday was such a delight. All the trees were covered in frost. It was absolutely gorgeous. Unfortunatly, my camera is somewhere yet to be determined, so I couldn't take a pictures. Chances are, though, that next time the frost comes, I'll have my pretty little camera back in my purse or somewhere of the like.

A few weeks ago, we took a little drive after a full saturday of festivites (baptism, wedding, reception, etc). The fog was hovering over the town, and we drove by the temple. It was absolutely gorgeous; the pictures don't do it justice. But here they are nonetheless.

Ode to Carly...

Feliz cumpleanos, Carlita! Happy Quarter of a Century! 25=big deal! Carly = BIGGER deal! Carly's birthday is actually tomorrow, December 19th, but I have had this post finished for a week, and I just can't wait any longer! So, here goes:

I haven't even started typing about all the fabulous things about her, and I'm already getting that shortness of breath, the quivering chin, goosebumps on your arms and the funny sensation you get right before the tears start coming. But its a happy cry, because Miss Charlotte is absolutely AMAZING!!

It all started in Chipman Hall of Helaman Halls at BYU in August of 2002. Such a long time ago. I remember "googling" her and reading about her incredible High School basketball career; specifically, her game winning free-throws AND finding out she's also a genius AKA Gordon B. Hinckle Scholar. If anyone doesn't know what that means, just know you gotta be crazy genius to earn that scholarship.

After Helaman Halls, we moved our little bubble we created in the dorms into the BC Bubble. Good old Bountiful Court. What a crazy place! Enough said! Then, we got to live together finally as roommates! Good times on 5th East!

We have so many memories together! To name a few (in no particular or chronological order): TRIPS (Colorado, Lake Powell, DC), going to BYU football, basketball and volleyball games (we have a lot of studs for athlete friends, don't we?), Stairmaster on the steps behind the condo, Pillowtalk while we were room roommates (some of the best convos ever), visiting Ms. Walton's math class, teaching me everything from the "Living Earth" presentation to tidbits of her fabulous Isaiah course.

Trust me! The list goes ON and ON! I could go on for days about her!!!

Carly has been such a rock of friendship for me over the last seven and a half years! Even when she moved her smarty pants to DC to go to LAW school, the distance still didn't put a dent in our friendship (because of her... she's the rock, like I said).

I have learned so many things from Carly, and I love everything she is! Her testimony. Her genius intelligence. Her whitty personality. Her hilarious humor. She's Dangerous! She makes me funny! EVERYTHING! She's phenomenal, and it's not every day you whip out the "phenom" word! I love you, Carly! :)

New doo!!!!!

Ta Da!!!

So, I'm pretty much obsessed with getting my hair done. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's how fresh a new cut feels. Maybe it's the slightest change bringing a bit of pizazz to my life. I don't know. But I love it!

Needless to say, after a few months of no hair cut, I was ready! My hair was getting to that awful awkward length where it hits the absolutely wrong spot on my shoulders. eh hem.. if you have your hair at this length, I'm sure you pull it off perfectly, but I on the other hand, do not! :)

When I lived in Provo, I would get my hair done all the time by my Nordy Girl friend, Tillie. She's fantastic. If anyone in Utah Valley needs a new girl, she's the one! I've already gotten a few friends to fall in love with her too! When I moved up to Logan, I had no idea what I was going to do, but luckily Collin made great friends in his last singles ward. The gnomes are great. I love following all their blogs and having them over to watch SYTYCD and such. One of them, Riana, is also phenomenal at hair! She's cut it, colored it, and done all sorts of stuff, and every time, she keeps impressing me!

So, this is the most recent product of her magic!

This is the new doo! :) And if you're wondering, I definitely took off my work sweater in the bathroom and took the photo with my blackberry in a stall! Don't judge me!

Freezing Friday for Friends & Fun

:) This last Friday, Collin and I met a whole bunch of friends down in Salt Lake City for a night of fun. We knew it was going to be frigid, but of course that was worth it to get in the Holiday Tradition of seeing the Lights at Temple Square and to be with great friends.

Brett & Kristy Denney, Skyler & Melissa Sanders, Carly & Spencer Williams (they're engaged to be married May 10th), Bree and Cory Blomquist (engaged to be married June 19th ish), Abbey & Taylor Zmoos (dating, and loving it). What a group! We even got to meet up with my beautiful cousin Anna for a bit! What a joy!!!!

The night did not disappoint. There was a whole slew of us, and I even loved seeing people from afar that I knew from some point in my BYU/Provo experience. It was a blessed evening. We met in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building by the BIG tree while everyone met up. Then we walked around the Square and saw all the lights, the Nativities and everyone there to bask in the Christmas Spirit. I just loved it.

Of course, we ended up freezing freezing!!!! Collin, Bree and Cory were all wearing Vans and their poor little toes were froze. Carly and I felt bad as we were in our comfy cozy UGGS! :)

All in all, it was a fabulous night, and it was such a blast getting together to visit with eachother. That's what I love about this season, is realizing what is truly most important in life. It's not about the gifts, or the lights even, it's know what Jesus Christ did in His life for all of us so that we could come to Earth and live and meet so many wonderful people and return to Him some day. What a blessing to know what Christmas is REALLY about. Him, His life, His love for us, and how blessed we are!! :) I love it! Merry Christmas everyone!

INSPIRING ... to the max!

If you want to read something inspiring, or even if you just haven't heard about it before...

...GO TO...

nieniedialogues.blogspot.com

Seriously! This is the most incredible person I have ever read about in my life! I had seen multiple friends of mine with her blog on theirs, but I was never much into the whole "blogstalking strangers" thing (that much...). Anyway, she is one phenomenal person! So, I think you should read about her too! :)

I'm just in awe!

Birthday Sister!

Happy Birthday to Jen! Today is Decemeber 13th and it's my sisters birthday. Unfortunately, I can't be in Colorado to spend the day with her. She's pretty fantastic though. She's taught me a lot over the years, and we have some awesome sweet connections.

We both drove Subarus (she has since gotten a new volvo, but still). We both worked at Nordstrom (she still does and could pretty much run the place on her own... we're both Nordy girls). We both got married in 2009, throwing my mom a few curveballs with 2 weddings to pull off. We're both hilarious and have great laughs.

OK OK! Its HER birthday... not OUR birthday. But my point is, she's pretty awesome, so why wouldn't I want to be like her?

Jen is so giving. She uses her great job for the benefit of others. I remember her always bringing our nieces and nephews little gifts and winning their love, not like there was ever any competition. She's the favorite aunt; ask any one of them. Jen is SO much fun, too! She and Dustin are that couple that you always want to hang out with. I went to Lake Powell with them and their friends this summer and it was SUCH a blast. They are pretty rad! Collin and I are planning a trip to Costa Rica, or somewhere awesome, and are hoping they come with us! We know it'll be more fun!

Anyway, Jen is fabulous, and it's her birthday! I love her!!

Happy Birthday, Jen!