December's top 10

Hey it's almost February! So here's what we loved about December...(makes sense,right?)

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1. Friend time
I spent a lot of time in December waiting out the traffic after work, instead of sitting in it, which means doing what I do best: EATING! There were many trips to Porto's and Olive and Thyme (my current 2 favorite places) and if I can't be with Ryan, these friends of mine are a close second choice. 

2. Christmas festivities, (obviously) including:
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The CONAN Christmas party at Koi:

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Getting our Christmas tree! Also sleeping by it for a few nights, and Ryan crying during Elf...

3. Our 2 year anniversary!
We had thrown around a lot of ideas and almost booked hotels in San Diego twice, and then ended up doing the only thing we really wanted to do: relax at home. It was so nice. We also canceled dinner plans at The Deck in Laguna to eat at the Cheescake Factory...we NEEDED that fried macaroni and cheese!!! 

We ended the night at the most glorious place in all of the world: Island Cinemas at Fashion Island in Newport. It's amazing, it just is. No annoying commercials or music before the theatre, only movie soundtracks playing and a hostess welcoming you before the previews. Big leather recliners, food and desserts that you can have brought into you during the show..!! I felt like I had died and gone to the dreamiest of heavens! We saw The Hobbit at a late showing, and I just knew I was going to fall asleep, so I ordered a coke to be brought in an hour into the show to wake me up - and I DID fall asleep and it DID wake me up! It was just great. Ok I'll stop. It was a great anniversary. 

4. SNOW in Utah!

5. CHRISTMAS!

6. Metcalf family time. Not pictured: The Christmas Carol tradition at Hale Center theatre

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Game night with the siblings - so very fun:

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A funny video in horrible quality that is very possibly only funny if you were there:

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Family pictures which I should have worn make up in:

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Cute Jordie's baby shower:

7. Dodson family time. Not pictured - skyping with Brother from New Mexico!
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The face of a happy dad receiving Surfin Donuts all the way from Mission Viejo:

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Birthday dinner for Tis at Sundance:

Visiting my dad's office and lunch with the family in Provo:

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Shopping at City Creek:

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8. Getting our new car (Finally)

9. Keeping up the tradition from last year, we spent New Years Eve at Hotel Park City with the Gunters thanks to our Dad. It's so pretty there and we just had so much fun!

Just....don't ask.

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10. Seeing Ryan's grandparents in St.George, which I guess technically was in January, but we don't get to see them often and it was really special to Ryan. 

Almost all of these things need their own post but hey, what can you do? I started this post a month ago, you know, when December was still a recent topic, and rambled about feeling excited for a new year, new goals and trying to figure out what I want out of my current life/work situation/immediate future. This past month has been a great start to this year, and although I have no idea what this year will hold for us (which really stresses me out) I'm slowly finding peace with that.

And I have to say, I've always considered myself a snow and mountains person, but it felt so amazing coming back to Laguna after our Utah trip, and the 75 degrees has felt perfect the past few weeks. I think I can officially say I'm good to live here...forever!!?

Heisler Park in Laguna. As far as my favorite places in the entire world go, where I feel 

the happiest: 

1. The temple

2. Disneyland

3. Here

And it's a close runner up to Disneyland, which is saying a lot.