Happy Anniversary!

Christmas Tree Ornaments

Like many of you, my family had the tradition of getting a new ornament each year for Christmas that would represent something we each did that year. We still have all of ours at my mom's house, which makes it fun to go home and see them all on the tree. Nick and I started doing the same. The only one missing is from our time in California this summer-I just haven't found the right ornament yet. Here are some of the great things we have done during the last 2 years captured forever in Christmas tree ornaments!

When you combine all the years both Nick and I spent at BYU it adds up to 11! That definitely deserves an ornament :)

We were able to go with the family to pick up Peter from his mission in Alaska-thanks Mom & Dad Jepsen! I love this ornament with the northern lights in the background!

This helps me remember how cute my Kindergarten students really were!

A trip to Philadelphia to visit Candy & Tony-we miss you guys.

Riding on the Polar Express with the niece and nephews. It doesn't get much better than that.

Semester in Nauvoo. Some of my best and most long-lasting friends were made there. There is no way to express how much I love that place. Nick and I got to visit before they tore down the Joseph Smith Academy. I'm glad I got to share it with him.

Our first Christmas.

Two summers in DC (and many years to come).

My friend the author.

I am so proud of my friend, Tiffany. She has written her first book! It is on Zion National Park and is part of the Images of America series put out by Arcadia publishing. We got to see her this week at her book signing. It was really quite exciting! It sounded like quite a task collecting the pictures and stories to include. She is an amazing historian and I'm sure it's not the last the world has heard of her! Congratulations Tiff!

Christmas Album Of The Day!

Peace On Earth
by Casting Crowns
*Click on the title/artist to listen to 30-second samples on artistdirect.com*

Track List:
1. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
2. O Come All Ye Faithful
3. Joy To The World
4. While You Were Sleeping
5. Silent Night
6. God Is With Us
7. Away In A Manger
8. Christmas Offering
9. Sweet Little Jesus Boy
10. O Come, O Come Emmanuel (instrumental)

Casting Crowns was featured on last night's broadcast of Christmas In Washington. My favorites are While You Were Sleeping, I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day, O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, Away In A Manger, and O Come, O Come Emmanuel.

Decorating For Christmas

I love decorating for Christmas! It is hard in a small apartment with little shelf space to fit in all of the decorations that I love. This year I used most, but some had to stay in their boxes and wait for another year.

My favorite part of decorating is that it brings back so many memories. I thought I would share this year's decorations and the memories that came as I put them up!

This is the Christmas tree Nick and I bought last year for our first Christmas. I can remember our spontaneous trip to Big Lots. We weren't thinking of getting a tree, but we saw a great deal and couldn't resist. It was so much fun to pick out the ornaments together!

Here is the top of our bookcase. It is filled with all sorts of treasures. We got the sparkly icicle decoration at a random clearance sale they were having at Kneader's after a breakfast with one of my good friends from BYU. When I got it out I thought of her!

These are some of my favorites. I just LOVE this picture of me with my brother and sister. It was my first Christmas. Jenn's and my matching pajamas, getting a hug from Matthew and the fire in the background captures the best of my family!
The little snowman sliding on his belly was a gift from one of my amazing friends from Price. It makes me smile every time I see it and think of her!

Dedee made the JOY sign one year for Christmas-I can really appreciate it because I know she isn't the 'crafty' type! This year I used the cute little holly berry wreath my mom gave me as the O.

This is one of my most prized possessions. When my Grandma passed away, she left a little bit of money for each of the grand kids. Our moms encouraged us to use the money on something that would be a special keepsake to remind us of Grandma. Jenn and I chose this beautiful figure of a woman playing the piano. My Grandma loved music. The flowers are from one of her funeral spreads. We miss you, Grandma.

Christmas Album Of The Day!

It's A Wonderful Christmas
by Michael W. Smith

Track List:
1. Christmas Angels
2. It's A Wonderful Christmas (instrumental)
3.The Promise
4. Song For The King (instrumental)
5. Christmas Day (featuring Mandisa)
6. A Highland Carol (instrumental)
7. Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah
8. What Child Is This? (instrumental)
9. Son Of God
10. Audrey's Gift (instrumental)
11. All Year Long

This is Michael W. Smith's third Christmas album. This one is fun because, like Amy Grant, since he's already done most of the traditional songs, he sings some less-common songs.
I really like Christmas Angels, It's A Wonderful Christmas, Song For The King, Christmas Day, and All Year Long.

Cold, Cold, Cold!

It has been so cold today. I looked forward to walking into my classroom this morning because we usually roast in there, and for once I was looking forward to being hot. To my dismay, it was like a walk-in freezer. Brrrrrr!!!!! I was really glad that I had scheduled to use the computer lab when I was taking roll first period and it actually started to SNOW in my classroom. That's right, since they haven't covered the air conditioning units yet, there was snow blowing in through the top vent. Needless to say, I wore my coat and scarf all day long, having to hide the really cute new birthday outfit I was wearing. Shucks.

Christmas Album Of The Day!

Christmas
by Jaci Velasquez
*Click on the title/artist to listen to 30-second samples on Artistdirect.com*

Track List:
1. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
2. The Angel Song
3. The First Noel
4. White Christmas
5. It Wouldn't Be Christmas
6. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
7. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
8. I'll Be Home For Christmas
9. Season Of Love (with Pete Orta)
10. The Christmas Song
11. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
12. Feliz Navidad

"Christmas" is another great find in my search for new holiday music. I thought the entire album was great! If you want a few new songs, get The Angel Song, It Wouldn't Be Christmas and Season Of Love.

Christmas Album Of The Day!

The Christmas Box
by Paul Cardall
*Click on the title/artist to listen to 30 second samples on Amazon.com*

Track List:
1. Angels We Have Heard On High
2. Our Little Angel
3. Away In A Manger
4. The Widow's Mansion
5. Jenna's Dance
6. The Den
7. Diamonds for Stones
8. The Christmas Box
9. The First Noel
10. What Child Is This?
11. A Change Of Heart
12. Joy To The World
13. Still, Still, Still
14. The Stone Angel
15. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
16. The First Gift
17. Silent Night

This album is so beautiful! I haven't read the book or seen the movie for such a long time that I can't even remember what happens. My sister reads it every year and her recent post reminded me about this album. It is all piano music, and is just peaceful and wonderful to have playing during the day. Buy the album if you get a chance, I don't think you'll regret it! It is one you can actually play all year long and not feel like you're listening to Christmas.

Christmas Album of the Day!

Songs of Joy & Peace
by Yo-Yo Ma & Friends
*Click on the artist/title to listen to 30-second samples on Artistdirect.com*

Track List:
1. Dona Nobis Pacem (Give Us Peace) (Yo-Yo Ma, cello)
2. You Couldn't Be Cuter (Diana Krall, piano and vocals; John Clayton, bass)
3. Joy To The World (Dave Brubeck, piano; Matt Brubeck, cello; Paquito D'Rivera, clarinet)
4. Here Comes The Sun (James Taylor, guitar and vocals)
5. Improvisation on Dona Nobis Pacem (Edgar Meyer, bass; Chris Thile, mandolin)
6. The Wassail Song/All Through The Night (Edgar Meyer, bass; Chris Thile, mandolin)
7. A Christmas Jig/Mouth Of The Tobique Reel (Natalie MacMaster, fiddle)
8. The Wexford Carol (Alison Krauss, vocals)
9. Panxolina: A Galician Carol (Cristina Pato, bagpipes)
10. Improvisation on Dona Nobis Pacem (Sergio Assad & Odair Assad, guitar)
11. Vassourinhas (Sergio Assad & Odair Assad, guitar)
12. Imrpvisation on Dona Nobis Pacem (Paquito D'Rivera, clarinet; Alen Y
13. Invitacion Al Danzon (Paquito D'Rivera, clarinet; Alon Yavnai, piano)
14. My One and Only Love (Joshua Redman, tenor sax)
15. Familia (The Assad Family)
16. Concorida (Dave Brubeck, piano; Matt Brubeck, cello)
17. My Favorite Things (Chris Botti, trumpet)
18. Touch the Hand of ove (Renee Fleming, soprano; Edgar Meyer, bass; Chris Thile, mandolin)
19. Kuai Le (Wu Tong, sheng and vocals; The Silk Road Ensemble)
20. This Little Light of Mine (Amelia Zirin-Brown, vocals)
21. Happy Xmas/War Is Over (Jake Shimabukuro)
22. Donas Nobis Pacem (Chris Botti, trumpet)

I thought I would really enjoy this album, but it isn't one of my all-time favorites. I think if you enjoy more classical/world music, you could enjoy most of the songs.
It is an album titled "Songs of Joy & Peace" so only a few of them are actually Christmas songs, the rest are exactly that, songs of joy and peace!
The songs I enjoyed were: Joy to the World, The Wassail Song/All Through The Night, The Wexford Carol, My Favorite Things, Kuai Le

Christmas Album of the Day!

A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas by Kristin Chenoweth

*Click on the title/artist to hear 30 second samples on Amazon.com*
Amazon also has a video clip of Kristin talking about making the album.

Track List:
1. I'll Be Home For Christmas
2. Christmas Island
3. The Christmas Waltz
4. Do You Hear What I Here?
5. Sleigh Ride/Marshmallow World (with John Pizzarelli)
6. Sing
7. Silver Bells
8. Come On Ring Those Bells
9. What Child Is This?
10. Home On Christmas Day
11. Born On Christmas Day
12. Sleep Well Little Children/What A Wonderful World

Like WICKED? Well, hear Kristin Chenoweth in the holiday spirit!

*Nick's and my favorite on the album is Home On Christmas Day!
Born on Christmas Day is also a good one.
I surprisingly like Sing, even though I never would have associated that song with Christmas time. I couldn't help but sing a song ;)

Songs that are more regular and less 'Broadway': I'll Be Home For Christmas, The Christmas Waltz, Do You Hear What I Hear?, What Child Is This?

Come On Ring Those Bells brings out the country folk! I wanted apple pie and a hoedown!
Voted most annoying: Christmas Island (not just her version, but as a Christmas song in general!)

Wow, this week got busy. So much for an album every single day . . .

Christmas Album of the Day!

All I Really Want For Christmas
by Steven Curtis Chapman

*Click on the title/artist to listen to 30 second samples on Amazon.com*

Track List:
1. Luke 2:7-14 As Told By Shaoey
2. Angels From the Realms of Glory
3. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
4. All I Really Want
5. The Miracle of Christmas
6. Go Tell It On The Mountain
7. Christmas Is All In The Heart
8. Silver Bells
9. Winter Wonderland
10. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
11. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
12. O Little Town of Bethlehem
13. The Night Before Christmas
14. Shaoey and Her Dad Wish You A Merry Christmas

Steven Curtis Chapman is a Contemporary Christian musician. This is a pretty good album. I like most of the original songs. His version of Go Tell It On The Mountain has a gospel element. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen has a very different rhythm, but is kind of fun. I personally wouldn't buy the entire album, but I do enjoy these songs: All I Want For Christmas, Christmas Is All In The Heart, Silver Bells, Winter Wonderland, and O Little Town of Bethlehem.

My favorite song is The Night Before Christmas. I think it is SO beautiful!

Christmas Album of the Day!

Christmas Duets
by Elvis Presley

Track List:
1. Blue Christmas (with Martina McBride)
2. I'll Be Home For Christmas (with Carrie Underwood)
3. Here Comes Santa Claus (with LeeAnn Rimes)
4. Santa Claus is Back in Town (with Wynonna Judd)
5. Silent Night (with Sara Evans)
6. White Christmas (with Amy Grant)
7. Merry Christmas Baby (with Gretchen Wilson)
8. O Little Town of Bethlehem (with too many to type)
9. Silver Bells (with Anne Murray)
10. O Come, All Ye Faithful (with Olivia Newton-John)
11. The First Noel
12. If I Get Home On Christmas Day
13. Winter Wonderland

Okay, I'm really not an Elvis fan, but I said I would cover a range of artists, so here we are. Those of you who like Elvis, enjoy! The two I could stand listening to were White Christmas and O Little Town of Bethlehem.

Christmas Album of the Day!

A Winter Symphony
by Sarah Brightman

Track List:
1. Arrival
2. Colder Than Winter
3. Ave Maria (Spanish duet featuring Fernando Lima)
4. Silent Night
5. In the Bleak Mid Winter
6. I've Been This Way Before
7. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
8. Child In A Manger
9. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day
10. Amazing Grace
11. Ave Maria (Italian version)
12. I Believe In Father Christmas

Sarah Brightman has a style that isn't appealing to everyone, but I enjoy her music. This is another album, like Wintersong, that is more wintry than Christmasy.

A song that a non-Sarah Brightman fan might still like is I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day.

My other favorites are Arrival, Ave Maria (Spanish), Silent Night, Child in a Manger, Amazing Grace, and I Believe In Father Christmas.

THE POLAR EXPRESS!!!

Thank you so much, Jenn & Joe, for inviting us to go on the Polar Express at the Heber Valley Railroad. Nick and I went with them last year and it was a little crazy. We were all late because of bad weather, had to wait 2 hours to get on the next train, and ended up being separated from each other. It wasn't nearly as fun with just the two of us.

I was so happy to get to go again and be able to see the kids this time and share in their excitement. Nick couldn't come this year because of finals and we missed him. It's a little pricey, and I wouldn't go every year, but with this being our last winter here for a while, I want to do all the fun things I can with my great family!

There are a lot of pictures, so I'll keep the captions short!

Ryan and Dallan were SO happy to see each other. They were almost more excited about that than seeing Santa. I think you can tell by their happy faces!

Mom, Jenn & Emmy

Jenn & happy Ryan

Grandma with the grandkids (minus Owen)
We LOVE Grandma D!

Joe & the twins waiting to board the train.

Jenn's cute family

Auntie Em with her special boys (and their blankies!)

The family on the train.

I loved this picture! Ryan trying to figure out how to open the window, and Owen licking the window!

Santa's elf making a list for Santa.

Mrs. Claus made us yummy cookies. Dallan loved his!

So did Emmy :)

Me & Jenn

The kids got to look at The Polar Express book as it is read and we approached the North Pole.

Look-it's Santa!!!!!!!! And just behind him is the workshop where all the toys are made!
Dallan and Ryan couldn't have been more excited . . .


Ryan: "My blankie is so excited!"

Greating Santa

Santa gave the kids a bell - I wish I had a picture of Dallan's face, it matched Ryan's.
They rang their bells and laughed and sang.

Finally a smile out of Emmy

And one from Owen

Christmas Album of the Day!

Christmas . . . From the Realm of Glory
by Bebo Norman
*Click on the title and artist to listen to 30-second samples on Amazon.com*

Track List:
1. Come and Worship
2. Joy to the World
3. Born to Die
4. What Child is This?
5. Angels Interlude (Folk instrumental)
6. Go Tell It On The Mountain
7. Silver Bells
8. Christmas Time is Here
9. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
10. The Rebel Jesus
11. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
12. Great Light of the World Interlude
13. Mary's Prayer

Bebo Norman (yeah, weird name) is a Christian Rock artist. The first two tracks (Come and Worship, and Joy to the World) are more on the rock side of things. The rest is more subdued. His version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas has an acoustic sound that is soft and light.

My favorites are: Born to Die (focuses on Christ being born to fulfill the atonement), What Child is This, Christmas Time is Here, and O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
I haven't heard Great Light of the World Interlude or Mary's Prayer all the way through, but I would also list them among my favorites based on what I have been able to hear.

Christmas Album of the Night!

Let It Snow
by Michael Buble

*Click on the title and the name of the artist to listen to 30 second samples at Artistdirect.com*

Track List:
1. Let it Snow
2. The Christmas Song
3. Grown-up Christmas
4. I'll Be Home for Christmas
5. White Christmas
6. Let it Snow (Live)

I have been a die-hard Michael Buble fan from the beginning--before he was ever really that big--so it shouldn't surprise you that I love this album. Sadly, he has only released 5 songs (oh, how I wish it was more), so don't pay more than $5 for the cd if you buy it.

Christmas Album of the Day!

What a Night!
by Harry Connick, Jr.
*Click on the title and artist to listen to 30-second samples on Amazon.com*

Track List:
1. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
2. What a Night!
3. Christmas Day
4. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
5. Please Come Home for Christmas
6. O Come All Ye Faithful
7. Dance of the Sugarplum Fairies (instrumental)
8. Let There Be Peace on Earth*
9. Winter Wonderland (cute duet with his daughter)
10. It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
11. Santariffic
12. Jingle Bells
13. Zat You Santa Claus
14. We Three Kings
15. Song for the Hopeful (featuring Kim Burrell)

It's always a swingin' Christmas when Harry Connick, Jr. comes to town! The songs I especially enjoy are: What a Night, Please Come Home for Christmas, Let There Be Peace on Earth*, Winter Wonderland, It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, Song for the Hopefeul.

*Does anyone else from Price remember Peace In Our Lives at the BDAC? Memories.

It's back to Kindergarten for me!

This week began my new December job: Kindergarten Sub.

The teacher who mentored me last year has had to retire unexpectedly, and they were in desperate need of someone to help until they could hire a new teacher. I LOVED that elementary school and all of the teachers there (especially this one) and would do anything to help them out. So, yesterday I went in to sub. It will be more difficult that I first thought. The kids have had various substitutes for three weeks already, and I can only come every-other day, so the discipline is a challenge.

The kids are cute, I have seen some of my old students who I just love (now that I don't see them every day ; 0 ) and I'm glad to be there when we can do some fun Christmas projects and lessons. I am hoping that I won't go too crazy, and I think it will help me enjoy my Christmas break even more than before!

Christmas Album of the Day!

Wintersong
by Sarah McLauchlan

*Click on the title and artist to listen to 30-second samples on Amazon.com*

Track List:
1. Happy Xmas (War is Over)
2. What Child is This (Greensleeves)
3. River
4. Wintersong
5. I'll Be Home for Christmas
6. O Little Town of Bethlehem
7. The First Noel/Mary Mary
8. Silent Night
9. Song for a Winter's Night
10. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
11. In a Bleak Mid Winter
12. Christmas Time is Here (Featuring Diana Krall)

This album focuses a little more on the winter theme. Overall, it has a slow, sad feel-but that's to be expected of much of her work. Of course those who like Sarah McLauchlan will probably like this cd, but for those who aren't huge fans, I still think you might enjoy these songs: Wintersong, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and Christmas Time is Here.