DFW

Paul and I also got to go up to Southlake for a quick visit with my parents and Cassie. We did a little shopping, had our "second Christmas" with them, had a family dinner with my grandparents, saw Sherlock Holmes, and played games. We also got to go to church with them and hang out in the afternoon before returning to Austin. It was quick but fun... SO glad our families live close!

Holiday "who"bilation!

Paul's mom had the cute idea of having a "who"-ville themed Christmas Eve. We all dressed up like Who's and made t-shirts. We had a whoville fast with "roast beast" and "who-hash" and pudding and other such goodies. Then we talked about the who's who of the nativity and read the Christmas story and sang songs. Then we played games.

(see more pics here)

All the kids slept in one room that night which was a Christmas miracle in and of itself fitting 8 grown kids in one bedroom. We woke (each other) up and lined up in age order to go downstairs then spent the morning opening presents and eating. Paul and I both got so spoiled with tons of fun things and had fun seeing what other people got too. We are so very fortunate.

The rest of Christmas day was spent exploring new Christmas gifts, more eating, the girls made a cake with the new giant cupcake pans Christine got me, hot tubbing and watching movies.

ATX

This year we spent Christmas with Paul's family in Austin. We had a great time and an awesome holiday. It was so nice to just get away from everything for a week. This was the first time for the whole Dickson family to be together for Christmas with the newer spouses and Mike back from his mission so it was really fun to be all together! We did lots of fun things, not limited to, but including: all the girls getting their nails done. going to the "trail of lights". watching movies. put together a (very challenging!) puzzle. took family pictures. went to RUDY'S. saw friends. played games. went to a holiday party. went bowling. spent time together. It was relaxing.

(real pics to come)

Happy Holidays from the Dicksons

This pic was taken at our ward christmas party. you know how they say couples start to look like each other? I think this picture proves it. kinda weird.

Home for the Holidays

Hallelujah!

Go Jazz Go

We got to go to the Jazz vs. Timberwolves Monday night (the 14th). My first Jazz game! AND we scored 20th row tickets! It was way fun and I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, my camera is on the fritz again so no good pictures. But it was an exciting event. Jazz lost though so maybe we're not good luck at the games... sorry Boozer.

An Ugly Sweater Christmas Party

Everyone came dressed in their "holiday best" for a night of food, games and of course fun.

Top 5 reasons why we have the funnest friends in this instance: #1 Not everyone can really embrace going to DI and picking out the ugliest thing they see. But everyone really stepped up to the plate! #2 Also, everyone brought the most delicious food for our meal.. potatoes, fruit, veggies, desserts, etc. #3 Not everyone can strike a cheesy pose and reminisce our 80's family pics as well as us. #4 Not everyone can play a riveting game of Mafia and Scum like we can. And lastly, #5 Not every guy can pull off wearing a very large woman's sweater (even one complete with jingle bells, bows or neon yarn) OR a very large woman's vest the way some of our guys can. Wow we're lucky.

almost the whole group (i didn't get pictures of everyone but i tried)




Paul's favorite feature of his sweater


so classic


umm.. nice vest.


jason has the best "no teeth smile"


David and Marianne


the McClendons... Grant's sweater was original, his grandma made it!


Jordan and Eileen


Mike and Kamille

gingerbread and losers

Tuesday night we made gingerbread houses while we watched the season finale of Biggest Loser with Morgan and Whitney. Whitney went above and beyond and made her own gingerbread which tasted really good-- we went with store bought. It was so fun! Biggest Loser was AMAZING ... and our houses didn't turn out too shabby either.

gift exchange

Tonight we had a gift exchange with all the girls from work! It was really fun and i'm mad i didn't take any pictures. We were able to just hang out and talk and eat and exchange gifts. Everyone picked gifts at random and i got the CUTEST table runner. I seriously love all the girls i work with they are all so fun and keep my laughing all the time and I'm so glad we can do things like this and have fun together and actually hang out outside of work.

"decorations of red, on a green christmas tree..."

Here are some pictures of my Christmas decorations, as always, they are better in person than from my camera. Regardless, I love them and I only wish I had a bigger house to fill with even more decorations/a bigger tree... all in good time. oh and p.s I have more than this, nativities and other little touches throughout the house but I figured taking pictures of each thing would be a little overkill.

Salt Lake

Saturday night we went with the Taylors and Mike and Jordan and their dates down to temple square to look at the lights. I don't care how cold it is, or how it takes 45 minutes to drive down and only 15 minutes to look around, or how Paul had to miss watching the UT game, or how crowded it is... it's tradition and I love it. Whoever does the lights at temple square needs to make the big bucks-- each branch individually wrapped and in all those different colors-- it's amazing! Looking at all the lights and nativities and luminaries put me in the biggest Christmas mood. After we made the loop around and were sufficiently cold, we went to the Pie Pizzeria and chowed down on some delicious pizza. (Then of course we can home and watched our tevoed Texas game.. go longhorns!)

another Paul spotting

Paul's Dad said that Paul is like "Where's Waldo?" lately.. he's just popping up everywhere in every major newspaper and even a little on TV. But.. here's the icing on the cake:Paul and Taylor are on the cover of Utah CEO magazine, December 2009. I'll be picking up a few copies that's for sure. They are not only on the cover but there's also an article inside featuring them and the other top 5 winners of the Utah 25 competition. Pretty cool being married to a covermodel :) I'm so proud of Paul! He's amazing to me!