End of Twenty-Ten

We are back!

I specifically chose not to write "we are home" because that term does not have a definite meaning yet. Home to me means Utah. In fact, often when I'm talking I subconsciously think I'm still in Utah. The other day I was talking about one of my friend's weddings and Glen asked where it would be. Without hesitating, I answered "She's getting married here, because that's where she's from."

Anyway, we took a nice, long, 5 week winter break. We spent 1.5 weeks in San Antiono, Texas, 2.5 weeks in Provo, Utah, and .85 of a week in Austin.

Although we were sad for the vacationing to be over, we were more than ecstatic to be back in our own bed. For the first part of our vacation we slept on an air mattress, and for the second part we slept on my old bed at home, both were probably a double or full sized. Don't get me wrong, we were grateful for the hospitality of both our families, but nothing beats your own bed. Our queen bed never felt so roomy.

When we got back into Austin (around midnight) we jumped right in bed and slept for something close to 15 hours straight. Unfortunately, Glen didn't get to recoup too much because he's been busy applying for internships, but we've definitely been catching up on our sleep.

Speaking of internships, we are happy to say that Glen has received a judicial internship for the first half of the summer in San Antonio, where he will be 1 of 3 interns that will get to follow a judge around in a federal court (I'm not really sure what any of this means) and apparently it is really good experience and looks great on a resume.

Our plans for the second half of the summer are still undecided. We are hoping to fill it with another internship where we can stay and visit with family, either in Pennsylvania, Arizona, or Utah.

Two posts ago I listed a bunch of presents we received from each other and from the Ellsworth family. I better finish off the list with things we received from the Nielsens and the rest of our presents to each other.

To Glen: Inception, The Great Mouse Detective (his favorite), Fantasia & Fantasia 2000 (Okay, he mentioned liking this but I really just wanted it for myself), and from my mom/family he got two books (read both of them already!), lots of clothes, lots of candy, cologne, and the game Bang!

To me: Lots of clothes! This was the best because I really haven't spent any money on fashion since we moved here. I also got a big recipe book and lots of jewelry. And from Glen I got a super cute outfit and Pink's Greatest Hits So Far... CD. Judge all you want! I like Pink!

Since my mom is a single mom now she works a lot, as well as two of my sisters. Because of this, Glen and I decided that we wanted to cook some meals for when everyone got home at night! It was a great success. I LOVED cooking in my mom's kitchen because she designed it so well (my parents built our house) with plenty of counter space! That is what I am seriously lacking, and probably will continue to lack until we have a house of our own. The counter was a good proximity from the spices, fridge, utensils, and cupboard. That sounds weird but that's how I felt. Did I mention counter space? Anyway, every dinner turned out great, and we even learned some new recipes. It was fun once Grandma Galan got into town and we could kind of cook side by side. That woman is my hero and I still have so much I want to learn from her!

I also got to visit with my Grandpa Nielsen, and interview him about his mother, my Farmor (father's mother, in Danish). Anna Katherine Oleson is who I am named after, so it was so neat to hear him tell us stories of her. He let us tape record him, so we can always have that on record. It turns out my Farmor and I are very similar, and that made me happy.

We had planned to drive to Colorado for New Years Eve and spend it with many of our family members and to hang out with Leslie and Don, but as many of you remember the weather was not too generous and prevented us from driving through the canyons to make it to Highlands Ranch. Instead, we threw a little party (that was later crashed by my 17 year old sister's friends. Don't worry, I didn't run upstairs crying out of anger and frustration...) and baked tons of treats. It was a lame substitute for what we were hoping to have in Colorado, but it sufficed.

I took quite a few pictures of our Texas and Utah trips but they are currently on Glen's flash drive, and he is out doing homework, so I'll have to post them later. Until then, goodbye!

A Smile in My Heart

Provo firefighters find this picture in the rubble and debris of the destroyed Provo Tabernacle. Click Here to read the article.

Merry Christmas Everyone :)

A Very Merry Wiimas

Just droppin' in to say hello.

It's been a while, so I just wanted to say I'm okay. I know you must have been worried.

We had an early Ellsworth Christmas and we got a few things that have kept me busy:

And.... the biggest surprise I had for Glen:

One more week here and then off the Utah! Merry almost Christmas everyone!

The Final (and free) Product

Love 2010 Christmas Card

Make a statement with custom Christmas cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Shutterfly Christmas Cards Make Me Happy

Okay Sav and Rach, you've convinced me!

So, I'm usually a pretty prepared person, so I've been thinking about Christmas cards for a couple of months now. We did one last year and used one of our wedding photos. I thought they were pretty cute. Well, I kept debating on whether or not I should do one this year. I mean, a lot has happened to us this year but nothing that a picture can describe. Plus, sometimes I feel the main reason for Christmas cards is so that all of your relatives and friends can see pictures of your kids and how they've grown. Well, me and Glen pretty much look the same. So should I do a Christmas card?

YES!

I got mine done a Costco or Sam's Club last year (they are sixes to me), because that's where my mom usually goes. But the last time I was at Costco I browsed through their selection of Christmas cards, and I have to agree with Sav here. I didn't see anything I really loved!

Well, then I read my friends Rachel and Savannah's blogs, who both had been on Shutterfly.com and found Christmas cards that they liked. Well, being the internet junkie that I am, of course I checked it out and.... I loved them! There were WAY more options than Costco or Sam's Club has and.... it made me realize something:

Christmas Cards aren't just for showing everyone how you've been, or what's new. It's to wish them a Merry Christmas, or tell them Happy Holidays, and tell them you are thinking about them this Christmas time! The message you send to them is just as important as the picture you include of yourselves. So, I want some Christmas cards from Shutterfly!

And, lucky for me, they are doing a promo right now where I can get 50 cards for free for telling all you kids about it! So check it out! The deadline is December 10th, and I know you want to send me a Christmas card so order yours today! Time is running out!

Click here for the awesome promo!

And here is the link for the Christmas photo cards. You for sure want to click here:

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards

Also, they have actual Christmas cards, like card cards. So, if you want your photo on the front, and then write your own, personalized message inside, these are for you!

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards

P.S.... Here are some that I am deciding on:

I really love this one, because you can write all your yearly updates on it. Darling.

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/what-a-year-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93496

And then I love these two:

Click here to see it on their website

Click here to see it on the website

Is that the same little girl? Either way, I like these two, among a few others. We'll see what I come up with! Good luck to you all!