Christmas

We had our first Christmas as a married couple!  This was our third Christmas together, so the only difference was that we got to wake up Christmas morning and open presents together.  and it was awesome.  Since I am the absolute worst at taking pictures, I'll just make a list of our fun activites and make a new years resolution to use my camera more.

-Festival of Trees with some of the Biesinger family
-Cooking day! Biesinger family tradition. Toffee, caramel, fudge, chex mix, gingerbread cookies, christmas crunch, and five pounds.  Then Zupas and Twilight with the girls
-Baking and frosting sugar cookies at the Bowens (minus Kevin, he had Junior Jazz)
-Christmas Eve lunch and movie, The Hobbit with the Bowens. I loved it, but I can't believe we have to wait for two other movies!
-Christmas  Eve dinner, bingo, and other games at the Bowens, which is such a fun tradition. We brought Jax and he did not appreciate it.  His presents made up for it the next day.  He loves his toys from Shelly and Brad.
-Christmas Brunch at Kevin's grandparents, then opening presents
-Christmas nap
-Christmas dinner, nativity, games at the Biesingers.  This year it was Mark Thornleys turn to talk about his mission and we had Portugal food, and it was delicious.  Plus being around kids on Christmas is the best.  We heard "This is the best day ever" multiple times.  I sure love my nieces and nephews.
-Playing Just Dance 4, which I counted as my only workout winter break
-Hires and walking around temple square with the Biesingers
-Enjoying a needed break from teaching (me) and school (kevin)

We have the best family, and we had such a fun Christmas.  But the break is not over yet!!  I look forward to a few more days of relaxation and fun.

In other news, I'm obsessed with this movie and this song....

Dance Company

It's official, there will be a Wasatch Junior High Dance Company next year!  As excited as I am to be the advisor and help these girls with their technique and performance, I am very sad.  I am sad for these sweet girls who I had to give rejection letters to.  I did not expect this to be so hard.  We had auditions on Friday, and the entire weekend I kept seeing the faces of the cute girls that didn't make the cut. I know some of them, I know how hard they work, and I know how nice they are.  I have been on both sides of the cut before, so I know how they are feeling right now.  It breaks my heart.  The last thing I want to do is to have these dancers doubt themselves.  This is such a bittersweet experience.  I had to fight back tears when I was handing out the letters.  Maybe I shouldn't care so much, but I don't know how.  I try to keep thinking of next year and the super talented group of 30 I have in the Dance Company.   But as of right now, I can't help but mourn a little. 

Jax

I never thought I wanted a cat.  I didn't exactly love them growing up.  However, living with Jax for a little under two months now has been so fun.  I love him.  He is fun to play with and he is the best cuddler.  It took me a while to get used to him sleeping with me.  He likes to be on my legs, or foot, or touching some part of my body.  I think we got the nicest kitty.  Except when he does this.....

He loves to sit on my laptop whenever I have it out.  I guess he likes it because it's warm. He has turned off my internet connection, my ability to use the keyboard, and other annoying things that took me forever to turn back on. 

Christmas Crafts

I love Christmas.  I love decorating for Christmas.  I love Christmas music.  I love everything about this time of year.  For my birthday present, I went to JoAnn's with my mom and we bought Christmas fabric and I made Stockings!  I found a stocking pattern/tutorial online.  I needed a lot of help, but by the end I was getting the hang of it.  I am not a seamstress, but I had a good time and I'm happy with how they turned out!

We are planning on buying some hooks so we can hang them up.  I can't wait.

Kevin's stocking.  His might be my favorite.

My stocking.

I even made one for Jax.  Charlie Brown Christmas Stocking, of course.  His much smaller, but just as cute.

Home Improvements

From the time we've been engaged, we have been working on fixing up a duplex that my grandparents own. It has been tough and we have been working hard.  Not as hard as my dad though, who did all the tiling, plumbing, countertops etc.  We have had so much help and we are so grateful because we love our little place.  My parents, my brother and his wife Anji have helped so much.  Although we are not quite finished decorating and putting pictures up etc., we have come a long way!

No countertop, wall uneven, no windowsill

microwave shelf, backsplash, countertop, new hardware, and cake:)

Worst floor ever/nasty fridge

Jax's corner, nice floor, garbage can, and clean fridge which is not pictured

Our cute table and chairs, Mexican plate on the wall and Jax.

We need a dvd rack so we can fit more books.  Also, Kevin made Jax a fort using Target boxes from our Wedding. He loves it.

Tile entryway

bedroom

Our bed actually fits with a dresser! yay!

Condemned bathroom

new tile, fixed tub

nasty toilet and sink

new sink, toilet, medicine cabinet, towel rack

cute little sun we got in Mexico; right above our towel rack

Kevin posing while we were raking up the yard in the summer

After we tilled.  It looks messier now, but we have grass growing.  In November.  It's weird and we don't understand it, but we're not complaining.


It's hard to get the whole place in a picture because I can't scoot back enough.  Trust me though, it's super cute, we just need to work on our decorating skills.

Married

Yes, we got married, and now my name is no longer Melissa Biesinger, it is Melissa Bowen.  I thought it would be appropriate to have a new blog with my new name and to include more updates on Kevin instead of just me.  Yay for marriage and yay for love.