Holidays and Such

Christmastime! 
This year for Christmas Marcus and I sojourned to sunny California where we stayed with my parents. We spent the week playing cards, eating delicious food, exchanging gifts, and sleeping in! 


We flew out the 22nd and stayed at the Hilton hotel right by LAX which was our anniversary getaway. I got a great deal on Hotwire. Although, we have decided not to look at 4+ star hotels anymore because they don't include a complimentary breakfast, cable, or WiFi. They literally make you pay for ALL the extras. Our bed was extremely comfortable, and the bathroom was luxurious. Those were the pluses. We enjoyed our night there except for the minor mishap walking around LA late at night. (These three creepy dark-haired and dark-eyed young men started following us and making cat calls. They had just walked out of a bar. It was not only terrifying, but weird because I am 28 weeks pregnant...I guess they found that attractive? That, or they liked Marcus...) 


In the morning we rode the bus to the Los Angeles California Temple where we met up with our dear friend Meeshell. She was receiving a special ordinance called the endowment. It was wonderful! Mom and dad picked us up from there and we ate at one of our favorite restaurants called El Polla Inka. They serve the most delicious Peruvian food around. Go to this place the next time you visit LA. SO DELICOUS. You know how I can tell a place serves really GOOD food? Well, usually when I start eating I begin swaying slightly from side to side while humming nothing in particular, and shoving as much food in my mouth as I can politely get away with. I call it the nothing-could-go-wrong-because-this-food-is-better-than-words-so-I-have-to-sway-and-hum-while-eating dance. So just know that any time you witness this sort of behavior it means that the food is amazing. I either do that...or my eyes literally start to water because of the overwhelming deliciousness. Usually the latter only happens for desserts and sweet things while the a fore happens for hearty meal-like dishes. 


We got a lot of baby things for Christmas this year. It was a nice surprise because as struggling college students, and never having had a baby before, we just have no idea what we're doing. Thankfully our parents do! 


Mom took me maternity clothes shopping--Thanks MOM! It's nice to look cute and still have pants to fit into. I just stopped being able to fit into my regular jeans, and now I have two pairs of nice pants to wear at school and some cute tops and a couple of dresses. 


We went to the dollar theater twice. The first time we saw Money Ball starring Brad Pitt; I give it a 7/10. (There were two unnecessary F-bombs.) The second time we saw Puss in Boots starring Antonio Banderes; I give it a 7/10.) I think the last amazing movie I saw in theaters was Warrior. I don't think I would watch it very often, but the movie was really well done... So was Reel Steel. The movie I can't wait to get to the cheap seats is Sherlock Holmes! Marcus and I are excited for that one. (Marcus is also excited for Ghost Protocol.) 


NEWS
We are staying at Garett and Alicia Johnson's house this week until the 9th when our new place will finally be available. They are a sweet couple in our ward. We are living out of suitcases and all our things are in a storage unit that is completely filled to the top...we probably should have gotten a bigger one, but I didn't want to spend more than $45. 


Our new place will have two bedrooms and one bathroom. The master bedroom is a lot bigger than our last one, the only thing is it has very limited closet space. We will need to get creative with our storage. The kitchen is also a little small, but there is a lot of counter space. I will post pics as soon as we're all moved in. 


Our baby is moving around more and more. I LOVE IT! It is probably the BEST thing about being pregnant. I'm not so excited about the other side-effects. Also, lately I've been feeling like such a whale. 


School starts next week and I can't decide if I am excited or not. I have a full class load; 6 classes and 14 credits. My days are going to be very busy, but I will be diligent and hard working and perhaps being a mom will make the semester easier? haha. Here's to dreamin'! I am extremely excited though. She will be here in about 80 days! Hopefully I can plan on that. She needs to bake at least another couple of months. 


Marcus and I are in love as ever and we are having so much fun thinking about becoming parents shortly. Last night we watched my stomach move from side-to-side... Marcus said it looked like an alien was inside me. And, although I wouldn't call her an alien, there is! Sometimes she kicks me in the ribs and that sometimes hurts but is mostly uncomfortable. 


I love the way my life is leading. 


Oh yeah, HAPPY 2012!