Christmas Gifts & Custom Pictures

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! Kory and I discovered the coolest thing this last week! Some of you may have seen the beautiful picture of the Salt Lake Temple that we have hanging in our living room, it has "Hjelm Family est. November 2008" inscribed on it. We absolutely love this picture that we got from Cultural Hall.

I'm super excited though because this week we found Framed Legacy, a company that creates more customizable pictures for better prices with really nice frames too! You can send them a picture that you want printed, and to add customized text is only $25 versus Cultural Hall's $40. Not only do the prices start 20%-30% lower than Cultural Hall, right now there is a saving coupon for another 30% off!! The code is TURKEYFRIDAY and expires at 12:00 AM this Saturday the 27th (that's midnight on Black Friday). You're welcome for sharing :), hehe.

We got a picture from our wedding day customized. The other ones we loved were the First Presidency and the Sacred Grove. They add so much to our home.  But there are TONS to choose from including Salt Lake Temple with Christmas lights and other fun things. Check out their website.

Christmas Break! Soooo Goood!

We had so much fun over Christmas break. Kory finished finals, finally! We had a mini-break over the weekend, worked again on Monday then hit the road on Tuesday! I-84 was closed so we had to go the round-about way to get home, through Pocatello. But it actually didn't take too much longer so we didn't mind. The road turned out great, which we were very happy about. On the drive to Boise Kory and I played a game where one of us would say a random topic and the other one would have to respond to it for 1 minute. It was actually a lot of fun to see how the other person responded. It entertained us for a while.

We got to Boise that night and Mom and Dad were happy to have us home safe. The house looked cute with Christmas lights up. Mom decorated the Christmas tree so beautifully. As we started talking about plans for the few days we would be there Dad says, "hey listen, I got something that I thought might be fun...a Nintendo Wii." Haha, he continued to tell us how he had gotten the Wii and some fun games for us so we could have fun while we were in Boise. He had to travel all over town to try and get it! Aren't my parents the best! They really wanted Kory and I to have a lot of fun while we were in Boise. Kory and I were able to find a game I have been really wanting, Mario Party 8! I love that game! We use to play it all of the time on Game Cube. One night when we were playing together Kory said, "I've never played with a Christmas present before Christmas!" haha, it was cute. We really had so much fun with that (and we are still having fun with the game).

On Christmas Eve we went over to our family friend's home and opened Christmas Eve gifts then Kory and I stayed longer to play games with them. The Ellsworths are my favorite family. They have 6 boys that are all like my little brothers. We played Settlers of Catan with them. It was my first time playing and I won! Yeah! I didn't even know I had won until all of the sudden Kieth said, "Doesn't she have the longest road? That means she just won." I think Kory was proud of me.

On Christmas morning Kory and I were up making cinnamon pull-aparts, a Hjelm tradition. It was fun to make them together. Mom and Dad loved them too. Later we opened gifts. I was so excited about the things I got Kory. I was really hoping that he would like them. Mom is so cute, she took video clips of us opening our gifts (except we missed my first gift). I love these videos, our kids are going to be watching these one day. I think its so funny to watch how "newlywed" we are.





They make me laugh so much. We are so silly. I loved the gifts that Kory got me, he is SO thoughtful! He really liked what I got him too...especially the slippers!

On Christmas day we went to Ellsworth's for Sunday dinner. It was so yummy! The Christmas china was beautiful too. Cindy had little settings with our names on them. She is such a great hostess. In the middle of dinner Stephen (Elder Nelson) called! Ahhh, yayyyy! We had to rush home so that we could talk to him.

It was so nice to talk to my brother. He is my best friend, and I sure miss him sometimes! He is doing really well and loving being a missionary. He only had 2 transfers left, crazy! Then starting Spring term he'll be back in Provo going to school and hanging out with Kory and I, I can't wait! But anyway, the funny thing is that over Christmas Stephen was with a companion from Sweden. His companion was telling him all about my new last name and how is means "helmet." Then he laughed, Stephen really got a kick out of that, but he has the best laugh! We talked about how "helmet" also represents strength like a warrior or something. Nonetheless, it was fun that Stephen could kind of connect to me that way through his companion. He is a zone leader in Bakersfield, CA and loving the opportunity to be a leader and a teacher. He is such a happy guy.

The next day Kory and I headed to the mall. Oh my goodness it was SO crazy there! Too many people, traffic and parking were insane. We shopped a little bit. But didn't get anything. Unfortunately, it ended up taking way too much of our time.

That night we went downtown with Mom. First Kory had to make sure I was all bundled up, haha. I felt like the kid on the Christmas Story movie when his mom bundled him up so much he can't move.

We were going to eat at PF Changs but the wait was way too long, so we got lettuce wraps to go instead. We went to One The Border instead, my favorite Mexican restaurant to eat at when I got home. My best friend Cassie (she was one of my bridesmaids) serves there so we were able to see her. Lately when I go home I feel like there isn't always enough time to squeeze in the visits I would like to. I'm glad we got to see her there.

After dinner Kory and I went and saw Bedtime Stories. We liked it, it made us laugh. This is Adam Sandler while it is "raining gumballs" in the movie.


The next day we went to Marley and Me with Mom and Dad. All of us liked it. It was super sad though! After the movie we went and tried Ruby River for the first time. For the price you pay, we weren't that impressed. I love dinner and a movie with my family. Almost every time I go home we go out for dinner and a movie, I always have so much fun.


My mom had a secret project that she revealed while we were there. She was going to make Kory a quilt! She made Stephen (my brother) the coolest quilt in red, black, and white. She pieced it and then had it quilted. It looks so awesome, such a boy quilt. So Mom decided to make one for Kory, too! The two of them were so funny trying to pick out which fabrics they wanted to use. I just watched TV. I think Mom was very excited that Kory actually took time to decide and give an opinion rather than just say, "yeah, that looks good ok, ok." like I would, haha. I'm excited to see how it turns out! Quilts are always so personal and special...especially when someone makes it just for you.



I will definitely post pictures of the final project after it is done!

We drove home on Sunday, when again we lucked out with the weather! It had pounded snow the day before. The drive felt really long. On our way home we got to stop and have dinner at Kory's Uncle Lorrin's. Kory's sister Kelli and the fam were there. That was so fun! I love family gatherings, and now I have even more family to have family gatherings with! Being married is the best, haha. Kelli and Jeremiah got Kory and I such a wonderful Christmas gift...a crepe pan! We are so excited about that. And of course a wonderful activity to do together, an "I Spy" puzzle. They were so thoughtful, and we are so grateful.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Kory and I worked. Then it was new years eve! Yay! One of my two favorite holidays! Can you guess my other favorite? ...The 4th of July of course! I LOVE fireworks. But anyway, after work we got to go over to play cards with Kelli and Jeremiah. That was way fun. But before we played, Kory got the kids all rowdie so they wouldn't want to go to bed, haha. After cards Kory and I headed up to Salt Lake City so we could go to the "First Night" party downtown. We met up with my friend Sarah (from Del Sol) and her husband Sam. I rarely get to see them so that was great! Everyone froze from the cold except me. I guess I had the best shoes on, Kory couldn't feel his toes. I also wore my hood the whole time, which helped. We had fun watching the fire dancers, the hypnotist--who actually wasn't very entertaining--and listening to the interesting live music. But the best part, oh you know what that was, the countdown! We started counting down around 26 or so and continued down to 1 when Kory suddenly dipped me for our first kiss of 2009, haha. He's so cute. Then we got to enjoy a fireworks show. What a perfect way to experience our first New Years together, and start out 2009.



The next day we got to hang out with Kelli, Jeremiah and the kids again. We met them for lunch at Rumbie Island Grill. I got some cute pictures of Kory and the boys. However, my mom pointed out to me that I forgot to get pictures of, "beautiful Aubry!" Oh man! How did I forget that!? Probably because during lunch she was sleeping and so quiet. But she is beautiful. I guess we'll have to enjoy her pictures on Kelli's blog. And why don't we have a pic of us with Kelli and Jeremiah!? Oh man, I was a total slacker. Meanwhile, here is Kory playing with the boys :)



We missed lots of family and friends over the holidays. But overall it was a wonderful break!

Getting in the Christmas Spirit

My friend Heidi did this for her family last year and this year. I die laughing everytime, it was too cute to resist! Check out Kory's dancing skills! :)

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Christmas is Here!

Last week Kory and I got a Christmas tree and decorated it. It was so cheap at Big Lots! Even our ornaments were really cheap, but they look great! We have been listening to Christmas music and drinking hot chocolate made from our amazing Cocoa-Latte almost every night, haha. We are loving the Christmas season! Here are some pictures of our tree! We don't have anything to put on top so I just tied a bow, haha. We got our ribbon at Costco for cheap too! I exchanged it from wedding ribbon I didn't use. I LOVE our tree. I am pretty excited about it.






We are also starting to get things more and more put together and decorated. We got a lot done when we first moved in, but somehow there is always more and more to do. We got some really great things for wedding gifts and we love finding ways to incorporate them into our home and our lives. It is fun to be doing something or see something and think, "hey so-and-so got this for us!" It is very precious. We sure love everyone who has extended their love and support to us as we've started our new life together. I thought I might share some pictures of our apartment because I know many of you--well most of you--haven't had the chance to see it yet!

This is what it's like when you walk in.





Then when you walk in right on the left you see the first French board of our engagements on it. Then the other frame is across the room in the corner. The fireplace is on the right side of the living room. The end table is in the corner right next to the fireplace.





This is the overview pics of the room.



Then you have the kitchen table (all set for dinner one night), the bed, and the bathroom decorations.





There you go! I hope you enjoyed the picture tour. Especially the Christmas tree!

BTW I know the the red/purplish colors totally clash...but hey you work with what you have right?

Happy New Year 2008!

Hello family and friends! Happy New Year! I cannot believe that 2007 is over already, but that's how it goes. Time just slips away sometimes! I went home for Christmas. It was a really quiet Christmas at home, but I love spending the time with my parents. We got a lot of organizing and cleaning done while I was home. But of course there is always more to do. I haven't really been home to spend a chunk of time cleaning up my things in like 4 years. My poor mother. We also got to go and see a couple of movies. We saw Charlie Wilson's War and The Debaters. Both of them were great. Of course we went to eat at my favorite place ever, On The Border, yummm!!!

I came back to Utah on Sunday. I am so lucky, my dad drove me to Utah because the weather was kind of questionable. I am glad my parents care so much about my safety. We drove the Yukon so that I could have it for moving. I have decided to move from one place to another for a couple of reasons: to save money, to have a shorter contract (April instead of August), and to have a new ward with new people to meet! I have been spending the last three days getting all settled in to my new place. I love it! My room is bigger but I am paying less in rent, yay! haha. Hopefully I will be all finished tonight and have the weekend to relax a little bit before school starts on Monday. This semester is going to be really hard.

I hope that everyone had a really great New Years Eve! I had a really good day. My really good friend Mike and his family invited my best friend Karly Jo and I to go out to dinner with them to this really nice steak house in Salt Lake City. It is called Flemings, and it is really nice. The type of place I would never go because there is no way I could afford it! Dinner was absolutely fabulous! After dinner we went over to Temple Square to check out the Christmas lights because it was the last night they were going to be on. I love Temple Square. Then we drove back to Provo. Karly Jo and I were just planning on having a low key New Years Eve, we were going to throw in a movie. My friend Nate came over to Karly's new apartment. They have a projector screen in their basement it is super nice! So he helped us set it up, but then we realized we needed a DVD player. We decided to go to my place and get mine. Then I noticed that I didn't have my purse. I looked everywhere and then called Flemings, sure enough I left it in Salt Lake City! They were just about to close so we jumped in the car and headed to Salt Lake City. After we picked up my purse, which thankfully had everything in it. We went to this party called First Night in downtown Salt Lake. It was so much fun. There was a live band that is a lot like Dave Matthews Band, and we just danced around for 30 minutes until the countdown. Then we got to do the countdown and see the fireworks!! It was a great night. I love fireworks so I was really happy. I got 2 kisses on the cheek for New Years, one from Karly Jo and another from Nate. Overall it was a lot of fun! I will try to post pictures of the night soon.