Thanksgiving! Christmas!

Over Thanksgiving we went to Boise to see my family. We had so much fun! We played lots of Settlers of Catan with our family friends, the Ellsworths. We also went to the Botanical Garden's night aglow (or something like that) which was really pretty. It was so fun to see all of the beautiful lights and walk around with the family. On Thanksgiving day we went to Gooding to spend the day with my cousins, it was so fun to see their newly remodeled home and be able to visit. I love my extended family! When we got back to Boise later that night Kory, Stephen and I started out Black Friday shopping at midnight getting the boys some great things from the outlet mall. We did a little shopping on Friday day too, not the 6 AM type shopping but it was still fun.  We were supposed to head back to Utah on Saturday morning, but I was incredibly home sick so I was going to stay behind and ride back with Stephen.  Then the thought of my husband leaving me made me incredibly home sick for him!  He was feeling the same way, he came in the room and I told him I was going to go back with him only to have him say we could stay.  I seriously love my husband!

I loved Christmas this year. I totally got in the Christmas spirit right before Thanksgiving and started decorating. We added some red and green ornaments to our tree this year and I just fell in love with it!

After Kory survived finals he was able to open his gift from Mom and Dad, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2! He was so happy to be able to open it early so that he could enjoy his free time by playing it.  I love these pictures of him opening it, he is so fun.

We FINALLY took the "Just Married" decal my friend made us off Kory's back window, haha.  It's only been over a year.  At first we were going to take it off on a special day...like 1 month married, or 2 months, or maybe 6 months?  Then it just became a huge inside joke, until finally even our 1 year anniversary had passed and it had gone way too far to wait for a "special day."  Needless to say, we still took pictures and think it was pretty funny.

 We made a quick trip to Boise for Christmas before our holiday cruise with the Hjelm family.  Mom decorated the tree and it was beautiful.  We got to relax, and enjoy playing more Settlers of Catan (we love that game thank you Pearsons for the wonderful Christmas gift!).  Kory and Stephen took the big screen TV up to Stephen's room and played lots of Modern Warfare 2, haha.  We watched Home Alone 1 and 2.  We ate dinner at my favorite restaurant (which is always a must when we go to Boise).  We saw Avatar 3D, which was awesome!  Mom and I made a quilted baby blanket, it was so fun thanks for teaching me Mom!  We saw the Christmas lights on this amazing house.  We made cinnamon pull-aparts, and some special recipe to-die-for waffles Christmas morning.  Then we opened gifts, took some family pictures, and headed back to Utah.  Kory got the quilt Mom made for him, the surprise was the super soft material on the back.  I gave Kory some new pairs of jeans and stylish sunglasses.  He gave me some great winter boots, a sexy pencil skirt, and an iTunes gift card!  We feel incredibly blessed to have had such an amazing Christmas season.  We love out family and friends, I absolutely LOVED Christmas this year!!

Giveaway! $50 Mary Kay Product FREE!!

Everyone who visits my website and registers as a new user (top right) between now and Saturday December 12th, 2009 will be entered into a drawing to win $50 in MARY KAY PRODUCTS TOTALLY FREE!!! Register and then send me a message telling me what products you want!

Receive additional entries when you (be sure to tell me):
Tell a friend and they register (1 extra per friend)
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http://www.marykay.com/analeehjelm/default.aspx

Love,
Ana Lee

1 Year Anniversary!

I can't believe that Kory and I celebrated our one year anniversary this past weekend!  It just seems like the last year has gone by SO fast!  Nonetheless, I am so grateful that we have had such a wonderful year together!  We have been able to create so many memories: our wedding day/receptions,

moving in to our first "home,"

honeymoon in the Caribbean,

our first Christmas,

first New Years,

a trip to Canada,

a romantic first Valentine's Day, Kory meeting my brother, Stephen, for the first time when he came home from his mission,

Kory getting into the Golden Key Association and Marriott Business School,

my college graduation,

a road trip for my birthday,

first family reunions on both sides,

4th of July fireworks, a month in Washington working,

tons of game nights and hang outs with our new group of newlywed friends,

Kory getting accepted to the business strategy program, Kory's birthday,

my first career offer, a Halloween party,

and a fantastic Anniversary celebration!!  For our Anniversary we went to the Marriott in Park City and loved having a weekend away.  But it gets better, Kory got us tickets to go to the So You Think You Can Dance Live Tour!  He knows how much I love the show so it was so awesome!  We even had second row seats.  Our Anniversary was the most amazing weekend ever.  I love my husband so much! I am filled with joy looking back at this last year and seeing all of the wonderful memories we have made.  I am so excited to see what the next year brings.

Girls Trip South

This is my 3rd post today, be sure to read the two below!

This week I didn't have too much going on so I was able to sneak down to St. George for a couple of days to spend time with my best friend.  It was so fun to just hang out and catch up.  She is pregnant, and looking so beautiful.  I got to go to her doctors appointment with her and see her baby boy on the ultra sound!  It was SO neat.  Later that day we went to the St. George Temple together, and it was beautiful.  I always love having time with my girl.  I'm so glad she lives closer now!