"Catch Up" Post (hopefully I don't miss anything)

I think I am able to do a 'catch up' post today... I uploaded all the photos yesterday (being the 5th... I don't know what day this will post as. LOL), and will finish the post today.

On the 5th of December, I was invited to Stacey's birthday dinner at Pirate Island. I love going there, the atmosphere is awesome and the food is pretty good too :) Stacey got this balloon parrot and named it Pinky.

Logan also got a balloon parrot, but I can't remember what he got named... Sorry... :(


On the 14th of December, I was invited to the Jazz/Timberwolves game up at the (Delta Center) Energy Solutions Arena or whatever it's called now. LOL. My friend won some tickets at her work party, so we sat pretty close to the floor, behind the Jazz bench. It was fun. We got to have dinner in the Sponsor's room before the game, then at half time we got to get nachos and popcorn! So much fun!!
Also attending the game was another teacher from the school, Ann Mitchell. We found each other and waved. Sitting behind us were a couple people (father and son) who knew another teacher that works here; the dad is a fiance of the sister of the teacher. Also sitting behind us were a couple of boys and one of them was most definitely 'special' (gay) and it was funny the stuff he was saying; sadly, things that I cannot repeat here. But it was still funny.

The Jazz lost the game by 2 points. Very sad they lost, but it was a good game. Intense to watch. My aunt said that no game was worth watching unless the score was over 100. The scores were over 100... so it was a good game :)


On Dec. 19 the Oliverson's had a party celebrating everybody's birthdays for the year. It was held in the gym at my house - It's hard being host to such a large party. I tried to get pictures of everyone, but there were some I missed (sorry) and I'll try to get other pictures.

Here are three of my four aunts: June, Vicky, and LeeAnn

My dad and his brothers, Jeff, Kim, and Mike

Jake and Jarren slam dunking the ball

My nephew decided it would be fun to let all the balloons go off the walls, my uncles made a game out of trying to get them down. They used a pole they found, attached a fork, and put tape on the fork to try to get the string.

After some attempts, success was reached! A joke was pulled, and the balloons had to be fetched again. It was so funny! I love my family :)

Me and Aunt Pam. Notice our earrings... flashing Christmas light bulbs!

Here's Pam's fiance (at the bottom of the picture, next to grandma's head. haha), Wanda, and cousins Aaron and Megan

Jarren and Chloe had a fun time playing with each other

On Dec. 24 we got together for the Huxhold Family Christmas party. We always meet at my uncle's house - this year, we broke in his new house :) We always have so much fun!

Here's most of the family (that was there) getting ready for dinner

This is the only way Jarren would get a picture with me. He looks like his daddy

And he looks like his mommy

We exchanged fleece blankets this year. Warm and cozy!

Christmas morning, all the kids (and their families) came to Mom and Dad's house. We opened presents starting with the youngest and working our way up. Chloe was excited to see what gifts she got!

Jarren was next. He was very cute to watch open his gifts. So fun seeing how excited these kids get to open their stuff. Melts my heart :)

The rest of the order: Casey, Ed, Crystal, Kati, Robert, Jess, Jake, Mindy, Me, Jamie, Mom, then Dad.

After presents, we all played Rock Band, Guitar Hero 5, and Band Hero. It was a lot of fun! We even got Mom to sing a song :)

I got lots of awesome gifts, but being a HUGE Star Wars fan, I had to post a picture of this one...

December 30 my singles ward went up to the Salt Lake Temple. I invited my cousins Aaron and James (different Aaron than mentioned before) to come with us. Here's a pic of us just outside the temple gates. It was fun getting to spend the evening with them.

Close up on James, Aaron, and myself

Our group went to dinner afterwards (13 of us) and we had a very enjoyable time. We drove from Salt Lake down to Orem so Aaron and James could get their 'sleep over' stuff then we went back to my house and watched a movie. It was fun to hang out with them.

New Years Eve was a lot of fun. We played many many games and had good times laughing and eating food. I love my family parties!!

This year we played games including:
Trivial Pursuit 90's

Skip Bo

A game we call "Oh Heck"

We also played Boggle and Mad Gab

With the start of the new year, I have decided to go back to my home ward instead of staying in the singles ward. I felt like my life was in a rut, so instead of sitting and waiting for something to happen, I took some action. I didn't get a 'no' response about it, so I went with it. It is going to take me a few weeks to get used to being there again... it's been 7 or 8 years maybe since I'd been there. I will miss the people in the singles ward, the bishop told me I'm still invited to EVERYTHING!! :) Leaving the singles ward means that they will be stressed out with no organist. I have been playing the organ for them since I've been in the ward. They've called someone to the position and I gave him pointers about playing the organ. I know he'll be great at it! Replacing me as a teacher in Relief Society is not so much a huge deal, but the president tried to get me to say 'ok' to coming once a month to teach.
It's strange to know that people don't want me to leave... it's also strange to know that my home ward will be 'fighting' over where to put me. I've been told by people that I would be a huge asset in any of the organizations; from Primary to Relief Society with Young Women's in the middle ;) We'll see where God needs me to be and what I'll be doing. I'm sure wherever it is will be fun.
Until next time...