Sunday, November 18, 2012

Nutcracker Nostalgia

This weekend we got to go to the Nutcracker to see my SIL perform as a clown! I have been going to her Nutcracker performances ever since Jer and I started dating 6 years ago! It has been fun to see Becca develop as a dancer and see her grow.

The Nutcracker is something I hold dear to my heart, I performed in Santa Barbara Festival Ballet's Nutcracker for 10 years growing up so it just wouldn't be the holidays if I didn't get to see it. Jer and I are even working on collecting ornaments for a Nutcracker-themed tree. You'd be surprised at how many I already have. (Thanks mom!)

All this Nutcracker business got me nostalgic as I remembered the fun memories I made as a ballerina growing up. I decided to ask my mom to send me the pictures she had of my Nutcracker roles through the years and thought I'd share!

Gingersnap! Can you tell which one is me? (Hint: I'm in the second row. :o)) Andi, I hope you're reading this. :o)
 Party Girl.
Soldier.
 Baker.
Little Candy Cane.
Angel.
Waltz of the Flowers Corps. How's that for a totally awkward teenage photo? :o)
Clara.


 Candy Cane Soloist. And passed the torch on to the little sis.

Dewdrop Fairy.

Spanish.

And there you have it! Just missing a couple, but it has been so fun to look back at all these photos and reminisce. Thanks for your help, mom!

Happy Holidays everyone!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Fall Updates

Things have been fun and eventful over here at the Pendleton household. It seems I've inadvertently gone on a blogging hiatus.

Knee News:
As most of you know, Jer injured his knee again a couple weeks ago. He went in for an MRI and we got some good news. His MCL and ACL are still looking great and intact! Thanks to the special brace we got him after his second surgery, we think that prevented him from re-tearing those ligaments. The one down-side is that he did re-tear his meniscus. It is a bucket-handle tear again like the first time, but he is able to walk on it and he doesn't need surgery immediately so he can continue to work through the holiday season and we will make decisions about surgery after that.

Jer has decided to coach the city league he was organizing instead of playing. We think that's a wise move on his part. :o)

Food Facts:
We found a new restaurant that was recommended to us by some friends. It's a little hole in the wall on Orem state street called Joe's.

We went for breakfast and the food was excellent. Joe doesn't let you pay until after you eat to make sure you like it. We got a HUGE omlette and biscuits and gravy. WAY too much food for two of us. We could have shared one plate and been completely full. We would definitely recommend this restaurant. Such a great change from the normal Utah County chains. 

Current Events:
 Dancesport is over for this semester. Caleb and I danced really well and felt like we have made a lot of improvements since the summer. One of my besties Amy Bukarau, did my hair. If any of you ballroomers out there need someone to do your hair for nationals I can give you her number, she's the best!
 I finally finished my twin sized bed spread I have been working on since the spring. I finally decided to make something for my own home and just recently got around to finishing it. As of right now it is serving as a throw in our living room but I hope in the future I can actually use it as a bed spread.

Here is the link to the free pattern I used.
 We finally got together with our besties the Breadys last night for dinner and a game of Settlers. Jer and I haven't seen Harper much since every time we see them Harper is already in bed. It was so fun to see how much she has grown and how smart she is! She found the rent money! Her mom really is in trouble. :o)

Holiday Plans:
We are super excited because we leave in less than a week to head out to Austin for Thanksgiving. My parents rented a house for us to stay in and we will spend most of the week with family and hopefully do a little exploring of a new state! Jer and I haven't been to Texas before. In preparation for our trip, I made Ella, my niece a little skirt for her birthday. Her birthday was in October, whoops! Better late than never.
This skirt didn't take me very long and only took a small amount of fabric (Ella is tiny!) I'm so excited to give it to her and see her in it. I kind of just made up my own tutorial for myself with what I have learned, so I will post that later.

For Christmas, we will be spending it with Jer's family in a place much warmer than here. :o) More updates on that as the time approaches.

Before I close this post, I have to publicly confess that I started listening to Christmas music today. I held out longer this year than I did last, but I needed a dose of it this morning. :o)

Monday, November 5, 2012

Weekend Home!

This past weekend I flew home to attend a football game at my old high school where my little sis is following in my footsteps. :o) She is a Songleader (the dance team) which I did for 3 years while in high school. She had a half-time show so I was able to go and see her perform!

It was so fun to see the girls doing all the same cheers and sidelines from when I was there and to see a lot of the same teachers and families I grew up with! A total blast from the past.
 DP High! Go Big Blue!
 Anna on her cute little box.
 About to dance their hip-hop number for the halftime show.
 Us in our lettermans jackets. Oh and don't worry, afterwards my dad and I shared a huge burrito from Freebirds. Can't go to SB without some Freebirds in your belly.
 Breakfast with the fam at the Boathouse looking out onto the water. We had fun chatting with one of my BFF's Kate.
 Mom, Anna and I had fun shopping together at Old Navy and World Market after breakfast and then Anna and I decided to try our hand at some pie-making skills. I've told you before I stink at making pies. We tried the cute pies in a jar. (Anna put it together). And it turned out so cute!
And then we did a full berry pie with home made crust! It turned out great! It wasn't soupy or anything. I was very proud of us to say the least. I can now go to Austin for Thanksgiving with the confidence that Anna and I together can produce some good pies for the family.

We topped this puppy with some delicious Trader Joe's vanilla ice cream and had it two days in a row!

The best part about this pie? I used the frozen berry medley from Costco! Sooooo easy and super yummy.

Sadly I can't find the recipe I used! Found it on Pinterest and then didn't pin it! Grrrr. But I remember the recipe for the filling so I'll give you that and then just pair it with your favorite pie crust recipe.

Berry filling:
5 cups frozen or fresh berries (I would've actually liked more in our pie so I might add a few more.)
3/4 c sugar
4 T cornstarch
2 T lemon juice
1 t lemon zest

Mix it all up and let it sit for about 15 min before filling the pie. Soooo yummy.

I'm sad I didn't get pictures with my parentals but I had lots of fun spending time with them. I always love getting to go to my other home. :o)

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Party at the Pendletons: Halloween 2012

Two years ago Jer and I threw a couples Halloween party at my parents' condo clubhouse and we thought it was so fun we decided to do it again!
Chelsey provided some awesome decorations including this brick wall everyone walked through to get to the party. Above are the winners for best couple costume.
 Picachu (sp?), Ash and Pokeball.
 Tree Huggers.
 Guts game. Guess Larry's body parts.
 Prizes and costume contest ballots.
 Up guy and his balloons.
 Tetris.
 Goblin Goop (made by Caleb).
Axl and Slash
 Me with the pirate baby.
Candy corn relay.


Balloon pop battle.
 Pirate family.
 "On Time"
Sisters.
 Progressive.
 Up.
 Doughnut eating contest.
Winner!!

We had so much fun and are so grateful for such awesome friends. Can't wait for next year!

Pre-Halloween Fun!

October has been a very fun and eventful month for us. We take our holidays very seriously and as such, celebrated Halloween to the fullest.

 On Sunday night, we went to a party at Chef's Table (Jer works there) where they were serving up brains. ;o)
Jer coming in a close second in the doughnut eating contest. (We were Slash and Axl rose from Guns n' Roses.)

 This past Monday night we had an FHE with the Evans' and the Chris and Alisons. We carved/painted pumpkins, ate chili and caramel apples and watched Hocus Pocus!
 My pumpkin.
 Chris and Alison's. (The Hulk)
 Jer's. (I somehow didn't get a shot of the Evans'!)

 Eating caramel apples with all the fixins! Caramel, chocolate, nuts, and heath bar.

 Cute Chels and Christian.
Jer's scary pumpkin lit up at night.

It's sad how quickly a holiday can be over but we are looking forward to two more fun holidays close ahead.

Stay tuned for a post on our fun Halloween party we had on Halloween night!