To my surprise

Zack got me a TiVo for Christmas! I was so excited. It's sad that I am in love with TV so much that a TiVo would be my favorite gift. But really, it's just because it makes TV watching so much more convenient and efficient. I'll only be watching the shows I want to watch and it will take 3/4 of the time because I can fast forward commercials, finally I can fast forward commercials! Can you tell I'm pretty happy about it! How was everyone's Christmas?

Ginger & Spice

The finished product
Looking interested in Zack's decorating abilities.

So apparently Zack and I are not meant to make gingerbread houses. This one came after our first one completely fell apart. Zack had to put it back together after scrapping off the mass amounts of frosting I used to make the roof look really snowy. I guess you're not supposed to do that. It really was a challenge getting this going and by the end I had had enough of the gingerbread house and wasn't in the mood to try and be creative. So this was the final product, not too exciting to look at but we were proud of it!
We got another chance on Sunday. Zack's family did gingerbread houses and Zack and I helped his neice put one together, it was pretty funny. When I get a picture I'll have to post it.

36 days . . .

So I guess it's about time I update everyone on my diet coke ban. It's been 36 long, hard days but I'm still going strong. I really didn't think I'd make it this long and I'm trying really hard because it still sounds soooo good everyday. So we'll see how it goes, I'm still trying to prove to myself that I'm not addicted and I can control it.
So there you go . . .it's not fun, I'm still sad about it, but I'm sticking to it for one reason or another. Oh and I'm not losing weight as some people might tell you happens when you quit soda, I'm gaining weight. I eat to compensate and since it's the holidays I'm surrounded by all sorts of treats I've been partaking in.

Still dreaming of warmer days. . .

and crisp blue/green water. I can't help but long for summer. Usually this time of year I can't think about anything else but Christmas, this year is different for some reason. Don't get me wrong I'm still very, very excited for Christmas and I'm happy about the latest snow fall that is getting us closer to having a much needed white Christmas. But I really didn't get a summer this summer. I had a lot of school work, busyness, stress, and little time for anything else in between. I think that's why I'm still longing for it. And maybe because it's 50 below outside. What I wouldn't give to be on a boat right now in the middle of beautiful Bear Lake, with the sun beating down on me. 5 more months.
I just had to let that out. Now I can focus on the present, the holidays, snow outside, and

'Chestnuts On The Open Fire' playing in the background.

It's Official.

My baby is up for sale. I'm so sad about it but I know it's for the best. I will probably cry when some lucky human drives away in her. Hopefully she'll find a good home and better yet we'll find a new car.

Lights, Camera.

So she's finally up and ready. I personally think this tree was too cute to decorate and when we put on the few decorations we have it didn't do her justice. Every year our trees are reminiscent of the Charlie Brown tree and I think the sporadic bulbs really help with that effect! But here she is in all her glory. Taking a picture with the lights and trying to get everything right was next to impossible. So this is as good as we could do. I love Christmas! I'm so happy to have a tree, it smells so good in our house and makes it a lot more fun to come home to. Oh and don't worry in the background we used our doors as a stand in fireplace to hang our stockings with care.

O Christmas Tree.

Zack's grandma is probably the cutest lady alive. Every year for Christmas she gets all her grandkids Christmas trees, puts a little tag with our names on them and then we go over to her house and walk around the yard to find ours. I LOVE IT. I've always had a special place in my heart for Christmas trees and since I've been a part of the Hackett family it has only fueled the fire. It's such a fun tradition. Our tree is adorable with sparse branches here and there, it's perfect and smells so good! I love coming home to that smell. I hope to have it all decorated soon and when I do I'll post some pictures so you can enjoy it with me. So I promise more is to come and sorry I've been so lame about blogging lately. I'll try and get better.