Decorating & Traditions

It's official.  All our decorating is done.  We finished yesterday evening after I got home from work.

It all began on Monday, when we put up my Nativity set.

This was always a fun tradition growing up.  In the Baldwin home, we didn't set up the Christmas tree until the week before Christmas.  But, we always set up Mom's Nativity in the beginning of the month... usually the first Monday in December for FHE.  I really liked this tradition because it helped me realize the true meaning of Christmas or "reason for the season".

On Friday, I bought a Poinsettia to bring some Christmas-ness to our home.... and a little color.    The Amarillus, I planted a few weeks ago, is starting to turn green.  I planted it late on purpose because I wanted it to bloom after Christmas.  My Aunt gave me some Paper-whites she planted a while ago that will bloom soon though!  I love that I can still have flowers in DECEMBER!!!

Saturday, after I got home we went to a Christmas Tree farm here in town and found a tree!  I never had a real tree before I was married... but I think now that I've had one, I can never go back!   I love the smell!  I also am loving having a FRESH cut tree instead of getting it from a bigger dealer.  We pretty much had no needles come off while transporting and setting it up :)

This is our finished product:

I found this ornament last year, it is one of my favorites.  My Mom hangs one similar.

After the tree, we looped tinsel along the banister, and on the piano.  We hung our stockings, and then Briant vacuumed... Thanks B!

One of my favorite things to do when I was little was to sit alone with the lite up Christmas Tree.  I turned off all the other lights and just sat there gazing at the tree.  Sometimes I would even play Christmas music.

Of course I did this last night for a few minutes before bed.  I have made this into a traditions for myself.  I just like the peacefulness of this season and this is one way I can feel that to myself.

  I was sitting next to the Nativity and I couldn't help but snap this picture with my phone.  I kinda like it. 

Another Christmas tradition is Christmas Candies.  Today... & maybe next week too, I think I will make some.  Just a few; Caramels, Fudge... I'm thinking about attempting Orange Fudge.  I may have to start making Sugar cookies every year for Briant since he loves them so much.  I also found a great and easy recipe for Gingerbread men...

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR TRADITIONS?

2010 Annual Christmas Newsletter

Hello again from the Giles!!  We can't believe that Christmas time is already upon us once more!  As always, looking back it feels like time has flown by this past year.  Not too many things have changed in our little world, but we still have had a ton of fun.

Briant is still working for Melaleuca in its Marketing department.  He stays busy and loves what he is doing.  Briant studied for and took the GMAT test this year and is really glad it's over! Now the adventure begins of finding where to go and applying to schools for his MBA.  Briant plans to begin school in Fall 2012.  Briant went with his Teacher's Quorum to Salmon this year for their High Adventure and had a blast Kayaking and Rafting!  Briant's favorite part of the year is Halloween, especially at work.  They have lots of fun "dressing up the office" and themselves and really going all out.  This year the theme for their department was "Wild West".  Briant dressed up as Lil Jon Wayne (a cross between Lil Jon, the rapper and John Wayne, the cowboy).  It's always fun to see his creative side!!

Melissa still works for Great Harvest Bread Co.  She got to be the gardener/mixes/signs & chalkboards lady this summer.  It was nice to have a little more free time & do things like go on morning walks, try new recipes (like Sourdough Bread for the first time), & have more time in the yard.  Melissa also had the opportunity to volunteer again this year for Camp Magical Moments as a girls counselor in the Sassy Scallywag cabin (the theme was pirates)!  She also kept busy with her garden(and others), and taking lots of pictures!  She entered 3 pictures in the fair and won a FIRST and THIRD place on two of the pictures!!!

Briant and Melissa had lots of fun together this year too.  In the spring, they went to Las Vegas to visit family.  One of the sites they saw while they were there was the Hoover Dam.  They went to the Idaho Falls Air Show and Blue Angels Show and had lots of fun.  It was a really hot day but the show was amazing!  

They went on their first Annual Camping Trip this year to Big Elk Campground by Palisades Reservoir.  It was a huge success (especially the food), and we had a lot of fun.  P.S. We love our Camp Chef Stove!!

 We took several trips to Utah this year for weddings, reunions, and to visit family.  We even took time while we were down there to hike the "Y" on the mountain!  

 Later this fall, we had to cut down one of our trees in our yard because it had a huge crack down the middle.  It was sad watching it come down, but at least we have more light in our house.... and it isn't IN our house!

Probably the biggest news and most exciting thing that happened to us this year was finding out that we are expecting!  We are thrilled with the idea of adding a little one to our family next year... and making it a little more lively (and noisy) around here.  We can't wait!

We are grateful for this time of year and the happiness it brings.  We are grateful for the good times we have throughout the year and those loved ones who share them with us.  We are most grateful for the Savior of the World, whose birth we celebrate and remember this season.  May we all feel the comfort, joy and peace He brings, this season and all year long.  Merry Christmas to you all, and have a wonderful New Year!    

                       

Love, Briant and Melissa 

Some EXCITING news!!!

Well, wherein I didn't lie my last post, I didn't completely tell the whole truth.  I have been working a lot doing Pumpkin Rolls for Great Harvest, and I have been on my feet a lot, but there is something else that has been wearing me down and making me a little more tired and icky feeling than normal.
Meet, our little Alien Gummy Bear:

Briant and I found out we were expecting on Oct 10, which happens to be the same day we found out Grandpa Giles past away.  I decided to take a test that morning.  I thought, why not, it is a little early, but what could it hurt.  When it read 'PREGNANT' I was a little shocked and in disbelief.  

"This can't be right," I said.  

When I showed Briant he asked, "So, What does that mean?"

ME:  "I think it means what it says, but don't get your hopes up because it could be wrong."

 (I'm usually very positive, but you've got to understand I had so many NO months before this)

I took another test the next morning before work and it said the same thing.  I took another that afternoon, it said the same thing.  Another that Wednesday before my Doctor's apt... same.  And I was still nervous when I went to see the doctor!  

Here is test 3 & 4:

We were really excited but we decided to keep it to ourselves (and few select others, like my mom) until we heard a heartbeat.  This was so hard to for me to do, for two reasons.  One, I had tons of questions about the way I was feeling and if it was normal.  The main reason why we decided to tell our parents and a few others so I could ask questions and be comforted. Two,  I always have such a hard time keeping my own secrets.  But, it still didn't feel real for me yet and at times I still didn't believe it was true.

Just so happens, I got the flu the next Friday, the morning of Grandpa's funeral.  Yes, I believe it was the real flu.  I felt very different for the next month.  I haven't gotten the flu for like 7 years but when you are pregnant, your immune system gets weaker so I'm sure that is why I got it.

Today, we went in for our first ultrasound.  We saw the baby right off, and it was such a relief for me.  I seem to worry a lot lately!  We heard a heartbeat.  It was strong and normal.  The measurements were good.  I left with a HUGE GRIN on my face!!!

We are at 11 weeks, so almost done with the first Tri, and our due date is June 18!!!

Thanksgiving 2010

I'm apologize for not posting for a while.  It has been a busy month for me.  We, ...... I started making Pumpkin Rolls in October, and it really picked up this month.  I make quite a few, and sometimes I'm at work for 9 hours.  It is exhausting, and my back has been bothering me quite a bit lately.  So to say the least nothing much has really been happening except work, Pumpkin Rolls, sleep and rest in front of the T.V.  We have found a few nights to do a few fun things such as; Going to see a Youth Drama production of Willy Wonka (very cute!), watching Teton Gravity (those skiers are CRAZY), and me going with my parents to see Harry Potter... which I have mixed feelings over.  It was a good movie but kind evil and sad.  But it is Part 1, so it's only have of the last book, so I'm hoping the next movie is much better and makes up for the solemn feeling this one portrayed.

Onto Thanksgiving.  What a wonderful day.  We went up to Ashton to be with all of my family this year.  There were 30 of us all together, including some in-laws, but minus Devin & Julie (and their family) because they just had another BABY on the 23rd.  He is so cute!!!  Congratulations to them!  We can't wait to meet him officially!

I am so thankful for delicious food!!!  I'm thankful for the means we have to provide it.  We made the mashed potatoes, gravy and GRAM CRACKER PIE!!!  We peeled a lot of potatoes and had so many left over!!!  We came home with a huge pot clear full!  On Friday, my mom made me some Potato Salad from some of the leftovers, which is so good and I can't seem to get enough of!  Mom, I need that recipe!  I was a little disappointed we didn't get any Turkey leftovers... I kinda forgot about it until I was craving it that night!!  It was a great Turkey!  I made Gram Cracker Pie on Wednesday.  It turned out the best of all that I've ever made!!!

It has a gram cracker crust, homemade custard pudding, and a meringue on top.  It is definitely a Baldwin favorite, and Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without it!

I am so thankful for my family.  I really did have so much fun with them.  It was so good to visit and catch up.  I haven't seen Sydney in, well, I can't remember but it seems like forever.  And Cole, is getting so big!!!  I miss them!!
Kyle re-taught me my family's favorite game, Monopoly Deal.

We didn't really like it the first time we played, but he made me play again and I had a good time.  Then I played some more with my parents on Friday and ended up buying me a deck!  I'm hooked.  I made Briant play with me that night and now he likes it too.... and is pretty witty.  He wins a lot!

Since there is only two of us, we play to win with four sets of properties.  We played like four hands today... this is my winning hand:

Black Friday was a little different for me this year.  I didn't get up early.  I didn't really find anything I was willing to get up that early for... or stay up really late for.  Briant thought he would check out Walmart for their 12:01am sale, but after seeing the lines he turned around and came home.  We ended up going around 9am and shopped for a good 4 hours.  We found everything we wanted... and we didn't have to get up early!!!

I am so grateful for Briant.  I love him so much!!!  He is outside shoveling the four inches we got today right now.  He helps me so much, especially when I've had a long day.  He always knows how to make me laugh, and we have such a good time together!  Thank you for all you do, B!

I am so grateful for knowledge.  Through the gospel we have been given so much knowledge, and we continue to learn more. I am grateful for the spirit which leads, guides & comforts us.  I'm so grateful for the opportunity that our Heavenly Father has given us to be together as a family forever.  I'm grateful for the temple and the blessings that come from going there.   I am most grateful for the love God has for each of us.  I know that because of that love, he gives us the ultimate blessing and that is Jesus Christ.  None of the above would be possible without him, and his sacrifice for us.  He is my Savior, my friend, and I'm so grateful for all that he has done for me.

Good Bye Fall, Good Bye Tree, Hello Snow

For the past couple weeks, this is what we have looked out our window to find:

I have so enjoyed the fall colors this year.  And surprisingly enough, the weather has been amazing. I've been able to just sit on my front step and look in amazement.  Seriously, aren't these Aspens gorgeous?  And the burning bushes are redder than they have ever been!

My parents came over the other day, and I was visiting with them in our driveway when I noticed this.

A huge crack in our tree!  That's not good!  I told Briant right away and he called some tree guys to come over and look at it.  They said it definitely couldn't be salvaged... it had to go.  The wind was blowing a little when the second guy came over.  It didn't take him long before he told us this tree probably wasn't going to last much longer.  We really didn't want to risk the fact that this tree could fall on our house if we didn't take action.  Plus we knew there was a storm coming in.  You could see the crack had gotten bigger and it was swaying in the wind.  Briant said he even heard it crack.  The guy left but was back in a jif with his bucket truck, to started sawing down the tree.  Thank goodness for chain saws because it took no time at all.  It was getting close dark when they started.
We watched from inside.

Indeed, there is a lot to clean up now.  We aren't exactly sure what we are going to do with it all.  I was raised to, "Waste not, want not."  So I would like to give to those who have a wood stove and need wood to burn... there is plenty of kindling!  Briant on the other hand, just wants it off our lawn ASAP.  He is willing to get rid of it even if he has to borrow a truck and take it to the dump.  What to do?

Monday morning we got our first snow storm.  It snowed all day.  I loved it!  It felt like Christmas.  I felt like I needed to get out the Christmas decor because all my fall stuff didn't match the way it looked outside.  Don't worry, I didn't.... I won't do that until after Thanksgiving.

This is what the tree pile looked like outside. 

I took pictures the next day, when the sun came out.  Everything in my yard has a healthy layer of snow and ice.  It looked so cool.

I counted the rings on the tree.  23 years old.  :(  It's too bad it had to go.  We will miss it.

Halloween 2010

Life without kids on Halloween is, in my opinion, kinda boring.  Don't get me wrong, it's fun to dress up and go to parties with your friends.  But for me it doesn't take long for the excitement from seeing all the fun costumes to wear off.  For me, Halloween is all about the kids.  I love sitting at home and having them come to my door.  I think it will be fun to make their costumes and even more fun to take them Trick-or-Treating!
Briant, on the other hand, LOVES Halloween!!! I'm sure it is his favorite!  I have never sat at home on this holiday while I've been with him.  I love the excitement he shows as he figures out what he will be, and usually designs his own costume.  He comes up with really original ideas and plenty of people are excited to see what he chooses in the end.  Even better, his work makes a really big deal out of Halloween.  They decorate the whole place with different themes for every department.  It's always fun to see all the fun ideas they've come up with.  Briant's department's theme this year was "Wild West".  Briant dressed up as Lil' Jon Wayne.  It's a mix between Lil' Jon, the rapper (I'm sure you'd recognize him in this song with Usher, "Yeah") and John Wayne, the western actor.

They went all out for the Western theme.  Here are a few good ones Briant got...

On Saturday, my parents came over and my mom and I planted 80 tullips!!!  My yard is going to be so beautiful in the spring!  THANKS MOM!!!

After words, we went to a little party with some friends.  This is what we went as:

We played a bunch of Minute to Win it games & it was so fun!!!  We played Chocolate Unicorn (it was so close but Briant won), Face the Cookie (Melissa won), and Sticky Balls (WE TIED)!

This was by far the best though... watching someone else play the head bobble one:

I think these are pretty funny!!  

These were some games that other couples drew to play, 

but Briant thought he should get to take part in.  Ha ha!!!  I love him!

Halloween Pumpkin Carving 2010

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to go to my parents house.  We did a little harvesting, then we set to work carving our pumpkins.

Briant hard at work.

Briant's finished product

 Melissa's finished product

 Everybody's pumpkin (excluding Mahon and Cindy's which can be seen HERE)

from Left to Right:

Kat's (Ghost), Ash's, Chantelle's (Spider), Kyle's (Mickey Mouse),
Chris' (Fanged monster), Briant's ($) and Melissa's (Kid Scared of Spider).

The two cute little ones in the front are Chris' as well.

We had a WONDERFUL time!  Harvesting with the family was the funnest it has ever been.  I'll admit, my pumpkin is lacking this year, sorry.  I just couldn't come up with a good one.  Mom, dinner was awesome, and we really had a great time visiting and spending time with everyone.

Tribute to Grandpa Fred Giles

I first met Grandpa Giles while Briant and I were dating.  He lived in Provo, UT in an assisted living place. He was 95 years old and sharp as a whip.  Grandpa had a sense of humor and a big heart.  You could tell he cared deeply for his family by the way he talked about each one (people whom I didn't know at the time, but Briant did), and by the pictures he proudly hung on the cork board in his room.  He was so sweet to me, and really cared about our well being.

From that time forward we went to see him each and every time we made a trip to Provo.  He was always excited to see us and greeted us with a big smile.  Grandpa was such a gentleman; he always gave me his soft seat and refused to sit anywhere but in his walker.  I was very impressed with him and his many accomplishments throughout life.

Grandpa has some wonderful children.  As I met Briant's extended family one by one, I just adored them.  They are so kind and I was able to connect with each one.  They genuinely care for you and we always had a good time.

I was so excited to gain another grandpa the day I got married.  All but one of my grandparents had past away, and I had really grown to admire and look up to the older generation.  They are wise, and genuine and just really good people.  So I was happy I had another Grandpa to look up to.

Our Wedding 2008, Grandpa didn't want to be right in the front... but we insisted so he could be seen in the photo.

Gina (my maid-of-honor) and I giving Grandpa a smooch on the cheeks at my wedding.  The Giles Family told me at the time it was some sort of a tradition.  But as you can see Grandpa LOVED it!

This past May, Spencer, Briant and I all went to see Grandpa before Spencer left for his mission. It was really neat to hear Grandpa talk with Spencer.  He told him how proud he was of him for going on a mission.

Grandpa past away in his sleep, on October 10th.  We was a good man.  He fulfilled many responsibilities and many people looked up to him... including me.

Unfortunately, I got the flu the day of Grandpa's funeral.  I was really disappointed because I wanted to pay tribute to this great man.  I made up my mind I felt good enough to go, and decided to just sit / lay in the mothers room and listen.  I cried through the whole thing.  He was an amazing person.  Grandpa received a 21 gun salute for serving in WWII.  It was a really special day.

I learned a very important lesson from all the speakers and from Grandpa's life.  Grandpa didn't preach, he just did.  He taught by example.  He was a very compassionate person full of charity, but he never sought for recognition.   I am so grateful for the example he was to Briant and I, and for all the love and lessons he gave us.

God be with you, Grandpa, till we meet again.

Trips to Utah

We took three trips to Utah in the past month.  Yeah, I know it's been a BUSY month for us.  Hopefully October will slow down a little... or maybe not.  We've.... I've started making Pumpkin Rolls at GH this past week and that means it's the beginning of the crazy season and my schedule will only get busier and busier until Christmas.  I guess I won't have a quiet month...

Okay, back on topic.  Our First Trip to Utah was on labor day weekend.  It all began the day before we left, I had to go to the dentist to get some fillings done.  This is what I looked like.

I made a video too, while I was still numb.  I think it is pretty funny, and Devin & Julie laughed their heads off when they saw it... but I'm still debating whether or not if I should post it.  What do you think?

  I had my first real traumatizing experience that day when my numbing wore off and I realized I had tooth pain (I was hitting a pressure point).  I tried calling and going back to the dentist but they didn't answer and their door was locked!!!  It was still during their business hours too.  They didn't answer their emergency number either (and didn't call me back until the next Tuesday), so I was very mad and upset.  I don't think I'll be going back, which is sad because I've been going there since I was 4.  I'm so thankful for a dentist who lives in our ward that came to the rescue.  He was a lifesaver!  I was so frustrated because we were going to Utah and I didn't want to deal with this the whole time.

The next day was much better.  We drove down to SLC and saw Briant's old roommate and his new wife :-)

Briant was happy to see Gary and another roommate Jesse, and catch up with them.

On Labor Day, Briant and I hiked up to the "Y".

It was a little over 1,000 vertical feet in... 1 mile I think.

Yeah, we made it!!!

Yeah, the video makes it sound like our intentions were to hike to the very top of the mountain.  Not so.

Oh and "The DEV" is where Briant lived while going to BYU.

Briant looking over his old stomping grounds!

Our Second Trip to Utah was for a Hershey Reunion!  It was fun meeting people I only hear Briant talk about back from him hometown.  We ate, chatted, and played some games.
I regret I didn't take any pictures.  But I did take a pictures of the the Homemade salsa I brought.

We didn't stay long for this trip.  We went down Friday afternoon, and went straight back to Idaho after the party.  We went to the party but needed to be back for this little girl's baptism the next day.

Our Third Trip to Utah was for Briant's cousin's wedding, and General Conference this past weekend.  We got to stay with Devin & Julie, and we are very excited about their new house... it is a cute one!
Aaron & Terra were married in the Provo Temple.  They are such a cute couple, and you can tell they are completely in love.

Briant's sister Tiffany and her little family came up too, along with Briant's parents from PA.  It was so good to visit with all of them.
Madison and Logan are getting so big!

We were really excited to see Logan.  He was born in June, and we hadn't met him yet.

That night, we went to Briant's mission reunion.  Some highlights were listening to all the returned missionaries sing "Call to Serve" in 'Spain' Spanish,  and visiting with his old mission President.

A couple Briant served with in Badajoz.

Briant's Mission President

Briant's parents got tickets to Conference so we went to the Sunday morning session. 

Before the session we listened to Music & the Spoken Word. It was really awesome as always.

When the prophet walked in the Spirit we felt was amazing! 

Always good to spend time with Briant's parents.  

We only get to see them once in a while so every minute counts. 

What fun!!!  Like I said, it was a very busy month, but totally worth it.  It was especially fun when all the girls went shopping, while the boys were at Priesthood session.  That definitely needs to be a tradition!