Merry {Christ}mas

   Another year, another Christmas. This Christmas will always be one to remember for me. Not because of the presents under the tree, or the stocking stuffers I got, but the time I got to spend with my siblings. This was my first time being a "college student" and "coming home" for Christmas. I don't live far away from home, but it's weird being a guest in your own house.

   For Christmas Eve, as a family, we did a lot of things that not a lot of normal families would do... Well to start it off, we played "Minute to Win It". It was mainly just the little kids that played, but they actually did very well! They used objects such as straws, M&M's, cups, bowls, really just random things. After that was over, the little kids went to bed, and us [adults] went and played beer [soda] pong. It was probably one of the funnest traditions we've ever started. We all got to know each other fairly well by playing that game. Then some of us [aka the only people who could stay awake] watched "Star Wars III". Well I fell asleep.

  Christmas morning! I woke up to Michael's girlfriend [Courtney] knocking on my door. I then got up and went upstairs and saw that all the little kids had opened up their presents! They were putting in batteries, charging their new toys, grabbing all the LEGO pieces, and just a lot more. I found my stocking sitting on the fireplace and opened inside and found gift-cards! I'll be eating good for the next month or 2! We then ate some lunch and Grandma & Grandpa Sheppard and Robyn came over. We waited till about 1 or 2 to start opening our presents, and then by 3 we were finally done with unwrapping every gift. I can say this Christmas was so helpful.

   I love the meaning of Christmas that we get to give each other presents because of the first original gift. He is the gift. I am grateful for not only the birth of our Savior, but his life as well. I'm grateful for the sacrifice He made for me and you! I love this church and this gospel, and the knowledge it brings to me, especially during this Christmas season. Tis the season for the reason.

[Eleanor]

Christmas morning [Charlotte, Tiersha, Tahnee, Eleanor]

[Bobo]

[Charlotte & Gracee]

May the Curve Be Ever in Your Favor...

   As I started out my day today I realized, "Wow, I am wrapping up my FIRST college semester!!" From August 24th [the day I moved in] to now, I never would have thought so much could change in a few short months! Move in day feels like it was yesterday, and now we're at Winter break?! I have experienced so much change, I feel like a new person since I started my college life. My roommates have changed me so much [for the better] with clothes, make up, and so much more, and my YSA friends will be some friends to never forget. I had to adjust to paying for my own: bills, laundry, clothes, food, etc... I work 20-24 hours a week, and I'm exhausted every night as I finally get to go to bed.

  Some of the few fun things I've done this semester that have made it so memorable are:

• Road trip to Rexburg, Idaho! I was able to go visit one of my best friends [Quincy] and I was able to spend the weekend with her, and her wonderful roommates! I got to meet the majority of people in her ward, and I go to see the Idaho life. I drove up by myself because no one else could come, so that was an interesting experience driving by myself for 4 hours there, and then 4 hours back!
  
• Fly to Atlanta for a girls week! I was craving to go Georgia, and I was trying to find cheap plane tickets, and then I found one, and with all the flyer miles we had it got covered! So that was a blessing! I then flew to Atlanta, and stayed at Tiersha's house, and Tahnee flew in from Arizona, and we all got to hang out for 5 days!
  
• Road Trip to California!! This was definitely a high light this semester, as I was able to go to California with 8 other kids from my YSA ward. We left right after school on Friday, then drove down, stayed at my Uncle's house, and we went to the beach, went to Disneyland, went to Ruby's, and then went to my home ward, it was the funnest weekend ever! We also made some stops at places like Vegas, Racecar track, and many more!
  
• Camping the First Week! We made some friends from our YSA ward like the first week we had moved in, and so we thought we would go camping! Turns out we [failed] camping, so that was a bust...
  
• UVU Committee Retreat! This was a weekend back in October, and my committee and I were able to join other committees and go "camping" at the Wasatch UVU Campus. We got to sleep in a classroom, so we put together a bunch of chairs and made our beds out of blankets, and we slept there. Not the most comfortable or warmest, but definitely a fun weekend.
  

   My first semester really was one for the books [and the blog] and I had such an incredible time! I was able to make a solid friend group, and move on with my life. I'm excited as for what the next semester can bring me, especially seeing how much change I went through in just this semester.