I am GRATEFUL!

Well, I had a lovely Thanksgiving break with my roommates. We ended up going to the Bishop's house, and helping his wife, Tammy, with most of the baking and cooking. We went over Wednesday night and made all of the pies, and then got started on some of the veggies, the rolls, the jello, etc. On Thursday, Thanksgiving day, I slept in and then I went on a 6 mile run. I figured that if I ran far enough I could justify eating just about anything....and don't worry, I snacked and then ate until I was stuffed. Early Thursday afternoon, we helped Tammy with last minute preparations and then enjoyed great food with other friends from our ward at Church and with the Bishop's family. Here are Rachel, me, and Amanda with our yummy pies. Rachel makes the best pie crust ever. Amanda and I made the pecan pie (left), I made the caramel apple pie that I am holding (I didn't add the pecans to this one since we were already having a pecan pie, and since Rachel is allergic), and then Amanda made the pumpkin pie that she is holding.
Here is just part of my Thanksgiving feast...I did not want anyone to think that I went without a fabulous dinner since I was not with family for the holiday.
And to top it all off, I had a sliver of all of our pies, and a sliver of another chocolate creme pie that someone else brought. I love dessert, and I love pie!
After a relaxing day at home on Friday, my roommates and I all stopped in at Walgreen's really quick before we headed to Maine for the weekend. While in Walgreen's, I tried on this random Christmas tree hat that moves and plays music. (Oh yeah, and since Rachel and I had the day off, we had time, and so she did my hair...she got it really curly with the diffuser, fun and different for me to be so curly.)

We headed to Maine, and got to stop and have dinner at the only Sonic in Massachusetts-yummy, on our way out of town. Friday night as soon as we got to Rachel's parents' house, we headed out with her mom to the local movie theater. We saw The Blind Side, a great movie. Then Saturday we all slept in, and afterwards I headed out for a run in the windy Maine weather. I ran by Maine-esque homes and little lakes and streams. We spent Saturday afternoon and evening at some of Rachel's family friends' home. We had another delicious Thanksgiving dinner, we talked, we played games, and we got to use their hot tub. It was perfect, and the friends lived in a typical Maine home situated on acres and acres of property. We had a good time.

Me, Rachel, Alison, and Amanda...oh, with our rubber ducky friend ;) I am so grateful for my amazing roommates!
The water was just the right temperature, and the cool weather (40s) made it just right to be in..not too hot and not too cold. I was hoping it would be more therapeutic on my tight left hamstrings...oh well.

On Saturday night we hung out at Rachel's house and watched Mary Poppins.
On Sunday morning we went to Rachel's home ward, enjoyed the meetings, and then had a super yummy lunch with her parents. Here we are out on the driveway, right before we headed home to Boston. Left to Right: Rachel, me, Amanda, Alison.

It has been a busy week back in the real world, but student teaching is going great. I love the kids, and I love teaching them. My roommates and I have all made a no sugar/no sweets pact. We went out for dessert on Monday night, and then started it on December 1st. I will not break it until I am in Utah and with my Mom, so the 15th at the earliest. Last night, Alison, Amanda and I went downtown and watched the Christmas tree lighting at Boston Common (one of the parks). It was actually relatively warm yesterday for Boston, record temperatures-67 for the high, and only down to about 55.
When we got off the T (the train/subway), we got some food to go and then enjoyed our little picnic dinner on the grass in Boston Common. We listened to the performers, enjoyed people watching, and stayed to see the lights all go on in the park before we headed home.
Alison, me, and Amanda-I was going to take it of the 3 of us, but then a nice man came by and offered to do it.

I am so so so happy that it is December, and I am trying to make the most of this season, despite a busy life. I love you all and wish you happy holidays. Actually, I wish you a Merry Christmas, since I feel like we have to be so politically correct these days and avoid that word, Christmas. Well, I love Christmas, and I love celebrating it, and I am Christian, so I say to you all...HAPPY CHRISTMAS! or MERRY CHRISTMAS (depending on where you are ;)