merry.unusual.christmas

December 24th, 2009:

11:00 AM-8:00 PM: Work! I got scheduled to work a double on Christmas Eve because I am the new girl.

8:15: Got to join my family! Exchanged gifts over the phone with the part of our family who is in Texas. Dainon had me and he did the nicest thing! Well, he first gave me a package "Chocolate" flavored chapsticks (he knows I am obsessed with chapstick and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!) Then he put a painting of mine that I got way back in London on wood so I can FINALLY hang it on my wall! Dainon, Meili, AND Kayzha read "Twas The Night Before Christmas!"

12:15: Went to bed at Dainon and Kilee's house. Brittany and Tyelr slept in the basement, and Mckenzie and I on the couch! I finally fell asleep after Dainon "shhhhhh'd me!"

December 25th, 2009:

7:20: Woke up for Christmas! It was fun to watch Meili and Kayzha so excited for their gifts! They got what they wanted most from Santa :) Mckenzie and I got Harry Potter 5! After gifts were open we had ammish oatmeal for breakfast (thank you London!)

10:00: Came home to ATTEMPT to make Poppy Seed Bread for dinner. Made taco salad for Mckenzie and I to eat while we watched my new favorite show, Saved By The Bell!

12:30: Left for the Theaters to see the movie Nine with my twin! Liked it alot! It was very entertaining :)

3:30: Left the theaters to go see if In-N-Out was opened. Wasn't, tragically. Returned home and started watching our Christmas gift (Harry Potter.)

5:15: Went to dinner at the VERY NICE Jones' house! It was so nice of them to take me and Mckenzie in for Christmas dinner with their family. It was very delicious.

7:30: Went BACK to the theater to see S H E R L O C K H O L M E S!!! I LOVED IT! It was such a good movie. But come on, Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law TOGETHER in a movie! It was so so good, and if anyone tells you otherwise, they have no sense of enjoying a good movie so don't listen to them.

11:30: Came home to an empty house with Mckenzie.

Conclusion:

This Christmas will be a very memorable one. My Mom and Dad are in Texas to be with Callie, Andrew, Zoe, and our new little addition Eliza! When you are not surrounded and spoiled with gifts, you see what truly matters. I missed my family being all together around the kitchen table tremendously today! I am so blessed to have the gospel and know I can be together with my family forever. I know I will remember the true meaning of Christmas for many to come: being with those you love!

(picture taking Christmas 2008, we are missing Eliza.)

eliza jane

The newest edition to the Haggard (or Miner) family was born today! She came at 12:28 Dallas, Texas time. Her name is Eliza Jane! She was 8 lbs 8 oz. My mamma said she has the BIGGEST cheeks, eyes, with a dimple in her chin. Also, she already has rolls! I love chubby babies! I am so excited! Many tears were shed this morning because I wasn't able to be there to see this little angel come. My sister Callie and her husband Andrew are wonderful parents, and Zoe is going to be the most fun big sister! Congratulations Miner family! (I will post more pictures when they come, do not worry!) Eliza Jane is the best Christmas present! I can't wait to see her in a few months!

The Price Is Right

The Price is Right is a game show my family has loved ever since I could remember! My mom was on when she was 18 years old. She won EVERYTHING! Even a yellow gremlin with an orange stripe down the side. She won her game and the showcase. My brother Dainon was on when he was 18 as well. He won his game too! (Haggards are just good!) Well in October my Mom, Brittany, Mckenzie, and I decided we wanted to go for a little trip to sunny Calif-or-nia! We decided to go and try to get Mckenzie, Brittany, or I on. My mom went through the line with us to help us get excited. The producers must have loved my mom because she was the 4th person called to COME ON DOWN! She played the second game and WON! Her episode aired on Monday, and it just so happens to be on Youtube. I am so proud of my mamma! She is the only person I know to say she has been on the Price is Right 2 times in her life... and WON both times! Watch her ROCK the clock game here!

california

Let me tell you a story... October 2008 Mckenzie and I drove from Provo to Rexburg with 2 girls who were going to go to London for Study Abroad with us. One of the girls was very sweet and easy to talk to (Mishon!) The other one was a little funny (Alexa!) After our first class Mckenzie and I brought Mishon and Alexa home with us for dinner before heading back up to Rexburg. The entire dinner Alexa kept excusing herself from the table. On the way home she talked all about these people we didnt know. When we dropped Alexa off Mckenzie said "Mckell, she is going to be our best friend you just watch..." I started laughing (rude I know!) But my first impression of Alexa was she was a skinny little blonde girl from California that was completely opposite then me! In January, when Mckenzie and I FINALLY got to London, Alexa was the first one who greeted us in 27 Palace Court. As anyone can see, I was completely wrong about Alexa. It didn't take long for her to become a best friend. She is hilarious. Her and I were usually always up to something! We have had many hysterical laughs... (she pees her pants easily!) One night Mckenzie and I were sitting on the dining room table when Alexa came and told us about this boy named Garrett. He was on his mission in Minnesota. Garrett came home in March and they started skyping... and the rest is history! November 21, 2009 was a great day...

T H E I R...M A R R I E D

The night before the wedding there was a grooms dinner. Then the ladies went to Golden Spoon, and back to Alexa's house to set things up for the big day! Mckenzie & I got to sleep with the bride the night before the wedding! She was a very calm bride and just excited :)

The San Diego temple is a beautiful one. Alexa was a beautiful bride! (YES I was with her when she bought her dress!) Her and Garrett were so happy when they came out of the temple! I was crying my eyes out...

(cough cough...p o s e r s!) hahaha

The wedding was absolutely beautiful! One of the most beautiful weddings I have ever seen. Not only was it beautiful, IT WAS A BLAST! The wedding party walked, or rather danced into the tent. Alexa and Garrett's little solo certainly set the mood for the rest of the evening. The food was delicious, atmosphere stunning, cake breathtaking, dancing perfect, and to top things off I caught the bouqet! Little Miss Maddie came to grace us with her presence as well! It was so good to see her. I was so honored to be apart of Alexa and Garrett's wedding! I love them both so much and am so glad we are friends.

los angeles

Sunday Mckenzie and I adventured to the city of Los Angeles! We drove up around the homes in Beverly Hills. They were really something. We got lucky and found 3 different tour busses that we decided to follow, that way we got to see awesome homes! We walked around and everything was decorated for Christmas! We got hungry and treated ourselves to the best french toast I have ever had! (Puts Magelby's and Kneaders to shame...) Guess what else I had... SPRINKLES CUPCAKES! I haven't had one in sooo long, and they are so delicious! L.A. is such a fun city, especially when it's decorated for Christmas!

m-i-c-k-e-y---m-0-u-s-e

Mckenzie & I went to the Happiest Place on Earth! It's the funnest when it is decorated for Christmas! We missed everyone, that is forsure. But we had a blast. We rode everything, from Splash Mountain to Space and the Tower of Terror! There were a lot of people, but the longest line we had to wait in was only 60 minutes...(we have our ways!) Disneyland was a blast and it was a great way to end our fun adventure.

Until next time California... p e a c e

halloween weekend

Murder Mystery!! On Friday, we were invited to go to a murder mystery party. It was a lot of fun! I have always wanted to go to one. My character was "Scoop Jennings." I was a reporter for the Chicago Suns. I was dressed as a boy in disguise (hence the mustache). I was completely off on my guesses of who committed the "murders" though. Mckenzie won BEST COSTUME and she made her own dress! I got honorable mention, boo ya! It was a great night.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! (Halloween dressed as Thanksgiving this year). KYLEY CAME DOWN! It was so much fun to have her here. She is such a good friend and my family loves having her around! Meili and Kayzha were so cute. All month long, Kayzha has been talking about how she wanted her dad to be Prince Philip. My mom made him a costume yesterday and he surprised Kayzha. It was the cutest thing in the world (made me cry). Mckenzie, Kyley, and I were mimes. Brittany did a great job with our makeup! The majority of the night was spent scaring little children. Meili did a great job screaming at people! Kyley just kept laughing. Dainon wrapped a scarf around his face and acted like creepy man. I just enjoyed my time keeping a straight face and frustrating children. My mom continued the tradtition with having scones and some friends came and joined us! Halloween weekend, success.

especially for YOU!

From this...

to this...

Miss Jen and Stevie are getting married! I was lucky to be co-counselors my second week of EFY with this lovely lady. I remember the afternoon we were walking back to the Riv Apartments and she told me she had a crush on this wonderful guy, Stevie! I couldn't be happier that they are getting married. The first time I met Stevie, I complimented him on how he was such a nice guy! They are perfect for eachother.

Jen, now that we got you covered, it's my turn!!!

m.a.s.q.u.e.r.a.d.e

It was so fun to dress up like the good ole high school days for a masquerade! I have always wanted to go to a masquerade (odd I know). Friday night Mckenzie, Amy, Lacey, and I started to make preparations on our masks! Sadly Lacey woke up sick on Saturday so she could not join us. But lovely Julianne and Maddie came! It was fun to have Maddie in town. Of course our night was full of laughs, as always. Love these girls :) (Thanks for your help Britt!)