Christmas was...

GREAT! But doesn't everyone say that. Well, It was for us. It probably was the smoothest Christmas we've had so far, ever, in our career of being together. We got up opened the "us" gifts and stocking stuffers. Then we loaded up the car and went down to Patrick's mom house. There we had some breakfast and opened the Raymond-Becker gifts. After that we headed up to the Franco Residence and opened gifts with my family. After a bit of relaxing, we headed up to Grandma's house (my mom's mom) and opened gifts with all those peeps. We left there pretty quick and went home. Home Sweet Home. It was awesome!

We both got a whole lot of gifts even though we probably spent the least this christmas. There just really wasn't that big gift we both wanted so we got a lot of littler things. I got a curling iron (I needed one), lots of games, a great book called A Train to Potevka, an iPod speaker-dock thingy (amazing!), pearl earrings/necklace/bracelet set, a scentsy warmer, a nice chunk of money for curtains (finally) and a bunch more that I can't remember right now. Patrick got lots of tools, an Iron Gym, a trip to Nicaragua, huge snow boots, a couple of movies, games too, and a bunch more I can't remember. Oh! And we both got clothes. Much needed clothes. Lilly got a new collar (like always...), a bone and a new rope. The bone is pretty much gone. She's already ripped it to shreds and chewed up the pieces.

All in all we had an amazing Christmas. I'm sorry there's no pictures but trust me...

Me + Morning = Bad Idea!

In honor of Mother Nature....

Dear Santa...

This year has been crazy, but BOY have I been a good GIRL a little OCD, but that's totally OK! Wink, Wink! I wanted to fill you in on everything that has been happening to prove to you I've been good! SO...

I volunteered at Ellie's debate tournament being a judge. It was completely out of my element (being the Choir Geek that I was in high school) but it was so much fun! I actually really really enjoyed it until I realized I couldn't debate myself. Now, I know that's not the point of the judge. If I wanted to get involved I should have done something about it in high school, but seriously!! I was sitting in a room with a bunch of kids listening to them speak. Half of what they were saying was FALSE and they other half was STUPID! I just wanted to have my turn to give a speech and let them know where it's at! HA! Well, I definitely let them have it on paper but it's just not the same. I love these debate tournaments. It gives Ellie and I a chance to hang out and do something together and it's an invigorating activity! Some of these kids are really smart and impressive and others.... well.... :D

So, Christmas is coming and Beki's getting fat! Ha! Seriously!! There are treats EVERYWHERE!!! It's so hard to resist the temptation! Right now, at my work, there are 2 HUGE boxes of bread goodies from Great Harvest, a basket of cookies from Ms. Field's Cookies, and another barrell of... some weird stuff (I can resist that), and then everyday someone brings in more goodies that are homemade. Seriously, guys! STOP!! I can't handle it anymore. But that doesn't mean we're not in the Christmas Spirit! See we put up our tree last week!!

BEFORE:

DURING:

Lilly helping.... kinda...

ALMOST DONE:

DONE:

(kinda, we didn't get the rest of the ornaments up for another week or so. :D)

See Santa!!! We've been good! Slow, but good!! Braxton's brithday was also this month. It's crazy that he's ONE!!!! I forgot to take my camera to his brithday party but it was so much fun. He's starting to walk and it's so funny to see him try.

He's getting so big! I can't wait till I have kids of my own to watch grow up! Then Braxton will have cousins!! Anyway, Christmas is just around the corner, so don't forget about us cuz you know we won't forget about you! We're the ones on the corner with no lights outside and a crazy dog!

Your FRIEND,

Beki Jo

Oh to be young again!

So last week, sitting at home, hanging out with Patrick and Lilly, I turned the T.V. on to see if there was anything interesting on. Yeah, I think the last of the Presdiential debates was on, and a few more interesting shows, but we ended up watching.....

Yup that's right. Aladdin. ALADDIN!! I know I know. Odd. But as we sat there at watched it, my entire day seemed so silly. I wasn't having a rough day. In fact, work had gone fairly smooth and quick, just how I like it and we had just gotten back from a somewhat frustrating but enlightening trip to Home Depot, but nothing can put a brighter childish smile on your face than a disney movie. We talked about memories from being a kid and how we wanted to be Aladdin and Jasmine growing up. I would totally recommend throwing on an old school disney movie and talk about the good ole' days where nothing mattered but Prince Ali and Abu.

Lame!

I hate being sick... Yes calling in sick, at the time, seemed like I was clearing up my schedule to have an adventurous day with the Lilly Poo. There was so much I could do around the house with a "free" day, but for your information, it was not as exciting as my ill brain thought it could be. Here's how the day went: First, I called my awesome boss (It's hard to consider my good friend Jami as my boss because she's just that, a good friend.) to let her know that I was pretty much dead to the world and I didn't think it'd be a great idea to contaminate the entire office. She said, since I sounded like I was either dying a slow and painful death, or like a man, I should probably just not come in. Good idea! So at that point, I was lying in bed at 8:00 a.m. with the day off, and I can't move. That's right. I was stuck. Stuck in my own body it seemed like. Or it could have been the little pooch all sorts of tangled up in the covers, fast asleep, and not allowing me to move a single muscle. So I lay there, just laying there. At about 9:30 I flipped on the T.V. and pretty much was stuck again. Stuck being sucked into whatever was on. I don't think I watched a single important show or movie. Come to think about it, I don't even remember much of what I watched. And that, ladies and gentlemen, was pretty much my day. Yes, I know, your probably thinking, "That's it?" Yup, that was it. Somewhere between 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. I took a shower, took the dog out, slept, and watched more T.V. That's the life of the sick one. Yuck!

The Raymond Residence

Now, most of you reading this are probably thinking, "Weird family, those two are! I wonder if their place is just as crazy as they are." Well, it is! Our crazy house has a personality of its own.... **In my best announcer voice** And now for the grand tour of the Raymond Residence. :) We live in Layton/Kaysville. It's pretty on the border of the two cities and it's such a cute little area. We have a 4 bedroom, 2 bath, rambler. (Sounds funny... rambler! Ha!) Anyway, it's so different living in a home you don't own and owning the home you live in. We lived in apartments once a long, long time ago and it was fun starting out but then I realized I couldn't let my creative juices just flow as easily. We you own your own home you can do whatever you want to it. We decorated somewhat, but have mostly worked on the yard. The extremely large tree in the back yard that you can see in this pic is gone. We had it removed. It was a sad day for me but Patrick loved it! He also built us a beautiful fence. It's been amazing because living on a corner lot with your back open to the entire community can be a bit revealing. We never had any privacy or free space it seemed like but now... I can go outside and not have the neighbor dog charge our little Lilly. We've torn out a few other trees since we've been there and are still making small improvements. Someday, it'll be breath taking! You'll see. Anywho, the inside is fully done but not fully decorated. It's a work in progress (like most aspects of my life are.) Patrick and I have each claimed a spare room as our own, his and her offices. We also have a cute guest room and a large laundry room that's just kinda there... Once I get rooms more completely decorated I'll post some pics.