Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Our Christmas this year was amazing. Besides the horrible weather that shut down Oregon and getting hit by a car, it was pretty great. We stayed with Mel and Kirk, which was so nice of them to let us invade, and had a wonderful time with them.

The biggest surprise of all was getting a puppy! Melissa told Ben and I this horror story on the way to the Lancaster Mall about how Pet Stores kill dogs who get too old be "cute" and that a manager was actually caught at one drowning a dog. We couldn't believe it! So of course she insisted that we went into a pet store (just to look) and Ben saw this little puppy asleep in her box. I was looking at other dogs and someone asked if we wanted to hold one. He picked one out, the sleeping one, and we held her. Immediatly we both fell in love with her and Ben said, "If you want her, we can get her." Well that was a stupid question. Of course I did! I've been wanting a puppy ever since we got married. So what I think he was really saying was, "I really love this dog and if we get one it has to be her. Do you agree?" Right now we are working on potty trainer her, not an easy task, but we're working on it!

Christmas was great with me getting a new camera, a new pair of Big Star jeans, lots of earings from Ben and a really cute shirt from Kirk. Ben got this organizer thing from Jeff and we gave Jason a picture that he had been looking for for a couple years. The whole family did not believe that this picture existed becaue LeAnne had searched for it forever! So all winter long, I've been snapping pictures with my cell phone and sending them to LeAnne, trying to find this picture. Finally, I was in Costco and I snapped one, sent it to her and Ben and I left. She called me and said, "Are you still there?" I replied, "No. We're in the parking lot." She then told us to turn around, she thinks that's the picture. So we got it, and gave it to him for Christmas. Jason told us that when he saw what picture it was, he almost started to cry. We were so happy that we could get him something that he really wanted!

Mom and Dad got us a copy of the beautiful table that we've been house sitting for Jason and LeAnne, since they are taking it back in February. They also gave us some beautiful big pictures from our wedding to hang on the wall. We are so grateful for them, and love them very much.

After Christmas we took family pictures and went to Jake's Baptism, which was very special. He is the first of my niece's or nephews that I've seen baptized, and it meant alot to me that we were there for it.

Finally it was back to Utah, which in an odd way feels very nice to be home. I never thought that I would feel like anywhere but Monmouth was home to me, but I really do here. Ben and I own our condo, we have great friends around us and family not too far off (although they get farther in February, thanks LeAnne), and are continually bleased with successes.

Enjoy some pictures from our fun filled family experiance.Princess Ella lost her shoe on the stairs... Just like CinderELLA. No joke, she really did, I couldn't resist....Should she pick it up or leave it?
Pick it up!!The Watkins GirlsUncle Kirk and Ella

Ben and our new little girl!Ben and his new North Face JacketJake and his new Lazer tag gun

Our Baby Miley!

Mel and Kirk opening Guitar Hero World Tour!

Come Fly With Me

Ben and I went to our Ward Christmas Party this year (not something we have done in the past) and found that they were doing a silent auction for families in need. Ben and I feel so blessed and have been wanting to do something for others this holiday season. The perfect opportunity presented itself when one of the items up for auction was a helicopter tour of Salt Lake City Temple Square while the lights were lit up. We scheduled our tour twice and it was canceled both times because Utah decided that it was kind of close to Christmas and should probably have some snow. Ek. There was a clear up in the weather, but it was really bad timing. I am currently stressing over have to complete finals, and finish up two of my three jobs. Grading papers kind of sucks by the way. So... Ben convinced me that I ought to take a break from school, that it would do me some good, so I drove up to Salt Lake City's airport to board the helicopter. The tour was incredible! We flew over Hogal Zoo, something Ben was unaware of even existing! The lights around the city were so beautiful and you could see Larry H. Miller's house all decked out with lights, which I'm sure he put up all by his self. It was insane that that was actually someone's real home! The temple of course looked so beautiful, it just glows! Ben said that the old chapel looked like a gingerbread house all lit up and there were even ice scaters skating in the park. The pilot and Ben talked about how the skaters looked like the little Christmas villages where you have skaters on magnants that skate around the pond. They were so cute! On our way home, the tower dispatch was announcing that there was a search and rescue going on, which then turned to a search and assist (meaning that they aren't looking to rescue anyone, because they are probably dead). Of course my little news ears perked right up and as soon as we got off the helicopter, I called ABC and told them what I had heard, and asked them if they had caught that through the scanners at the station. They had not, and were very glad that I called. The only down side was that I did get a little motion sick, but not until we were already heading back to the airport. We came home and just enjoyed the rest of the evening relaxing and getting ready for today's finals. I'm almost done with school for this semester, and I couldn't be happier. April is coming, and although the thought scares me a little bit, I am excited for the next chapter in our lives. Whatever that is. Christmas is fast approaching and we are a little worried about the weather going home. Hopefully we'll have no delays. That's all from our neck of the woods right now, hopefully I'll get a post loaded before the New Year, if not, have a GREAT Christmas and a Happy New Year. Be safe and we love you all!

Ben and Megan

The footage I was able to get before my old stupid camera broke!

The Capitol


Ben: Ready for take off!

Hogal Zoo Lights (it's not easy taking pictures in a moving helicopter okay?)

In Mourning...

So today I was on my way home from school and thought that I would call Mom, to ask her a question about Christmas. She answered the phone, "Hello!" So full of happiness and excitement. Just as I was beginning to say, "My you sound..." My thoughts kicked in and I suddenly realized and exclaimed, "YOU'RE IN DISNEYLAND AREN'T YOU!?!" I had totally forgot that Mom traveled down Sunday with LeAnne, Jay and the kids to the happiest place on earth, hence, why she sounded so happy. She told me all about Fantasmic and how Zach's face was priceless when he saw Buzz and Woody! Shortly after, Ryan called me and told me he just got Mickey Mouse's autograph, someone Zach was calling "My Mickey Mouse" all weekend.

So here I am, stuck in Utah, going to school and work and feeling a bit under the weather, and they are all there. How I can't wait to be out of school and travel to places whenever I feel like it. The Second depressing thought is that this week last year, Ben and I were in Disney World. His first trip and mine since I left working there.

I miss you Disney. I miss the fun, lighthearted feeling you give me. And the thoughts of romance and true love. The fireworks.. oh the fireworks...I truly miss you too! Maybe I'll get a surprise trip back there someday...