Happy New Year!

Let the countdown begin.

Tis' the season.

Christmas has got to be the best holiday ever.

I just love spending this time of year with family and friends, thinking of our savior, 

and eating lots of good food.

This year we spent Christmas Eve at our cousins, which of course included the traditions of eating Mexican food, acting out the Nativity, and singing Christmas carols around the piano. 

Brenna and I singing Jingle Bells. 

Good hair runs in their family. 

The sisters doing what they do best. 

Yes, he is 14 years old and 6 feet tall. Love him. 

Karma Rae opening gifts as Brenna eagerly watches. 

The girls. 

My dad is notorious for being the narrator. 

We 3 Kings bearing gifts and attitude. 

(Pardon all the red eyes...my camera has been very frustrating lately.)

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! 

ICE!

Last week, we went to ICE at the Gaylord Texas Hotel. 

This year, the ice enhibit featured ice sculptures of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and it was amazing. 

A talented team of artisans traveled all the way from China to transform two million pounds 

of ice into a breathtaking winter wonderland. 

Every year they do something different, but with this year being Charlie Brown, 

we thought it would be fun to go with the whole family.

So fun to be with cousins. 

My mom was SO excited to go down the "ice slide."

21.

Last week I turned the big 2-1!

(Me on the right blowing out the candles for my 3rd birthday)

As I look back on the past 21 years, I can only be grateful for the memories that have been made, the friends I have become acquainted with, and the trials I have gone through that have helped me get to where I am today.

Cheers to being 21!
Love you all.

The Nutcracker.

This weekend my parents and I went to see
The Nutcracker.

It has been a tradition to go since I was a little girl, and I never get sick of it. 

Even at age 21, I found myself giggling with the little girl next to me and sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier Pas de Deux.

I just love love love ballets.

They remind me of when I use to dance and when I could wear pink tights 

and a black leotard without looking like a huge blob.
Ohh those were the days...

Joyeaux noel.

If I was in Paris right now...

I would walk around the city at night to admire the lights with hot cider in hand...

and shop the Christmas market on champ elysees...

and go to the Lafeyette everyday to look at this Christmas tree.

Maybe someday. 

Thought of you.

I can't get over how beautiful this is. 

The elegant movement creates such a touching love story, it almost seems real.  

To think how much time it took to choreograph and do the animation just blows my mind.

I'm in awe. 

The magic of Christmas.

I think every house should look like this during the holidays. 

So magical. 

Christmas playlist.

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the music.

Every time I turn it on, it brings a smile to my face and makes all my worries go away. 

(Yes, I am one of those who plays Christmas music starting the beginning of November.)

I just can't get enough of it!

So, here are my top Christmas songs that I just love:

1. Oh Holy Night- Josh Groban

2. All I Want for Christmas Is You- Mariah Carey

3. Baby It's Cold Outside- Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey

4. The First Noel- Faith Hill and Josh Groban 

5. What Child Is This?- Charlotte Church

6. Silent Night- Bing Crosby

7. Jingle Bell Rock- Boby Helms

8. The Christmas Waltz- Harry Connick Jr. 

9. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas- Judy Garland

10. White Christmas- Bing Crosby

11. Blue Christmas- Elvis Presley

12. Breath of Heaven- Amy Grant

13. I'll Be Home for Christmas- Frank Sinatra

14. Happy Christmas (war is over)- John Lennon

15. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year- Eddie Pola

16. Where are you Christmas?- Faith Hill 

17. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays- N'Sync

18. Please Come Home for Christmas- Charles Brown

19. Santa Claus is Coming to Town! Jackson 5

20. Ave Maria- Josh Groban
21. Christmas baby, please come home- U2
22. Christmas Canon- Trans-Siberia Orchestra 
23. Last Christmas- Hillary Duff
24. Santa Baby- Eartha Kitt
25. Wintersong- Sarah McLachlan 

I would keep going, but my list would probably be never-ending. :)

A Coldplay Christmas.

coldplay + christmas = a very merry niki.

but seriously... this song is just beyond great.

happy friday!

Key to my heart this Christmas season?

 The BYU bookstore's white-chocolate-frosting-sprinkle-covered-christmas-tree-shaped pretzels.

I am addicted.