Remembering

This past weekend we said farewell to a very great man.

Tuesday afternoon my Grandpa Perucca passed away.

When I think of grandpa, I always see his little grin and twinkle in his eye. This was usually because he'd just teased us or had told a funny joke. Grandpa always teased and joked but not in a mean way, we just knew it was his way of showing that he loved us.

His smile was contagious and I honestly don't have a single memory of him without one. Grandpa's smile made you feel loved in an instant.

I always remember going to G&G Perucca's house Great Falls and having snacks galore. We could always go downstairs to the basement freezer and find popsicles to our little children heart's content.  And grandpa bought them for us so mom couldn't say no. :)

Games were grandpa's thing...and are now a Perucca thing. We'd play games I'd never heard of from their games cupboard. His computer had the best monopoly game ever. State of the art back in the 90's for sure. I still remember sitting at the bottom of the stairs on the computer, playing monopoly with my brother.

Whenever grandpa was visiting and I'd be practicing my piano, he'd always come in and just sit and listen, mistakes and all. He always made sure he told me how beautifully I played. It was such an honor to play for him one last time on this earth at his funeral. 

I can't wait until I'll play for him again someday.

 Until next time grandpa,

love you.

bad blogger but good times

I remember thinking just before finals that I would have many-a-great blog posts during the holidays because I'd have oh so much time.  Well...the holidays end on Wednesday and I think I've posted once.

Whoops!

Its ok though because that just means we've been having oobers of fun.
That's right, oobers.

It started off with our good friends, Don & Lisa, visiting from Australia. Once we picked them up at the airport it was like we'd never left. They were with us for 4 short days and we packed all we could in.
- Park City: the boys skied/boarded while we shopped.
 (it just happened to be on the only day it has really snowed this winter. For real.)
- Temple Square
- Thanksgiving Point
- plenty of trips to the shops to check out american prices
 - eating waaaaay too much american food
- and plenty of time just hanging out together
We were so much that I didn't ever take my camera out of my bag. I'll have to steal some photos from Lisa when she posts them. :)

After their all too short visit, it was Christmas Eve. We were praying for at least some snow for a white Christmas but we'll just have to wait until next year. (much to my snow-crazy husband's dismay :) )

Christmas came and went all too fast. I feel like just yesterday we were opening our Christmas pjs on Christmas eve.

We were really spoiled and loved spending time with the family.

Settlers, Rollick, Ticket to Ride and Just Dance were our go-to's.

And now New Year's has come and gone too.

Wow.

We lit some aerial fireworks at Phil's request.

They were awesome. 

So that's it in a nutshell. If I steal some photos from Lisa or my mom I'll post some more...but for now, at least I blogged right!?

Tomorrow we're off to school again.

Whaaaaat?

Happy New Year!

Temple Square

 A couple Sundays ago we made a trek up to Salt Lake to visit Temple Square. Jocelyn had never been to see the lights before so we figured she needed to see it!

I love Temple Square.  Even though its cold, its beautiful and its Christmas so the cold doesn't matter.

 Mom had the nifty glasses that change the lights to stars and snowmen. We loved those will all the lights around.

 The luminaries and the nativities from all over the world are my favorite part or maybe its the lack of people...

Another visit to Temple Square. 

Done and done.

 

holidays

It has been fun to decorate for the holidays in our little home.

It's nothing extravagant, but its cozy.

The tree, and below, our family room.

We had to make indoor snow cuz nothing is falling outside...

Let it SNOW!

We're so excited that Don & Lisa will be here today and can enjoy our holiday season with us.
We're ready for Christmas!

final...ly

Well folks its done.

I officially survived my first semester back at school.

Finals are over. Papers are written. Grades are set. 

Finally.

Its been so crazy. So fast. So Slow.

Now it's time to play!

Luckily we've played along the way to keep us sane.

A couple weeks ago we took a break to enjoy the true meaning of the season.

We went to a live nativity and it was an amazing and honestly a surprisingly spiritual experience.

Studying the New Testament in a class for the semester will make the Savior's life that much more important to you. It was so special.

We were really impressed by how elaborate it was. When we arrived we were greeted by Roman soldiers telling us that we needed go to be taxed. Then we started along the lighted path towards the star.

We passed by the shepherds in their fields... 

and all sorts of animals, including this cute donkey. It was crazy to think that Mary could have ridden one of these guys the distance she did.

Camels... 

and then the reason we came.

The manger scene. It was so precious. The baby Jesus was so sweet and everything was quiet and peaceful.

We loved being able to remember the true reason for celebration this time of year. 

23, phobias, and already a cougar

I turned 23.  Yesiree.

It was kind of a weird experience because in a way I feel like I skipped my 22nd birthday.  You see, my 22nd was different from all my other ones, warm, swimming pools and no daunting snow clouds to greet me when I woke up.  Still a special day, just different.  So this time it was back to the crunchy fall leaves, eventual snow clouds (later that week) and the whole Perucca clan to spoil me rotten. :)

Here we are at our house after dinner...minus Justin and Chantel who had YM/YW.

See that pile of napkins on the couch?...in the back?

Yeah well dear Nicholas decided it would be great to wrap my present entirely in napkins.  

Did I mention I have a semi-phobia of napkins because folks, I do.

I can touch them. But I hate it. Most of the time it induces my gagging reflex.

Gross.

But I was under strict orders to open it myself with no help.  And then what do I find when I get through the wrapping paper?...the box is stuffed full of crumpled napkins.  

Double whammy.  Thank you Nick.

It was certainly a night to remember.

I honestly did get spoiled so thank you one and all!  Specially family in Australia who managed to get me a gift.  Thank you!

Phil actually got me a special little gift of my own.

A MO-vember mustache.

I asked him if he'd always have a mustache on my birthday and he told me "as long as your birthday is in November, I will have a mustache on it."

I dubbed him Mario for the month.

Such love and dedication right? 

On another note, I am loving being back in Cougar Town.  We just went to the last home football game and yes, it was freezing.  I even sported my long johns but it was great and we love going with our friends.

23 and a cougar.  That's me! 

Cheesus

In my recent escapade to the local grocery store (yes, an I call it an escapade...makes grocery shopping so much more desirable) I found myself in the cheese aisle, fantasizing of Australia.

I wanted flavor; I wanted something that tasted like something more than yellow wax.

I wanted Australian tasty cheddar cheese.

You see, I do love me some good cheese. Always have, always will.  But it wasn't until Australia that good cheese became the norm.  That's when it all began. 

My palate loved that grocery store bought, home brand, tasty cheddar cheese.

Tasty is right!  I remember just eating slice after slice. 

Nachos. Sub sandwiches. Cheese & twiggy sticks. Grilled Cheese. Cheese and crackers...mmmm.

Ok ok, back to my escapade...so I picked me up some SHARP cheddar cheese in hopes that my palate would be deceived and decide I'm back in Australia.

So far, no luck.  Its a step up, but consider it a tiny one.  Like, real small.

All in all, I would be extremely grateful if my dear Australian friends would

#1: enjoy their cheese, dangit!

#2: send the recipe to Kraft...and then Kraft make it for me in America

#3: break the law by somehow getting my tasty cheese through customs and over to me

Is that too much to ask? :)

Yes, I just wrote a post about cheese.

Yes, I realize that is weird.

Yes, I'm still craving my tasty cheddar cheese.