christmas deliciousness

So, I was complaining to one of my good friends, Andy (if he had a blog, I would link his name right over) that all I want every year for Christmas is a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup in my stocking. Whenever I tell the Faj Mahal this, his response is always: "Those things are filthy and full of hydrogenated oils!" {ps, they're not} or "I always get you peanut butter cups!" {because he gets the peanut butter cups from BYU's candy counter, which are seriously not as delicious as Reese's.} I reiterate that I just want the bright orange cheap-o ones, but really, he refuses to buy them. Dramatic? Yes. But I secretly like that he takes a stand on it, I guess. Anyway, Andy cleverly wrapped a "shoots and ladders" box {trying to psyche me out, because I hate board games} and it was FULL of Reese's Peanut Butter cups. It was really exciting. Lars especially loved it, as you'll see in the following three photos. {Note Lars' progressing excitement in the following three photos - pay special attention to his hands and face in each photo.}







And I'm trying to be better at documenting exciting events, such as Christmas, but my brothers just aren't as into it. For example:



And the Faj Mahal's salmon/clam chowder is so heavenly, even though it looks gross, yellow, and glossy in this pho-to. If Trevor {I would also link over to his blog, but I don't know how...} took the photo, the food would look delicious.









i heart my brothers. they are so cute.

ps, one of my india besties did an awesome little recap. i still need to finish india blogging, but in the meantime, if you are interested, read this:

http://courtneyelizabeth28.blogspot.com/2009/12/what-have-i-been-doing-you-ask.html?showComment=1261963449572_AIe9_BFZD0S6KHjAr7_mGOJoLSdJxlHC7eu2q7Nl7opTCvTFWB_Zqa3-jsUQi-fp1epPcx0KQuQkIZ6m5tugQrWd9GQEc8oVWfu77eDbHovid4VlJA98sCg3x-7Qp7VrHZs1IhtPMMRTFMR045g-RUNKaf8Rnildy_Q6yTIC4jMNcDm2zCiXLosVUy2eFEhtCJdDQQCGs2IGsoSGcHq_EiSWdSaxnOOZxu9vtn-geU7DScsC1Fn-NeOpL32zWw0OjqBdUyxwXQGD#c2779891710133773

favorite lunch buddies

I love lunch with the Schmutz family. It is always funny. And I love when bestie Benson comes, too.


Me and Gayle. {My cheeks will always be chubby.}


Spencer!


Benson and Kent {And yes, Kent is tickling his own chin... Weird? Yes.}


I love taking pictures of Kent. Kent kills me - I laugh at basically EVERYTHING he says. As we were leaving, Gayle was expressing how much fun lunch was and Kent fake-grumbled "Wasted my Wednesday afternoon."


Spicy Thai {on University in Provo} - spicy salmon lychee curry. So, so, so good. {Also the most expensive thing on the menu - I'm classy like that. And I'm being sarcastic, because the Schmutzes paid for me.}

Hot topics of lunch conversation:
- Celia {always}
- Kent is sporting a very homemade "Mr. F." wristband - a little Arrested Development reference. {Except it's for Kent to remember to take his supplements.}
- Illegal Immigration {the liberal standpoint - thank you, Gayle.}

home!

{photo taken in the Andaman Islands}

I love being home, even though I'm a.) sharing a room with Finn and Lars (because of the re-model), b.) not eating very much food because I'm too poor to go out and it's too difficult to eat properly with the re-model going on, and c.) my family (accidentally) buried my underwear drawer in the basement, also because of the re-model. Here are some of the latest events of my life:

1. Finn is huge, has a deep voice, and rocks his Ray-Bans {now Niels and I are total posers with our fake Ray-Bans}.

2. Lars is obsessed with these paper claws:



3. I went to Temple Square to see 2 back-to-back concerts for Niels' school choir. Niels was a little disheveled when he got in the car, and complained that "whoever invented cumberbunds needs to be kicked in the crotch!"


{he looks so nerdy and disheveled, but still cute.}



Cousin Kayla met us in Salt Lake and we ate pizza at the mall. The Faj Mahal was embarrassed to hold the huge pizza box. He tried to pawn it off on us, saying, "I just need to button up my coat really quick!" But none of us would take it.





{Lars really wanted me to hold him. That's why he looks so clingy.}

4. Christensen family annual white elephant christmas party. I forgot my camera. Uncle Kyle made Kjirsten massage my gimpy leg, or as she said "rubbin' the nub." So gross. But Kjirsten is also so funny.

I'm totally going to finish blogging about India - later.

thanksgiving and baby taj {and happy bday finn}

Thanksgiving was good. We were supposed to eat at 2, but you know, per usual, didn't eat until like 5:30. {That was BAD news because we had a dinner appointment at 7 with our Telugu teacher. She was disappointed that we didn't eat more, but seriously I thought I was going to die I was so full. I had to force myself to keep taking bites.} We made a Thanksgiving plate to take to our dear friend, V-Raju, and as I was walking with him and Courtney to take it to his house, I tripped twice... that was after I commented that I want to be a waitress, but was thinking that maybe I'm too clumsy. After that Courtney told me I definitely should not be a waitress.



Dan is so good at vice-gripping {shout out to Niels}



Sometimes I wear this sari, which totally looks like a prom dress. {Realized that after I bought it.} And Courtney is totally bombshell.





And this is our little adopted puppy {Taj} for three days. I already know what the Faj Mahal is going to say - it will include the words "filthy animal," and "diseased."



SOOOO CUTE. {Also kind of annoying.}

Also, Finn - remember when you got the dorkiest gifts for your birthday? They included a GIANT stuffed bright green caterpillar, rescue hero size gloves, and camouflage earmuffs. Just thought I'd remind you.



I miss celebrating family birthday parties and I miss pretty much everything about this picture:



And I had to put this picture on because it's my favorite picture of Finn the whole world. And, love that sheet! Happy birthday, Finnie!