Heber Christmas Extravaganza

So this year is the first I've been able to make it to an annual shindig that Cache and Staci are nice enough to throw at their (beautiful) home.  I must say, that as long as it continues, I will be attending.  It was so much fun to see all my old friends!  I think in the midst of being so busy with normal life, the people that aren't on my radar kind of fade into the background, and that kind of bums me out, because the minute I see them I'm so happy and I am so excited to stay in touch and blahblahblah, all those things I never do.  Some of the highlights for me included:

Darcy and her caramels.  I am not exaggerating when I say that I think about those licorice caramels every single day of my life. Seriously. I mean, only good things can come from butter and sugar and licorice and magic all being mixed together. I'm freaking out a little just writing about them (though, let it be said that the handfuls that I ended up eating did little to help my figure...or my whole "not eating sugar" thing).  Beyond Darcy's delicious treats, it was so great to see her. She became one of my dearest friends in high school, and I am sad I don't keep in better touch with her (Hi, Darcy!).  I was telling Vegor when we left that Darcy is everything I want to be when I grow up, and kind of always has been.  She's just so dang cool and talented. It was great to see her and her family (Hi, Sam! Hi, kids!).

Mindy-Suuuuuuuuue.  In fact, this whole post is dedicated to Mindy, an apparently avid/loyal reader of this here blog, who I regularly disappoint with my lack of posting. Sorry. I will try and be better. I haven't seen Minds in ages, and it was so good to get to talk with her.  I swear my whole world just kind of melted away these past five years or so, and not seeing Mindy has been one of the cruelest fates. I got to hold her beautiful baby, Lydia, and talk about old times.  I was sad I didn't get to see, Russ, though, as he's also one of my favorites, and though there were countless munchkins running about, I would have liked hers added to the mix, since I've never met them.  

Crystal, Jake and Kate. I am fortunate to get to see Crystal semi-regularly (a couple of times a  year, sprinkled with a few phone conversations here and there), but I never ever get to see Jake.  And I love Jake! We found out over the past couple of years that Jake knows my sister-in-law, Sarah's dad really well. Wierd. Small world.  Kate is freaking adorable. (Might I add, that with the abundance of fair-skinned, blonde-headded munchkins, it looked like we were raising the Aryan youth...) I can't even tell you how cute it is to watch someone so little sing the Ariel song to you. Adorable. And I can't wait for their little boy to come!

Nathan.  Every time Nathan and I see each other, we commit to being friends in real-life. You know, like staying in touch and doing something once every couple of months or so.  We fail at this miserably, mostly because I hate planning and driving.  We are doing better, as we have seen each other multiple times this past year.  To Nathan, "Real Friends: 09."

Holly Hult (Mahoney).  Apparently, my blog is Holly's internet claim to fame.  You  may remember me alluding to having gained "a whole Holly Hult"  (which is true, if not a little on the light side.  I just saw her. She continues to be tiny and gorgeous and great. I have maybe gained 1.3 Holly Hults.) I didn't get to talk to her much, but got a little freaked out when I found out that she had multiple children, since I remember seeing her at her first baby shower, and it didn't seem all that long ago. Time is flying! She also made these kick-ass rolo deliciousnesses made of pretzels, rolos and almonds.  *note to self, do not write about candy and chocolates before lunch; you are setting yourself up for failure.

KristinaMichelleStoneBrown, and Jacob.  I talk to Kristina, often, but I miss the crap out of her.  It is no fun when one of your besties lives far, far, far away. I am thinking another trip to the East Coast is in order so I can get some proper Kristina time.  We both, I think, have the problem that neither of us have been around each others husbands very much, yet know a lot about them, so we have to navigate that space without being too awkward.  Kristina did wonderfully, I think I potentially creeped Jacob (who apparently looks exactly like an Evanson, according to Vegor) out, but I like him so much! I'm coming to visit, soon!

I have to say, one of the greatest highlights of my night was seeing Tim and Chad. I haven't seen either of them since my wedding, and I have missed the crap out of them, and boys seem to be kind of crappy at this whole "blogging to stay in touch" thing.  It's nice to know that we'll all be in the same neck of the woods so that hopefully we can hang out.  (Especially since Tim will be on campus, right next to my office...so help me, if he bails on playing I will hit him like he were Nathan Moulton...)

It really was just so fun to see everyone. It was great to see Cache again and have him be as happy and charming as ever, and to finally meet his sweet wife, Staci (who really is the biggest sweetheart.  We all know I'm a little socially awkward, and she came and talked to me, helping me feel more comfortable. Thanks, Staci!).  It was great to see everyone's spouses, and kids, and to just be home, in that real sense.  No matter how far away, or how many times I move, Heber will always be home to me, and it's completely because of these wonderful people.  I hope next year there will be more people there, and that I can be better at staying in touch with these great friends over the course of the next 12 months.  

(These past two posts have been nothing but sap! I really need some winter doldrums to get my head in its right, sarcastic place...)