Oh, Tannenbaum

Tis' the season to do Christmasy-type things, so we started by getting our own tree!! We named it Casone because (as you can see in the picture above) our dear friends Jon and Casey helped us pic it out. They came up from SLC to visit us a few weeks ago and it was a grand ol' time.


We made veggie burgers from scratch and they were TO DIE FOR!!! Oh the meatless goodness...


And we made our own decorations for the tree, since we never had a Christmas tree before we had to improvise. Thank you pipe cleaners and scraps of paper. Oh, and I got the paper ball idea from my dear friend Leah. Check out her fancy blog here.

My dear friend, Brooke, had an extra ticket to the Christmas Devotional and since Brooke and I haven't spent time with just the two of us since we both got married I decided to go. I usually don't like to go to the broadcasts if I can just watch them on TV because I don't like the crowds and I would rather watch it in my PJ's on my couch. But I have to say, it was a really nice experience. Being in the presense of the First Presidency was surprisingly overwhelming. And the Mo Tab sounds so much better in person. Got me in the Christmas Spirit for sure.


But nothing gets me in the Christmas spirit more that kissing a camel! This old barn in Hyrum hosted a live Nativity. It was pretty neat. Petting the animals was my favorite part.

And then there were ward and family Christmas parties this past week, which for some reason I have no pictures of... But they were alot of fun. The whole lot of Chris's family got together at an elementary school in Springville, UT. All 11 kids. Most of which have spouses and babies. We ate good food, exchange presents, and played some intense dodgeball. Only a few minor injuries and one pair of torn pants. I really love Chris's family. They are so fun. I'm so glad that we get along so well with eachother's families. Such a blessing.

And speaking of families, we are going to Fargo Rock City, North Dakota on tuesday! Oh, boy. I can't even wait. It's wierd that when I gradutated high school I moved to Utah and never wanted to go back. But since then, I have moved back to Fargo two or three times and I look oh so forward to every visit. Crazy how that is. But its home. And I miss it. And my family is amazing and they make me laugh so hard. I can't wait to see them.

Until next time... Randi out.

This post is coming a little late but better late than never right? Right.

For Thanksgiving this year, Chris and I ventured half way across the country to the lovely and exotic..... Lincoln, Nebraska! Chris's brother, Dan, is going to grad school out there and him and his lovely wife,Courtney, were kind enough to let us take over their house for a few days.

Twas a grand trip. We started driving with 3 of Chris's other siblings, Devin, Katie, and Jeff, at 1:30 am! After a long, long journey we arrived in Lincoln around 4:00 pm. The next morning we woke up at 7:00 am to experience the football field of the Corn Huskers. Someone from the ward in Lincoln had some hook ups and arranged for the members to be able to play football on this legendary field Thanksgiving morning. People here treat this football team like a religion and so it was a life long dream for a lot of these people to be on this field to play. We didn't play football. We just wondered around being cold and tired, but it was still neat.


After the football fun we all crashed and slept for a while. Once we awoke, we all chipped in and prepared one of the best Thanksgiving meals I have ever had. Good work, everyone.
Chris and his brothers have a tradition of beating Super Mario 3 every Thanksgiving so that was also going on and off all day until it was done.

The theme of this Thanksgiving was "Forget Parents." And boy did we. We drove whenever we wanted, ate whatever and whenever we wanted, and played hours and hours of video games. This was our time.

I fell in love and became obsessed with Rudy. He is Dan and Courtney's dog. Honestly, he is the cutest dog in the world. I want a dog so badly it hurts but our landlord won't let us have one, so Rudy filled my dog wanting void. All I wanted to do was cuddle him 24/7. He was mainly a tease but I got a few good moments.

The next day, after Courtney and I braved the stores on black Friday, we went shootin. I have a lousy shot, so I chilled with Rudy and was moral support. Don't worry, all we shot were clay pigeons.

Don't mess with the Martins

On Saturday we decided to be a little cultured and we went to the Natural History Museum. I have to admit I was impressed. Education ensued.....


On Sunday we had a looooooooong drive home. But we only got caught in one storm and we made it back in one piece.

Thank you, Nebraska for the good times. Until we meet again...

Sorry, boys. The lovely and talented Karly Jo got married this past weekend.
It was such a fun wedding and I was honored to be a Bride's maid.








I love it when someone from Fargo gets married because it is the only time I ever see the ol' gang I grew up with. It's crazy that most of us are married now. We are all growing up so fast! *tear*































Although, my poor husband has to endure listening to unfamiliar stories and inside jokes all night. Bless his little heart. Thanks for being my hot date, Chris.
















And now for a little tribute for Karly and Tina. We made it, girls! Fargo love for life!



I am so happy for my Kjo. We have been through a lot together. From primary to girls camp to Nauvoo to X-files marathons to living together freshman year. I love you.

When in Rome....

So I have been tagged by the wonderful and talented Mr David. I will do this but I don't know how exciting it will be for everyone.

1. I collect garden gnomes. My secret obsession started when I was a wee lass and used to watch David the Gnome on Nick Jr. It continued as a secret until I randomly told someone and they stole one from someone's yard for me. The trend caught on and my friends started frequently stealing them from lawns to give to me. That doesn't happen anymore. But I do buy one when I see one. And I always take gifts...

2. I used to make up dances to the entire soundtrack of Disney movies and then make my parents pay 50 cents to watch me.

3. My mom and I swing dance in public places whenever we hear music.

4. When my husband is not home I blast The Black Eyed Peas and dance around my house.

5. I tried to dress like Punky Brewster and Clarissa from Clarissa explains it all when I was younger. I guess that explains my lack of ability to match.

6. My favorite T.V. show is "The Adventures of Pete and Pete."

7. I openly have a crush on Tina Fey.

There you have it. I am so interesting....

And I tag:
Adrianne
Jo
Matt
Tina
Kelly Greenwood
Ehu
Mama Turley

Don't feel obligated to do this. It's just for kicks.

And if you care to check it out, I had to make a travel-type blog for my English class. It only has one post right now. Maybe someday it will have more but if you want to check it out it is here.

Peace.

Back by popular demand!

After a 5 year break, I am finally back into the theater scene. For those of you that knew me back in the day, I used to be quite the thespian. From about 5th grade to 12th grade I was in about 2 shows a year. Coming from two theater major parents, I couldn't get away from it. But the older I got, the more political and weird the theater scene got and by my senior year I was done.

Well, slowly over time, the urge for the stage that runs through my blood has been creeping back into my life. S0, I decided to dip my toes into the Utah State theater program by being in their annual Halloween Show.
They did two one act plays. The suspenseful Monkey's Paw, and the comical murder mystery And Then There Was One. I was Emily Plain in And Then There Was one. Not much to brag about but it was really fun. Thanks to those who came physically and in spirit....or something.


And next on the calender is the annual Pumpkin Blow!! This is an event of a life time. Chris and I started going last year. The Saturday after Halloween, in Weston, Idaho, friends and family gather 'round to see a huge pile of pumpkins blow up. It's wonderful. Please enjoy the video.





God Bless America.

We all Fall down

If haven't mentioned it, yet...
I freakin love the fall. It is my favorite season by far and Logan is probably the best place in the world to experience it. Even though I have not toughened up for the winter chill, yet, I loved walking around campus today in the crisp Autumn air, wearing my 3 layers and fatty scarf.

And I gave my blog a makeover. Check out the hot back round. (thanks Adrianne)

So... I really need to update more because some neat events have happend. Prepare yourself for a mega update.

A few weeks ago a bunch of us went backpacking up Logan Canyon to White Pine Lake. It was so fun and so pretty.

Can you find Devin in the picture? So much for cute Randi and Chris photo op.

And we only got caught in one rain/hail storm. Not bad...



This past winter a family friend of Chris, The Garlicks, lost one of their daughters in a skiing accident at Beaver Mountain. They dedicated this amazing monument to her at the top of one of the runs. They had an awesome cerimony to dedicate it that had live music, speeches from friends and family, and great food. It was such a beautiful day and an honor to witness.


There is an organization on campus called Aggies for Africa and every year they sponsor a shoe drive where you donate old shoes and go barefoot for a few days. Chris and I both dontated shoes but I was the only one to go barefoot. I was all over it.



And last but not least.... Jeffery "Wave" Felix got home from his serving an LDS mission in Germany and Austria. Wave is the only Martin/Felix sibling I hadn't met yet and it was an honor. It is hard to tell in the photos but three of the brothers decided to grow out mustaches in honor of Wave's arrival. Devin, Greg, and Chris never looked better. Chris was so proud to sport
the mustache and polyester.















So, there you have it. It has been quite the eventful Autumn season thus far..and it's not over yet, folks.

Good bye summer, my old friend....

Summer has been good to the Martin Family this year. New Zealand seems like a dream, these days. And even though the leaves are changing, it's getting dark sooner, and all that jazz we still had some good times in Logan before school started. Here are some "tender momes" we have had since we have been back from down under.

The rocket launching

The Sunday tradition of playing a heated game of croquet.

Seeing Kelli and Drew again!! Along with chillin with Janette, Wookie, and Wags. Good times had by all. Except the ice cream place "Spoon Me" isn't as good as it sounds.

Chris and his biker gang taking on White Pine Lake. Chris is the one in the red helmet. What a winner. Its not really a bike helmet but it got the job done.


And the infamous Cache Bash. Go Wingnut!




And now it is time for my favorite season of the year. Logan in the fall has to be the prettiest place on earth.







So goodbye, Summer. Thank you for all of the good times. You shall be missed.