Holiday Highlights

Now that the holidays are officially over and we're back to our daily routines, I'm really starting to miss the fun times we had over Christmas. We had a wonderful first Christmas together and it was so exciting to be a part of the Willis Christmas traditions that Blair has always told me about. As we got in our pajamas and snuggled up together on Christmas Eve, I found myself getting a little teary. I couldn't believe that at this time last year I was just getting home from my mission. I couldn't believe that I really got to marry my best friend. I thought back to an experience that I had right before leaving on my mission. At the time I was terrified and unsure about going on a mission, still a little heart sick about a former relationship, and more than a little confused about my life. I knelt down to pray one day and the thought came to my mind, "Ashley, just trust me. The dream that I have for your life is wonderful. Just trust in me and go." This Christmas I felt so grateful that someone else has been guiding my life. I'm grateful for the way that my mission changed and molded me to be a better person. And I'm most grateful that my best friend and love of my life was here waiting for me when I got back!!
So over the holidays we went sledding and snowboarding with our nieces and nephews, watched one too many movies, played games and ate everything in sight! Blair and I decided that nieces and nephews are not the greatest sources of self esteem boosts. My nephew Nathan, for example, refuses to call me Aunt Ashley. Instead he calls me Fat Uncle Bunko. Hmmmm....I discovered that this is why my blasted sisters are so darn skinny after having five children. Their kids start calling them things like "Fat Uncle Bunko" when they get a little curvy! Just the other day as we're out to eat with my sister Kami's family, my niece Jessica turns to me and says, "You and Blair look alike! You both have spiky brown hair and big noses!" Darling, isn't she? She's a great remedy for a big head.