I drove to Arizona on Tuesday to be with my favorite little guy in the whole world. I can't think of any boy I'd rather spend New Year's Eve smooching! Hope you've all got someone to kiss when the clock strikes twelve. Happy New Year's Eve!!!
The HOBBY yacht set sail for one more Christmas harbor cruise Monday evening and guess who got to man the ship? You guessed it! Pappa Hobbins handed over his captain's hat and let me steer us through the harbor. It was such a thrill. And I just love how Markus Alejandro (Mexican name his children have given him...he's not Mexican) is proudly smiling at his newest First Mate. I hope I made you proud Pappa Hobbins!
"The presents are all unwrapped...the bank accounts are tapped. The tree is almost dry...but my friends don't cry. We know the egg nog is done...but now begin the fun. With New Year's still too far...it's time to get in yo car. Please bring your favorite treats...don't forget your dancin' feets. Come on down to the Geeves...for some Karaoke and Cheese!"
We all had a fantastic time socializing and visiting with friends from up and down the coast, even some I haven't seen since the Provo days. And in case you're wondering, the answer is yes. Yes, Allie was my date for the evening and E. Hatch was okay with it. I just love my roomie.
Look what Allie got for Christmas! A pink scooter named Sally! Saturday afternoon we took her for a spin along the coast and rode her all the way down to the San Clemente pier. That thing was so fun! We had perma-smiles the whole time! I've already decided that I'm gonna save my pennies to buy Sally a boyfriend. I can just see it now: Sally and Skeeter Scooter.
Friday morning I rolled out of bed, jumped on the scale, and just about died. Bad idea. Christmas was not kind to my hips. So I laced up my running shoes, loaded my iPhone with some new tunes, and hit the streets for a morning jog. While running through the Lantern District I couldn't help but snap a few pics of the harbor and this gorgeous place I call home. People must've thought I was a tourist, whipping out my camera phone as I enjoyed the scenery. I didn't really care. Just counting my blessings and naming them one by one.
Each year on Christmas day the entire Messick family gathers at Grandma & Grandpa's house in San Clemente for treats and eats. Every year you can pretty much expect the same thing: eat food, open presents, eat food, play with presents, eat food, and go to the movies. But this year was different. A good different. 
This gorgeous house was by far my favorite! I loved all of the white lights and the way they went around each and every window. It was absolutely beautiful. I hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas Eve filled with peace, joy, and LIGHT!!!
We decided to meet up Christmas Eve morning at the Ritz Carlton to enjoy some first class service, a delicious breakfast, and a spectacular view. As we ate, we caught up on each others jobs, families, and of course our love lives. We always have the best girl talk!
When we were in High School, Brittany and I would come to the Ritz with all of our friends after the football or basketball games to come and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, or play a game of charades with Lisa Kudro (true story), or to just wander around the grounds. I've had some great memories here at the Ritz with this girl.
With our candlelit table nestled close to the fire, we enjoyed a four course meal fit for a king. Decadent Hot Chocolate, an English Garden Salad (Literally! There were pansies and daisy petals sprinkled on top), Filet Mignon, Goose, Swordfish (and more). All topped off with a rich Chocolate Souffle, a la mode of course!
My beautiful Sister Kellie made it home from school just in time to enjoy the festivities. Isn't she cute!!! It's so fun to have her home for the holidays. I still can't believe we'll be celebrating her 20th birthday next week! 
Oh, and you're gonna' love this. Some mothers discipline their kids when they play with their food, but mine just asks if she can join in. Gotta' love the hot cocoa mustaches. It's a good look for you Mom.
And it was so fun to have Colby (aka-Elder Goettel) there with us who recently returned home form the Canada Winnipeg Mission. That's where I went!!! Colby served in all the same areas I did which made it fun to name drop and see how the members and investigators are doing. 
What a fun evening of holiday traditions. Hope your shopping is done and you can enjoy this Christmas Eve! If you live in Southern California I hear it's gonna be a wet one! Merry Christmas!!!
We usually begin the night with a visit to Ages, a local retirement home, to sing Christmas carols to the residents. It's so fun to see the excitment on their faces as they sing-a-long to the familiar songs. 
Next, it's off to the Roche home, or whoever is hosting that year, and enjoy a delicious potluck style dinner and enough sweets to give even Buddy The Elf a tummy ache til New Years.
This year was extra special cuz Parker and Jessica Wells brought their brand new baby Sienna. It was my first time meeting this little cutie and I just fell in love with her perfect little everything. Isn't it cute how she's just staring at me. I think she loves me!
Meet my Uncle Billy and his band. Saturday morning I got a call from Billy (the only guy without a seven year beard), saying he was in town, just passing through on his music tour through the western United States. I was still wet from my shower but told him I'd throw on some clothes and meet him at my parent's place for some pancakes and eggs. 
With full bellies we made our way over to the Sommer's for the Friday night agenda: The 5th Annual Christmashup Holiday Dance Party! Cuz that's the way we do it in the LBC!
Thanks Kent & Nellie for putting on a fabulous holiday party. The glow sticks were a total hit! I am so loving the month of December! Merry Christmas!!!
Every year for the last 100 years, millions of viewers have enjoyed watching beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes sail along the harbor in the Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. Unfortunately, due to the severe weather, the parade was canceled for tonight only. Just our luck! But it's ok because we still had ourselves a blast cruising through the harbor, looking at all of the Christmas lights, playing games, eating pizza, and sipping hot cocoa. It may have poured, but it certainly didn't "rain on our parade." It's always a good time on the HOBBY yacht!!!
Twenty-five was a great year for me and I hope it will be for my dear friend, Miss Adrienne Curry! Tuesday night a few close friends gathered at Mosun in Laguna for some Sushi and to celebrate the birth of this beautiful woman. Gentlemen, she's single. Hurry up already! And what Tuesday night would be complete without a little 80's dancing at Oceans? You know we had ourselves some fun. Happy 25th Birthday Adrienne!!!
This year the Ritz is all decorated in PURPLES! Just look at those gorgeous flowers. I'm in love. Shades of plum, violet, magenta, and lavender! Purple just so happens to be my very favorite color...for now. It changes from season to season.
Next stop on the list was the GIANT Gingerbread House. This year instead of doing their usual Gingerbread "House," they constructed a Gingerbread Sandcastle. How appropriate! It's completely edible (we're all still a little skeptical on the windows), and is made of things like waffles, cream puffs, ribbon candy, donuts, and more. Oh, and don't mind our ridiculous Prom poses. Sometimes we just can't help ourselves. And people wonder why I'm not married. "GROW UP!" No thanks.
Sunday evening I joined a few friends at the Emmett home for some holiday treats at Kristin's Annual Christmas Open House. While there, she snapped this cute pic of Brandon and me and it reminded me how much I LOVE any and all dresses with pockets. I mean, pockets on pants are great, but they're so much cooler on dresses. So roomy! Just think of all the things you can do WITH pockets that you can't do without. You can warm your hands, or keep some lip gloss in them. You can even grab a cookie and save it for later...which I may or may not have done. Okay, gross. I didn't do that. But I could've if I wanted to. If you ask me, the world is a better place because of dresses with pockets.
The best part about it is when you pull up to the house, you turn your radio station to 90.5 FM and the lights simultaneously flash to songs such as Carol of the Bells and The Grinch. Check out this awesome, but not so high-quality video I found on youtube of the lights in action. Turn up the volume. It's pretty incredible. I'm not gonna lie.
High School MusicalNow that's talent!
But then I came across the site for the Mesa Arizona Temple with my name listed in the description. Why? Well, several months ago while visiting my sister and brother in Arizona, we went to the temple and after a session I took a few shots that turned out awesome. So, I submitted one to the church and until now, had no idea they were added to the Mesa Arizona Temple website. Cool, huh! Click HERE to see my photo with credit to my name and everything! Just scroll down and it's the 8th picture on the left. Then try googling your name. You might be surprised at what you find.
You must read this book! For this month's San Clemente 5th Ward Book Club we read Dr. Laura Schlessinger's book "The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands." Okay, now before you go laughing at us for reading a book we obviously have no business reading, hear me out. We will be married someday (power of positive thinking). Therefore, we need to know what to expect someday in that future marriage, and how to properly care for and feed that future husband, right? And, from our discussion tonight, I think it's actually helping me and others in our dating life. Yes Mom, I am working on it. Despite what many of you think, I am trying to give her grandchildren someday. Anyway, I loved the book! I thought it was a fabulous read and would highly recommend it to any and all women, married or single. I think it's full of wonderful counsel that, if applied, will lead you to a most successful marriage relationship. And after having listened to Dr. Laura on the AM radio for years, I rarely if ever, have heard her give ill advice. If you'll read this book with an open mind and a humble heart, you'll love it. It'll motivate you to be a better spouse, lover, partner, companion, listener, communicator, sympathizer...you get the picture. It's good. Read it.
