A Very Late Merry Christmas and an Early Happy New Year! :)

Well since I missed it... MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!! :) I hope yours was good and sorry for the late message... it has been a crazy week.

Christmas was pretty great here in ABQ! :) On Christmas Eve I got to spend some great, quality time with the Mangum family (who are WAY too good to me). We all opened our first gift and revealed matching pajamas with quotes from The Christmas Story, which was a pretty good and funny movie. I also exchanged gifts with everyone except for Caleb that night and, I must say, I am truly blessed to know this family. A camera, a coat, two mugs, and much more was way too much! :) I love y'all! 

Earlier on Christmas Eve, I was so thankful that I got to see my brother, Gilbert, his wife, Alexis, and my adorable nephew, Nolan. We had a blast watching Nolan be a ladies man and watching many different football games on the many different TVs at Kelly's Diner (or Pub... I'm not sure what it is called exactly). I cannot wait to see these wonderful people again before they head back to Texas in a couple of days. 

My sister, Kelly, and Nolan! :)

Me and Nolan (and Gil in the background)! :) Gotta love that our hair is the same color haha.

Nolan and his favorite aunts! :) I love this lil' man!

 

After a very fun Christmas Eve... an amazing Christmas with my my mom, Kelly, Pa, Erika, and Aunt Gloria came. We all woke up early on Christmas morning to see what "Santa" had brought us. After opening the gifts to find books, movies, TOMS, jewelry, and many things for my room we went and had a delicious dinner of spinach lasagna at my aunt's house and watched Mean Girls (such a funny movie). I love my family. I am so happy that I am home! :)

Christmas continued for me on the 26th though. Caleb and I got to take dance lessons with Patti, one of the women that he works with. It was sooo much fun and I am really thinking about taking some more lessons somewhere else! :) I really do miss dancing and would love to get back into it!! :) After 2 hours of learning one step, two step, and another dance full of turns and such, Caleb and I exchanged gifts and I absolutely love the necklace he got me :) I am so lucky to be dating such a great guy!! I couldn't ask for more. Thank you, Caleb... And I am very happy that you liked your necklace and shirt. (Funny... we both got each other necklaces).

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After a fun Christmas weekend, it was time to go back to work and earn some cold, hard cash, which I should next week after working almost 43 hours already for this pay period. Woohoo! I can reimburse myself for the amount I spent on gifts for all the people.

Yesterday we all went to Joe and Priscilla's wedding and had a such a great time. CONGRATS JOE AND PRISCILLA! :) It was such a beautiful wedding and I was so happy that I got to go and see friends tie the knot. I love weddings! :)   

 

And tomorrow is the last day of 2011... 2012 is a new year and time for a new start. Happy New Years! :)

I have had such a great break so far and now it's time to relax before orientation and a trip to Denver for Caleb's DENTAL SCHOOL INTERVIEW! :) Congrats, babe! :) You will do great!

Goodnight all!

Love y'all!

<3
Ali :)

A New Start! CHRISTMAS! And blonde! :)

Well I am officially no longer a Techie. I am a Lobo! :) I finished my last final yesterday, came straight home, went to the Dion's Home Office and got my job back! :) I already work this Sat - Fri of next week. It's NUTS! :) But I'm very excited to be back.

Christmas is just around the corner and, boy oh boy, do I have a ton of shopping to do. And without a job, this is going to be a funky Christmas but I'm very excited!! IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!! :D

To kick off the Christmas season, my mom is throwing a big Christmas party at my house tonight... How we are going to fit a bunch of people in my house is beyond me! It will be a blast even if we are standing butt to butt!

Also this season... Gilbert, Alexis, and Nolan are coming to visit! :) Yay! I am so happy to see my brother, sister - in - law, and nephew! It has been awhile!

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Now it's time for another vote! I am really considering dying my hair completely blonde (since it's close enough already) but I have having difficulties figuring out which shade would look the best. Y'all tell me! :)

What do y'all think of this one?? I really like it but I don't know if it is too light! Let me know! :)

Well I must go finish cleaning... "Welcome home... Here's a mop, here's a broom... Have fun"

Oh... And HAPPY 5 MONTHS TO THE MOST WONDERFUL BOYFRIEND... CALEB! :)

Happy Winter Break Y'all! :)

<3

Ali :)

Gave My Life!

Yesterday, I gave my life to Lord! :) I made the decision a few months ago to get baptized and yesterday, the the Launch for Mars Hill ABQ, I did. It was the greatest thing I have ever done. I could not stop shaking for about 10 minutes after they dunked me in the water :) I was so happy and I get to start my life with God! :D Thank you to my mom, Kelly, Pa, Aunt Gloria, Susan, Doug, Cayce, Caleb, Erynn, Jon, and Nathan for being there with me and helping me celebrate this great day after :)

I GOT DUNKED!! DEATH, BURIAL, RESURRECTION!

The greatest moment of my life! :) I am a Christian and I am proud of it.

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3 more days here is Socorro. 2 more finals! :) I cannot wait to be home. Carolyn, Michaela, Bailey, Robert, and Aaron please keep in touch and I'll see y'all sometime soon! :)

Christmas is coming up!! :) Now to figure out what I am getting people haha... So many gifts to buy!

Well I have to go to a review session for my final! :)

<3
Ali :)

SNOW!! and Finals

Socorro now has quite a bit of snow on the ground! :) Classes have been cancelled for today and the only place open on campus is the dining hall... Thank goodness! :)

It has turned into a day full of studying and relaxing now. I have to prepare for the 3 finals I have this week and the 3 I have next week. Bummer... :/

Well I must stop procrastinating and go start studying :p

Stay safe and warm! :)

<3
Ali :)