SATURDAY FATTER-DAY

Tyler had to get up early to go to a musical practice for the Christmas Sing-Along for our parents' neighborhood. He then went to work and I got some much-needed chores done. In the evening I went to Lynchland for what they call Saturday Fatter-Day (basically eating loads of leftovers). Tyler came over too after work and we had another night filled with Candy Crush (helping Nicole, Jeff, and Matt with all of the game tips and tricks we've learned over the months) and watching LOST late into the morning—sounds familiar, no? I could get used to this...

FRIDAY PIE DAY

Unfortunately Tyler and I could only get Thanksgiving and our anniversary off this week, so it was back to work for us. Tyler started the day with a job interview; on Wednesday he had an e-mail from the University of Utah Hospital saying he got an interview, but it was a virtual interview… It was like a Skype session to nobody; there would be a question, he had 30 seconds to prepare, then two and a half minutes to record his answer. I know Tyler would LOVE to transfer to the U, and how exciting if we both got new jobs this year. After his job interview he swung by Lynchland to get some leftovers for him and me to enjoy during lunchtime. Tyler headed to Miche with food and Jade because I had promised my co-workers that I would bring Jade in before I left. Cassie and I were basically the only ones in, so she played with Jade while we ate delicious leftovers. Tyler then went to work and I finished out the day in a silent office. In the evening we went to Lynchland for Friday Pie Day, the day the Lynches set aside each year to devour all the pies they look forward to all Thanksgiving but are then too full to eat after dinner, and we enjoyed another late night LOST and Candy Crush party.

THANK FULL

We intended to get over to Lynchland somewhat early to help with all of the food, but ended up oversleeping because we were up so late last night. We did help a bit, mostly with pies, and then chilled and chowed on the snacks at the snack table. Dinner was amazing: turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, squash, yams, stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, ice cream jello, butt rolls, and tons of pies. So yummy. We ate and ate and then Nicole had to go to work, boo, but then we ate some more without her. It was so much fun. Turns out Jason is re-watching LOST, so we of course jumped right on that train. We watched like a million episodes, only breaking for some pie. Also, we've finally got Matt and Nicole hooked on Candy Crush Saga, and tonight we got Tyler's dad hooked too. We sat and watched LOST and played Candy Crush late into the night.

THANKSGIVING PREP

Goodness gracious! We ran what felt like a billion errands today after work, and then we got to work on all the Thanksgiving prep we need to do for tomorrow. We are bringing those Martha Stewart peanut butter acorns we made last year, a yummy variation on candied yams, and we plan to make a pie, but probably not until Friday pie day. I must have really been beat, because I ended up falling asleep while Tyler made the acorns. I awoke late in the night and proceeded to candy these pecans for the yams. I've never candied any sort of nuts, but it was a bit easier than I thought—I think they turned out quite nice, yes? Tomorrow is going to be so great; I'm already so giddy that the holidays are starting.

TWO YEARS

Today was our two-year anniversary! Can you believe it?! Tyler had a massive exam this morning even though we both took work off to celebrate. After his test we decided to take his car in to get inspected and I had to go take a urine test to get drug tested for the Utah Jazz. It took two hours and three tries, but I finally passed the test! We went and picked up his car, complete with four new tires, and ate our traditional anniversary pretzel bites from the mall. (While running some errands between our wedding and reception, we picked some up; they are always a lovely reminder of how amazing that whole day was when we go back year after year.) Then it was time to open presents: Tyler got me a shirt, jacket, and scarf from Forever 21, and a beautiful pearl necklace from the same jeweler where he bought my wedding ring. I had a surprise all lined up for Tyler, but it didn't end up working out, so we decided that we would just do some shopping at H&M. As we were leaving, the present I had lined up was in a plastic bag on our doorknob and Tyler held it up puzzledly. I squealed, grabbed the bag, and ran into our room to hide it (it still needed some work done on my end). Now that we didn't need to go to H&M, we drove to Texas Roadhouse instead and had the biggest meal of our lives. This is the man I am bound to forever and I couldn't think of a better person to have hilarious adventures with. What a perfect day!

BEING SPONTANEOUS

Today was a really hard day. I called the Utah Jazz in the morning and told them I would like to accept their offer, and we went over all the things that would need to happen leading up to my first day there. I was a little late getting to work because of this call. I got in and I could tell that it had already been a rough day for my department, especially Caroline. I could tell it was bad timing to talk to her about quitting so I thought I would wait until after lunch. The day only got worse though, and I decided there wasn't really going to be a good time to tell her. I messaged her and asked if we could go chat somewhere. I felt like I was punching her in the gut, especially since she is leaving for Turkey in the morning, and by the time she gets back I will only have a little time left before I start with the Jazz. I felt like the ultimate jerk, but like the amazing person she is, she understood and said that it had just been a bad day. I walked slowly back to my desk and with a heavy heart told the rest of my team that I had just quit. The rest of today was a blur, but I am definitely going to miss these people. (Photo: a fortune I've had on my computer screen since my first official day here.)

PRE-THANKSGIVING

Today we had choir practice and tithing settlement. After all of that we scurried over to my parents' house for a little pre-Thanksgiving meal with my grandparents from both sides. This week my Dad leaves for Sacramento to spend the week with my sister Sara, so Aubrey and I are both having Thanksgiving with our in-laws. As a result, my mom decided to put on a mini Thanksgiving with the grandparents. Even though we were a bit late, we enjoyed our meal in the company of my grandma and grandpa Bush, my aunt Kay Lynne and uncle Don, and my grandma Duncan. This is my cute 92-year-old grandma who wore her bright fuchsia house slippers to dinner… what a baller. We came home a bit early so that Tyler could get some homework submitted by midnight. Afterwards we talked over all the pros and cons of taking the Utah Jazz job. This has seriously been one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. We eventually landed on the decision that I would except the job offer in the morning and put in my three weeks notice with Miche. I will really miss the people I work with, but I think it's time for me to spread my wings a bit. Whelp, here goes nothing!