Christmas Day 2013

We have this tradition eeeevery year, to take a picture on the stairs before opening up our stockings & gifts under the Christmas tree. So there you have it! Christmas Eve was filled with family festivities at my Grandparents, then we drove home from Anaheim and enjoyed some hot chocolate around the bonfire with my favorite people (minus Evan). Then Christmas day was so low-key, fun, and relaxing. We had a blast opening presents, talking to our missionary, and then eating a delish turkey dinner!

My dad thought it would be funny to get me and my mom some plastic sharks to warn the men in our lives of that time of the month...obviously the boys thought it was hilarious. Me and mom on the other hand?! A little less amused...

Ryan got an orange in his stocking because he had mentioned that is what he got growing up, so Santa threw it in there for good measure ;) Andddd I also unwrapped another shark, this time and ornament *face palm*!

Another family tradition is picking up some new Christmas pjs, and because my parent's house is decked out in Grinch-inspired Christmas decor Jesse and I decided to match :) This Christmas break has been one of the most relaxing by far for Ryan and I, and we can't wait to tackle what this next year has in store for us. Graduating BYU, finding a career/direction, and planning more family trips! 

The Mission Inn

There is this hotel in Downtown Riverside called the Mission Inn, who decks out their interior and exterior with amazing lights and Christmas decorations every year. Plus, in the walkways around Mission Inn there are booths selling mini donuts, hot chocolate, and other delicious treats to snack on while admiring the lights. Yummmm. The last time I had been was in high school, so I was stoked about taking Ryan to check out all the gorgeous lights with some of my good friends on a group date!

When walking around we saw this Cinderella-like horse carriages taking visitors around the Mission Inn streets to look at the lights, and being the girls we are...we all really wanted to hitch a ride. My best friend Sam's stud of a boyfriend David took it upon himself to run to the Carriage Booth and claim the next ride for us. We were bummed to discover that they had closed up for the night, until this women randomly drove up with her horse & carriage saying "I'll take ya for 40 bucks." We couldn't hand her the cash fast enough!!

After scarfing down our mini glazed donuts, taking the princess carriage ride, and admiring all the gorgeous lights we slowly walked and caught up on each other's lives while making our way back to the car. Sam {the girl in the the second couple picture} and Taylor {the guy in the last pic} have been my friends since middle school, so it was pretty surreal to see them getting to know & hanging out with my husband. I sat there imagining what our lives would be like in another 5 or 10 years, and where would we all be? Though, seeing my Provo and Corona lives collide to create such memorable nights like this make me extremely grateful for the friends & family in my life :)

2013 in Review

January

+ Received confirmation on Evan's safety in his Villahermosa, Mexico mission

+ Alayna's birthday party at the ice skating rink, and Ryan's first time ever ice skating

+ My rant about the division of Marrieds vs. Non-Marrieds on BYU's campus

February

+ The first ever Orem Francesca's Valentine's Blogger Bash

+ My family all met at the St. George temple to go through with Evan for the first time

+ What us silly bloggers say & do sometimes ;)

March

+ Celebrating Easter Sunday at church, then later with some friends that are pretty much family

+ What they don't tell you about sending off an LDS missionary 

April

+ A Spring fashion show with my blogger BFF Kyla, at the Fashion Place mall

+ Things only a true Californian would know

+ First time ever to Provo's Bijou Market, and picked up some delicious jam

May

+ Our move down to Southern California for pest control sales & the official start of summer

+ Some pieces of advice from yours truly 

+ When my tire blew out & some complete strangers showed me some unexpected kindness

June

+ Our 2 year anniversary celebrated at Newport Beach & with my favorite pan dulce

+ What I've learned so far in my 2 years of marriage

+ Going down to San Diego for the weekend & celebrating Father's Day with Brazilian meat

+ A crazy 2 day kamikaze trip to Utah 

July

+ Our awesome Fourth of July with friends and family

+ The most terrific California weekend: Six Flags, Newport Beach, & an outing with friends

+ Lawn-Gate...when we almost got kicked out of our home for having a yellow lawn

+ The first installment of the Adventures With Elder Evs

August

+ Learning how to make legit cupcakes from the bakery master herself

+ After Lawn-Gate, we finally got word back that we could stay in our home. Whatta relief!

+ Secretly cheering for more married friends

September

+ I don't know 'bout you...but I'm feelin' twenty-twoooo

+ Going to a BYU football game with my parents & getting caught in the most insane rainstorm of all time

+ The rough trek getting home to Provo & falling in love with my home all over again

October

+ Dressing up as Mario & Princess Peach for a couples Halloween party

+ Continuing on with my obsession for Halloween decorations

+ The Harvest Your Fashion at Francesca's blogger party 

+ Ryan's 27th birthday, celebrated with a pineapple upside down cake all to himself

November

+ We spent Thanksgiving in Portland, OR with Ryan's family & finally took some family pictures

+ My first Thanksgiving day away from immediate family

+ Placed in Quarterfinals at BYU Dancesport in the Pasodoble 

+ First time trying out Voodoo Doughnuts & it was worth every sugary bite

December

+ Finally got some snow in Provo & completely froze my rear off

+ A tutorial on how to make amazingly delicious Oreo Pops

+ Our electronic Christmas card

+ Fun adventures to Disneyland, the day after Christmas

The Day After Christmas

I don't think it's a secret here that I absolutely LOVE Disneyland. I'm just happy that I grew up only 30 minutes away so I could visit the happiest place on earth whenever! We had the grand idea of hitting up Disneyland the day after Christmas, thinking that instead of being at the park people would be sleeping in and hanging with their families. When driving in to the parking lot we noticed "huh, there aren't many cars...so it probably isn't busy." Then we walked to the trams and also noticed the lack of people waiting, SCORE. We are so smart. 

Then we walked into Adventureland and the place was completely PACKED. There were Disneyland workers herding people along on the walking paths with their orange light up sticks. Our first ride was Pirates of the Caribbean, which usually only takes about 15 minutes in line...our line had 5 switchbacks and we waited for an hour. It was crazy!!

After Pirates we hit up Haunted Mansion, Teacups, Storybook, then ended our night with Star Tours. When we hit the Teacups ride we barely fit into the dang cup, our knees were all stuffed together around the spinning wheel. The boys had our cup spinning at a ridiculous speed, getting off the ride I was soooo dizzy! Afterwards, when walking over to the Storybook ride we were shoulder to shoulder in a crowd that was moving at a snails pace. In all my years of going to Disneyland, I had NEVER seen it this crowded! Plus it didn't help that I was still getting over my dizziness from Teacups, I felt like I was on crack and drowning in a crowd of foreigners who didn't know English and didn't know how to read the Disney map. NOoooOOooooooo!

After an hour long wait for Star Tours, some churros, and becoming sufficiently nauseous while being rebel spys...we ended the night with snagging some pictures in front of the Christmas tree on Main Street. Even though it was an insanely busy day, we had a total blast racing from ride to ride and snacking on Disneyland classic treats as a family :)

Christmas Eve Luxe

Every Christmas Eve growing up we drive over to my Grandparents home for food, a nativity play, and some Christmas carol singing. Growing up it was a tradition to dress up for the play, but now that I'm old enough I finally grew out of it! {Except Ryan, being the new part of the family, a couple years ago had to dress up as a Roman...lol}

I ate my pizza lunch outside in the gorgeous 70 degree Southern California weather with all the little cousins. I seriously did not appreciate this amazing weather year round until I moved away, whyyyyy?! I'm now a little scared that I have to face going back to the snow in a few days...

{Remixed: Booties}

And since there were oranges in my Grandparent's backyard...I just had to do my own "Real Housewives of Orange County" pose. NAILED IT. 

Date Night of My Dreams

As much as I love getting all dressed to the nines, nothing is better than a comfy & chic look. Worn in booties, olive skinnies, gold jewelry, and a gorgeous cream sweater scream "take me out on a date please!" 

Take me on a cute 'lil boat docked in Newport Beach; where Sprinkles cupcakes and salmon caviar from the UK are served. Let's slow dance to a live jazz band under the twinkling lights and cuddle while watching the stars until I fall asleep....*le sigh* That is what this look makes me want to go do, a fancy yet casual & memorable date night. I may be a little over my head...but I can dream right? :)

{Remixed: Sweater // Boots // Olive Skinnies}

Christmas Wishes

We've had a blast so far in California with family, and can't wait to talk to our missionary on Skype today! Hope you and your families are having a fantastic holiday! 

Love, The Rios'