A D.C. Engagement (sans engagement pictures)

The following are a few pictures of my recent trip with Jericho to D.C. This post would have been up earlier but I was still having a silent war with my camera. It doesn't know, but I still haven't forgiven it and will probably end up replacing it. Should have thought twice before deciding to eat my pictures. Amazingly enough, all the pictures that were erased from my camera are the ones post-engagement. So these are the ones from sight-seeing. Fabulous, I know.

The Montana Christmas tree and the Capitol. Note all the construction and fake-marble seating for the upcoming Inauguration.

We wanted to go to the new visitors center but had a hard time figuring out where it was. We were a little distracted. It was the first place we went after the drive up there so our main concern was a bathroom and something to eat.

Ah. Victory. The cold weather didn't keep the street vendors from being out and selling their delicious hot dogs. And we were very grateful.

We started at the Capitol and made our way down the Mall, stopping as we went. This is us waiting in line at the Smithsonian. It was quite cold that day but fortunately it didn't rain like the forecast said. There was actually a surprising amount of people touring the sights, it also being the day after Christmas.

While on the trip I became increasingly more irritated with camera because it doesn't allow for any good night settings. I have about 4 times as many pictures than I need because I tried taking pictures in every setting my camera offers. This is one of the only ones that turned out of the Washington Monument.

Our stopping point on the Mall tour was the Lincoln Memorial. Also the sight of Jericho's proposal. Before we left for D.C., I had my suspicions that Jericho would propose while we were there. (I'm a difficult person to surprise [in many respects]. I'm ready for everything, like a cat.) If he did propose while we were there, I was thinking he'd do it at the D.C. LDS Temple, which we went to after we were done with downtown (pictures, of course, are lost somewhere in technology land). Anyway, since the Lincoln Memorial was our last stop, we had a seat off to the side to rest for a bit . We just sat there, on the freezing marble, people watching and talking. Then he suddenly turned to me with the ring and asked me to marry him. OF COURSE!!! He has noted that he, on more than one occassion, threatened me that I wasn't allowed to say no, but I assured him that I make my own decisions despite feeble threats of violence.

I have enjoyed the comments that people have given congratulating me on the engagement. Especially those that say things "It's about time!" It's true. This engagement has taken quite a process to come about. But it was worth it. We are very happy and very excited!!! I've been cautioned how much work is required in a marriage but I'd say that Jericho and I have had our share of work in the past 2 years. I've also been asked if I feel any different, and I actually don't. We've been talking and planning marriage for so long that having the ring just seems like a formality. As far as a date goes, it will most likely be at the end of April. Well, now it comes time to plan the wedding! Since flowers and decorations really aren't my thing, I appreciate any advice all the married folk can share.

Christmas Videos

Another post for your Christmas entertainment...

In case you have ever wanted to have access to nearly every Christmas video online, or at least 101 of them, here is a link for you.

It includes the Christmas episodes of some of your favorite TV shows, loved commercials, music videos, and even the creepy stop-action claymation films. Enjoy!

Christmas Quiz

Since we all had so much fun with my Fourth of July quiz, I decided to make one for Christmas. This one has the potential to be a bit harder. Don't worry, I don't judge. The results of this quiz have no bearing on how I think of you as my friend. I learned a lot making this so I hope you do too!!

Father of the Year

My initial thought this month was that all of my posts would somehow have to be tied into Christmas. I don't think that is going to happen. There may be other Christmas-themed posts - perhaps a rant about how anti-"Christmas" our society is becoming - but perhaps not. Until I find another Christmas post, please enjoy the below video.

I don't wish that my daughters-to-be have the desire to be cheerleaders, but in the event that they do, I hope they have a fellow cheerleader like this guy.

Sounds of the Season

We have officially entered the Christmas music 24/7 time of year. It's an instant acceptance into the Christmas season.

I consider myself to be somewhat of a Christmas music purist. At Christmas time, I don't really listen to a lot of pop Christmas music but if I do, it's usually the more traditional sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Josh Groban, Harry Connick, Jr. and the like. I enjoy the Frank and Ella-type Christmas music partly because it's light and fun and partly because it makes me feel like I'm just a Starbucks away from creating my very own Barnes and Noble in my house.

I've never really taken to the pop stars versions of many Christmas songs. It seems that everyone and their mom can release a Christmas album. But nonetheless, there are still plenty of fun pop Christmas songs out there. The follow list is not some of them. Below are my top 5 most irritating pop Christmas songs. Feel free to add any to this list.

5) Pretty much any rendition of Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer. Call me a traitor to Christmas carols but seriously, is there a more ridiculous Christmas carol than Rudolph? It's cute when little kids sing it but is it really necessary to turn it into a pop song?

4) All I Want for Christmas is You - Mariah Carey
I liked this song when it first came out. But apparently so did every other woman in the entire nation. One year, a neighboring paralegal at my office turned on her online Christmas radio station loud enough for everyone nearby to also enjoy in the music. Whenever this song came on she would turn it up even louder. Thanks hun.

3) Wonderful Christmas Time - Paul McCartney
The repetition of the line "Simply havin a wonderful Christmas time" roughly 47 times in the song is what irritates me. I expect more lyrical genius out of a Beatle.

2) So this is Christmas - John Lennon*
It's has a wonderful message but it's the creepy children's backup choir that does it for me. I think the song would be so much better without it. Celine does a version of this song that is gorgeous but her's is sans creepy children's choir. I think she went with the traditional gospel choir and, let's be honest, whenever you go with a gospel choir as backup, you're golden.

1) Feliz Navidad
Oh how I love the song that makes every American feel that much more cultural because they know how to say "Merry Christmas" in Spanish. Not only that, but people continue to come out with their own versions, to include The Cheetah Girls, Celine Dion and David Hasselhoff. Think I'm lying? See for yourself.

Honorable mentions:
Here are a few of my favorite pop Christmas songs.

Eagles - Please come home for Christmas

(Sorry for the cheesy house lighting version. I find it very entertaining.)

O Holy Night - This is the Josh Groban version but in general this is my very favorite Christmas song. It's a very powerful song so I think versions sung by a man capture it better.

God Rest ye Merry Gentleman - Barenaked Ladies/Sarah MacLachlin

*I didn't purposely put two songs on by former Beatles. It's completely coincidental.