Josh left where we were staying as a surprise, and he made a great choice! We stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club on the strip. It was an AMAZING hotel, and there was no casino, so it was nice that you didn't walk into the lobby and smell cigarette smoke. 
When we got to Vegas, it was already nighttime, and we were pretty much starving. So we hit the strip in search of a food court. We finally found one that was still open in the Venetian, which happens to also be our favorite hotel. We quickly discovered that food courts in Vegas are expensive...but we were starving, so we got some cheesesteaks, and they were way good. 
After we ate, we spent some time exploring the Venetian. I love how they make the shops look like they are outside! 
The next day, we went to cover all of the rest of the sights on the strip. We started with the MGM Grand, where they had the lions, which I always love to see.
The MGM Grand also has what Josh claims would be in his dream home: about a million TV screens playing pretty much every single game happening in the United States at one time.
Next we headed over the M&M factory!
We even waited to see the 3-D movie. The movie didn't make a lot of sense, and probably doesn't teach ideal morals for children (the red M&M loses the white "M" on his chest while gambling in Vegas), but it was fun. 
And then there was an out-of-order Coca Cola machine. At Coca-Cola World. How embarassing.
Then we enjoyed some of the other sites of Vegas:
The Bellagio, as always, had an amazing conservatory. We were there while they still had their Christmas set-up. The houses, polar bears, snowman, everything was made of flowers.
We finished the trip by eating a delicious dinner at Outback Steakhouse, and then we decided to watch the fountain show one more time. But the Bellagio was farther down the strip, and it was getting close to the half-hour (the fountains go on the hour and half hour) so we pretty much had to run all the way there. We made it about 1 minute before the show started, and it was definitely worth it.
After that, we made the 6 hour drive back home, and got back at about 2 or 3 in the morning! But we had a great time; it was our first getaway together since our honeymoon!
Every year the Bensons have a gingerbread house building night, and that's where me and Josh made this train. 
Recently, we also got a new couch and entertainment center, and they've made such a big difference in our apartment.
A few days before Christmas, Josh and I went over to the Bell's. Neither Lindsey or I went to South Carolina for Christmas, so we decided to do our own little get together before she, Nick, and Makenzie left for Oregon. We did our Brown Family traditions: Lindsey made potato soup, and then we all watched The Grinch. We had a great time!
After the movie, we headed back to our apartment. It was so nice to walk in to the smell of roast, carrots, potatoes, and onions cooking! Then, once we were back, it was time to start cooking the rest of the dinner: mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese, and rolls (but the rolls were easy, because all I had to do was take them out of the bag...).
Josh found a way to keep himself entertained while I cooked (don't worry, he definitely offered to help).
After the dinner was cooked, he himself, The Grinch, carved the roast beast.
Then we enjoyed a delicious meal. We were so full for hours afterward, that we couldn't even eat the cheesecake I had made!
After dinner, we each got to open 1 present. Apparently, Josh and I think A LOT alike, because we both got each other the game "Clue." But one was Harry Potter clue, so I guess they're a little different...
After that, we watched It's a Wonderful Life. That's a Brown family favorite Christmas movie, and Christmas wouldn't have been complete with out watching it. This was Josh's first time seeing it, but he really liked it! Which is good, because he'll be watching it every year for the rest of eternity...
On Christmas morning, Josh and I slept-in a little bit and then opened our presents and stockings! Josh had us wear matching pajama pants, because that's what his family did growing up! We also got him a Santa hat.
Here's the carnage...
We made a good haul this year!
Once we were done, I called home and talked to my family while Josh made a huge Christmas breakfast! Belgain waffles with Strawberry topping and whipped cream (his topping was even homemade!), eggs, bacon, and cinnamon rolls!
We made a cookie-brownie dessert for the Benson Family Christmas Dinner and headed down to Provo! We had a big dinnner and spent a lot of time with all of the Benson's, and then had a Christmas present exchange. It was so fun to have everyone together! I need to get pictures of everything from one of Josh's siblings. (I'm so bad about taking pictures when there's other people doing it, because I always figure I can get them from someone else later...)