Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Friday Fun at Temple Square

Last Friday was a fun evening. Nancy and Michael invited Ryan and I to attend a concert with them on Temple Square. Nancy's brother Ben ended up coming to town from Vegas so we decided to set him up on a date. We lined him up with my old roomie Chris and hoped it would be a match-made in heaven! We met up at the Lion's House for a quick bite before the show. After we ate we headed over to see Joseph Smith the Prophet, at the tabernacle. (A funny side-note, we ran into Phyllis, one of my friend's from high-school. I probably hadn't seen her in four years prior to our lunch yesterday, and and now again on Temple square the next day!) Anyway, Ryan was running late because he got out of work late and I hadn't told him it was best-dressed (oops), so we ended up going in without him. I was excited because Presidents Monson and Uchtdorf came in and we had a perfect view of them the whole time. On top of that, the concert was amazing!
As for the match-made in heaven? Well, no numbers were exchanged, but I guess ya never know! It was a fun night. Thanks for the invites, Martins!

Friday, April 25, 2008

Class Reunion?

Today was a fun day. Adie and I planned to go to lunch with Kara today. I was excited to see them both, but little did I know it would be a CHS class reunion! I showed up and it ended up being Adie, Kara, Cheridan, Phyllis and Amberlee. What fun! I guess Adie called the others this morning and pulled together an impromptu gathering. It was really great to see them and some of their cute kids.
It's crazy to think we are all the same age, yet Cheridan and Phyllis both have five children, and Adie, Kara & Amberlee have three each. Wow, what the heck have I been doing?! Anyway, we laughed a lot, reminisced and got caught up. We had such a great group of friends growing up and in high school. We were always out and about trying to find some fun adventures. We went to Bear Lake in the summers, Mesquite for Spring Break, and Teasdale (Capital Reef National Park) for our Senior trip. I loved those years! A few years after we'd graduated however, we'd all kinda gone our separate ways. I began to believe the things my brother Weston used to tell me about how we were only friends because of geographics. I started thinking we really didn't have a lot in common and were just meant to be good friends during my adolescent years. We'd still try and get together every year for a Christmas party, but sometimes I felt like we were all just so different. It wasn't until a few years ago I realized how much fun we still had. This last December, we all met up at Karen's house for our annual party and it was then I really knew we weren't only friends just because we'd grown up together. We are all girls trying to do the best we can in life. We have so much fun together and a connection that takes us back to our childhood! I'm so glad we've remained friends and I really believe we will for life. :)

Here are a few pics from our ten-year (ahem) reunion. Yes, I know I look different, please don't point it out. HA!

Karen, Me, Katie, Amberlee


Clockwise: Karen, Amberlee, Me, Liz, Katie, Denise, Cheridan & Kara


Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Getting to know me!

I haven't had much to write about lately, but my friend Audri tagged me so here is a fun little survey:

A - Attached or single: Attached to Ryan, for almost three years now.
B - Best Friend: Ryan :)
C - Cake or Pie: I'd probably have to say pie. I love coconut and banana cream!
D - Day of Choice: Sunday. It's the day I go to church, see Ryan and hang with the fam.
E - Essential Item: My purse, cause it has all the essentials.
F - Favorite Color: Yellow
G - Gummy Bears or Worms: Worms
H - Hometown: Syracuse
I - Indulgence(s): Reality TV, singing.
J - January or July: After this winter I'm going to have to say July!
K - Kids: I love my nieces and nephews, and a few others! :)
L - Life is incomplete without: Family
M - Marriage Date: Hmmm, how about September 20th, 2008??
N - Number of Siblings: 5 brothers, 1 sister
O - Oranges or Apples: I really like both, but I'm leaning towards the orange.
P - Phobias or Fears: Depends on the day. Sometimes elevators. :)
Q - Quote(s): "My life is nothing more than an acumulation of blessings from God." -B. Jay" When life ceases to be difficult, that is when progression stops." -K. Burningham
R - Reason to Smile: Baby Tayson, Ryan, warm sunny day, the Gospel, friends, vacation.
S - Season: I love all the seasons. That's one of the great things about Utah, you get all four.
T - Tag Eight: Carrie, Ash, Amber, Celeste, Nancy, Nikki, Carol, Sarah, Sis, Kara, Codee, Alisa, Melissa, Tara Becky, Sherrie & Di!
U - Unknown Fact About Me: I once danced next to Charles Barkley. Ha ha.
V - Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: I wouldn't call it oppression of animals, but whatev, I eat meat.
W - Worst Habit: Uh...far too many. Don't always finish what I start, over-eat, tardy. I don't want to go on!
Y - Your Favorite Food: Steak, ice-cream. Odd combo.
Z - Zodiac: Aries, I'm a ram.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Remodel, Ingrid, Conference & Albertson's

I haven't posted anything for a week or so and since I have a few cool things to write about, I'll go back. Several weeks ago my brother Brady asked if our family would be able to come help him get his house ready to remodel. Friday evening we all headed to Brady's and got to work. We pulled up carpet and tackboard, scrubbed walls and cupboards, pounded out tile and linoleum, mudded, patched and sanded and other various jobs. Of the twenty-five members of my immediate family, almost all were there to help. At one point Dallin and Nicole were on top of the cupboards vacuuming and scrubbing. Jed and my dad were doing all the taping and drywall stuff since they're so good at it. RaNae and Melissa took on the grueling task of pulling tacks and staples out of the floors. Weston taped and painted. Ryan, Brett and Brady were pouding out the tiling and various other things. My mom kept things organized and swept right under our feet. At all times everone was busy working hard and getting things done. I'm so grateful for a family who is so willing to help each other. My family has always pitched in and pulled together whether it was someone moving, painting, putting in a yard, or building a shed. It's so nice to know you can count on your family and they will always be there in any time of need!

The next day was a day I had been looking forward to for weeks. Ryan and I had gotten tickets to see one of my favorite artists, Ingrid Michaelson. I love her voice, her songs and harmonies, not to mention she is really down to earth. I know that because she and I are pretty tight. HA! Anyway, The concert was actually called the Hotel Cafe Tour which featured a lot of up and coming artists. There were some cool people I liked; Meika, and Dan Wilson, but there simply was not enough Ingrid. What she did sing was amazing live though and it was great because we were right up close to the front and had a perfect view! Afterwards, we started shuffling out but I noticed a few people milling around by the stage. I told Ryan I wanted to see if she'd come out. Sure enough, a few minutes later she came out. Did I actually wait to meet her, get a picture taken with her and ask for an autograph? Yes, yes I did. I'm pretty sure Ryan thinks I'm a huge nerd, and actually I think I'm a huge nerd for doing so, but what the heck? It was fun! Anyway, I only had my camera phone with no flash so the picture is pretty much pitch black, but here it is:




Best buds, Ingrid & Krista





Apparently I'm her #1 fan



After a great night with Ryan we went our separate ways and headed home. The next day was General Conference. I always love when it's conference time and we get to hear from our Prophet and apostles. Even though I love and miss President Hinckley dearly, I love President Monson and know he truly is a prophet of God. I recorded Saturday's session since I wasn't able to watch it and have yet to watch it. Soon though!


Now tonight is Friday night again. Ryan came up after work so we could go to Albertson's! What could be more fun for a Friday night date? It's kinda sad actually. The Alberton's on Antelope Drive (next to Kmart) is closing. It's so weird because it's the store we always went to (besides Hamblin's) growing up. That was long before the days of having a Smith's and Walmart in Syracuse, let alone a traffic light! Anyway, most everything in the store is 75% off so we wanted to see if we could get some deals! We got there and I'd say more than 80% of the merchandise is already gone. Nevertheless, we got a few steals and it was fun to watch Mr. I-Hate-Shopping going through the bargains. After shopping, we got some take-out chinese food and now I'm here at work. I'd say I had a pretty great week!


Thursday, April 3, 2008

Family Fireside

What a week! Last Saturday night Ryan came up to take me out for my birthday. My surprise party was so great I didn't need anything more, but Ryan insisted. He ended up taking me to a delicious Mexican restaurant in Farr West called Bella's. I highly recommend the chicken taquitos, they were SO good! Afterward we stopped at my oldest bro's house, (Ryan and RaNae's) and had a nice quick visit with them. "My" Ryan (it's sometimes very confusing to have your brother and boyfriend share the same name!) ended up staying over at my house that night because we were going to my brother Ryan's ward in the morning. The next day we went to Hooper to see my bro speak. He was put in as 1st counselor in his ward. Afterwards he was set apart and my dad ordained my brother as a high priest. It was really neat to be there for that and my dad gave a really special blessing.

After that I had to rush back to my own ward for YW's, and Ryan headed home. This was my actual birthday and it was cute cause all the girls sang Happy Birthday to me. Later, on Sunday evening, my mom, Kellee, and I attended a fireside in our stake. Elder Jeffery R. Holland of the Twelve came to our stake center and spoke on the importance of families. What a privilege to have an apostle and his wife come and speak to us! One thing he said that was so poignant was that everything in this church, sooner or later, comes down to the family. Some other great things he said:

-The day we don't have time to pray or read our scriptures is the very day we need it most.

-This life is not home, it's a step along the way. Everything in this life is pointed toward the next.

-This earth life gives us the practice to be Godly. How much of what we love about the Savior was done in a church? It was done out where life was being lived. That is where the gospel is lived and how the Savior taught.

-We are kinder to the store clerk than our loved ones. It cannot be! We should have no contention one with another. Our hearts should be knit together in unity and love. You can't tear something apart this is knit together. It's unyielding.

Anyway, it was a really great fireside and I'm grateful I could be there. At the end, he gave us an assignment. He told us to find where we can be more Godly, whether it's in being more compassionate, forgiving, harmonious etc. Then he blessed us if we would, we'd see miracles in our lives and in our families. It was such a great night! I wish Ryan could have been there!


The next day I got to go watch baby Tayson. My sister-in-law Melissa is graduating next month with her RN. She has class for just a couple hours on Monday's, she has also had to precept at the hospital where she basically works for free. Before you can graduate you have to put in so many hours shadowing another nurse. Anyway, it's been great that I can help out and watch the baby. He is such a sweet, happy baby and I love getting to spend the extra time with him!